Paiute Tribe’s 42nd annual Restoration Gathering Powwow kicks off in Cedar City

Written by Jeff Richards
June 11, 2022

CEDAR CITY — The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah’s 42nd annual Restoration Gathering Powwow kicked off Friday night in Cedar City.

Schedule of events for the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah’s 42nd annual Restoration Gathering Powwow, Cedar City, Utah, June 10, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Cedar Band of Paiutes, St. George News / Cedar City News

Dozens of dancers participated in the ceremonial grand entrance, entering the outdoor arbor and making their way around the inner edge in a large circle, accompanied by the rhythmically pounding drums of the group called Indian Creek.

Dancers young and old sported a wide variety of colorful outfits, many of which included ceremonial feathers, headdresses and other regalia.

Once all of the performers had made their way into the circle, remarks and a special prayer were offered by Reffel Kanip of Fort Duchesne.

“Let’s stand up and be proud of who we are,” Kanip said. “We made it through this pandemic. (But) some of our people didn’t make it. I had relatives that passed on.”

Dancers perform during the grand opening of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah’s 42nd annual Restoration Gathering Powwow, Cedar City, Utah, June 10, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Kanip then invoked the blessings of Mother Earth to come from “the south, to the west, to the north, to the east” and be upon all those gathering throughout the weekend.

“We’re all here as people, one people, the Cedar City people. Here in this community, this town, we’re over here,” he said. 

“That’s what we’re here for, to celebrate, to have a good time,” Kanip added. “So bless the instruments out there, the staff, the feathers, the dancers, the singers, the drum, each and every one of us, from the youngest to the oldest.”

The powwow is scheduled to feature dance competitions, a pageant, a handgame tournament and a spirit run and other activities throughout the day Saturday at the Paiute Tribe of Utah property in Cedar City (click here for map). Admission is free and open to the public. To see a schedule of events, click here. For more information, visit the tribe’s website or call 435-238-3021.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have three young grandsons and one granddaughter. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @stgnews@moabjeff@stgnewssports

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