{Editor's Note: This author photographer could not stay for the entire day of any of the three days, so the photos come from a few on Friday and the parts including and after the Grand Entry on Saturday and Sunday.

Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy [Photos are in three separate shows, the few on Friday, then many more on Saturday and Sunday.]

The Red Paint Powwow and Indian Market, presented by the Chiricahua Apache Nation and the Red Paint Tribal Council, took place Nov. 15, 16, 17, 2024 at the WNMU Intramural Gym.

Friday was free admission and featured dancers showing students some of the traditional dances. Indian Market vendors began setting up the merchandise and food venues for visitors.

Saturday featured Gourd dances early in the morning, as the various drum groups set up for the Grand Entry at 1 p.m.

A Grand Entry also took place on Sunday. The entry on both days was led by the Eagle staff and the American flag carried by Mauricio Saenz, the brother of the main organizer of the event Joe Saenz. Following them were the gourd dancers, royalty, including a young princess from Mescalero Apache School, Audriana Valdez, members of the organizing committee, the featured Head dancers, male and female, and then the rest of the dancers and competitors in their full regalia. Several drum groups circled the dance floor and provided the singing and drumming for the various events.

Competitors showed off their dancing skills in different age groups, starting with tiny tots, junior girls, junior boys, teen girls, teen boys, and then the adult female and male competitors performing various dances. The girls and women featured Fancy Shawl, Jingle, and Southern Cloth. Boys and men performed Fancy, Traditional and Grass dances. The styles of each dance vary not only in their regalia, but in the steps and movements.

Sunday also featured two hoop dancers during the afternoon.

Everything at a powwow is colorful, replete with symbols and attire relating to the dances. Traditions and customs and strict etiquette should be followed in all cases by visitors to the powwow.

On Saturday and Sunday, several intertribal dances included inviting visitors to participate with the dancers as they circled the room accompanied by the beat of drums and singing.

Customs and traditions are part of the ceremonies, which include spiritual prayers for all those attending. Although fun and visiting with friends from other areas is part of the powwow, solemnity in certain cases is also a major part.

{Editor's Note: This photographer at the very first powwow she attended was schooled in when she could and could not take photos. Grand Entry, intertribal dances and competitions are fair game. Some dances, including the Gourd dancers are off limits.]

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