Panther City Powwow

01/16/2026

Check out the Fort Worth ISD recap of Panther City Powwow. Thank you to all the FWISD faculty and staff who were present with us on Saturday, and a very special thanks to Sarah Dokie-Reyes for all of her support to make this possible.

On Saturday, January 10, 2026, the Fort Worth ISD American Indian Education Program and its Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) proudly hosted its inaugural comm...

01/14/2026

If you have any photos or videos you would like to share, please tag us! We will be sharing our official photos in the coming days. Many thanks to our photographer Travis who came down to join us all the way from Haskell University.

You can also email any photos, videos, or feedback to [email protected]

01/13/2026

𐓵𐓘𐓧𐓣 𐓷𐓘𐓻𐓪͘𐓟, you did good!

We would like to thank all of our wonderful headstaff, many of whom were serving in those roles for the first time, for doing an excellent job, and demonstrating their maturity and leadership on Saturday. Thank you to all those around the drums for so many beautiful songs, and to all of our dancers for the good medicine that you shared with us. You brought nourishment to us all.

We thank our sponsors, as well as all those who volunteered, for making it possible to put on such a great event. A big thank you to Paschal HS and their faculty and staff for hosting us.

Many thanks to our community organizations for coming out to represent all the hard work being done in DFW, the vendors sharing their beautiful handiwork, and all of the families and friends who traveled from near and far to join us on Saturday.

Thank you to our committee for all the work behind the scenes that made this possible. We are very proud and honored to bring forth this long anticipated event here in Fort Worth.

01/12/2026

We are very honored to have MMIW TX Rematriate presence at our inaugural powwow. We encourage everyone to follow them and to do what you can to support the essential work that they do in here in our community. Please come out for their first fundraiser of the year, the upcoming pop-up powwow on February 14th! Go follow their page for more information.

Thank you for joining us at Panther City Powwow!

01/09/2026

We would like to recognize our Honored Elder, Eddie Sandoval. He will be leading the Cedar Ceremony at Panther City Powwow at 12pm.

Eddie Sandoval is Chiricahua Apache and grew up in west Texas. He is a Sun Dancer and Pipe Carrier. He was known for his athleticism in all sports during his early years. He received a scholarship for college in track & field. Many people know Mr. Sandoval in the academic world as a Professor and Counselor at Tarrant County Junior College. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in industrial technology A bachelor’s degree, and Two master’s degrees from Sul Ross State University, and Texas A&M. Mr. Sandoval is now retired as the Head of Counseling at Tarrant County Jr. College after teaching for almost 40 years.

Mr. Sandoval is an avid horseman. He spends most of his time with his horses and actively supports the Ft. Worth Stockyards. He is on the Board of the FRIENDS OF THE FORT WORTH HERD, Director of the Fort Worth Stock Show, and is and his most recent accomplishments were achieving the dedication of multiple stars on the Texas Trail of Fame representing Indigenous peoples who have influenced Texas. In 2017 Eddie was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame. Eddie has been a supporter of the Fort Worth ISD, American Indian Education Program, in addition to being the spiritual advisor to the Indigenous Institute of the Americas. Eddie is a supporter of educational endeavors and strongly believes it is important to get an education, as that is something that cannot be taken away from you.

01/09/2026

We would like to recognize our co-Arena Director, CJ Pollak.

CJ Pollak (Choctaw) is an 8th grader from Fort Worth, TX. Pollak joined Fort Worth ISD American Indian Education Program when he was in Kindergarten and has been an active participant ever since. His favorite activity is learning the history and mysteries of various tribes from Mister Albert at summer camp.
CJ is an all-around achiever in tennis, violin, and theater. He plays various games, sports, and D&D with his friends when he isn't busy making the honor roll or volunteering for NJHS.
CJ is known as a friend to all who respects his elders and is a good steward of the earth.
CJ is honored to serve as the Co-Arena Director for the Panther City Powwow. His sister, mother, father, and puppy are grateful he is part of the family and so proud for him!

01/09/2026

We would like to recognize our Honored Elder, Patricia Peterson.

Patricia Ann Lester Peterson is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Her parents are Rebecca Mae Harris Lester of Stratford, Oklahoma
and Richard S. Lester of McAlester, Oklahoma. She is a descendant of original enrollees Melvina Tubby Willis and Alice Pitchlynn Lester of McAlester, Oklahoma whose uncle, Peter P. Pitchlynn, served as Chief of the Choctaw Nation from 1864-1866. Later, Chief Pitchlynn
served as tribal delegate in Washington D.C. from 1867 until his death in 1881. He worked tirelessly to force the government to honor the treaties between the Choctaw Nation and the
United States. Chief Pitchlynn is buried in the National Congressional Cemetery, along with Chief Pushmataha, in Washington D.C.

The Lesters were the first family to move to Dallas, Texas in September 1957 as part of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Relocation Program. Raised in an urban setting, her parents
were determined to make their relocation a success for educational and economic reasons. Working together, Patricia’s parents played a prominent role in developing intertribal cultural organizations, social and athletic activities for the intertribal community. Like other Native families, retaining familial and cultural ties were equally important when adapting to an urban setting.

Patricia is a 1967 graduate of Dallas ISD W.H. Adamson High School. Also, she is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and worked thirty-three years in social service and community service programs. Like her parents, Patricia remained active in Native community organizations and social programs which promoted cultural events and activities. In 1989, she and her brother, Richard Jr., co-founded the American Indian Arts Council of Dallas (AIAC). As Executive Director, from 1990 until 2005, the AIAC successfully produced a city-wide celebration of Native arts and culture, in addition to, special art exhibitions, a roster of Native Cultural Presenters, Speakers, and Demonstrators, funded the AIAC
Scholarship Program, and established the Native Arts Gallery and Center.

Patricia is married to David Paul Peterson They have three children . . . Twila Dawn Allan, a retired FWISD Educator, Ataloa Elizabeth Morrison, NWISD Special Education Teacher, and John-Richard Chaske’ Peterson, Att’y-at-Law. They are proud grandparents of Ava Allan, Maxwell Allan, Grady A. Morrison and Ella Mae Morrison.

01/09/2026

We would like to recognize our PAC Brave, Giovanni Figueroa.

Giovanni Sîktogeja Figueroa is a 7-year-old Nakoda Sioux Grass Dancer who is honored to dance at this Pow Wow. Through Grass Dancing, Giovanni shows respect for the earth, his culture, and the generations who came before him. He dances with pride, energy, and a joyful spirit, learning the importance of tradition, discipline, and community. Giovanni is thankful for the love and support of his family and is proud to share his dance.

01/09/2026

We would like to recognize our PAC Princess, Claudia Figueroa.

Claudia Andrea Figueroa is a 9-year-old Nakoda Sioux Fancy Dancer who is honored to dance at this Pow Wow. Through Fancy Dancing, Claudia expresses joy, strength, and pride in her culture. She dances with bright energy, confidence, and a happy spirit, celebrating the traditions passed down through generations. Claudia is grateful for the love and encouragement of her family and is proud to share her dance.