Redhawk Native American Arts Council

This is an amazing Native American cultural organization. They throw the BEST powwows in and around the NYC area. Definitely worth checking out.

Produced by the Redhawk Native American Arts Council, Redhawk Powwow at FDR State Park is an annual event under its ninth year with gathering of Native Americans and non Native Americans to come together. There are a lot of dance contests for Native American men, women, children as well as spectators. The event itself took place in a small section of the FDR State Park located in Yorktown Heights, New York. (Westchester)
Native Americans participating in the Powwow wore beautiful regalia. Some were extremely colorful and ornate. I love looking at all handiwork. You can see very colorful, beautiful bead work, shells, bone, and metallic cones adorning many of the regalia.
The main arena housed many of the dancing events and contests. It’s important to listen to the announcer as he advised guests about Powwow etiquette, the types of dance and to top it off he had a great sense of humor. The Native American music went well with the dancing, which was truly a sight to behold. While you are a guest at the Pow Wow always remember to follow their etiquette, and remember common courtesy goes a long way and should be extended to everyone.
Vendors sell food and Native American crafts as well as Peruvian Indian crafts. The food lines were too long and moved slowly. I wish the lines were shorter so I could go back and test out some more food. In the mix, you can find corn soup, fry bread, Indian tacos, tamales, Indian pudding, strawberry drink, salmon with vegetables, bison burger, scoon dogs, and venison chili. The Indian taco is fry bread that is savory. You can get refried beans, or red beans, with cheese, sour cream and other toppings. If you are vegetarian, they can make one up for you. Just tell them what you want on it after they give you the choices. The fry bread is delicious. It is slightly chewy and I had mine with honey and cinnamon. You can get blueberry, strawberry, apple, and pumpkin fry bread. The strawberry drink was refreshing and delicious as well. There are chunks of strawberries in the cup along with the ice. Good strawberry flavor and the right amount of sweetness. I really wanted another cup, but the long lines never cease. Along different areas there were some picnic benches.
A small tent housed several birds of prey that were beautiful and majestic such as peregrine falcons, a Eurasian Eagle owl, and a kestrel, the smallest of the raptors in America. There was a birds of prey show in the main arena.
Prices for Native American crafts are reasonable for all the handiwork that goes into making some of the items. There are crafts for adults and children. Vendors sell beadwork, leatherwork, bows and arrows, blankets, pottery, jewelry, crafts, children’s toys, feathers, dream catchers and music. There is a small archery tent for kids who want to test out a bow and arrows and a teepee in the center for visitors to crawl in and experience what it feels like to sit inside of one.
Pluses for the Redhawk Powwow at FDR are: Beautiful Native American regalia and lots of dancing, a very funny announcer, affordable crafts, flushing toilets, good eats and lots of fresh air
Minuses are long, slow food lines, time constraints had us leaving before we heard the outcome of the contests.