Osage Nation Counseling Center to sponsor Red Ribbon Week Pow Wow

Osage Nation Counseling Center will hold a pow wow Saturday, Oct. 26, in recognition of Red Ribbon Week — a national event that is intended to encourage sober lifestyles, especially among area youth.

The pow wow is to begin around 1 p.m. Oct. 26 at Wakon Iron Hall in the Indian Camp. Gourd dancing will be followed by a 5:30 p.m. dinner. Gourd dancing will resume until 7 p.m., when a recrowning ceremony is planned for Osage Princess Dresdyn Hinman, who will then preside over the war dance part of the pow wow.

There will be contests for Tiny Tots, sponsored by Osage Nation Social Services. Dancing competitions are to be held in junior, teen and adult age divisions.

Special honoree at this year’s event is Ted Moore, who is the director of operations for the Osage Nation.

Head singer will be Anthony Kemble, with Amos Littlecrow serving as head man dancer and Daisy Spicer as head lady dancer. The head little boy dancer is to be David Cote and head little girl dancer will be Christen Marie Pelayo.

Bruce Cass has been named as the master of ceremonies for the event. Arena director will be Tim Lookout and Osage Gourd Group will serve as the host gourd dance group.

Red Ribbon Week is recognized by the ONCC as well as the Osage Nation Prevention Program, Osage Nation Social Services, Osage Nation TASC and the Osage Nation Primary Residential Treatment Center. In conjunction with the event, Osage Nation representatives also will be visiting area schools in order to spread the message about not using alcohol and drugs.

Red Ribbon Week is in held to promote and alcohol and drug free life-style, but, it started when Enrique Carmerena a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was kidnapped by a drug cartel and while American federal agents search on both sides of the Mexican border. His hometown hung red ribbons until he was found. Tragically he was found after he was tortured and killed. Red Ribbon Week recognizes the efforts by all who work to rid this country of alcohol and drugs. This is the Osage Nation’s contribution to that effort.