Photo By Camila A. Gonzalez / Staff
‘A Great Day To Be Indigenous’—Native American dancers, singers and drummers from across their nation gathered at Southwestern to share their culture and explain some of their beliefs.
By Raul Ramirez
It was more than 60 years in the making, but worth the wait.
Southwestern College finally hosted a powwow.
Native America musicians, singers and dancers painted the gritty grey remains of the patio area near demolished Mayan Hall with colorful regalia, hypnotic rhythms and spiritual songs of hope and joy.
First time powwow attendees expressed awe at the spectacle. Standing Rock Sioux dancers wore expressive regalia festooned with mirrors, feathers and gravity-defying headpieces. A team of drummers in chairs circled their table-sized instrument, singing songs both ancient and new while pounding an array of rhythms in precise unison. It was a feast for the senses.
Movement and music connect performers to the land, animals and the Spirit World, according to dancer Chuck Cadotte, a member of the North Dakota Standing Rock Reservation.
“We regard animals as our brothers,” he said. “They’re our relatives, so we’re all related.”
David Salomon, assistant professor of ethnic studies, confidently called the event the First Annual Southwestern College Powwow. He may not even wait the full year.
“We’re going to be having a powwow next year, in the spring semester,” he said.
Indigenous communities honor their culture by socializing, dancing and singing at these events, said Solomon. Powwows offer a space for Native Americans to celebrate and for other people to learn about Indigenous culture. There are hundreds of unique Indigenous cultures of North America, so the Southwestern College powwow was just a tiny representation.
Powwows are not generally associated with the local Kumeyaay People, though they also have gatherings. Local Kumeyaay bands like Barona and Sycuan, however, are longtime and enthusiastic hosts of large intertribal powwows that welcome Indigenous people from throughout Canada, the United States and Mexico. Some of these powwows are held on tribal lands, others in more central locations such as Balboa Park, local college campus and public parks.
Salomon, who identifies as Gabrielino/Tongva, has been active for years teaching about local Indigenous culture on college campuses and via regular appearances on KUSI news programs.
“I think with the powwow, other events, and speakers that we’ll be bringing to campus, we’re really working towards having more Native American cultures highlighted here at the college,” he said.
