Hozhoni Days celebrates 45th year at Fort Lewis College

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DURANGO, Colo. – The Hozhoni Days (Navajo, meaning “Days of Beauty”) celebration, one of the oldest and biggest events at Fort Lewis College, will begin March 17 and runs through March 28, 2009.

The celebration highlights the cultures of many of the more than 120 tribes represented by Fort Lewis College Native American students. In years past, Hozhoni Days has attracted as many as 5,000 participants and visitors from across North America.

Hoskie Benally, president of the New Mexico Consolidated School District board, Native American disability rights advocate and medicine man, will kick off the celebration with a presentation at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Student Lounge. It is presented by the Pejuta Tipi Society and Wanbli Ota, two of the Native American student organizations at Fort Lewis College.

The Miss Hozhoni Pageant, traditionally one of the most popular activities, begins at noon on March 23 with contestant introductions at the FLC Native American Center. The Pageant continues until a new Miss Hozhoni is crowned during the Powwow.

The Hozhoni Days Powwow runs Friday, March 27 through Saturday, March 28 at the Whalen Gymnasium, and draws thousands of visitors from across the country. Friday, the Powwow kicks off at 6 p.m. with Gourd Dancing, followed by the Grand Entry at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the festivities will begin at 11 a.m. with the first Grand Entry at noon and the second at 7 p.m.

Mike Salabye from Window Rock, Ariz., will serve as master of ceremonies, with Randy Medicine Bear, of Loveland, Colo., serving as arena director. The host northern drum will be Mandaree from Mandaree, S.D., and the host southern drum is 12 Gauge from Ignacio, Colo.

General admission is $4, $3 for students. Those ages six and under or 60 and over enter free. A weekend pass is $8.

Hozhoni Days was originally created by the Fort Lewis College Shalako Indian Club (“shalako” is a Zuni word meaning “dance”). The club changed its name to Wanbli Ota in the 1970s (“wanbli ota” is Lakota, meaning “many eagles”).

For a complete schedule of events, visit http://www.fortlewis.edu/news/hozhonidays.aspx. For more information, contact Myra Britton at 970.247.7221 or [email protected].

 

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