Movie star Mel Gibson sees his first powwow in valley
Surprise guest joins tribal leader to witness event
Debra Gruszecki
The Desert Sun
November 28, 2006


Actor Mel Gibson attended his first Indian powwow over the weekend,
as he watched the Saturday evening Grand Entry inside the special
events center of Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, officials of the
Cabazon Band of Mission Indians said.


Gibson, whose latest movie, "Apocalypto,'' will be released Dec. 8
in Oklahoma, drove to the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians
Reservation near Indio from his Malibu home on Saturday, arriving
about 7 p.m. for a private meeting with members of the tribe.

Gibson watched the Grand Entry from a private viewing area with
Cabazon Tribal Council Chairman John James.

"It was a real surprise,'' James said. "It was a real thrill for the
Indian people to meet and greet him in person. We had to fight our
way off the (viewing) stand - they were all taking pictures. The
flash photography was incredible."

James said Gibson commented on how he'd never seen a grand march
before. He was fascinated to learn about the significance of the
blessing by smoke - how it cleanses the spirit - and seemed like a
real down-to-earth guy, James said. "It was difficult to hold a
conversation with all the drumming going on. But he did tell me he'd
just finished production of a movie about the Mayan civilization,
and invited me to the opening. I thought that was real nice."

Gibson could not be reached to comment.

But one of his publicists, Jhane Myers, said in a written statement
that Gibson was impressed with the "first-ever" powwow he attended.
Gibson spent the night in a suite at the resort casino hotel and
dined at its Bistro restaurant, Myers said. Myers was a judge at the
25th annual powwow event attracting thousands of participants and
spectators.

http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pb...EWS06/611280330
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