Sixty years ago the Shinnecock ceremonial chief known as Chief Thunder Bird invited the public to the Reservation west of Southampton Village.
Chief Thunder Bird said to his guests "Sit together in peace on Good Mother Earth". He wanted to focus the Shinnecock community on their identity as native people and outsiders to learn about the Shinnecock and their culture.
The tradition started in Chief Thunder Birds front yard continues at the Pow Wow grounds again this year from Friday afternoon to Monday afternon as the sovereign Shinnecock Nation plays host to not only their non-Native neighbors but to tribes from all over North America and beyond.
The Pow Wow is a Benefit for the Shinnecock Tribe and the Shinnecock Presbyterian Church. It is the only source of income for the tribe as a whole.
The entrance to the reservation and the Pow Wow is on Montauk Highway at East Gate Road or West Gate Road west of Southampton Village.
The Pow Wow will feature Native dance, food and music including Shinnecock's own Thunder Bird Sisters, the Narragansett Singers, Aztec Dancers and more.
Grounds are open Friday at 3PM and Saturday through Monday at 10AM
Tickets: $10 Adults, $7 Kids, Seniors & Handicaped
For further information call Shinnecock Tribal Office (631)-283-6143 / # 7
or click on http://www.shinnecocknation.com/shinnecock2007.swf
