Rain or Shine - Redbird's 25th Annual Blanket Drive, December 5

It's normally known as a blanket, toy and school supplies drive and mini-powwow. And it's normally known for its intimate, honest character and it's all-star cast. For an event that has somehow remained small and humble in nature for a quarter century, it is not unusual to find among its guests some of the most respected elders in the local native community, and some of the most popular powwow and ceremonial drums.

On December 5, from 11 AM to 3 PM, Redbird will host it's 25th annual gathering, although the form it takes will be shaped by the weather, and the virus.

This year, the physical elements involved will be a little different - the gathering will be held outside - and if its raining or there's heavy winds, the gathering will probably consists of small groups of people huddled in vehicles, accepting donations through the windows. But if the weather is pleasant, Redbird hopes there will be a chance to hear story tellers and flute players, and the songs of a Native American drum, and to dance.

Alan Salazar of the Chumash nation will be there. So will flintknapper and paleo tools expert Gary Pickett. Both are long-time supporters of Redbird. Alan is well known and loved in this, his local community; he is known as story teller, spokesperson, cultural liaison, and passionate protector of indigenous rights.

The purpose of the drive is to gather new, warm, washable blankets to send to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. By networking with the White Plume family, those blankets find their way to the people who need them. And there's rarely a winter when warm blankets aren't something people need. Cash donations for shipping are also needed. The blankets are shipped via USPS or UPS, and that cost is usually in the neighborhood of $800.00 to $1,000.00.

Everyone has always been welcome to this event, and that will not change. But this year, the gathering will take place outside, in front of the giant christmas tree in the center of Simi Valley Town Center Mall. Assuming the weather is good and a drum is willing to come and sing, there will exhibition dances and social dances, which welcome everyone to take part in the circle...a circle we will form with our hearts, minds and bodies. Bodies that will need to maintain social distance, but be no less alive.

To accomodate those who would like to participate but cannot come in person, Redbird has a wish lit on Amazon, with blankets for most budgets, and you can access it here https://smile.amazon.com/hz/ch...

We need shipping donations and you can do that online via PayPal or the old fashioned way, with a check in the mail. Our mailing address is Redbird, P.O. Box 702, Simi Valley, CA 93062 and here's our PayPal link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalm...