OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - More than $58,000 in prize money will be awarded to the winners of the 22nd Annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival Dance Competition scheduled June 6 -8, 2008 at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City.

The award -winning event is expected to draw dancers representing nearly 100 tribes from throughout the United States and Canada.  The Red Earth dance competition is one of the few events of its type that features both northern and southern styles of Native American Dance in the same arena.  Masters of Ceremonies for the 2008 Red Earth Dance Competition are veteran arena announcers Wallace Coffee (Comanche) and Ruben Little Head (Northern Cheyenne)

Eight well -known drum groups from throughout the country have been invited to perform during the Red Earth dance competition.  Dancers and spectators will be entertained by the performances of Host Drums Thunder Hill, Zotigh, Cozad, Sizzortail, Dakota Hotain, Standing Horse, Mesquakie Nation and High Noon.   Head Gourd Dance Singer for the event is Leonard Cozad, Jr. (Kiowa).

In addition to the more than $58,000 in prize money awarded during the competition, special contests for prizes and cash awards will be conducted throughout the weekend.  The Grand Prize winner of the Endurance Contest, sponsored by Powwows.com, will win tickets for two for an upcoming Pow Wow Cruise.

Other special contests include a Tiny Tot Special, sponsored by the Candalinn Tartsah Toehay Family; Teen Girl’s Fancy Shawl Contest, sponsored by the Rose Saddleblanket Family; Mother Daughter Contest, sponsored by Red Earth, Inc.; Southern Straight Contest, sponsored by Lucky Star and Feather Warrior Casinos; Women’s Southern Buckskin Contest honoring Kay Franklin, sponsored by Lucky Star and Feather Warrior Casinos; and a Men’s Fancy Contest, sponsored by Jackie Brock and Bill Barger.

Arena Directors for the 2008 Red Earth Dance Competition include Randy Frazier (Potawatomie), Graham Primeaux (Sac & Fox), Wade Baker (Hidatsa), Troy Sheperd (Cree) and Randy Paskemin

(Cree). Participating as Color Guards for the event are the Cheyenne & Arapaho Veterans Color Guard, Seminole Nation Honor Color Guard and the Buddy Bond Color Guard.

The three -day dance competition features over 35 dance categories in five divisions including Tiny Tots (ages 5 and under), Junior (ages 6 -12), Teen (ages 13 -17), Adults (ages 18 -59) and Seniors (Ages 60+).  Dance registration can be made online by visiting www.redearth.org or in person at the Cox Convention Center on Thursday, June 5 from 3 -7 pm; Friday, June 6 from 8:30 -5 pm; and Saturday, June 7 from 10 am to noon. The Grand Entry of dancers will be held at noon and 7 pm on Friday and Saturday, and again at noon on Sunday.  Special Gourd Dance performances are scheduled Friday and Saturday at 5 pm.

A three -day Red Earth Festival dance pass is available for $20 for adults, and $15 for youth and seniors.  Children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge.

Sponsors of the 22nd Annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival include the Oklahoma Arts Council, Oklahoma Department of Tourism & Recreation, AT&T, Chesapeake Energy, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, Devon Energy Corporation, Express Employment Professionals, James H. & Madalynne Norick Foundation, The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Oklahoma Department of Libraries, American Fidelity Foundation, Bank2, Cherokee Nation Enterprises, Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes, Great Plains Coca -Cola Bottling Company, North American Group of Insurance Agencies, Southwestern Stationery & Bank Supply, and Tinker Federal Credit Union.

Red Earth, Inc. is a non -profit 501 (c) 3 organization that promotes and presents the rich traditions of American Indian arts and cultures through educational programs, the annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival and the year -round operations of the Red Earth Museum. For additional information contact Red Earth, Inc. at (405) 427 -5228 or online at www.redearth.org.