Native American voices accompanied the pulsating beat of rhythmic tribal drums, contributing to a culturally rich experience for William S. Hart park visitors on Saturday.

Each dance session began with a Grand Entry, a procession of dancers led by Flag Bearers, respected veteran dancers or traditional elders.

As an intertribal Grand Entry was underway by noon, dozens of Native Americans danced in the arena circle honoring their creator, each other, their families and their people.

"It's very emotional because they're keeping a heritage alive that you would never know, and children could never sense it, if they didn't do this," said Laurene Weste, city councilwoman and Friends of Hart Park president.

"Bill Hart was very attuned to the American Indians. He valued their heritage, so it's appropriate," Weste said.

Hundreds of locals and non-locals attended Saturday the 16th annual "Hart of the West Pow Wow and Native American Craft Fair," presented by the Friends of Hart Park & Museum and the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks. The Pow Wow continues today from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

"It's a cultural event for the public to get to know the Native American ways," said Marylina Schultz, or Princess Whitefeather, of the Navajo and Hopi tribes. Schultz, a Friends of Hart Park boardmember, grew up on a reservation in Palm Springs.

The morning began with opening ceremonies when the arena is blessed and the spiritual adviser provides a sage cleansing for the public and Native Americans.

Ted Garcia, of Granada Hills, was the spiritual adviser. Garcia is of Chumash and Tongva heritage.

Chumash and Tatavium tribes inhabited areas from Malibu to San Luis Obispo, including the Santa Clarita Valley, Garcia said.

"My family (members) are Tatavium. Our ancestral village is where Magic Mountain is today," he said.

But Garcia didn't delve into his culture until about 15 years ago. For Garcia, gatherings like pow wows have given him an opportunity to learn more about himself, but he also believes they can be a vehicle for individuals to learn more about culture.

Once the arena is blessed, visitors cannot just walk through it or sit in it, Schultz said. Visitors were given a list of rules to honor and respect the pow wow as a spiritual celebration of the circle of life.

For example, visitors are also warned not to touch anyone's dance regalia.

Most of the regalia worn by the Native Americans is worth anywhere from $2 to $5 thousand dollars, Schultz said.

The Brayman family, of Canyon Country, attended the pow wow for some fun and live lessons in Native American culture.

"We thought it was important for our kids to understand a little more of the history of Native American culture," Stephanie Brayman said.

Dozens of Native American vendors travelled from as far as Arizona and New Mexico to sell authentic, hand-crafted items.

Priscilla Lee and Fred Logg, from an Arizona Navajo reservation to the east of the Grand Canyon, have driven to Santa Clarita for the last 16 years to sell family-made items at the pow wow.

They sold Horse Hair pottery, traditional Navajo pots, and Navajo sand paintings among others.