JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM A Crow Nation member peers through a traditional headdress during the American Indian Powwow Association's festivities held at Thomas Square in 2005.

Tribes will gather in Hilo

The second annual Hilo Inter-Tribal PowWow will take place May 26-28 at Wailoa River Park in Hilo. This free, family-oriented event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Saturday's events will open with a traditional Northwest Coast canoe ceremony at 11 a.m. The Eagle Song Dancers from Squamish Nation, Vancouver, Canada, will come up the river on a double-hull canoe and exchange songs and chants with a Hawaiian delegation as the Squamish ask for permission to come ashore and dance upon Hawaiian land.

On Sunday, 68 Saginaw Chippewa elders visiting from Michigan will join the festivities. Hula Halau O Kou Lima Nani E, led by Kumu Hula Iwalani Kalima, from Keaukaha, will honor the elders by dancing hula at 1:30 p.m.

In addition to performances by other special guests throughout the weekend, there will be storytelling, craft activities and a silent auction. Fry bread and Indian tacos will be available for purchase, and there will be vendors selling American Indian jewelry, arts, crafts, books, supplies and music.

For more information: www.hilopowwow.com.