Skye Padilla, 2, followed her sister Fallen Star, 4, around all day and although they fight sometimes, they dance together like friends in their jingle dresses.
From the young people spinning around and kicking their legs up in the air to what emcee Bobby Whitebird called “Golden Age” men and women walking to the beat of the drum, many joined the Citrus Indigenous Student Association in their second annual powwow.
The powwow honored veterans and elders, celebrated indigenous culture and represented 15 tribes.
“We’re still here and we want to share our culture,” volunteer Javier Perez said.
The group of over 600 people, doubled from last year, spent the day singing, dancing, eating and enjoying one another’s company.
Some dances were themed, such as “fancy shawl,” “jingle dress,” “grass dancer” and “women’s honor song.”
These dances were intermixed with intertribal time where everyone was welcome to dance.
Vendors sold items including jewelry, crystals, dreamcatchers, T-shirts and flags.
Just outside of the venue were two booths with food vendors.
Two food vendors sold fry bread with topping options of powdered sugar and honey, soyrizo or bison.
The Indigenous Student Association gave out food and water bottles.
The ISA plan to host another powwow next year.
“I’m happy it happened,” ISA president Isabella Reyes said. “And I’m happy that my members got to enjoy themselves.”
Many children were exposed to their own culture that they are not usually exposed to.
Tribes from all across the United States and one group from Mexico were represented.
Special guests were Aztec dancers who wore large colorful headdresses and performed a special dance inviting audience members to join them called “the friendship dance.”
When talking about dancing, flute player Adolfo Arteaga Xochipilli said, “We have found what we really love.”
Aztec dancer Diego Flores helped Fallen Star secure a pelt to her dress and she and her sister were ready to dance again.
