With songs, dances and a deep love for their roots, indigenous peoples celebrated with a PowWow, the 52nd anniversary of the Intertribal Encounter on the grounds of the stanford university, where, in addition to honoring their cultures, they competed in different fields to the beat of drums and were even able to win monetary prizes.
The event was joined by craft stalls and handmade jewelry by different native artists. And, as in any good festival, they could not miss the food stalls and appetizers that go from native tacos and corn with cream, to birria dishes, including ice cream, fresh waters and ice cream of various flavors.
The event was undoubtedly a good place to raise awareness of the problems and difficulties faced by native peoples in the United States, such is the case of the lack of recognition of California tribes, such as the Ohlone and other tribes in the Area. of the San Francisco Bay that, for political reasons, have been denied federal recognition, which leaves them without land for reservations or economic support.
Added to this problem are the femicides and disappearances of indigenous women, who unfortunately do not have a follow-up or interest in the media as they do when a white or Anglo-Saxon woman is lost.
In the same way, there are indigenous communities that are fighting to protect the environment of the areas that were historically their ceremonial or residence places for thousands of years, before the arrival of the colonizers.
An essential part of these festivities are the groups of drums and singers that come from different parts of the country and Canada, such as the Iron Hill group of Marlon Deshanaps, one of the largest "first nations" of the neighboring country to the north.
These groups of drums and singers are the ones who set the rhythm for different dances in the different categories, while competing with each other.
Participants in the competitions are of all ages, from tiny children, to what they call golden age men and women.
The PowWow is held every year on Mother's Day weekend.
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