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Keeping the tradition at SunWatch Indian VillagE

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By Khalid Moss, Staff Writer 5:27 PM Thursday, June 25, 2009

When contemplating the oldest neighborhoods in Dayton, the Wright-Dunbar, South Park or Oregon historical districts might come to mind.

But they aren’t even close.

Dayton’s oldest neighborhood is SunWatch Indian Village and Archeological Park located along the Great Miami River. It’s the site of a Native American settlement dating back more than 800 years.

On Saturday and Sunday, June 27-28, SunWatch Village will host the 21st annual Keeping the Tradition Pow Wow sponsored by the Miami Valley Council for Native Americans.

Village site manager Andy Sawyer said Keeping the Tradition answers a question staffers get from visitors all the time.

“People ask us ‘When did the Indians all die?,’” Sawyer said. “They don’t realize they’re still around. The importance of Keeping the Tradition is that it lets people know Native Americans are still here, that they have a lively culture and that they have many traditions still going strong.”

A modern pow wow is an event where both Native Americans and non-Native Americans gather to dance, sing, socialize and honor American Indian culture.

Michael Chougehgligi Hoffa, vice president and co-founder of the Miami Valley Council for Native Americans, said dancing plays a prominent role in a pow wow.

“Keeping the Tradition begins each day at 8 a.m. with a flag raising,” he said. “That sets the stage for a full day of dancing. We have a group of traditional dancers and drummers who are coming in for the event but you don’t have to be dressed in Native American garments to join them.”

Traditional food, arts and crafts will be available from vendors, and artists from several Indian nations will display their pottery, jewelry and wood sculptures.

“The pow wow is part of our ongoing effort to educate people about Indian culture and spirituality,” Hoffa said. “We want to keep the traditions and values of our people alive.”

How to go

What: 21st annual Keeping the Tradition Pow Wow

Where: SunWatch Indian Village and Archeological Park, 2301 W. River Road.

When: Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, June 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: $6 adults, $3 seniors older than 60 and students 6 to 17, and free for children 5 and younger.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2167 or kmoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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