Several events in area mark National American Indian Heritage Month

Across the nation this month, Native American history and culture receive special recognition and remembrance. President Bush recently declared November as National American Indian Heritage Month. Additionally, federal officialdom designated the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, as Native American Heritage Day. Thereafter, governors of many states, including Nevada, gave their stamp of approval to the 2008 observations.

The designations give local focus to several free special events scheduled this month, including the Tenth Annual Pahrump Powwow set for Friday through Nov. 23. Other observations include performances of traditional Native American dances and singing at Clark County Library branches in Las Vegas and Bunkerville, Tuesday through Thursday. University of Nevada, Las Vegas schedules native dance and music presentations in the alumnae amphitheater on Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. College of Southern Nevada presents a Native Spirit Program on Nov. 25 at 3 p.m.

Regional museums feature American Indian-themed exhibits this month. The Lost City Museum presents a day of demonstrations of Native American skills on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Among the demonstrations will be spinning wool, weaving blankets and rugs, making beaded jewelry, working clay, flint knapping and creating sand paintings.

The Pahrump Powwow draws more colorful American Indian performers every year to the town of Pahrump, about 60 miles from Las Vegas on Highway 160. The three-day event takes place outdoors in the community's park located on the northwest corner of Basin Avenue and Highway 160, just beyond the third (and last) traffic light.

Coordinated through the Pahrump Chamber of Commerce and Nye County development offices, the Pahrump Powwow attracts a couple of hundred registrants in dance and drum contests. One of Nevada's largest Native Indian events, the powwow instituted contest dancing two years ago and added drum contests this year.

Contest categories group contestants by age. Performers wearing colorful traditional regalia compete for awards and cash prizes in categories defined by age and gender. Generally, Native American dances separate male and female participants. Some dances involve groups moving in a circle, while others are performed solo. Powwow etiquette dictates that observers remain quiet and respectful during performances. Ask permission before taking photos. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not allowed at the park.

The powwow also attracts many vendors of Native American arts and crafts. Vendors each donate an item for the list of prizes raffled during the three days. Funds generated help organizers keep the powwow on the calendar. For more information, call the coordinators at (775) 751-1923 or the Pahrump Chamber of Commerce at (775) 727-5800.

The family-oriented programs, offered free of charge at the library branches, provide opportunities for audiences of all ages to learn about traditional native dances, musical instruments and storytelling. These important legacies of American Indian culture pass traditions and lore from generation to generation. Performers include the audience in the Friendship Dance, a cross-cultural ring dance celebrating the circle of life.

Derek Suwaima Davis (Hopi/Choctaw), a four-time world champion Hoop Dancer, teams with singer Ryon Polequaptewa (Hopi) in the presentations. Featured dances include the Southwest Horse Dance, Eagle Dance and Hoop Dance, where the dancer uses hoops to create the shapes of animals that played important roles in American Indian beliefs. The pair will demonstrate drums, shakers, rattles and flutes traditionally used in dances and ceremonies.

The team of traditionally costumed performers appears Tuesday in the gymnasium at the Bunkerville Library, 150 W. Virgin St., at 4 p.m. On Wednesday, the program begins at 7 p.m. at the Las Vegas Library, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North. On Thursday, the performers present two programs at 10 a.m. in the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, and at 1 p.m. in the Sunrise Library, 5400 Harris Ave. For more information, visit the Clark County Library District's Web site at lvccld.org.

Margo Bartlett Pesek's column appears on Sundays.