Outside the Burbank Auditorium at Santa Rosa Junior College, hundreds gathered to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with many local and out-of-county vendors, along with song and dance.
Hannah Elvida Banuelos, a Kashia Pomo elder, sang a prayer song to bless the ground that would be danced on and the people attending. Dr. Angelica Garcia, superintendent and president of SRJC, made an appearance and gave a speech.
Less than an hour after the event started, announcements were made that the power was out across the whole campus, but the celebration continued.
Danza Xantotl dancers didn’t need any mics. Their drums were thunderous, and their dancing was powerful. Attendees were encouraged to join in the friendship dance, where everyone held hands and followed each other to the beat.
After Danza Xantotl, Tri-County Pomo dancers – representing Indigenous people from Mendocino, Sonoma and Lake County – were provided a generator so microphones could be used. Jackie Nash, a singer for Tri-County said, “This day is set aside for the Indigenous people that died and sacrificed, that’s why we are all here.”
The Native Resistance Drum Group sang in harmony, with many from the audience joining in, while blues artist Paul Steward gave a different taste to the atmosphere with bluesy notes and a drum pad played by his son. Quite a bit different from what had previously been filled with traditional song and dance, but a highlight and a testament to the representation that Indigenous people have within the community.
Dr. Brenda Flyswithhawks unexpectedly announced that the event would end soon due to the power outage and lack of available facilities. Salinas expressed he was disappointed with that last-minute decision to stop his group from dancing after the accommodations they all made to be present for the celebration.
However, the Sonoma County Pomo Dance Group was ready and lined up to dance which led Dr. Robert Holcomb, the vice president of SRJC academic affairs and assistant superintendent, to allow them to dance.
A variety of vendors attended, including the Sonoma County Indian Health Project, Alliance for Felix Cove, Santa Rosa Junior College Suscol Inter-Tribal Council and Wailaki’s Indian Tacos.
Santa Rosa Junior College alumnus Dino Franklin Jr., chairman of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, gave a speech emphasizing the significance of education to the young generation. He urged them to represent their culture in all aspects.
“It brings our ancestors and elders together and students who are Native and Non-Native that are wanting to know more about our culture,” said Lilliana Diaz, president of the Inter-Tribal Student Union at SRJC.
