Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Where will you be when the sun rises on the new year?

The New Years First People's World Fair and Pow Wow, "Thunder in the Desert" will take place in Tucson, Arizona at the Rillito Raceway Park on December 31st, 1999 thru January 9, 2000. The event is to be featured on ABC's 2000 New Years Eve Special! Check your local listings!

Over 100 tribal nations from North America and additional first people from around the world will come together for this event to share with the public their cultural experiences through song, dance, crafts, food and cultural displays. It is estimated that there will be 2,500 first people participants.

It is our intention to show case the beauty, endurance and spirit of the Native American and other world wide first people's culture. The New Millennium First People's World Fair and Pow Wow, "Thunder in the Desert" will be the forum to show the world that Native Americans have survived and maintained their unique cultural values. The traditional ways of life have survived, are honored, and will continue to flourish in the 21st century.

The following is a tentative schedule of the events. All events will be held at Rillito Raceway.

New Years Eve, Friday, December 31, 1999 – The Electric Pow Wow is a concert featuring major Native American Musicians, who will mentor the lesser known artists and promote traditional and contemporary musicians. International Round Dance to bring in the new year.

Saturday, January 1, 2000 – Share in a Sunrise Blessing for the 21st Century. You will be asked to write down your personal aspirations and place them in a traditional pottery bowl. Approximately 20 traditional Medicine People will then pray over them for you. Also scheduled, Traditional Social Pow Wow, Parade and Concert.

Sunday, January 2, 2000 - Traditional Social Pow Wow, Exhibition Dancing, Indian Craft Market.

Monday-Friday,January 3-7, 2000 - Special feature theme days: Seventh Generation Youth Day, Senior Golden Age and Veterans Day, Native American Actors, Writers and Producers Symposium, Education, Economic and Tourism forums, etc. Gourd Dance/Warrior Day, Alaska Natives Day, Native American Arts & Crafts, Worldwide Indigenous Peoples Exhibition Day.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, January 7, 8, 9, 2000 - Competition Pow Wow, Traditional Techniques Exposition, Gourd Dance/Warrior Society Honoring, Exhibition Performances, Indian Craft Market.

The 10 day World Fair & Pow Wow will also feature parades, fashion shows, seminars, birds of prey, equestrian events, information booths and much more. This premier unprecedented event is to be experienced and enjoyed by family and friends of all races of people.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Reservation Creation Women's Circle Charitable Trust for the purpose of preserving and perpetuating American Indian education through its scholarship program.