National Powwow honors warriors, hosts hundreds of talented dancers

By: Gale Courey Toensing

WASHINGTON - Tens of thousands of people will gather in Washington for a three-day celebration of American Indian dance and culture at the largest pow wow on the East Coast.

The National Powwow, hosted by the Smithsonian Museum's National Museum of the American Indian, will take place Aug. 10 - 12 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington.

Dancers in spectacular regalia from hundreds of tribal nations throughout the continent will compete for more than $125,000 in prize money. Around 100 selected Native artists and artisans will display and sell fine art, jewelry, sculpture and pottery. Speakers, side events and displays will add to the experience and expression of Native culture. Three host drum groups will showcase different styles of singing, and Native warriors will be honored.

This is the third National Powwow to be held in Washington.

''We had our first National Powwow on the Mall in September 2002, which I think was an incredible event just for the fact of its location. A lot of elders said they never thought in their lifetime that they'd be able to dance in front of the U.S. Capitol building. I still get goose bumps when I think about it,'' said Leonda Levchuk, Navajo, a National Powwow organizer.

This year, the National Powwow will honor warriors, past and present.

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