(Reno, NV – November 26, 2024) —Get exclusive Native American gifts this Black Friday weekend! Shop at the 17th Annual Eagle Wings’ After-Thanksgiving Craft Fair Fundraiser hosted by Reno-Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) in honor of Native American Heritage Month. Happening this Black Friday, November 29th and Saturday, November 30th from 10am-6pm both days at the RSIC Reno Gym (34 Reservation Road, Building #B, Reno, NV; right off the freeway between Mill St. and East 2nd St.).
Witness Great Basin cultural artistry along with neighboring tribe’s and local’s artwork. There will be over 40 vendors selling traditional weaved baskets, beadwork, jewelry, contemporary Native American art, silverwork, pinenuts and traditional food, baked goods and a huge range of arts and crafts. All with competitive prices to the big retail stores.
The craft fair fundraiser will benefit the Eagles Wings Pageant Dance Group with dance outfit materials—buckskin for dresses/regalia and moccasins, calico material and thread-- props, food and travel costs. Admission is FREE and will also include a raffle.
Eagle Wings Pageant Dance Group are Great Basin cultural ambassadors. They are called upon for cultural presentations, culture exchanges and educational presentations across the State of Nevada. The dance group performs the true Great Basin songs and dances of the Newe (Western Shoshone), Numu (Northern Paiute) and Washiw (Washoe).”
The dance group was created in 2006 to preserve Indigenous Great Basin culture, songs, dances and languages for future generations. These songs and dances are tens of thousands years old. They are the original dances/ceremonies of the indigenous peoples of Nevada. Many of the dancers have committed to traditional lifestyles and practices. Eagle Wings consists of intergenerational dancers and is consistently recruiting new dancers every year.
“The Eagle Wings motto is “Walking in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors” because we believe it is the spirit of the Old Ones that lead and guide us,” stated Stacey Burns, director of the Eagle Wings and RSIC’s Language and Culture Coordinator. “These dances are how we express gratitude to our Creator and Mother Earth for all the gifts provided to the people who live in these lands. These dances help us remain culturally strong with each generation.”
The Eagle Wings Pageant Dance Group will be performing on Saturday afternoon, November 30th at 2pm.
In addition, the always popular Indian Tacos will be sold. The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony’s United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) Council will be also fundraising to raise money for a National UNITY Conference which will be held in San Diego, CA from June 27th-July1st. The UNITY Youth Council volunteers their time to participate in community events, tribal leadership meetings, honoring of our elders, emergency services and are all CERT members, plus much more. RSIC is incredibly thankful for this UNITY group. They volunteer and help every program within the tribe. Plus, their Indian Tacos are also very, very delicious.
RSIC welcomes everyone to join Eagle Wings and UNITY at the craft fair fundraiser. Come support Native American Culture and expert craftsmanship. This is a modern day Native American gathering to trade and barter for goods for the holidays. We hope to see you there.
About the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony
The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony formed a federally recognized government in 1936 under the Indian Reorganization Act. Located in Reno & Sparks, Nev., the RSIC consists of 1350 members from three Great Basin Tribes – the Washoe, Paiute and Western Shoshone tribes. The RSIC is a vibrant, diverse organization, which balances traditional teachings and rich culture with contemporary business methods. Our mission is to offer opportunities for tribal members to improve their lives and enhance tribal values by making community programs, services, and projects available; while educating the general public about our history, culture and modern lifestyle. 