While driving on the interstate, a big sign appeared advertising a Multi=Cultural Indian Pow-Wow Event. This beautiful sign was so colorful and attractive that it caused investigation. Wow! What a surprise. Admission was free. What a wonderful way to give back to families and the public. Not a dull moment was ever encountered. Programming was very educational and entertaining for all ages. It was fantastic for children. The colors of all the costumes were beautiful and them music was great. What a tremendous way for Des Moines, Iowa to capitalize on tourism. This event is a real winner for Des Moines, surrounding areas, and all of Iowa; in fact for all of U.S.A. Everyone should help to keep this event going and growing! How? The word of mouth is very powerful! OH! What a wonderful day and evening. Thank you. We will be back next year.
I have been performing at the White Eagle Pow Wow weekend for the last 4 or 5 years. I really believe in the mission of the organization of healing through the expression of our cultural heritages. The atmosphere of the weekend is about sharing and feeds my creative soul. My family and I hope to share our talents and heritages with the Pow Wow family for years to come. We enjoy traveling from out of state to bring our North Sea cultural heritage to the people of Iowa and getting in touch with our American Indian heritage while we are there. Being able to perform at the Pow Wow helps motivate my family to learn and improve in the performance of the music and dance of our ancestors. I feel the Pow Wow has the potential to foster cultural growth throughout the region.
I am a dance faculty at Iowa State University. My blended special needs group with non challeged dancers were performing next to a native American Village where Ralph and his crew were inspiring youth as well as anyone who gathered at the Iowa State Fair. He heard me speaking about inclusion of all peoples and the power of dance to transform. He asked if I would bring dancers to his event later in August. We have attended the PowWow I believe for a decade. I am grateful for the work the Ralph has done in the public schools as well as other outdoor venues that we have performed at again in tandom. His "tribe" of gathered volunteers are kind, respectful, and welcoming to all performers. The group never fails to embrace the world. Even when we are rained out it is considered a blessing and as always the fun continues all in good humor. Modeling one of the greatest assets for the individual coping with difficulty with humor. I am honored to be a small contributor to such a worthy goal as this group encompasses.
Review from Guidestar
This Pow wow is very special to me thats way I donate and volunteer my time to this. I been doing this for 11 years now and still coming back for more years to come .Ralph and Carol are like my Family and my Best FRIENDS. THEY CARE ABOUT EVERYONE .We still would love to have more volunteers. THANK YOU
I have been a board member for the White Eagle pow wow for five years, serving as treasurer for the past two. to experience this three day event always proves to be exciting and refreshing! Seeing old friends and meeting new every summer makes me feel that all of the volenteer hours spent throughout the year are well spent. The ever changeing line up of performers always leaves me satisfied the costumes and dance styles are colorful and exciting. The message of hope and understanding that the White Eagle Multi cultureal pow wow sends out is truly fantastic!
Review from Guidestar
I have been a member of the White Eagle Multicultural Pow Wow for 11 years.Some friends of ours introduced us to Ralph and Carol. We were food vendors. Being a food vendor limited us to being able to participate in the event itself,but we did get to watch a lot of the performers.It was heartfelt watching all the cultures come together, to become one, and seeing all the warmth and love that was generated in the sacred ground. It is such a spectacular spiritual event that no one should miss.The Pow Wow is a part of my Life, and I am so Thankful to be a part of it.This Pow Wow has built many bonding relationships for me.. I have tried to help out as much as I can as a volunteer,vendor,donor, and whatever else is needed.If you have never been to The White Eagle Multicultural Pow Wow make the last weekend of August 2013 at Hawkeye Antique Acres your place to be.
I have had the honor of performing at the White Eagle Multicultural Pow Wow for the past 3 yrs. It's wonderful being part of an event that truly embraces all cultures and what they represent. In those years, I have learned SO MUCH and each year I cherish and look forward to learning more, as well as sharing my art form of Bellydance. Another widely misunderstood form. This past August, it had been raining during the day, and by the time my troupe's performance time came around, it was questionable if we were going to be able to perform. With the amazing love and guidance of the Pow Wow's organizers, we wanted to perform anyway. We danced on the ground instead of the stage to make sure no one slipped, and we felt so free performing that way. Even the mud created from the rain couldn't deter us. We were there to share in this wonderful experience of learning and sharing, and would never miss it for anything. I look forward to performing in 2013!!!!
The White Eagle Multicultural Pow Wow is a tremendous asset to the State of Iowa and our Nation. Their mission to making the word a better place to live is apparent throughout the weekend of this annual event with the harmonic blending of the races The experience is educational, informative and entertaining--an inspiring event being to those who attend a new perspective for living in todays world
MY WIFE & I HAVE HELPED OUT AT THE LAST TWO EVENTS. LOTS OF GREAT THINGS GOING ON ALL THE TIME. DANCERS FROM MANY CULTURES, DOING WHAAT THEY DO BEST. PLENTY OF PARKING AT THE GROUNDS FOR THE AUG. EVENT. RAIN SLOWED THE CROWD ON SAT. THE SHOW WHNT ON. RECOMEND THIS TO EVERYONE.
Review from Guidestar
my husband and i won a free night in a tipi! it was wonderful and everyone there was very kind, welcoming and excepting. we enjoyed ourselfs alot dispite the rain! they still had activitys and vendors were open. the vendors were kind and the prices werent outragous! this was my second pow wow with the white eagle organization. i highly recomend going! there is something for everyone! please go you wont regret it!
Review from Guidestar
I am delighted to add my review and recommendation for Iowa's own unique White Eagle Multicultural Pow Wow. Twelve years ago, I became one of the original volunteers and charter members working with the Moisa family to build this event for the State of Iowa. Since then the organization of volunteers has been growing and multiplying annually to support and uphold this powerfully important event.This event has for its purpose the education and appreciation between people of all races and cultural backgrounds. It has as its essence to bring down walls of misunderstanding and bias between those groups. The effort begins for this Pow Wow event with Native American cultural influences, but then extends to the many races and ethnic backgrounds that share living spaces on our Earth home. The language used to guide the decisions of those building this event and directing its activities, has continually been to provide for "the mending of the Sacred Hoop of Life." This mending of life includes the appreciation and caring for all of the two-leggeds, four-leggeds, swimming and flying creatures of our planet home. The three day event in the month of August every year is and always has been free to the public. The funds needed for creating and producing this event have come from many local businesses, in-kind donations, fund raisers, plus individual donations. At no time has any volunteer , committee member, or charter member been offered or received a salary. The hundreds of volunteers arrive with time and energy and hearts ready to continue the vision that began in the mind and heart of Ralph Moisa III. This young man, the son of the Moisa family, who at the age of 19, gave his life to attempt to rescue a Red Tailed Hawk from some city power lines. He had already dedicated his life to the development of better understanding between all races and creatures. Countless and tireless hours have been spent setting up this venue/event each year and orchestrating the many multicultural events for three days, and teaching those who attend, about ways to feel connected to each other and to the Universe, which in turn has provided so much for all of us. This event, being unique to Iowa and also to the whole of the United States, has drawn visitors and participants from all over Iowa, around the Midwestern States, across the U.S., and also from Canada. It has continued to grow and expand each year, which speaks to the ever-present need within all realms of life to reach out to learn and understand one another to a greater and greater degree. This event lessens our feelings of isolation and promotes knowledge that we are one people, in one Universe, who ultimately all belong together in sharing our world. We have drawn up to 12,000 visitors and volunteers annually from various Native American Nations, and countless attendees from many countries and continents, All of this growth has been happening due to endless house of work and time donated from hundreds of volunteers working wit the Moisa family and the Multicultural Pow Wow Committees. I am proud to realize that this unique event was dreamed of, and then ultimately born, in our State of Iowa, a state uniquely named for the Nation of the Ioway Native Americans who cared for our lands hundreds of years prior to our statehood. I am proud to know the Moisa family and the family of dedicated volunteers who believe in this outstanding event and who work annually to forward the dreams o the young man, Ralph Moisa III. This caring and forward thinking young man was given the Native American name "White Eagle" from his Nation at the occasion of his funeral service. His life's dream has now become, and will continue to become the dream of multitudes of families and volunteres because of our annual event called the "White Eagle Multicultural Pow Wow".
The White eagle multi cultural pow wow has been part of my life since 2000 .Celebrating the mending of the sacred hoop which is the realization that everything is connected. Not only we as peoples of different races, but all of the things around us as well . when the wheel is broken we destroy the plant life that gives us the oxygyne that we need to survive. when we destroy natural habitat we lose the creatures that are also a needed part of our survival. each has an important part in the survival of the others. The first time I attended the pow wow was by invatation of a friend. my plan was to enjoy the entertainment and just be a part of the crowd. after a while I noticed that many of the trash containers were much in need of attention. At once a feeling came over me that it was some how up to me to handle this situation, Which I did for the remainder of the weekend. during this time I came into contact with some of the most remarkable people I had ever met. all seemed very greatful of the task i had adopted we talked as though we had some how known each other for years. I did this for several years until the same friend invited me to one of the white eagle board meetings. I accepted the invatation and was taken on in the merchandising comittee and have served ever since. I can't imagine a year going by missing the pow wow though it is much work all through out the year the event always leaves me feeling some how iv'e done a small part in mending the sacred hoop.
Review from Guidestar
The White Eagle Annual 7th Generation Multicultural Pow-Wow is an honorable organization that is doing much to “advance understanding among races and cultures.” It is a gathering initiated by Ralph and Carol Moisa in loving memory of their son, White Eagle—Ralph III, who died while attempting to free a Red Tail Hawk from some power lines, and who also took-to-heart the Native belief that each race has a role and a responsibility in mending the Sacred Hoop.
As a Caucasian American aware of our U. S. history and the government’s role in breaking numerous treaties made with America’s Native Peoples, it is a privilege and it feels a whole lot like grace to be invited to participate in the mending of the Sacred Hoop. I believe each of us carries within us the unfinished work of our ancestors’ past. Through the White Eagle Annual 7th Generation Multi-cultural Pow-Wow, each of us is blessed with the gift and the opportunity to participate in the dance that heals our community’s today and celebrates in our children’s, children’s tomorrow. You can be a living part of tomorrow’s history; come to honor one another’s culture in celebration, come help to mend the Sacred Hoop.
The White Eagle Multicultural Pow Wow is an awe inspiring experience with a continuous program from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon performed in colorful regalia by Midwest’s four races: Red, Yellow, Black and White. The pow wow is hosted by Native American's whose dreams are to mend the sacred hoop of life with a better understanding of all cultures through drumming, music, dance and story. The grand entry led by the honor guard, entertainers, and hosts of Indians from several nations is truly an emotional, heart rendering experience. Very educational, informative and entertaining fun filled three days of camaraderie amongst the volunteers, entertainers, photographers, and participants of all races. The White Eagle Multicultural Pow Wow was a dream of Ralph Moisa, III, a.k.a. ‘White Eagle'. Sadly Ralphie lost his life in 1995 during an heroic attempt to rescue a red tailed hawk trapped on a high voltage power line. Amongt Raphie’s possessions were notes detailing his visions of a multicultural pow wow to bring families of all races together, to bring down the walls of misunderstanding, to share a little of all heritages, and to make the United States a better place to live. In 2000, Ralphie’s parents established this one of a kind pow wow in his honor and memory. The Pow Wow is admission free. Donations are graciously accepted. Grounds parking is charged. This is an annual event held on the forth full weekend in August at Hawkeye Antique Acres, rural Waukee, Iowa just off Interstate 80, , Exit 117, 6 miles West of the West Des Moines Junction of I-35/I-80. I recommend this enchanting weekend to persons of all ages 3 to 103, a truly unforgettable experience. The ethnic foods and crafts were much appreciated and enjoyed by all. Camping with electricity is available on the grounds, or you can spend a night in a tipi (teepee) at the 'White Eagle' Bed and Breakfast on either Friday or Saturday night during the pow wow weekend--experience the life of an early American Indian. Donations and Volunteers are in high demand. Give from the heart to assure that this wonderful event may continue for many years to come. Visit www.whiteeaglepow-wow.org's photo galleries to enjoy the array of entertainers ranging from Darcy and Her Wolves, S.O.A.R. Hawk Talk (the 2011 release of a rehabilitated red tailed hawk), Japanese Drummers, Aloha Dancers, Aztec Dancers, Lerwig Family Band, Isiserettes Drill Team, Los Ninos del Tepeyac dancers, etc. I encourage everyone to schedule a visit to this wonderful pow wow like no other, not just in Iowa, but across the United States and Canada. Truly an enriching experience—never to be forgotten. A great family tradition filled with memories galore..
Review from Guidestar