The 45th annual Powwow will take place next week at the Three Rivers Indian Lodge, 13505 Union Road

The three-day event – scheduled from July 4-6 – is presented by Native Directions, Inc.

The lodge is less than a mile north of Del Webb at Woodbridge on the wet side of Union Road.

The theme for this year is “Honoring our Traditional People.”

The public is invited to this free event (strict rules do apply since Three Rivers is a treatment facility, meaning no alcohol or drugs).

Included will be the coronation of Khloe Housman Seneca-Cayuga as this year’s princess – Summer Harrison is the outgoing princess – and the tribes consisting of the Braves as the Northern host and Southern Express Style as the Southern host.

The schedule is as followed:

·         Friday, July 4 – 3 p.m., Ohlone Dancers; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Open Gourd Dance.

·         Saturday, July 5 – 11 a.m., Gourd Dance; 12 noon, Grand Entry; 5 p.m., Aztec Dance, traditional meal; 10 p.m., Bear Dance.

·         Sunday, July 6 – 11 a.m., Gourd Dance; 12 noon, Grand Entry / Inter tribal; 5 p.m., Retiring flags.

The Gourd Dance came to the West Coast in 1971 via an Oklahoma family, and was first introduced in southern California.

Many of the attendees at the powwow often include hundreds of Native Americans from throughout San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties as well as various tribes from throughout the country.

The Lodge, in addition, will again feature Indian tacos, fried bread, and drinks. A variety of vendors will also be on hand, offering up Native American arts and crafts, and souvenirs, to name a few.

Admission to the grounds is free

For more information, call 209.858.2421.