Crowds of people gathered around the quad at PCC on Thursday where the Native American heritage month began with a kickoff event, celebrating and bringing awareness to Native American culture.
Whitehorse, a local nonprofit Native American enterprise, provided food, dances and other performances.
The event started off with an introduction by LBCC’s Superintendent-President Mike Munoz, where he talked about the school’s goal for our Native American Heritage month celebrations.
“The event is to educate folks about our indigenous communities, histories, sovereignty, civil rights, culture and ways of knowing,” Munoz continued, “The college has made a strong effort to implement land acknowledgment, we need to have a more thoughtful discussion on how to move beyond land acknowledgment.… and ways that we can uplift the indigenous communities, in our community.”
After a few introductory performances, where traditional native practices were presented, such as a flute performance and an explanation of different symbols in their culture, there was a short break to give the dance performers a chance to prepare for their next performance. This also allowed for spectators to be able to get some food.
Fry bread, a traditional Native treat, was served at the event. Fry bread, also known as an Indian taco or fry bread taco, can be served sweet or savory.
This event served a savory version of fry bread, consisting of a fried dough in the shape of a pie, topped with refried beans, ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and hot sauce for an extra kick.
Traditional dances, from Old Style Jingle, which is known to be a medicine dance that brings healing to people by the sounds of the dress’ bells, to more contemporary styles of dance, such as the Women’s Fancy Shawl.
Cheyenne Phoenix, an LBCC alumna, who at her time as a student here, served as the LAC Cultural Affairs Chair and was a part of the ASB, performed the latter.
It is important to note that their garments are referred to as regalia. Oftentimes, people mistakenly call them costumes, but as Phoenix said, “A lot of times we have to correct people, since our attire is not a costume, it is a part of our identity and who we are.”
Phoenix wore a contemporary style regalia, which she designed and gathered all the different materials and fabrics, to have been made by a friend of hers.
“I started dancing when I started to walk,” Phoenix said, “My first baby shawl was made by one of my aunts. Kids in native culture usually start learning how to dance as soon as we can walk, that way we’re raised with our values and traditions and knowing the sound of the drums and learning about our culture and heritage.”
There will continue to be events happening all month to support and celebrate Native American Heritage month.