Tesoro Cultural Center, Colorado’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to protecting the artistic treasures of our American past and making them available to the community, will host its 23rd annual Indian Market & Powwow on Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, on the grounds of The Fort restaurant (19192 Hwy. 8, Morrison). Open to the public, the event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Regular daily admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children 7-12 and free for children 6 and under. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door each day.
Tesoro Cultural Center’s Indian Market & Powwow is a yearly tribute to the American Indian nations that shaped the cultural community of Bent’s Old Fort, an important international trading post operating along the famous Santa Fe Trail from 1833 until 1849. In celebration of early Southwestern history, Tesoro hosts nationally acclaimed and award-winning American Indian artists who sell and demonstrate authentic artwork in a juried show. The weekend will bring together Indian nations to educate and share their culture through art, celebrations, dance performances and drum groups, as well as demonstrations by Nature’s Educators, and exhibits from Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Remembering the Brave and History Colorado. The event takes place outside and is open to the public, with free parking and concessions provided by The Fort and Roadrunner food truck available for purchase.
A contest powwow will be directed by Master of Ceremonies, Daryl “Max” Bear (Cheyenne, Kiowa) and Arena Director, Shotae Tveter (Mandan, Hidatsa). Featuring traditional, fancy, grass and chicken categories in various age groups for men. Women’s dance categories are Jingle, Fancy, N. Traditional and S. Traditional. The top three dancers in each category will earn monetary prizes, awarded by the Master of Ceremonies. The Buddy Bond Color Guard (Southern Cheyenne) will perform; Chris Good Eagle (Mnikwoju Lakota, Cheyenne River Sioux) will serve as the Head Man Dancer, and Nitika Conquering Bear (Oglala Lakota, Apache) will be the Head Woman Dancer.
Alongside these cultural heritage celebrations, Tesoro’s Indian Market & Powwow honors an American Indian veteran each year with an intimate, engaging ceremony to thank them for their service. This year’s honoree is Adriana Almodovar, who is a member of the Oglala Lakota and Santee tribes. She enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2011 as an armorer and served eight years in the USMCR before she was promoted to Staff Sergeant in 2019 and later stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. Following her military service, Adriana worked for the Colorado Department of Corrections and Denver Sheriff’s Department. She joined the Thornton Police Department in 2015 and was recently promoted to patrol sergeant.
The festivities will kick off with a Patron Party on Friday, May 31, from 6-9 p.m., during which Tesoro guests can have the first opportunity to purchase and preview art before the event, meet the artists and enjoy an evening of culture, food and music.
Since its inception, Tesoro has hosted community events inspired by Colorado’s rich history and shared experiences with Southwest, Spanish, Mexican, Native American, African American and early European cultures. From art and cuisine to historical re-enactments and music, Tesoro Cultural Center’s mission is to create enriched, community-based events and educational outreach programs designed to preserve and celebrate the state’s cultural heritage.