2 Cultures Converge at Chumash Gathering

An American Indian powwow in Newbury Park on Saturday provided a cross-cultural experience, and that was the idea.

Drummers were set up in the center of a basketball court, and dancers in intricate American Indian ceremonial costumes paraded across the free-throw line.

The event, sponsored by the California Indian Council/Chumash was “to get all the community together and increase awareness of the native culture,” council member Richard Angulo said.

Officials estimated that more than 1,000 people, including representatives of more than two dozen American Indian nations, attended the event at Borchard Community Center.

Pool tables and and other recreational game tables at the community center were pushed aside to make room for vendors’ tables.

The wares offered included authentic American Indian food, jewelry and crafts as well as baseball caps and T-shirts. There were hot dogs and Diet Cokes side by side with fry bread and Navajo tacos.

It was dancing, however, that took center stage at the event.

Phillip Hale, a 24-year-old Navajo, was the Head Man Dancer. Hale, a Pico Rivera resident, is a junior in environmental engineering at UCLA and spends his weekends dancing at American Indian events.

“I do it because I want to keep my culture alive,” Hale said. “When I have kids, I want them to be proud of who they are. I also dance to thank the creator for letting me have this dance.”

Hale’s elaborate costume was handmade by his family.

“My mother did the beadwork. My brother did the feathers,” Hale said.

The ceremonial dress of the dancers impressed Steve Greeley, a 21-year-old student at Cal State Northridge.

Greeley said he attended the powwow to satisfy a course requirement for a leisure studies class. The assignment was to visit an event involving a culture other than his own. Greeley, who described himself as English-Irish, said he thought about going to an Oktoberfest, but he was glad he decided on the powwow.

“The designs of the beadwork are so intricate,” Greeley said. “I have no idea how they created them without some sort of magnifying glass.”

The powwow will continue today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.