Cheyenne Little Eagle Phoenix is the reigning Wildhorse Princess, and she will be coming to Kauai. Dr. Kani Blackwell, president of the Circle of Friends & Relatives of First Americans as well as the Kauai Powwow Council Board, met the
Cheyenne Little Eagle Phoenix is the reigning Wildhorse Princess, and she will be coming to Kauai.
Dr. Kani Blackwell, president of the Circle of Friends & Relatives of First Americans as well as the Kauai Powwow Council Board, met the Princess in Temecula, Calif., and invited the Navajo and half Northern Paiute Los Angeles resident to the island for her inaugural visit.
Dr. B, as she prefers to be called, met the princess at the Pechanga Powwow in Temecula and asked the dancer if she’d like to show off her skills at the 15th annual Kauai Powwow.
The Princess said yes.
“I started Fancy Shawl Dancing when I was 7 years old,” the princess said, noting how important it is to live and dance with great pride, honor and respect. “This is a way for me to stay connected to my community which is essential for me in my life. When I dance, I think of the people who have helped me in my life, my family, and my Navajo/Paiute culture, which I represent proudly.”
Gates to the powwow open at 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the Kapaa Beach Park.
Friday evening’s program offers craft and food vendors and a silent auction and will feature a drum circle from 6 to 9 p.m. Members of the public are invited to bring their own drums.
Saturday’s event starts with the blessing of the grounds, a welcome and intercultural gift exchange with Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., followed by the Grand Entry at 11 a.m.
Sunday’s program features the Grand Entry starting at 11 a.m. and will be followed by singing, dancing and drumming until 5 p.m.
Dr. B said this year’s powwow is going to be the Kauai Powwow Council’s biggest and best event for intercultural exchange with more than 100 Native Americans, including the Wildhorse Princess, coming to Kauai.
A key component of the powwow is the school outreach program, which Dr. B said is overflowing with participants, including the Elsie Wilcox Elementary School, Kapaa Elementary School, Island School, the Kawaikini Public Charter School and home school students squeezed in.
“Last year, we had 57 students, and this year, 380 students are attending the school outreach,” Dr. B said. “I got so excited about all the keiki coming, I made an activity book for each one.”
With interest in the School Outreach at an all-time high, Dr. B said the Native Americans will visit Kekaha Elementary School Monday, the day after the powwow ends.
“During the years when attendance was meager, Kekaha Elementary and St. Theresa schools were always there,” Dr. B said. “So when Sue Schott from Kekaha called, I felt so badly that we were ‘maxed’ out. The only pono thing to do was to offer to visit Kekaha Elementary School on Monday. It is the righteous thing to do.”
Dr. B said the extra trip will mean unanticipated expenses to help cover the cost of keeping the Native Americans here an extra day, and donations will be gratefully accepted during the powwow.
Three Nations from Arizona will serve as the Powwow Color Guard and Headman Dancer is Eric Manuelito whose hanai sister, Celina Mahinalani Garza, will help with the School Outreach program.
“The men in Three Nations have all served our country: Bob Numkena, Hopi, U.S. Air Force, Frank Mendoza, Tarahumara, U.S. Army, and Wes Ricks, Choctaw, U.S. Navy,” said Dr. B. “Eric Manuelito is the grandson of the famous Navajo Chief Manuelito.”
The Head Woman Dancer is Abriel Johnny-Rodriguez, who just moved from Oahu to Washington for Law School at the University of Washington. She’ll perform the grand finale for the event before heading back to school in time for Monday class.
“Talk about dedication,” Dr. B said.
Jorge LeChuga of the Navajo Nation is the lead singer for the Wildhorse Singers, the host drum for the powwow.
The Chief, now called “Chairman” of the Barona Band of Mission Indians, Clifford LaChappa, will be gifting our mayor and opening the powwow following the blessing by Puna Dawson and keiki from Kanuikapono School.
“Kauai really does rejuvenate the mind, heart, and soul,” Dr. B said. “There is no better place to do that than at the 15th annual Powwow which has as its theme — ‘Rejuvenate Your Spirit – Embracing Our Culture and Tradition.’ Come dance with us.”
Visit www.kauaipowwow.com, or call Shawna at 482-0122, or email Dr. B at kauaipowwow@gmail.com for more information.
