The 16th Annual Dancing Feather’s Youth Pow Wow was sponsored by the Friendship House Association of American Indians of San Francisco which is a substance abuse recovery and prevention program https://www.friendshiphousesf.org/index-test . The Pow Wow was held on Saturday June 10th, 2023 at Thomas Edison Charter Academy in the San Francisco Mission District. It was a beautiful day of intertribal singing, dancing, and healing. It was an overcast day but as the dancing began the sunlight started shining through the clouds.
The Master of Ceremonies Tom Phillips who represents the Kiowa, and Creek tribes hosted the event. He is a beloved member of the Northern California Native American community, and he speaks so eloquently. The day began with Gourd Dancing, an Opening Prayer as well as Grand Entry. Grand Entry is a ceremony where the Nation’s Flags, and Eagle Staff are brought into the Pow Wow arena. The Head Staff, Pow Wow Princess’s, and all of the dancers proudly dance into the arena and bless the arena with their presence, their regalia, and their different styles of dancing.
Head Staff included Head Man Dancer – Carlisle Phillips from the Kiowa/ Hualapi tribes. Head Woman Dancer Nikki Skinaway from the Ojibway Red Lake Nation/ Athabascan tribes. Head Teen Boy Douglas Kaiser from the Luiseno/ Cheyenne River Sioux/ Yaqui tribes. Head Teen Girl Sequoya Cante Waukazoo Nakai from the Lakota/ Navajo tribes. Head Jr. Boy Gavin Tanner Wanbli Hernandez from the Hupa/ Yankton Sioux/ Yakima/ Mini Goat Clan Dine’ tribes. Head Jr. Girl Aaliyah from the Sioux/ Paiute tribes. Head Tiny Tot Boy Michael James Heier from the Hupa/ Yankton Sioux/ Yakima/ Mini Goat Clan Dine’ tribes. Head Tiny Tot Girl Feliciana Leroy from the Ponca/ Omaha/ Yaqui tribes. They all danced beautifully, and they brought a lot of good energy to the circle. Tom Phillips said “They dance to honor their relatives.”
The Host Northern Drum “All Nations”, and the Host Southern Drum “So Ex” sang songs through out the day. There were intertribal songs where all community members are invited to come into the arena and dance. There were exhibition songs where specific styles of dancing are highlighted. It allows the dancers to showcase their dancing styles and honor their traditional style of dancing. I could feel that the community was happy. There were smiles, and laughter in the crowd. Tommy Phillips Jr the lead singer from “So Ex” said “It’s a good experience for the kids and the community. Very Healing. It’s good medicine.”
There were Head Staff Specials where each Head Staff member as well as their family are honored. After each honor song the Head Staff hosted a special dance, and then a give away. The give aways show the dancers appreciation. Their generosity was momentous. The arena director’s Eric Kimble’s wife Kaylene Kimble said “I have never seen so much give away.” She mentioned how that was really good to see. Head Jr. Girl Aaliyah hosted a Fancy Shawl Special. Tayzia Dixey, Kiona Young, and Joni Marshall Lieras placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the Fancy Shawl Special. Nikki Skinaway my sister hosted a Two Step Special that brought a lot of people together. Chris and Ari were the winners of the Two Step Special. Head Jr Boy Gavin and his family hosted a Street Dance Special! All of the specials were beautiful! My nephews and all of the kids loved the candy tosses, and they had fun playing together on the school grounds.
It was a wonderful day. The food booths were Crowfeather’s and Mora’s Taco Truck. Martina mentioned that “the only thing we are missing is Fry Bread!”. The Native American Health Center had a Welcome Booth. Jason from the Friendship House Association of American Indians said “It’s a great turn out!” He also mentioned that their Youth Program starts this week. If you know any youth in the San Franciso area that are interested in participating in their Summer Youth Program please click on the following link. Youth Program — Friendship House (friendshiphousesf.org) .
Tom Phillips said “We are on Native Lands. We came together to celebrate!” There was a closing Two Step dance. The video link is Dancing Feather’s Youth Pow Wow 2023 – YouTube. Followed by the dancing out of the Eagle Staff Flag, as well as a Round Dance to wish Nizhoni our good friend, and relative a very Happy Birthday!!!!
Community Rising! 