Seventh Annual Corbin Native American Pow Wow to begin this Saturday

Author and motivational speaker Kicking Eagle will be in attendance at this year’s pow wow.

Anyone interested in Native American culture and traditions in a family-friendly setting is being encouraged to attend the seventh annual Kentucky Native American Heritage Museum Pow Wow, taking place in Corbin this weekend.

The event, which will happen again this year in a field off Cumberland Falls Hwy. just outside of Corbin will feature celebrities, motivational speakers, native dance and dress, and all kinds of activities for children.

The pow wow will start at noon on Saturday. Cost is $7 per person. Admission for children under 12 is free.

Featured at the event will be Larry Sellers who played “Cloud Dancing” on the popular TV show Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. He’s also had rolls in The Sopranos, Crazy Horse and Walker Texas Ranger.

Head Man Native American dancer Dean Swimmer, from Cherokee, N.C., will perform.

The Tsalaga Touring Program of the Eastern Band Cherokee will also perform at the pow wow both days. The group provides a glimpse into the history and culture of the Cherokee people through demonstrations of crafts, legendary social dances and more. The group gives lectures on Cherokee culture and history through stories passed down from generation to generation. Social dances they will perform include the Bear Dance, Quail Dance and Corn Dance to honor the women of their culture.

“Set the example and follow it,” is one of many quotes attributed to author, philosopher, storyteller, and motivational speaker Kicking Eagle who has appeared at each of the previous pow wows presented at Corbin by the Kentucky Native American Heritage Museum, and will be on hand again this year. This will be his first personal appearance since last year’s pow wow. For more than 20 years, he’s appeared at schools, colleges, churches, community events and corporate events across America and has addressed millions of listeners as the guest on radio and television programs worldwide.

Local artist and flute player Robert Mullinax will also be at the event.

Pow wow organizers say there will be native drum performers, food and craft vendors and activities for children including: pony rides, a petting zoo, candy dance, a bounce house and more.

There will also be “luck of the draw dancers prizes.”

Nine Native American tribes and nations will be represented at the pow wow.

Gates for the pow wow open Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and Sunday at noon. A grand entry will be held on Saturday at noon and Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

The Kentucky Native American Heritage Museum was founded in 1999 “to promote understanding of North America’s indigenous people from both historic and contemporary perspectives …” The mobile display contains artifacts and documents. The Kentucky Arts Council provides support to the museum with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

More information about the museum and pow wow can be found online at www.knahm.org or by calling 606-528-6342.