The Bonaparte Indian Band’s annual Pow Wow, usually held at Historic Hat Creek Ranch in mid-August, will not be taking place this year.
The Bonaparte Band’s Betty Antoine explained that last year’s Pow Wow was a competition, awarding prizes to top dancers. As a result, there were no funds available to stage the event this year.
“Traditionally we don’t give prizes for dancing,” she said, adding that future Pow Wows would go back to a non-competition format.
Antoine said the Band is hoping that one family will step forward to host the event for the next three to four years, although so far there have been no volunteers.
The Pow Wow, which has been an annual event for almost 20 years, features displays of traditional First Nations dancing for men, women, teens, and children, as well as exhibitions of hand drumming and singing.
Barbara Roden