The 24th Annual San Luis Rey Intertribal Powwow took place on June 8th and 9th at the Old Mission San Luis Rey Grounds in Oceanside after a five-year hiatus due to COVID. This event was a welcome return to a celebration that has been sorely missed. This was evident by the number of people who showed up to enjoy the festivities. At different points during the two-day celebration, some events were standing room only.
Both days started with the Blessing of the Area, followed by Gourd Dancing. The Grand Entry opened with Mel Vernon carrying in the Eagle Staff and others with the flags honoring our country, the tribe, POWs, and California. Following was the amazing dancers with all the different types of regalia brimming with color and delighting the audience. The Inter-Tribal Dancing contests began afterward.
The Fancy Shawl dancers wooed the observers with their fluid and mesmerizing dances. All the other dancers performed with incredible skill and beauty. While watching the incredible dancers, we also enjoyed all the drummers. The Host Northern Drum was White Cloud Singers, and the Host Southern Drum was Red Warrior. We were also honored by a performance of the Southern Bird Singers and Faustino Fredericks, who played several different kinds of flutes during the dinner break.
In addition to the performances, there was a vendor area that offered tribal arts and crafts for sale such as jewelry and t-shirts, along with other items. There were also food vendors with a host of different meals and goodies, including the San Luis Rey fry bread booth that had a continuous long line both days. The San Luis Rey tribe provided meals to all the dancers, drummers, and other participants free of charge. They used the Mission’s kitchen to cook fresh dinners for them.
Saturday’s events went into the night until around 11pm, and Sunday’s events ended around 7pm, which allowed ample time for spectators to enjoy the wonderful display of regalia, dancers, drummers, and even an honorarium for a young dancer who selected this powwow to come out. We are all looking forward to next year’s powwow, June 14th and 15th, which will be celebrating 25 years.
