FIRST POW-WOW AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE IS A SUCCESS

By Leon Thompson, Tribal Beat

February 26, 2015 (Rancho San Diego) The new Native American Student Alliance (NASA) at Cuyamaca College hosted the first annual Cuyamaca Pow Wow earlier this month.

“Our goal is to share the rich heritage of our region’s Native culture” said Teka Tsosie, vice president of the student organization, and coordinator of the event.

Powwow is a meeting of American Indians for social and ceremonial purposes. There is dancing, gift giving, singing, drumming, fry bread, Native American crafts and friends old and new. One thing special about this powwow is, as Master of Ceremonies John Dawson said, “This is for the love of the culture alone because there are no big money prizes,” as there often are at powwows around the nation for the best regalia and dancing.

Everyone stands when the eagle staff enters the arena. There is great respect for the Native American Warriors who are veterans of the United States Military service. More Native Americans serve in the military than any other ethnic group.

Master of ceremonies John Dawson is a noted singer and understands the importance of tribal culture and tradition. Mr. Dawson is Apache from the San Carlos Reservation in Arizona where the US Senate recently gave away a cubic mile of copper under sacred Apache land. (See: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/defense-bill-allows-desecration-apache-land )

Arena Director Shiigo Yellowhorse was born in the Native American community of Los Angeles. He kept the friendly dance competition lively. ‘Head Man’ Nico Black Eagle Phoenix from the Tohono O’ Odham (People of the Desert) turned in an athletic performance.

‘Head Woman’ – Jackie Gillissie Davidson is a student at Cuyamaca College. Jackie is Pima, Apache and Tohono O’Odham. She is the president of the Native American Student Alliance which was revived last spring with a Native American Graduation.

All eyes were on young Zion J. Fox the fifth-grader from Los Alamitos Elementary School who was named as the ‘Head Young Man’ dancer. His ‘Grassdancing’ was mesmerizing. Grassdancing comes from Missouri tribes where the dancer tells the story of his hunt or battle.

‘Head Young Woman’ – Damaris Ibarra’s mother is a member of the Tule River Band of Yokuts. Damaris has been dancing with the Soaring Eagles for seven years and when she danced the ‘Fancy Shawl’ dance she seem to be floating as if her feet never touched the floor.

The event was fortunate to have two wonderful and powerful drum companies, the Cali-Boys from Los Angeles and Hale& Company from Oak Springs Arizona. The northern and southern styles are different but both have the great power. ‘Head Gourd Dancer’ Richard James Van Dyke is a twenty year veteran of the US Navy. Richard is a member of the Golden State Gourd society. ‘Staff Carrier’ – Richard DeCrane is Navajo and Crow and a decorated war veteran who was re-named by his great-grandfather to become “The Warrior Who Has Returned To His People “.

Everyone enjoys the ‘Men’s Fancy Dancers’ with the warrior regalia and athleticism. All the arena dances tell stories of battle, hunting or adventure. The ‘Prairie Chicken Dance’ is another favorite, but the highlight for me was the ‘Jingle Dress Dance’ from the Great Lakes Anishinaabe (Chippewa – my tribe). The dancers' feet barely touched the floor as they danced mostly backwards with high leaps, toe-tapping and twirls. It was breathtaking to watch.

The Native American Student Alliance has much of which to be proud. The first Cuyamaca Pow Wow was a wonderful success, accomplishing the purpose of sharing, educating and emersion into our rich Native American ways. Teka Tsosie assures me that next year’s Cuyamaca Pow Wow will be even bigger and better.