Monday, 5/5/97 Celebration of spirit and culture American
Indians, UCLA community revel in dance, art and food at 12th-annual
event
By Carol McKay Daily Bruin Contributor A stream of new faces
filled Bruin Walk Saturday and Sunday. People young and old and of
many different nationalities twisted through the maze of
construction outside Wooden and Ackerman, on their way to the
12th-annual UCLA Pow Wow. A couple with their small son, arrow in
hand, trailed behind a grandfatherly figure, his long braided hair
hitting the back of his wheelchair. They slowly made their way to
the Intramural Field and took their place outside of the central
arena of dancing. The pow wow, sponsored by the American Indian
Students Association (AISA), attracted an estimated 15,000 people.
The event, which consisted of vendors, dance and singing
competitions, kicked off this week’s eighth-annual WorldFest ’97.
"Is it hot out there?" called out a member of the crowd to dancers
returning from the central arena. Under the beating sun, the
dancers, clothed in heavily decorated, brightly colored costumes
moved in sharp movements to the steady beat of drums. Feathers and
beads adorned the outfits, which most often covered the bodies of
the competing dancers in their entirety, exposing only hands and
faces. Not everyone at the pow wow wore traditional dress. The
event, which drew people from as far away as Oklahoma, Minnesota
and Canada, attracted people of all backgrounds. Some men competing
in drum song competitions were dressed in Reebok or Nike clothes,
and one girl sported a "Girls kick ass" shirt. The combination of
old and new, traditional and modern, made for a unique atmosphere.
"This is definitely an educational thing," said Carol Contreras, a
student who recently graduated with a degree in English and a
specialization in Chicano studies. As a member of the pow wow
committee, Contreras, a descendent of the Southern Tigua tribe from
central New Mexico, was heavily involved in planning since late
last September. "But it’s more of a spiritual thing," she added.
"Even if it’s not apparent to everybody, on some level, it reaches
everyone spiritually." Perhaps it was the beating of the drums or
the tribal songs or the tired faces of vendors selling their
hand-crafted products that accounted for the spiritual experience
which enveloped the field this weekend. "It was entrancing," said
Carlos Villegas, a first-year undeclared student. Carlos cited the
drums as most impressive at the pow wow, which he attended with his
friend Kurt Berger, a first-year political science student. "After
a while we got a sense of the aura," Villegas said. "You could
honestly sense the culture. I felt like an outsider looking in.
It’s a beautiful culture. I’d love to be a part of it. Inside, I
feel like I am because I’m Mexican." Berger was also affected by
the pow wow. "To say, ‘It was cool,’ wouldn’t suffice. It was
definitely an experience you’re not usually allowed. We can’t come
into contact with the Native American culture every day," he said.
Contreras greatly appreciated the vendors, whose booths surrounded
the perimeter of the field and were, for the most part, "of native
descent." Contreras believes that it is important for people to
understand that "indigenous people" – the term that she feels is
"most correct" – are not one nation but made up of many groups or
tribes within. And representation by vendors of some of these
heritages is significant for students who may feel isolated on
UCLA’s big campus. "(The vendors) are like a resource to people who
value that," she said. Because UCLA’s student population of
American Indians is only 1 per cent of the total student body,
according to the Office of Academic Planning and Budget, it is
difficult for students to find someone of similar descent, let
alone of their exact heritage, she said. "One of the girls working
on the pow wow met a vendor from her tribe, and it was so neat for
her. It’s a wonderful connection," Contreras said. "The pow wow
definitely helps form a connection for students in the American
Indian Student Association (AISA)", she said. "AISA helps form a
base for comfort, a sanctuary, a haven for students who may feel
alone in their identity. And (the pow wow) gives us a closer bond."
Contreras believes that the issue of isolation is one that students
of native descent face daily at UCLA. The pow wow also helps keep
the tradition of culture alive, another danger with which they must
deal, in addition to other political issues involving health care
and land preservation. "When they planned the pow wow, they didn’t
plan the political aspect, but it just came with it," said Jesus
Madrigal, a first-year chemistry student who believes that he is of
Tarasco descent. Contreras agreed. "Politics underlie the pow wow.
I don’t think it’s a dominant issue, or the main statement, but
it’s definitely a part of what’s going on here," she said. Politics
did take a minor role at the event in the form of a booth that sold
T-shirts with anti-government messages. The word "Demo-Crazy" could
be spotted from far away on stark white shirts alongside others
with pictures of famous Native Americans in history. "Our Heroes,
Your Enemies," read the caption. But "us against them" political
statements like these were not the central event, neither literally
nor figuratively. The central action took place in the grassy arena
in which male and female dancers of all ages, sizes and costumes
performed to the constant beating of drums. The intertribal
competitions took place all day Saturday, with only a two-hour
break for dinner, and the final contests were held Sunday. Between
events, people feasted on Indian tacos and fry bread, items which,
according to master of ceremonies Rob Daugherty, a man of Cherokee
descent, were high in taste and calories. "After you eat a whole
bunch of them, you’ll look like Joel Shopteese (the head judge),"
he called to the crowd between intertribal dances. Aside from a
snow cone booth, the only menu items were the tacos and bread, but
despite the lack of variety, lines at each of the food vendors were
steadily long. Crowds of people enjoyed the food and entertainment,
touring booths such as a Navajo Healing Herbs stand, and another
sponsored by the Native Americans Screen Actors Guild. Members of
the audience were not strictly spectators at this weekend’s pow
wow. As groups competed in singing and dance competitions, nearby
onlookers joined in, mouthing the words or stomping their feet to
the rhythms. Small children dressed in authentic costumes danced
freely to the music and were either smiled upon or scolded by their
distracted parents. Despite the large turnout of travelers from
faraway places – one group of 10 college students planned the trip
from Edmonton University in Alberta, Canada – some students
involved in the Pow Wow were disappointed at UCLA student turnout.
"There weren’t many. But it was a good quantity," Madrigal said.
Others, such as Contreras, were satisfied with the student
participation. "The pow wow was a window into indigenous culture. A
lot of students and departments called for information. The pow wow
cultivates feelings of community, especially for indigenous
students. This is our big thing." JAMIE SCANLON-JACOBS A dancer
keeps time to the drum at the twelfth annual UCLA Pow Wow. SHAWN
LAKSMI/Daily Bruin James Perkins of the Choctaw tribe of Oklahoma
paints images of American Indians. BAHMAN FARAHDEL Shelah Panjwani
gets her hair done by Melinda Hale before her performance in the
Southern traditional dance. SHAWN LAKSMI/Daily Bruin The Sun Valley
Singers from Arizona were one of several drum groups providing
rhythm for the pow wow. See related coverage on Page 3. SHAWN
LAKSMI/Daily Bruin Saginaw Grant, of the Oklahoma Sac & Fox
Nation, makes his 5th visit to the annual UCLA pow wow. Previous
Daily Bruin stories Native-American Pow-Wow to teach, entertain