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Oprah pushed powwow during Navajo Nation visit
Monday, June 5, 2006

The Oprah Winfrey Show insisted a powwow be staged during the television star's visit to the Navajo Nation last week, The Gallup Independent reports.

Tribal officials tried to steer her production company from the idea, since powwow is not Navajo. But the show's producer was "adamant," a tourism officer and other officials told the paper.

"Their conclusion was to do powwow, they wanted to do powwow to the very end," said Cora Maxx-Phillips, a staffer for Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr.

That ended up irritating Navajos who were on hand for Winfrey's visit to Window Rock, the capitol of the Navajo Nation. They are worried that the portrayal of the powwow could offend tribes in the Plains, where powwow originated, and perpetuate misconceptions about Native people as a whole.

"That's not us. Navajo's aren't powwow people," said Henrietta Lynch, 74.

Get the Story:
Diné worried Oprah taping could create further stereotypes (The Gallup Independent 6/2)
Navajos, Durango co-star in Oprah visit (The Denver Post 6/3)

Relevant Links:
Oprah - http://www.oprah.com

Related Stories:
Navajo Nation was told Oprah Winfrey not coming (6/2)
George Joe: Oprah Winfrey tapes at Navajo Nation (5/31)
Oprah Winfrey Show denies taping on reservation (5/26)

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