IVINS — The sound of drum rhythms could be heard in Kayenta over the weekend as Native American cultures came together to celebrate the Festival of the Americas.

In its second year, the event was hosted by the Kayenta Arts Foundation with the intention of bringing communities together for a weekend of art, music and dance, as a way to share with one another and keep traditions alive.

“About three years ago, the foundation members and board of directors were talking about the Shivwits Band of Paiutes right next door to us, and the other bands of Paiutes in Southern Utah,” said Rob Goodman, chairman of the Kayenta Arts Foundation.

He said they were asking things like, “How can we build a bridge? How can we become closer with our neighbors?”

Out of this, the foundation set out to host a festival celebrating Native American culture, art and customs. Last year was the festival’s inauguration, held at the Kayenta Art Village in Ivins.

This year, thirty artisans from Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California and Mexico showcased their work, which included ceramics, sculpture, basketry, jewelry, painting, metal, wood and fiber.

Each artist donated an original piece of art to the silent auction, which was held to support the Festival of the Americas Scholarship Fund administered by the Kayenta Arts Foundation.

In addition to the vendors, there were performances throughout the festival to showcase Native American customs. Audiences could hear the tinkling sounds of jingle dresses or drum beats. And a variety of performers shared their talents on the stage.

One of the dancers, Meredith Schramm of the Omaha Nation Tribe, Omaha, Nebraska, performed hoop, fancy and jingle dances during the festival and told St. George News what it meant for her to perform these traditional dances.

“I love sharing and educating about my culture and other Native American cultures,” Schramm said. “I’m glad to be here today and do that for you as well. This is a jingle dance. Traditionally, this dance didn’t have the tin can lids on the dress; it was deer hooves or shells.”

Schramm currently lives in Utah County and is a middle school teacher. She and her husband have three daughters, and she has taught her daughters to dance to continue the tradition.

Goodman said another purpose of the three-day event was to raise money for a Native American scholarship fund. 

“We can help send Native American students who have gone through high school … to college or a trade school,” he said. “Education is so important in all communities, but in particular, in the Native American community.”

Over $4,000 in scholarship funds were dispersed last year, and organizers hope to continue to increase that amount each year. To qualify for a scholarship, one must be a Native American student residing in Utah. Goodman said that the partial scholarships help finance higher education at a school within the state.

The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah opened the festival on Friday with youth dances, community circle dance and flute and drum performances. Toward evening, speakers shared historical information about powwows and local tribes.

On Saturday evening, a concert was given by the Adrian Wall Trio. Member of the Pueblo of Jemez tribe, Wall is also an award-winning musician, producer and visual artist from New Mexico.

Goodman said he felt the event was an overall success.

“This year, we’re very, very happy with the turnout, and the crowd and really look forward to building bridges between us and the Native American community in Southern Utah,” he said.

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