Red Earth Festival-A gathering of tradition
OKLAHOMA CITY-The 21st Annual Red Earth Festival was celebrated June 1-3 with thousands of people in attendance at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City. "Oklahoma" is a Choctaw word meaning "Red People" and refers to both Native people and cultures and the rich-colored earth of the Oklahoma landscape.
Red Earth is the largest powwow in the United States and tribal members from all over the country descend on Oklahoma City to compete in dance competitions, storytelling, entertainment and fine arts. Cash awards are significant to the best dancers and artisans and a panel of well-known judges have the formidable task of choosing the best in many categories.
Charles Pratt, world-renowned sculptor, was in attendance with recent sculptures including his famous corn plants and a huge standing turtle with a flute in his mouth. Pratt is a self-taught Cheyenne-Arapaho who is called a wizard and genius by his peers. As a boy Pratt watched the river near his home flow, and as he watched his grandfather fashion forms from river clay and his life as a sculptor was born.
The Grand Award in the fine arts competition was given to Joel Queen, from Cherokee, N. C. His large black carved pottery contained traditional Cherokee design with added elements of a spider web with inlay stone. Queen states, "as a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians I feel I have a responsibility to keep Cherokee art alive. I live to teach others about my art and culture. Prejudice drives me to educate. It is my passion to break down the stereotype that has been placed upon Native art."
The colors and activity of this event kept an interested public for the entire three-day event. All ages participate in this cultural event and the excitement continues in the hearts of all who attended. A message resounded throughout the event based on an ancient Indian proverb. "Treat the earth well; it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."
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