Native Pride

augusta-The sixth annual Sussex County Native American Heritage Celebration presented by the Redhawk Native American Arts Council took place this past weekend at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta. What is always a breathtakingly colorful event was made all the more vivid this weekend because of the brilliant sunshine and clear blue skies that prevailed for the duration of the event. The Redhawk Native American Arts Council is a small grassroots not-for-profit organization founded in 1994 and maintained by Native American artists and educators who reside in and around New York City. "Our basic goal is to educate and promote awareness of Native American culture," said Sharon Ladyhawk Funkhouser, secretary of the Redhawk New York City Native American Council. "All of our money goes to programs supporting youth groups, cultural and educational programs," she added. The two-day event advertised as a Powwow featured Native American dancing, singing, crafts, jewelry and food. "While the vendors attract a lot of people who want to buy jewelery or sample the Native American food, I would have to say that most of the people who come are here to see the dancing," said Funkhouser. The Sussex Powwow is one of four that take place during the summer, the others being in Brooklyn in June, Harriman State Park in August and Yorktown Heights in September. Doris Schlegel of Hamburg has been attending the Sussex event for the past three years. "I became very interested in the culture after my first visit and now each year I come to check out the jewelery and the food and of course the dancing," she said. During the Grand Entry parade, all veterans were invited to join the circle where they were honored. Among the dances preformed were The Men's Fancy Dance, Grass Dance, Ladies Fancy Shawl Dance and the Men's Northern Traditional Dance. "This is a very purest event, I love to see the dancing," said Chuck Burrell of Sparta. For more information, visit http://redhawkarts.home.mindspring.com