Snow and frigid temperatures didn’t stop more than 300 people from attending the first Bishop Paiute Tribe Winter Gathering that included carnival rides, free food and Elder’s Bingo. Photo by Ed Nahin

By Mike Bodine
Register Staff
12-15-2009

With snow falling throughout the Owens Valley, the Bishop Paiute Tribe held its first annual Tribe Winter Gathering and Christmas Carnival on Saturday to celebrate the holidays.
Coordinator Sonja Valarde, administrative assistant for the Tribe, said that in years past, the tribe would do a formal sit-down dinner to celebrate, but it began to get over-crowded and very slow with so many participants.
The revamped event featured free food and carnival games and even an appearance by Santa giving out gifts. With the outside tent event, there was plenty of room for kids to run around and room for Elder’s Bingo.
Approximately 300 people came out to partake in the event sponsored by the Tribe and Bishop Tribal Council and the Owens Valley Career Development Center.
Ralph Cataldo, of the OVCDC and the grant writer from the Administration for Children and Families, said he helped put together the winter gathering to promote family values.
The Administration for Children and Families is a federal agency funding state, territory, local, and tribal organizations to provide family assistance (welfare), child support, child care, Head Start, child welfare and other programs relating to children and families.
Pat Nahin, a Rotary Club member and one of the vendors at the gathering, said she was very impressed by how well the event was organized and how polite the children were.