Ramona Valadez greeted Richard Virgil with a big smile and a warm hug. The warm welcome followed the introduction and recognition of the guests who attended this year’s 39th annual Three Rivers Lodge Fourth of July Powwow and Summer Ceremonies in Manteca.
There was one special reason why Valadez, the director of Three Rivers Lodge on North Union Road, was happy to see Virgil. The recently retired electronics engineer from the Silicon Valley who now lives in Las Vegas came to the powwow not only with his wife but with his entire three-generation family, nearly all of them dressed in their handmade colorful regalia.
Virgil’s family is especially excited and proud to be part of this summer’s powwow circuit because one of his granddaughters is the reigning 2016 Oroville Junior Princess, seven-year-old Nora Carino of San Jose. Dressed in their full regalia, she and her mother Ruby and brother Matheo, 10, their aunt and uncle Crystal and Marcos Madril and their daughter Winona, 3, all took part in the traditional dances that are a staple in the powwow celebrations.
They were among the many families that came to observe the popular summer tradition and sacred event hosted by the Three Rivers Indian Lodge on behalf of the Native Directions, Inc. of San Joaquin County.
“It’s like a family event,” said Valadez who has been at Three Rivers who has oversen the powwow 24 years out of the 39 years it has been hosted by Three Rivers.
“They are from everywhere across the country,” she said as she smiled and waved at the guests milling around the dancing arena during the second day of the three-day Fourth of July celebration.
She particularly noted how the younger generation members of these families are absorbing their families’ traditions by taking part in creating their native dresses or regalia, and learning the native dances, songs, and drums.
“The kids will find their own way of dancing and their dress. But they are influenced by their family,” Valadez explained.
Quite appropriately, the theme of this Fourth of July Powwow was “Families Honoring Tradition.”
There were just as many individuals who travel to the Family City’s Three Rivers powwow every year, said Valadez. One “young woman,” for example, came from Washington, D.C., she said.
Friday night, the first of the three-day powwow, “there were a lot of people,” Valadez said. Part of the big draw was the presence of the California Bear Dancers, she noted.
“Bear Dancing is sacred to the California Tribes,” she said.
Many of the Native American Spiritual Leaders also come to the powwow, and that is another reason many are drawn to these traditional summer celebrations, Valadez added.
But it’s the drums that is at the heart of the traditional dancing and singing at the powwows, she pointed out.
“The drums — that’s the heartbeat of our people,” said Valadez.
Helping celebrate th 39th annual Three Rivers Indian Lodge Fourth of July Powwow were the Northern Drum, All Nations Singers, Southern Drum and Southern Express. The All Nations Singers, which represents various tribes, recently sang at the San Francisco Giants’ Heritage Night Game, and have been teaching the youth to sing for the last 15 years. Head Man and Head Woman dancers this year were Larry and Karen Harrison who have been “part of the powwow circle for over 53 years” and have helped many powwows in the United States and Canada throughout that time.
The reigning Three Rivers Indian Lodge Powwow Princess is Evelia Hanapaaku who was crowned the first day of the powwow on Friday.
