As Colorado welcomes back warm weather and longer days, Tesoro Cultural Center prepares to again welcome its beloved Indian Market & Powwow this summer. The 19th annual celebration will take place on the grounds of The Fort Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with FREE on-site parking. The family-friendly event includes music and dance performances, as well as live hawk, eagle and raptor demonstrations from HawkQuest. Admission is just $10 per person, and children 12 and under are free. The cost of admission benefits Tesoro’s ongoing educational programs and initiatives.
As part of the Powwow, Tesoro will host Colorado’s largest authentic and juried American Indian art show – a yearly tribute to honor the American Indian tribes of the past who shaped the cultural community of Bent’s Old Fort, as well as tribes of the present and future. We hope to welcome you to one – or all – of the events throughout this exciting weekend.
Meet the Artists Patron Party: Friday, May 31
This year’s festivities will kick off with a Tesoro Member-exclusive Meet the Artists Patron Party on Friday, May 31 at 6 p.m. at The Fort. Guests will have the first opportunity to purchase award-winning art, meet the artists and enjoy live music and entertainment. In addition, The Fort will serve delicious bites, with a cash bar available. Member tickets to this event are just $20 per person. To attend, guests must be a Tesoro Member; join and purchase your tickets online today.
Indian Market & Powwow: Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2
The weekend-long juried art show features nationally acclaimed Indian artists ranging from pottery and sculpture to jewelry and painting, including Pahponee, Eddie Morrison, Jesse Hummingbird and more. The festivities also include a two-day contest Powwow with participation from more than 40 Indian Nations celebrating their ancestral heritage through traditional dance and powwow regalia.
Alongside celebrations of art, dance and cultural heritage, Tesoro Cultural Center honors outstanding American Indian Veterans each year with an intimate and engaging ceremony to thank them for their service. This year’s honoree is Sergeant First Class Cindy Littlefeather. Littlefeather is from the Diné Nation, of the Mountain Cove Clan and born for the Sleepy Rock people. Her maternal clan is of the Towering House and her paternal clan is of the Bitter Water. Her maternal family is from Lake Valley, NM. She is the daughter of Marie Napoleon and Wilson Pablo and granddaughter of Ruth and Lewis Napoleon. Littlefeather is a member of the Sister Nations Color Guard and currently serves on active duty with the Colorado Army National Guard, with 24 years of service.
Pictured: Tesoro’s Indian Market and Powwow 2019 Honoree, Sergeant First Class Cindy Littlefeather
Concessions will be available from Tocabe and The Fort. All programming supports Tesoro’s year-round mission of preserving and making available to the community the artistic treasures of our American past.
