Skylands Pow Wow

Welcome to The Sussex County Native American Heritage Celebration

The Redhawk Native American Arts Council is a not for profit organization founded and maintained by Native American artists and educators residing in the New York City area. Since 1994, the Council is dedicated to educating the general public about Native American heritage through song, dance, theater, works of art and other cultural forms of expression.

Dress of an Aztec Noble at the Sussex County PowWow

An Aztec Noble’s dress included symbols characteristic to their high social rank. Gold was used to adorn a noble’s dress and the use of feathers on head and robes were another accessory.

A Noble Aztec Warrior

The Aztec wore bright colors and the natural shine of tropical bird feathers. These feathers were plucked and then woven into beautiful designs or they were used for head dresses.

An Aztec Native American

This Aztec gentlemen is visiting from Mexico and was about to perform Aztec dances at the PowWow.

Aztec Couple at the PowWow

In Aztec society the men were primarily hunters while women cooked and wove clothing

Golden Eagle at the Sussex County, NJ PowWow

Golden Eagles are considered sacred within American Indian traditions, culture and religion. They are honored with great care and shown the deepest respect

Golden Eagles at the Sussex County, PowWow

Golden Eagles are considered sacred within American Indian traditions, culture and religion. They are honored with great care and shown the deepest respect.

Redhawk Indian Arts Council Pow Wow

The purpose of the Redhawk Native American Arts Council is to educate the general public about Native Americans. It is a a grassroots non-profit organization . Addressing the crowd is Cliff Matais. He's the director / co-founder / organizer of the Red Hawk Arts Council. Though a lifetime NY'er (Crooklyn), Cliff's of Taino & Kechuwa roots & has been involved in Native American Indian Arts most of his life. This is one hard-working man!

Native American Items on Display

These dolls are dressed in Native American clothes and were presented for sale at the PowWow.

Participants with children Visiting the Pow Wow

Parents are delighted watching their children show enthusiasm learning about different cultures and participating in dances and music. The Redhawk message of respecting the earth, our elders and working hard to be the best you can be, is always a favorite with educators and parents.

Traditional Native American Tepee

Tepees are tent-like American Indian houses used by Plains tribes. A tepee is made of a cone-shaped wooden frame with a covering of buffalo hide. Like modern tents, tepees are carefully designed to set up and break down quickly. As a tribe moved from place to place, each family would bring their tipi poles and hide tent along with them. Originally, tepees were about 12 feet high, but once the Plains Indian tribes acquired horses, they began building them twice as high.

Dressed in a Native American Clothes

This is an example of man dressed for a fancy dance at this PowWow.

Getting ready to performThis organization is attempting to break stereptypes of native Americans by presenting they traditions.

Dancers Getting Ready to Perform

Since 1993, the Redhawk Native American Arts Council’s performing artists have been sharing Native American dance, music, art and history with audiences around the world. Our programs entertain, educate and foster a positive image of our nation’s first culture.

The Drum Group at the Sussex County PowWow

Drums provide the pulse of the pow wow. There is usually a host drum, consisting of up to eight men, and guest drums. Drummers do not necessarily wear traditional regalia, they may just wear street clothes. At outdoor pow wows, the drum groups are frequently under a tent as the drums have to be protected from moisture and temperature fluctuations. While the drum helps the dancers keep beat, it is the songs, and the range of pitches, that provide the melody the dancers focus on and meld their dance to.

Veterans Lead The Grand Entry into the Circle

Grand Entry will be held before the traditional dances, at the start of each dance session. The Grand Entry will be led by the Veterans, who will post the flags.

The Opening of the PowWow With The Grand Entry

Eagle staff's traditionally are carried into the dancing circle by a native war veteran who has earned the respect of a member of the Pow Wow committee or an eagle staff owner.

Dancers at the Sussex County New Jersey PowWow

Pow-wow event begins with a grand entry by the dancers, after which the host drums inaugurate it with a special honor song.During the Pow Wow, many honour dances will occur. The dances are in honour of someone's special occasion such as birthdays, lengthy anniversary, the loss of a loved one and other honourable occasions. Usually a drum is requested by the family to sing a honour song. The family then would dance around once before the rest of the family members and friends join in the dance.

Dancers at the Sussex County New Jersey PowWow

During the Pow Wow, many honour dances will occur. The dances are in honour of someone's special occasion such as birthdays, lengthy anniversary, the loss of a loved one and other honourable occasions. Usually a drum is requested by the family to sing a honour song. The family then would dance around once before the rest of the family members and friends join in the dance.

The Grand Entry Carrying the Eagle Staff into the Dance Ring

The oldest of the Indian symbols is the Eagle Staff. On the account of their warrior status, Dog Soldiers were given the honour of carrying the staffs.

The opening of the PowWow

Representatives of the Oneida, Cherokee, Lokota, Shinnecock, Navajo, Narragansett, Taino and Aztec peoples were present at this PowWow.

The Eagle Staff at the Skylands PowWow

The Eagle Staff represents the stature and honor of a particular tribe or tribes. It commonly looks like a shepherd’s staff and is wrapped in either otter skin or buffalo skin, and exhibits eagle feathers (mainly tail feathers from a golden eagle) that indicate the Akicita honor of that tribe.

Posting the Flag During the Grand Entry

During the Grand Entry, invocation, honor songs and flag songs everyone who is able should stand. First the Eagle Staff is carried into the dance circle by the Head Veteran Dancer. Other veterans will carry flags such as the United States flag.

Women at The Skylands PowWow

Women traditional dancers usually dance in the outer edge of the dance circle bending their knees and staying in one spot.

Men performing dances at the Sussex County PowWow

The men's fancy war dance originated in Oklahoma. These dancers are noted for their fast foot work, athletic ability and originality.

The Honor Song at Skylands PowWow

During this special song everyone is expected to stand if they are able and remove their hats. Honor songs are sung at pow wows at the request of someone for another person or a special occasion. The memory of a loved one who has crossed over, the return of a child to health after an illness, an aged relative, or all the members of a clan could be shown respect with an honor song. Someone requesting an honor song should contact the arena director who will decide when the song will be sung and by which drum. A gift is customary for the drum that performs the honor song.

Performing at the Sussex County, NJ, PowWow

The Native Americans perform at the Sussex County PowWow

Mens northern traditional dances performed at a PowWow

Male dances ar the Skylands PowWow

The first of the traditional dances is always male dancers. The northern dancers represent warriors scouting before or while they are on the hunt.