POWWOW PRESENTS WINDOW TO CULTURE.

Byline: Kevin F. Sherry Daily News Staff Writer

Several hundred people stopped by the Borchard Community Center in Newbury Park this weekend to join dozens of American Indian tribes for their 10th annual powwow.

``The whole purpose is to bring everybody together to have a good time,'' said Daniel Tom, the festival's master of ceremonies.

The two-day event featured traditional and competitive dancing from numerous tribes, including the Sioux, Apache, Cherokee and Cheyenne, said Richard Angulo, founder and president of the California Indian Council.

Women and men of all ages danced to pounding drum beats separately and together. Many dancers adorned themselves with paint, feathers, beads and bells.

In the past, twice-annual powwows were times for various tribes to come together to see who had died or gotten married, said Bryan Brightcloud. Today their descendants find the same sense of community but more frequently.

``This is like our family,'' Brightcloud said. ``We get to see them almost every weekend.''

Brightcloud was covered in his family colors and golden eagle feathers.

Singers beat drums and sang social songs that had themes like honor, flags and veterans, he said. The songs are part of the Indians' oral tradition, Brightcloud said.

``Some of these songs have been around since before there was anything written,'' he said.

Non-Indians attending the event will see a vibrant culture that is very much alive, Angulo said.

``We want to share our culture with them to let them know we still exist,'' he said.

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Photo

PHOTO An American Indian boys walks past a painting during a powwow in Newbury Park's Borchard Community Center on Sunday.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News