GINA B. GOOD / PVT Paula Elefante, left, and Dee Painter face the Pahrump Tourism and Convention Council. Advertisement

In a special meeting Tuesday morning, convened to address funding the Pahrump Powwow, the Pahrump Tourism and Convention Council unanimously supported the powwow as a significant cultural event by granting a last-minute request for funds to cover various expenses totaling $6,100.

This weekend's powwow in Petrack Park is expected to draw from 8,000 to 10,000 attendees. Many Native American dancers, drum circles and singers will compete for generous cash prizes. A host of vendors will sell everything from food to hand-crafted pottery and turquoise jewelry.

"We wouldn't have granted funding for this event if we didn't have full confidence in the powwow committee. It's a great event," said PTCC Chairman Paula Glidden.

Committee member Tim Lockinger suggested the powwow could become self sufficient by charging a $1 entrance fee to the event.

"Even charging a single dollar would bring in $8,000 to $10,000. You wouldn't need us if you did that," he said.

After the meeting, Glidden said only adults could be charged, so a family with children would pay for only the parents.

Lockinger revealed that in the future organizations could request temporary fencing at Petrack Park that would allow them to control access to festivities. That would facilitate having volunteers at a gate to collect entry fees.

It is anticipated the recommendation of the PTCC, an advisory board to the town, will be followed and that the town board would unanimously approve the grant at its special meeting yesterday, held after the press deadline for this PVT edition.

Town board member Vicky Parker took part in Tuesday's discussion and decision in which Pahrump Powwow Treasurer Paula Elefante and committee member Dee Painter were grilled for two hours as Glidden and other members tried to get to the bottom of the powwow's woefully non-existent accounting paperwork.

Nevertheless, comments at the Nov. 10 town board meeting indicate board members wholeheartedly support the powwow. Their refusal to grant funds last week was because receipts had not been turned in for the 2008 powwow. Also, the fund request did not go through proper channels and was late for this year's event.

The PTCC split the powwow request into two grants.

Lockinger's motion asked members to approve a marketing grant in an amount not to exceed $3,100.

The second grant, not to exceed $3,000, is a cultural grant that can be spent as needed but which requires matching funds from the powwow committee.

There are specific requirements that must be fulfilled before the money will be handed over to the powwow committee. A grant evaluation form listing an estimate of the number of out-of-town visitors and other information is required.

Receipts showing how the grant money is spent must be turned in within 60 days of the event. The funds will not be distributed until the receipts are in. Also, copies of IRS forms 1099 and 990 must be submitted for amounts paid to individuals winning prizes or performing services that cost $600 or more.

For instance, the Powwow's master of ceremonies is a spiritual advisor who performs a blessing upon the fields of dance. His fee for the weekend of coordinating the various drum groups and dancers is $600 plus accommodations.

Prize money for drum groups totals $6,000 for third- through first-place winners. Elefante said the powwow brings in that amount from vendor booth fees. The dancers also earn prize money.

"You have to comply with federal, state and local rules," Lockinger told Elefante and Painter.