The Wild Horse Singers and Dancers are Navajo, Apache, Papago, Cherokee, Lumbee, Paiute, Winnebago, Muskogee Creek, and other Nations. We span all age groups and genders. The Wild Horse Native American Association was formed in 1989, and received non-profit status from both the State of California and the Federal Government in 2002. We formed as an intertribal pow wow drum group. We have always strived to maintain our intertribal identity by welcoming members of all Nations around the drum. We teach youth the traditions, songs, dance styles, and regalia related to the pow wow and other aspects of our diverse cultures.The Wild Horse Singers and Dancers have always been committed to the preservation of Indian ways and traditions, helping the Native American Community, promoting education and sobriety. We accomplish this by promoting and living an alcohol and drug free life, serving the Community in any capacity possible, by supporting, encouraging, and promoting higher education, and by mentoring youth. We travel, sing, and dance at powwows throughout the United States and abroad. We have performed at charity events, fundraisers, Indian Centers, elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, junior colleges, universities, museums, businesses, and corporations such as TRW, Rockwell, Boeing, and Hughes. In April of 1996 we traveled to Athens Greece for two weeks of inter-ethnic cultural exchange through singing and dancing.We strive to do as much as possible to support the Native American population in Los Angeles, Southern California, and in other Urban and Rural centers. We provide spiritual and moral support to Native Americans incarcerated in correctional institutions. Several times a year we travel to various Federal and State prisons to sing and perform as well as to support the Native American inmates. We become a community support system for the inmates, which in turn reduces recidivism. Going into the institutions serves as a deterrent to our older youth, and teaches them the importance of traditional values. This improves their decision-making skills and their refusal skills related to inappropriate behaviors. Our mentoring activities support this as well.Our emphasis on education is evident in our mentoring component. Most of the adult members of Wild Horse hold Bachelors Degrees. When ever possible, we tutor Indian students at local Indian Center offices. Additionally, we mentor the younger members of Wild Horse and support and encourage them to stay in school, study hard, and pursue higher education. We raise funds to purchase textbooks, school supplies, and appropriate clothing so that our members can attend school with dignity and pride.One of our big events each year is our own annual Pow Wow. 2008 marked our 12th year of this intertribal event. Traditionally, the first such event in Los Angeles County of the New Year, each year this Pow Wow has grown larger, attracting increasing numbers of singers and dancers from all over the United States, Canada, and Mexico. We have hosted dancers, drum groups, and singers from as far away as Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and Mexico. Please see our calendar, for the dates of our next Pow Wow.[LOVEMYFLASH]
