Southern California Indian Center is a Grammy Nominated Pow Wow

Published on Feb 9, 2008 - 7:14:40 AM

By: Southern California Indian Center, Inc.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Feb. 8, 2008 -- "Oklahoma Style," a live recording of the 35th Annual Southern California Indian Center Pow Wow held at Orange County, California, is nominated among four other recordings as Best Native American Music Album for the 2008 Grammy Awards.

The recording features Walter Ahhaitty & Friends, with the Comanche Little Ponies, and Tom Bee (founder of Sound of America Records) as producer in association with the Southern California Indian Center, Inc.

The Recording Academy added the "Best Native American Music Album" category in 2001, which is the only category open to American Indian musicians. That year, the Recording Academy awarded the first-ever Best Native American Music Album Grammy to album producers/engineers Tom Bee and Douglas Spotted Eagle for a live recording of the 1999 "Gathering of Nations Pow Wow," performed by various Native artists. In 2004, Mr. Bee received a second Grammy award in this category for producing the album "Flying Free," performed by Black Eagle, and was also nominated for producing his own album, "Reveal His Glory."

"Native music produced during our annual Pow Wows is a source of unity among tribal participants and a source of spirituality with the Creator. Our Pow Wows bring together so many talented Americans Indians; we are pleased in this recognition by The Recording Academy," says Paula Starr, Executive Director of the Southern California Indian Center, Inc (SCIC) and SCIC Pow Wow Producer.

About the Southern California Indian Center, Inc.

Established in 1968, SCIC is the oldest human services agency serving Native Americans in the Los Angeles area, representing over 250 tribes across the U.S. and migrating to Southern California since the 1950's. SCIC employs 30 persons that provide career, vocational, education, advocacy and supportive services from three regional offices in Fountain Valley, Los Angeles and Riverside. Mr. Shawn Imitates Dog (Lakota tribal member) currently presides over the Board of Directors; Ms. Starr's (Cheyenne tribal member) tenure with SCIC began in 1988.

About the Pow Wows of the Southern California Indian Center, Inc.

The first annual Pow Wow was held in the summer of 1968 in Huntington Beach on vacant and on Talbert, before houses were built. This year's 40th Annual Pow Wow celebration will be held July 25, 26, and 27, 2008 and is hosted by the Autry National Center at Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California. SCIC Pow Wows are a celebration of American Indian life as portrayed by singers, dancers, and artisan renderings through clothing, accessories, lifestyle crafts and food. The sights and sounds are so unique that many participants and attendants travel thousands of miles to attend the SCIC Pow Wow.

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