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.” [END] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: -No Byline Included -No Notes -No Contacts -No Categories -No Deadline info *Looks as if it was submitted in a new article format* Headline: San Manuel Pow Wow Native American Cultural Celebration at California State University San Bernardino ARTICLE: San Manuel Pow Wow Native American Cultural Celebration at California State University San Bernardino Native American pride was an impressive experience. This venture was witnessed through the 2013 San Manuel Pow Wow at California State University, San Bernardino. Native American tribes from all over the country including Alaska drove to be involved in this spectacular event. Local Tribes such as Morongo, Pala and Port Mojave were in attendance as well. The San Manuel Pow Wow three day event began with the dream and 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 Pow Wow at the age of eighteen. Since 1996, the San Manuel Pow Wow stands as one of the most popular and well respected tribal gathering until this day. The experience is breathtaking. The tribal competition dances and many different types of colorful regalia is one to be admired. As you watch the tribes dance you can feel the pride in the air and the songs were calling out to you and made you feel connected to the Native American experience through whatever ounce of blood you may possess. Tommy Roman, Pow Wow Coordinator and cousin of Cruz Chacon, stated the Pow Wow was a powerful and positive time of connecting with their Native American roots and family which is very important to the culture. Many were in attendance including local residence and CSUSB student volunteers. Jennifer Hosking has been volunteering for the Pow Wow for the past seven years and she stated “I love to watch how proud they 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 countless scholarships offer to the students so it’s an honor to come out and assist them today.” Performer Derek Duro continue to stress the importance of the Pow Wow and how it made him proud of his Native American culture. Overall, the event was booming with people of all culture who submerge themselves in the cultural food, clothing and art the many participating vendors were supplying. There were high expectations of rules and regulations that were fully enforced as far as participation and competition was concerned but the most important concern was the respect of the Pow Wow and it being a “sacred event heavily steeped in traditions”. However, the one thing that was clear to everyone in attendance was the love and respect of the late Cruz Chacon who passed away in 2009 of diabetes. Tribal members were wearing t-shirts that contained a picture and tribute to Mr. Chacon to honor his memory. Raoul “Beanie” Chacon, spoke of his son and his memory very movingly as he stated, “People from all over come to the Pow Wow for not only the competitions and experience but because they respect my son’s efforts and memory as well. When you have tribes who drove 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 makes you very proud as a father. My son would be proud of the outcome today and I am also proud of him.”