Coffeyville Community College (CCC) “Rally in the Valley” Youth Competition Powwow has named Kit Bird (Tah-Wah Gka-Keh) as the Head Boy Dancer. Bird is Osage and from the Tzi-Zho Wah-Shtah-Keh (Top of the Eagle) clan. “I am honored and proud to be given my name by Eddie Red Eagle Jr.,” said Bird. Bird lives with his parents, David and Donna Bird, north of Caney, Kan. and he has one brother, Tye, who has also started dancing. Bird’s maternal grandparents are Ernest Jr. and Dorothy Smith of Independence, Kan. and paternal grandparents, Kenneth and Margaret Ann Bird of Caney, Kan. His great grandparents are Louise Brown and the late Bucky Brown of Copan, Okla. and the late Leo Mayse of Pawhuska, Okla. He is a descendent of the late Henry Mayse, Minnie Onhand, John Onhand, Me ho e, wah I and he ah to me. Evelyn Onhand, Bird’s aunt, is one of the oldest living Osage. “Aunt Evelyn passes to our family Osage traditions and values to be carried on,” said Bird. Bird is 10 years old and in the fourth grade at Lincoln Elementary in Caney, Kan. When he isn’t dancing, Bird enjoys hunting, fishing and playing baseball. He started straight dancing four years ago and has participated in the Caney Powwow and other powwows in the area. “I enjoy dancing and learning Osage traditions,” said Bird. “I take great pride in my heritage and I am honored to be asked by the committee to represent the powwow as Head Boy Dancer at Coffeyville.” The youth competition powwow, the “Rally in the Valley” will be held on Saturday April 2. Doors open to the public at noon. The event will be held in the Nellis West Gym on the CCC main campus. The Field Kindley High School Native American club will present a demonstration at 1 p.m. The youth competition Grand Entry will begin at 2 p.m. During the youth competition, students from various schools will compete individually and as a team. Scholarships will be awarded to the top individuals. During the dinner break, a hand drum competition will be held. The New Hope Indian Methodist Children’s Choir will also perform. The Lenape Gourd Clan will host the gourd dance at approximately 6:30 p.m. A second grand entry for the adult competition will begin at 8 p.m. There will be men’s and women’s special contests. Concessions will be available throughout the powwow. For vendor or contest information please contact the Native American Leadership Coach at CCC.