Tribal culture, federal recognition honored at events
The
Klamath Tribes will celebrate their culture and another year
of federal recognition Friday through Sunday during the 23rd
annual Restoration Celebration in Chiloquin.
From a
fun run and barbecue to a youth rodeo and three days worth
of powwow dancing, visitors and tribal members alike will
find plenty to interest themselves while learning about the
Tribes and fostering relationships.
“It’s the 23rd and we’re getting closer to the 25th,”
said organizer Calvin Hill of the celebration.
Hill said he’s expecting at least 19 drum groups to
attend the powwow this year if not more. A group from
Nevada and another from Canada will serve as host drums
while others from Portland, Montana and the Klamath
Basin will also participate.
In addition to the grand
entry dances each day of the celebration, Hill said there
will also be dance competitions set aside for the youngest
dancers. There will be a memorial grass dance special in
honor of Jackson Bussell, a Klamath tribal member and boxer
who died a few years ago and a jingle dress special dance
for Rachel Tupper.
The youngest
participants can take part in mutton busting, stick horse
racing and calf riding while older children can take part in
steer riding, barrel racing and bull riding events.
Garcia said part of the
reason the Tribes organized the
youth rodeo was to encourage tribal youth to put their
energy into positive activities rather than turning to drugs
and alcohol. It’s also an outreach for the Tribes’ anti-meth
project and encourages family participation, with parents
and guardians supporting their children.