MORONGO TRIBE TO HONOR ATTACK VICTIMS AND RELIEF WORKERS AT INDIAN POW-WOW; EVENT STARTS FRIDAY

Native American dancers, singers, artists and craftspeople from Indian tribes
throughout the United States and Canada will gather Friday, September 28th
through Sunday, September 30th, for the 11th annual Morongo Pow-Wow.  The
event is free to the public and last year more than 15,000 visitors came to
view the dance competitions, eat genuine Indian foods and shop among the
various artisans on display.

This year, at the beginning of each grand entry, there will be a special
candle-lighting ceremony to honor those killed in the recent terrorist
attacks and those active in relief efforts. The pow-wow grand entry
traditionally features a color guard of American Indian veterans and is a
moving custom. In addition, the Morongo tribe is hosting a booth for the
American Red Cross to accept donations and will also offer voter registration.

One of Southern California’s most colorful and exciting Native American
events, the Morongo pow-wow provides the color and sound of Native American dancers dressed in stunning regalia and competing in dazzling dance and drumming competitions. There will be more than $80,000 in dance and drum prizes awarded at this year’s pow-wow.

Guests will be able to try a variety of Native American foods and can watch
Indian silver and turquoise craftspeople at work.  Shoppers can browse
through the colorful bazaar featuring sand paintings, Indian pottery,
katchina dolls, moccasins and caps, Native American beadwork, belts, shirts
and other artwork.

On Friday the pow-wow’s Indian market, featuring hundreds of exhibitors,
opens at 4:00 p.m. with the dramatic grand entry of all dancers starting at
8:00 p.m.  Saturday and Sunday pow-wow events kick off at 10:00 a.m. with
grand entry at noon with another grand entry ceremony Saturday evening at
7:00 p.m.

The pow-wow will be staged on the Morongo Indian Reservation, just west of
Casino Morongo, located along Interstate 10 between Banning and Palm Springs. The pow-wow grounds are marked by a giant tent surrounded the vendor booths of the Indian market. Parking and nearby camping is free.

Information on the pow-wow is available at 800-252-4499.