05 Nov Richmond Powwow to Celebrate 15th Anniversary

Native American men perform in a drum circle during the 2024 Richmond Powwow. This year’s powwow is Saturday. (Denis Perez-Bravo / The CC Pulse)

By Samantha Kennedy

Richmond’s annual powwow is celebrating its 15th anniversary Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the city’s Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center. 

The free event takes place during Native American History Month and honors the Santa Fe Indian Village, which was home to several people from the Acoma Pueblo and Laguna Pueblo tribes who moved from New Mexico to work for the Santa Fe Railroad Company. The company and the Laguna had come to an agreement that offered them employment with the railroad. 

After doors open at 9 a.m., the Open Gourd danc e will take place at 11 a.m., and Grand Entry at 12 p.m. 

Included in the event is a princess contest, a hand drum contest, and appearances by Arena Director Joe Fox (Laguna, CA Pomo); Head Man Joaquin Cruz (Comanche, Yaqui, Chamoru); Head Woman Marci Avilla (Kickapoo, Navajo); Head Youth Boy Jackson Prado (Traverse Bay Band of Odawa, Mohawk); Head Youth Girl Cali Gonzalez (Dine, Lipan Apache); Head Tabulator Antoinette Ortiz (Navajo, Hawaiian). 

The event is alcohol-, drug-, and pet-free. 

Cruz will also sponsor a special raffle of an eighth-generation Pendleton blanket. 

For more information on vendors and powwow princess applications, contact Committee Chair Courtney Bearquiver (Northern Cheyenne, Arikara, Mvskogee Creek) at richmond510powwow@gmail.com.