A Taos Pueblo celebration
A Healing Pow Wow ‘
WHEN FORMER-GOV. Edwin Concha and his staff came to the conclusion to close Taos Pueblo borders during the pandemic, it was unclear what the future would hold for the tribe. There were hardships at Taos Pueblo that many around the world would not have to face. Tradition, spirituality and celebration, from time immemorial, all seemed to be fading away as the pandemic spread across the reservation. With a community so small, the effects of Covid-19 touched the lives of every single tribal member. Today, Taos Pueblo moves forward.
The intention of “A Taos Pueblo Celebration: Healing Pow Wow,” is to bring us all back together. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, families and friends came together for every part of life to share in laughter and memory. The pandemic led the people of Taos Pueblo to stay clear of each other and cut those celebrations in life to minimal or non-existing experiences.
The tribe is finally in a comfortable enough space to once again hold events and invite its neighbors to join them and a celebration for life will be expressed through land restoration, dance, regalia, movement and, once again, relationships from near and far coming together. “We meant this to celebrate our community for being strong, and also remember the ones that we lost,” said Lt. Gov. Anthony Suazo.
Tribal Programs along with the Taos Pueblo War Chief’s staff have come together to restore the traditional Pow Wow grounds. War Chief staff harvested new poles to rebuild the arbor while the Taos Pueblo Recovery Works crew was there to set the poles in place. Revitalization of the arena and lands surrounding will continue right up to the event.
This celebration was meant to be a smaller event, to be held in an intimate manner, but Tribal Leadership met with Tribal Members who desired to have something on a larger scale. With limited time, the community has come together and created something special. Stepping away from the now defunct annual Pow Wow, the intent was not to replicate that event but to bring a traditional Pow Wow, also known as a Healing Pow Wow, to the people of Taos Pueblo. “This event wasn’t totally meant to take over what the Pow Wow has done,” said Tourism Director Ilona Spruce.
The celebration is planned for two days: Friday July 21 and Saturday July 22. The first evening is a private event for tribal members and their families. On the agenda is a community meal, acknowledgement
of those affected by the pandemic and those who helped out during the pandemic, S’mores and entertainment for the kiddos and, of course, some Round Dances. Tribal Members should look out for flyers and check out the Facebook group, The Village Voice, for further details on Friday’s events.
Saturday will feature an early morning fun run (look out for flyers). At 9 a.m., vendors will open up to the public and Grand Entry for the “Friendship Pow Wow” will start promptly at noon. A community meal will follow sometime later. Everyone is welcome.
Other cultures from around the community have been invited to share in the celebration. The people of Taos Pueblo have reached out to
its neighbors to dance alongside them. Invites have been sent out to the Aztec Dancers and Los Comanches. Also, Robert Mirabal has some special guests all the way from Peru who will also share their culture at the event.
What time will the celebration end? Well, that has yet to be determined. But an ordinance is currently in the works prohibiting the consumption of alcohol and/or use of any drugs at the event. Also, Taos Pueblo is currently under Stage II fire restrictions, which means there will be no open campfires or cooking fires allowed. Safety is a number-one priority for tribal leadership and will be strictly enforced.
Tribal Sheriff Gordon Martinez spoke for the
Governor’s Office and made very clear the intent for this event is to celebrate our people making it through the pandemic and to honor those who didn’t. “To have a good time, to hear the drum, to bless the arena and come back as one again,” said Sheriff Martinez.