In 1995, when local music legend, attorney, and entrepreneur Lucky Tomblin produced the Sacred Springs Powwow in San Marcos, Native Americans in Texas knew they had a home where the culture of the First People of the Americas was welcomed, celebrated, and valued. Fifteen years later, the powwow’s standard was raised again by the Indigenous Cultures Institute, when representatives from the nonprofit visited Tomblin and his wife Becky and asked permission to reinstate the Sacred Springs Powwow as an annual event. Now in its ninth year, the powwow is scheduled for October 19 and 20, 2019 at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment.

“Lucky Tomblin was a good friend to our people,” says Dr. Mario Garza, the Institute’s board of elders chair. “He and his wife immediately supported our efforts and the Tomblin family has been an abiding source of inspiration and support all these years.”

The name “Sacred Springs” was important to the Miakan-Garza Band of the Coahuiltecan people – a state-legislature recognized tribe of Texas and founders of the Institute – because tribal members who practice traditional ceremonial ways believe that the area at Spring Lake is their origination site.

“We believe that we came out of the underworld through a portal at the San Marcos springs and came up onto Mother Earth as The People,” says Garza. “And we also believe that our creation story is documented on a 4,000 year old rock painting called the White Shaman panel, near Comstock, Texas.”

Dr. Garza presents an annual lecture on the White Shaman panel and the Coahuiltecan people’s creation story, at the powwow’s Native Culture tent. Several presentations are scheduled for this educational tent including danza lessons by Mitotiliztli Yaoyollohtli, the nationally famous group that recently performed for a Chickasaw Nation festival. Luis Cuervo (Lipan Apache), liaison between the Kuna Tribe in Colombia and the powwow, will explain how the unique, colorful, artistic shoes that he brings are sacred items that represent the culture of people who live over 3,800 miles away. Back this year is Marika Alvarado (Lipan Apache) who will present more information on the healing plants of Texas and the Spring Lake area. Special guest speaker Hauli Sioux Gray (Ponca/Tonkawa) and the powwow’s Head Lady dancer, will present a heart rending and inspirational story about cancer survival.

In a partnership with the San Marcos Cinema Club and part of the Lost River Film Fest scheduled for October 17 – 20, the powwow will screen the award winning film “Warrior Women.” This documentary examines the story of mothers and daughters fighting for indigenous rights in the American Indian Movement of the 1970s. The film unveils not only a female perspective of history, but also examines the impact political struggles have on the children who bear witness. The Cinema Club and powwow representatives hope to bring some of the principals of the film for a talk-back with the San Marcos audience. The film is scheduled at the powwow at 1:00 PM on Saturday at the Meadows conference room.

The powwow will continue to exhibit over 100 Native American dancers who compete for best performers, and up to 50 vendors with indigenous arts, crafts, and foods. A Youth Art tent will provide craft projects sponsored by Tandy Leather and will welcome all children to learn and earn an art piece.

“Every powwow is a unique experience because every person who comes brings their own story to sing and their own dance,” says Garza. “Our powwow is a powerful experience because it’s held on sacred ground, next to sacred water; what better place to sing and dance.”

The Sacred Springs Powwow is funded by the City of San Marcos Arts Commission, the Tomblin Family Foundation, Texas Commission on the Arts, Austin Community Foundation, and Friends of the Powwow. Sponsors of the powwow include the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Affordable Golf Carts, San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District, Starbucks, and IronRoots, Inc. a digital marketing company.

For more information visit www.SSpowwow.com or call 512-393-3310.