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Ta'neeszahnii Techno

One of several winter powwows coming up in the Window Rock/Gallup areas.

This event will be sponsored by Diane Tolino, family and relatives. Stay tuned for details.

Ta'neeszahnii Techno

By Jan-Mikael Patterson
The Navajo Times

GALLUP - Diane Tolino, 21, thought organizing a powwow would be easy.

"It's tough," she said. "You have to go to different places to ask for donations."

Tolino is organizing the upcoming Toys for Tots Contest Powwow Dec.4 to 5 at the Gallup Junior High School gymnasium.

Despite the difficulty of finding donations, the powwow is going to happen.

Admission for the event is either a toy with a minimum value of $5 or patrons can pay $5. Organizers encourage the public to give a toy to bring joy to a child.

Toys for ages newborn to 17 are requested and the proceeds will go directly to the Toys for Tots organization overseen by Gallup Police Officer Owen Pena, Tolino said.

Pena has been with the Gallup police for nine years and this is the third year the toy drive will supply toys to underprivileged families.

Christmas 2003 was the first year the toy drive expanded from the Gallup area to McKinley County. He said the drive served 3,800 kids last year, a jump from 2,300 for each of the previous two years.

"We're looking at the same numbers for this year," Pena said. "I don't know anything about powwows but she (Tolino) is spearheading the powwow, which is great.

"I told her I probably won't be able to assist her as much but we will collect all the toys she collects," he said. "She came to me and that's probably something that has not happened nationally with putting up a toys for tots powwow. Hopefully it will become an annual event."

Relatives and friends of Tolino are donating prizes to sponsor all dance categories, she said. Sponsors will pay contest money to the winners.
Organizing, which began in January, has been an up-and-down ride for Tolino because seeking sponsorship from Gallup businesses is frustrating.

"Some of them (businesses) said, 'We already donated so much,' 'We gave so much already,' or 'We don't do that,'" she said. "Some of them said they don't do powwows and that they do athletic events only.

"It gets me mad," she said.

Tolino feels that businesses should donate to Native Americans because if it were not for them the local businesses that sell arts and crafts would not survive.

"We're just asking them to donate something small," said Christina Tolino, Diane Tolino's mother.

Being turned down for sponsorships is heart wrenching because the event is geared towards children and Diane Tolino believes people should be giving since not all families are fortunate.

"It's for the little kids," Diane Tolino said. "They don't know what we go through but when you give a kid a new toy and they give you a big smile it's heartwarming. It makes all the bad things go away."

This is Diane Tolino's second try at organizing a powwow. The first try was also for Toys For Tots for the Crownpoint Agency in 1996.

"(The kids) really enjoyed it," Christina Tolino said. "We were pleased."

"The outcome was pretty good too," Diane Tolino said. She doesn't remember how many toys were donated but most were given to children at the powwow and what was leftover was given to the Navajo police's Crownpoint District to distribute.

"I think this is great because powwows are very strong in the area," Pena said. "Powwows generate a lot of people and this will tie in Native Americans with the toys for tots."

In 1996 Diane Tolino wore the Miss Edgewater Princess crown and her older sister, Donna Tolino, was the Bear Clan Queen.

The Miss Edgewater crown was awarded to her at the Edgewater Powwow in Mariano Lake, N.M. The Bear Clan crown was awarded at the Tsayatoh Powwow.

Diane Tolino has danced in the powwow circuit since she was five years old. Her adopted grandparents - Priscilla Schrock of Gallup and the late Paul Pacheco from the Santo Domingo Pueblo - initiated her into the powwow circle.

When asked what Christmas meant to her, Diane Tolino said, "It's a time to get together with family, laugh, enjoy and celebrate a birthday."

Currently she is raising money to accommodate the head staff hired for the powwow and is seeking public support. The nonprofit event is organized and planned by Diane Tolino and family.

Information: Diane Tolino, 3410 Camino La Tierra, Gallup, N.M. 87301 or 505-863-4812.

Ta'neeszahnii Techno

Toys for Tots Powwow sparks quick response
By Jan-Mikael Patterson
Navajo Times

GALLUP - The Toys for Tots Contest Powwow is a go for Dec. 4 and 5, and already the response is exceeding expectations, said Diane Tolino, 21, event organizer.

Tolino has received telephone calls from as far away as South Dakota, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania since the innovative toy drive was announced Oct. 28 the Navajo Times.

"I was like 'holy cow,'" Tolino said. "I was tripped out about that (response)."

"(The families) read about it in the newspaper," said Tolino's mother, Christine. "The one from Pennsylvania called the same day the story came out."

All the callers are planning to send toys, she added. A South Dakota caller is planning to donate shawls and a local caller has promised to donate water and sodas for the powwow.

Gallup city leaders are fired up as well. "I really appreciate Diane's efforts to raise money for the toys for tots program," said Mayor Bob Rosebrough in a Tuesday telephone interview. "It's heartwarming to see her reach out to kids in this area."

Rosebrough is fascinated with powwows, he said. "As mayor, I've always enjoyed the experience of attending powwows," Rosebrough said. "I'm amazed at how many people it brings to the area."

Diane Tolino visited the mayor in January 2004 seeking help to find a venue large enough to host a powwow. Rosebrough helped her get the Gallup Junior High School gymnasium.

Four years earlier, she organized a successful powwow-toy drive for the Crownpoint area. Encouraged by her success, Tolino decided to put on another one, this time in her hometown.

The upcoming event is believed to be the first toy drive in Gallup to be associated with a powwow, according to Gallup Police Officer Owen Pena.

Tolino, a University of New Mexico-Gallup student currently on leave, said she believes that Christmas is a time of giving and nothing is better than a toy to bring joy to a child.

She has lined up a large number of like-minded family members and friends to supply prizes for the contest's 29 dance categories.

The Toys for Tots Contest Powwow is slated for Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4-5, at the Gallup Junior High School gymnasium. Admission is $5 or a toy with a five-dollar minimum value.

No drum contest is scheduled but, depending on public response to this year's powwow, a drum contest maybe included for next year, Tolino said.

The Tolino family is accepting donations for the powwow and is selling tickets for a gift and prize raffle. Raffle winners will be announced at the powwow and need not be present to win. Send donations to Diane Tolino, 3510 Camino La Tierra, Gallup, NM 87305.

Information: Diane Tolino, 505-863-4812.

Ta'neeszahnii Techno

Toys for Tots Contest Powwow prize sponsors

• Tiny Tots - Sarah Kinlicheeney, Steamboat, Ariz.
• Junior Categories
• Jingle Dress - Ambrose Yazzie, Standing Rock, N.M.
• Fancy Shawl - Armand and Bonnie Smith, Gallup, N.M.
• Northern Traditional - Floyd and Ron Etsitty, Tsayatoh, N.M.
• Southern Traditional - Dorothy Rogers, Fort Wingate, N.M.
• Grass Dance - Sam and Cathy Anderson, Fort Wingate, N.M.
• Fancy - David B. Bowman, Tohatchi, N.M.
• Northern Traditional - Melissa James, Tsayatoh, N.M.
• Southern Traditional - Lawrence Etsitty, Naschitti, N.M.

• Teen Categories
• Jingle Dress - Alice and Arnold Collins, Iyanbito, N.M.
• Fancy Shawl - Byron and Cecelia Begay, Lukachukai, Ariz.
• Northern Traditional - Tolino family, Gallup, N.M.
• Southern Traditional - A.J. and Carol Yazzie, Smith Lake, N.M.
• Grass Dance - Arthur Schrock, Gallup, N.M.
• Fancy - Kenneth and Vicki Joe, Montezuma Creek, Utah
• Northern Traditional - Michael Etsitty and Mae Lou, Mexican Springs, N.M.
• Southern Traditional - Kenneth Brewer, Tohatchi, N.M.

• Women's Categories
• Jingle Dress - A.J. and Carol Yazzie, Smith Lake, N.M.
• Fancy Shawl - Irlin Chavez, Gallup, N.M.
• Northern Traditional Cloth and Buckskin - Jennifer Morris-Yazzie, Mexican Springs, N.M.
• Southern Traditional Cloth and Buckskin - Dave Thompson, Smith Lake, N.M.
• Golden Age - Arthur Schrock, Gallup, N.M.

• Men's Categories
• Grass Dance - Frank Kinlecheenie, Jeddito, Ariz.
• Fancy - Aaron Eriacho, Tsayatoh, N.M.
• Northern Traditional - Melissa James
• Southern Traditional - Aaron Eriacho
• Golden Age - Donna M. Tolino
• Special Contest-Men's Chicken Dance - Kevin Lossiah, Gallup, N.M.
• Special Tiny Tots - Jakey Skye and Debbie Lynn Tsosie, Tse Bonito, N.M.

Ta'neeszahnii Techno

Due to scheduling conflicts, the Saturday morning gourd dance session has been cancelled and the afternoon grand entry has been pushed back to 3 PM. The remainder of the schedule will not change.

Bandit

So who all won? Didn't get to go. How much snow did you get? I played safe, stayed home in southern AZ. Could say because of the In-law chasers ( cold, wind swept snow, etc).

Ta'neeszahnii Techno

I didn't keep track of winners, but I think the main winners will be the children that get a gift this year due to the efforts of the committee. I believe that Saturday alone yielded four squad cars of toys just from a toy-for-admission.

At most there were nine jamming drums: Southern Outlaws, Callin Eagle, Sun Elk, Red Valley, Star Lodge, Red Star, Bad Company, Sacred Wheel, and Morning Sons. Heard some cools sounds from Red Valley, Star Lodge, Red Star and Bad Company both days.

A little bit of snow fell Saturday, but roads were clear Sunday. Powwow didn't end until 8:30 PM. Left the area around 9:15 and didn't get home until 2:15 AM Monday morning. Ran into slick roads, ice patches, falling flakes, fog, and rain on the drive home.

~Journey~

I know the children will be thankful and that the powwow was a grand success!

Ta'neeszahnii Techno

Toys for Tots powwow attracts big crowd

By Jan-Mikael Patterson
Navajo Times

GALLUP - A big turnout at last weekend's Toys for Tots Contest Powwow translated into an extra big haul of toys for area youngsters this Christmas, powwow organizers reported.

Around 1,200 people turned out for the event, far more than expected, said head organizer Diane Tolino of Gallup.

"Oh my God," said Tolino, 21, wiping away tears of joy. "I didn't expect it to be this big. I thought it was going to be a small powwow."

Tolino came up with the idea for the event and put together a coalition of family, friends, and city officials to make it happen. On Sunday, as the drums fell silent and the crowd dispersed, she was momentarily overcome as she realized how well her hard work had paid off.

Over 350 to 400 toys were collected for the cause, said Owen Pena, a Gallup police officer who helped Tolino. The toys filled 11 Toys for Tots boxes that were stationed at the entrance of the powwow.

"I'm really kind of overwhelmed to see so many people come here for that cause," said Pena, who coordinates the city's Toys for Tots drive. "It wasn't for the money but to provide to children in the area."

He noted an increase over past participation, and predicted even more toys would be collected next year.

Approximately 150 dancers performed at the powwow, held at Gallup Junior High School. Nine drum groups brought their beautiful singing voices, although a drum contest was not held this year. The powwow featured a celebrity as well.

Robert Tree Cody (Maricopa/Dakota), son of famed Native American actor Iron Eyes Cody, traveled from his home in Pocatello, Idaho, to perform on the flute. He also addressed the audience on the importance of nurturing children.

"I think that it's cool the way they have it for the children," said Cody, 53, a flutist, actor and northern traditional dancer. "It's for the unfortunate children who don't have ways to get things. For a first-time powwow it drew a number of people. I'm really impressed. They've done it in a good way."

Tolino successfully organized a similar powwow in Crownpoint in 1996. For this year's powwow, she began the organizing process early and received support from Pena, Gallup Mayor Bob Rosebrough and her family.

"(Diane's) part in this was 24/7," said Donald M. Tolino Sr., 54, Diane's father. "She set her mind to it. We're dumbfounded by the turnout of people and the outward giving of people. A lot of people traveled to be here to help Diane and the organization."

Tolino's father said the experience helped his daughter grow as a person, despite obstacles along the way. In the beginning, finding money to pay the head powwow staff was a problem, with few Gallup businesses giving money for support, he said.

"There were times when she thought it was beyond her," Donald Tolino said, adding that encouragement from her elders and family gave her strength to continue. Families, friends and relatives rallied to support the event, sponsoring most of the dance categories.

"A lot of the grandmas and elders are relieved that someone (Diane's age) stepped up," he said. "As a father we teach our children to do what we have taught them. We knew it was in her but it was up to her to bring it out. It brought tears to our eyes with what she did. It's in our children to do things like this. They just need a chance and support."

Buoyed by this year's success, Tolino foresees making the powwow an annual event and said next year it will be part of the Red Rock Balloon Rally weekend.

The drum groups were northern host drum Callin' Eagle and southern host drum Southern Outlawz along with Bad Company, Morning Star, Red Star, Red Valley, Star Lodge, Sacred Wheel and Sun Elk.

BurBz

wow! This is awesome how everyone has come together like this to donate the prizes for each category! :D... :Thumbs..

Ummm but dont want to bust anyones bubble either.. I just hope each sponsor follows through and does their part..ya know???