March 21, 1995
Beatrice Torrez says the songs she sings are miracle songs. They are songs her mother heard in dreams. There are songs for all things -- from curing cancer to a song for gamblers. They are part of her culture.
Torrez is an American Indian from the Kashaya Tribe, which is part of the Pomo Nation. Her only instruments are a drum and her voice. She introduces each song explaining its significance and history.
Torrez is just one of many performers, drummers, dancers, storytellers and vendors who were at the 22nd Annual SF State Pow-Wow, held last Saturday and Sunday in SF State's Gymnasium.
The event, sponsored by the Student Kouncil of Intertribal Nations, was a celebration of American Indian music and culture featuring dance from all parts of North and South America.
"For me, this is like rock-and-roll Indian style," said Tharon Weighill, S.K.I.N.S member and Pow-Wow participant.
The two-day event was the largest Pow-Wow yet, attracting more than 5,000 people, according to organizer and S.K.I.N.S member Steve Beltran.
"We have vendors and performers from all over the state and some coming from as far as Nevada and New Mexico," Beltran said.
Numerous vendors set up booths around the two performance areas, selling everything from arts and crafts to Indian tacos made with fried dough and stuffed with taco ingredients.
This two day gathering is a far cry from the first Pow-Wow held at SF State.
"When we started out, the event was only a couple hours long. Now it's two days," said Michele Maas, another organizer and S.K.I.N.S member.
"The Pow-Wow is a way for us to get together with friends and family," Weighill said. "For non-Indians who attend, this is a way for them to know that Indian people are still alive, still flourishing."
"This event is a good way to learn about other tribes and cultures," Torrez said. "It teaches us to mingle with others, we Indians are not all alike. We are all different, we all have different ways."
"When we look at ourselves we see indigenous sovereign nations all coexisting but different," Weighill said. "Before the Europeans came we would deal with each other nation to nation."
Not only were Indians represented from North America, but also Central and South America.
Vendor Airehua Gonzalo, who is Inca and came from San Jose, said there is a connection between all American Indians, and that this event is a way to practice one's culture.
"We have a connection with all Indians, we all share oppression from the Europeans," Gonzalo said. "A gathering like this keeps our culture alive and teaches others. You can't teach the culture to others without practicing. With the practicing of one's culture you teach others."
"There is a revival in Indian culture, the young people want their culture back," Torrez said.
"I was taught by my father the dances and culture of my people as he was taught by his father. That is what keeps one's culture strong," said one of the members of the Azteca dance group Splendor de Mexico which performed at the Pow-Wow.
The organizers said that although the Pow-Wow was a successful event, they felt camping should have been allowed because the event lasted two days. According to the organizers, other California campuses are granted camping privileges for Pow-Wows held on school grounds, but SF State officials didn't give approval for the groups proposal.