With the continuous sounds of drums beating and men singing, regalia-dressed individuals—at their own moments—stepped out of the cool shadows of their tents and into the sunny arena to join the gourd dancing.
June 22 marked the first annual Powwow at Pierce College, and the event included Master of Ceremonies Walter Ahhaitty (Kiowa/Comanche), Arena Director Victor Chavez (Pueblo/Navajo), Head Man and Head Gourd Dancer Darren Henson (United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee), Head Woman Sonya Rodriguez (Cupeno/Northern Ute), Southern Drum Hale & Company and Northern Drums Phoenix Boyz and Wildhorse Singers.
Sam Sierra, a student at College of the Canyons, has been dancing at Powwows since three years of age, and knowing this was the first one at Pierce, was interested in meeting new people and seeing how things would be run.
“The reason why I came here is because they’re having a Powwow, which is a Native American event where a bunch of Native American tribes come here to unite, tell each other our culture in song and dance and to see old-time friends and family members,” Sierra said.
Pierce President Ara Aguiar attended the Powwow, and spoke to all those gathered at Rocky Young Park.
“We are very proud to have this event, it’s our first one,” Aguiar said. “We are very proud to also be the first college in the LACCD to hire a full-time Native American faculty member to join our team. He will be creating our Native American Studies program, so we’re really looking forward to that, and better serve the community.”
The newly-hired faculty member, Vincent Whipple, explained the program will be built within the Anthropology department and encouraged attendees to connect with Pierce staff on site and look into the various LACCD campuses.
“I want to thank all of you, I want to thank our Drums, our Head Staff, I looked to friends in the community to make this happen,” Whipple said. “I want to thank you all for coming out and you’re the ones that really make this happen so I’m grateful to be able to help put this on. Pretty soon, I’ll be dancing with all of you when I’m able to put my outfits back on.”
Orlando Andraca, who commuted from San Diego, said he hoped to see a big crowd at the Powwow and to show that the community is still here.
“That’s what we do, and used to do,” said Andraca, who came to support his son who is dancing, and to learn about the different tribes. “That’s my purpose, that’s why I bring all my family here.”
The event was sponsored by Seamless Transfer of Ethnic Studies Grant, Pierce College Guided Pathways and Pierce College American Indian Studies.
