BENEFIT : Dances With Purpose at Powwow

If you’ve ever wondered why the hunter offers up a cup of water following a Pomo Indian bear dance, Saturday’s powwow in Fullerton should satisfy your curiosity.

Dancers from several tribes are scheduled to teach the symbolic meanings of the bear dance, the sneak-up dance, the hoop dance and others.

The lessons--as well as the fact that the powwow is open to the public--are an unusual show of openness for local Indians, said powwow organizer Ronald Knighton.

“We’re getting more and more willing to let people understand us,” said Knighton, who is part Cherokee.

The theme for Saturday’s “Keepers of the Earth” powwow is caring for the environment. It is modeled on private, biweekly powwows held by a group of about 500 Indians in Orange and southern Los Angeles counties. Like the private powwows, Saturday’s celebration will include vendors of American Indian food and art, such as sand-painting, breastplates, pottery and spears.

The will benefit the Native American Indian Children’s Committee. The committee donates funds to local drug and alcohol awareness programs, and it helps feed and clothe children living in the missions in downtown Los Angeles. The full $5 admission for adults goes to the charity. Admission is free for children under age 10. It will be open from noon to 6 p.m. at Fullerton Union High School Stadium in Fullerton.

Dancers are expected to come from as far away as Northern California and Arizona to join local dancers, Knighton said.

This is not the first powwow open to the public. Indians in Riverside County held one last weekend. And in the past two years, smaller powwows have been held at Orange Coast College and at the Orange County Fairgrounds. It is rare that the dancers will explain their movements, however, Knighton said.

He said the timing is right. Mainstream America is more open than ever to the importance of nature, a basic Indian value, he said, adding that the Oscar-winning movie “Dances With Wolves” renewed curiosity about American Indians.

But while there is a willingness to be open about the culture, there is a hesitancy, as well. No photographs will be allowed of the dancers, whom Knighton likens to priests in church.

And many of the adults still remember when they had to hide their Indian heritage to avoid prejudice.

“I lost a few teeth over it,” said Knighton, recalling fights as a schoolboy in New Jersey in the 1960s. “When I was a late teen-ager, I decided I was not going to take it anymore. I said, ‘this is who I am.’ ”

What: “Keepers of the Earth Spring Powwow,” a festival of American Indian food, storytelling, crafts and dance.

When: Saturday, April 25, from noon to 6 p.m.

Where: Fullerton Union High School Stadium, 201 East Chapman Ave., Fullerton.

Whereabouts: From the Orange (57) Freeway, take the Chapman Avenue (Fullerton) exit and head west. Stadium is on Chapman Avenue between Lemon Street and Berkeley Avenue.

Wherewithal: Admission is $5 for adults, free to children under age 10. Proceeds go to the Native American Indian Children’s Committee.

Where to Call: (714) 441-1800.