Natives Peoples event next week in Alpine
ALPINE – Thundering Hooves, a Native Peoples event, takes place at the Granada Theatre beginning at 5pm Friday, October 5 through Saturday and Sunday, October 6 and 7.
The event includes music, dance performances, speakers, and Grammy winner and five-time Native American Music Award winner Micki Free.
In addition to the Granada events, two Native American Drum Making Workshops have been scheduled at Kokernot Park and Lodge October 6-7 and October 13-14.
Micki Free
The workshops will be led by master drum maker and performing flute artist Mark Barfoot. There are workshops for youth through adult. The cost of the two-day workshop is $250.
The purpose of the event is to bring awareness of the plight of the wild burros at Big Bend Ranch State Park and the slaughter-bound hourses through the Prsidio port of entry.
The event benefits Firelight South Ranch, TMR Rescue, Inc. and Animals Angels.
Event organizer Neta Rhyne of Toyahvale explained how she got involved.
“I am seventh generation – Trail Of Tears – Cherokee and proud of my heritage. Bringing a Native Peoples presence to West Texas has been a dream of mine for 30 years. Bringing awareness to the plight of the wild burros and the slaughter bound horse has become my passion!
“The Thundering Hooves, a Native Peoples event, will provide a venue to achieve my goals. Over 20 nations will be represented at this historical native peoples event. A monumental task accomplished thanks to the generosity, compassion, and hard work of a group of Native People working towards a common goal!”
She adds, “My love for horses began when I was just a child. Riding horses was my passion… Sad to admit that as much as horses have always been a part of my life, I was unaware they are being packed into trailers and hauled to a horrible death. My first introduction to this was when I began noticing the big rigs pulling trailers full of slaughter bound equine pass by my home…
“As they drove by I could feel the rumble of the earth underneath. One morning a hauler with a trailer full of horses passed by as I was standing next to the roadway. The ground shook underneath the weight of it, and I could see the horses in the trailer. Inside that trailer a buckskin was pressed up against the rail so tight I could see directly into her eyes. They were full of fear! My heart broke knowing there was nothing I could do to help.
“It was then I realized that something had to be done to stop this madness and assure my children’s grandchildren would hear the sound of thundering hooves as they neared and feel the rumble of the earth as they pass by running wild and free!”
Information: www.thunderinghooves.info or 432.448.3914.
