Indian Voices • September 2009
9
Pala Band of Mission Indians
2nd Annual Honoring Traditions
Pow wow and the Soaring Eagles
by Roy Cook
Pala Ashwet Peki - Eagle House Mountain casts soft shadows. The light
shimmers as if the present view is shifting the time and vision to the theme
of this event: Honoring Traditions. August 15-16, on the banks of the
Waniicha - river, cir-
Alberta, Canada; Jacob Faithful leads Young Spirit. The Gourd
cled by shady trees
dance was an open drum and the songs were sung by singers
the 2nd annual Pala
from San Diego and Los Angeles. The open gourd dance included
Pow wow open
Pala Veterans and the AIWA members.
early and with great
The San Diego American Indian Warriors Association, AIWA,
energy. The organiz-
was selected to be the Honor Color Guard again this year for
ing committee of
the Pala Pow wow. AIWA was honored to have Captain David
this Pala Pow wow
White Feather and Pala military veteran Ron join the Honor
thought carefully on
Guard and bring in the Pala Tribal Colors. Also, joining AIWA -
the challenges from
HCG is Mr. Joe Morris, Dine’ USMC WW II Code Talker.
last years’ experi-
The Pala Pow wow is strongly supported by many dancers
ence. This year they
from the Soaring Eagles dance group. Three members are called
did all they could to
upon to fill responsible positions as Pala Pow wow head staff:
make each and Jeanette Keeme. Adrian Ortiz and Kori Black Bear. The Soaring
everything better. Eagles group is sponsored by: Southern California American
We appreciate
Indian Resource, SCAIR. Organized by Vickie Gambala, SDUSD
Lourdes Sherwood
Indian Education and the Lead instructor is
for sharing these images of the Pala
Edward ‘Chuck’ Cadotte. Our SCAIR Senior
pow wow. Head dancers Sonia Flores
advisor is Randy Edmonds. Respectfully Randy
and Kevin Yazzie led in the Grand
Edmonds brought them into the Pala Pow
entry for all sessions.
Of particular note was the tradition-
wow arena in a traditional manner. We appre-
al Southern California North County
ciate the tribe for their support and allowing
singing. During the Pala Pow wow din-
time for this activity to be accomplished.
ner break there was an exciting row of
We all appreciate the Pala Pow wow and
twenty or more youthful singers. These
the opportunity to share our Tribal culture
Bird songs and dancers are an out-
with the Soaring Eagles.We also welcome this
standing way of Honoring Traditions
opportunity to contribute to the Pala
and are completed by the very exciting
Honoring Tradition Pow wow and the continu-
female and male dancers.
ity of culture experience of our Indian chil-
This year the Pala pow wow was
dren everywhere. Many thanks to Lourdes
extremely well attended by interested
Sherwood for these great shots.
spectators. The dancers wore represen-
tative Tribal regalia. Equally appreciat-
ed
were the young and experienced dancers. There were accomplished and exciting
contest dance participants in all recognized and creative categories. Hundreds of
wonderful songs were sung this special Pala Pow wow weekend of Honoring
Traditions. We were well informed, entertained and charmed by the Emcee, Ruben
Little Head, a Northern Cheyenne from Lame Deer, Montana. Tribal Chairman
Robert Smith presents the Pala Band official welcome. The host drum is from
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