Native American Powwow “Steeped in Tradition” Draws Hundreds from All over North America

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians hosted a three-day powwow event honoring Native American Culture. Eight hundred Native Americans from throughout North America, including those from the United States and Canada, traveled to San Bernardino for the three-day event, which began Friday, Oct. 11 and ended Sunday, Oct. 13, at the Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB) campus. Local Native American tribes like the Morongo, Pala and Port Mojave were also in attendance. The 18th annual Native American powwow event honored Native American culture with traditional music, dance, crafts and food at the university’s soccer fields. More than 70 vendors participated in the event. Competitive and non-competitive inter-tribal dancing was also a powwow feature, along with exhibitions that included Bird Singing and Dancing, which is Native American music indigenous to Southern California and the Colorado River region. Some participants were dressed in full tribal gear. "The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is honored to bring together members of tribes from throughout North America and members of our community," said Tom Ramos, San Manuel powwow coordinator. "By coming together each year, not only do we celebrate and share our cultural traditions with each other, but we help keep our traditions alive by passing them on from generation to generation, and share them from tribe to tribe." The powwow event began nearly 20 years ago from the motivation of a young man from the San Manuel Reservation Tribe. A young Cruz Chacon was taught by his parents early on how important his roots were. Cruz would hold that lesson close to his heart and with that he began The San Manuel Powwow at the age of 18. Since 1996, the powwow continues to stand as one of the most popular and well-respected tribal gatherings in the country. Tommy Roman, a powwow coordinator and a cousin of Cruz Chacon, explained that the powwow was both a powerful and positive opportunity for tribal members to connect with their Native American roots. Traditionally, the powwow is a tribal peace gathering, or is also a time where sparring tribes can negotiate with one another. Tribes also meet in powwows to compete in various events and exchange ideas and artifacts. Jennifer Hosking has been volunteering at the powwow event for the past seven years. “I love to watch how proud [the Native American participants] are of their culture. Not to mention, I have a lot of respect for them because they have contributed so much to the school-for example, our student union, observatory and [the] countless scholarships [San Manuel] offers to the students. It’s an honor to come out and assist them today.” Performer Derek Duro stressed the significance of the powwow and how he took pride in his Native American culture. Many tribal participants highlighted the fact that the powwow is a “sacred event heavily steeped in tradition.” The respect for Cruz Chacon, who passed away in 2009 of complications from diabetes, was tangible. Tribal members wore T-shirts sporting the likeness of Chacon to honor his memory. Raoul “Beanie” Chacon, Cruz’s father, spoke of his son and his memory. “People from all over come to the powwow for not only the competitions and experience, but [also] because they respect my son’s efforts and memory as well. When you have tribes who [have driven] all the way from Alaska, New York, Oklahoma and even Canada, and they tell you, ‘We only come to this event out of the memory of your son,’ it makes you very proud as a father. My son would be proud of the outcome today and I am also proud of him.”