United San Antonio Powwow a blend of cultural traditions

The Native American population in San Antonio is a small, but organized group. Less than one percent of all San Antonio residents identify as Native American – or American Indian, which according to organizers of the United San Antonio Powwow is the preferred term for the native people preceding Europeans in the Americas.

The group is large and organized enough to form the United San Antonio Pow Wow, Inc., which held its 15th annual powwow at the Alzafar Shrine Temple on Feb. 18 and 19 this year. Members of the Osage, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Blackfeet, Kiowa and other nations participated in the intertribal powwow.

According to organizers, the powwow is an opportunity for American Indians to celebrate cultural traditions, as well to educate the larger community about American Indian history, culture and traditions.

Unlike many powwows throughout the United States, the United San Antonio Pow Wow did not include a dance competition.

“We want everybody leaving the powwow with a good feeling,” the emcee said. “We’re not here for money. We’re here just to dance.”

Another way the San Antonio powwow differed from others was that organizers allowed photography. At many powwows, photography is forbidden. Because photography was permitted, NOWCastSA is able to put this slide show of the weekend’s festivities together:

Many thanks to Erwin De Luna, president of United San Antonio Pow Wow, Inc., for providing the music for the slide show.

Here are some entries from the powwow program book:

“What is a federally recognized tribe? There are more than 550 federally recognized tribes in the United States, including 223 village groups in Alaska. ‘Federally recognized’ means these tribes and groups have a special, legal relationship with the U.S. government.”

“How does an Indian become a member of a tribe? A tribe sets up its own membership criteria, although the U.S. Congress can also establish tribal membership criteria. Becoming a member of a particular tribe requires meeting its membership rules, including adoption. Except for adoption, the amount of blood quantum needed varies, with some tribes requiring only proof of descent from an Indian ancestor, while others may require as much as one-half.”

“Do all Indians live on reservations? No. Indians can and do live anywhere in the United States that they wish. Many leave their home reservations for educational and employment purposes. Over half of the total U.S. Indian and Alaska native population now live away from reservations. Most return home often to participate in family and tribal life and sometimes to retire.”

“Do all Indians speak one language? At the end of the 15th century, more than 300 languages were spoken by the native population of what is now the United States. Some were linked by ‘linguistic stocks,’ which meant that widely scattered tribal groups had some similarities in their languages. Today, some 250 tribal languages are still spoken, some by only a few individuals and others by many. Most Indians now use English as their main language for communicating with non-tribal members. For man it is a second language.”

“Paper feathers and paper costumes: The American Indian believes in the sacredness of certain types of feathers, most notable is the eagle. Feathers have been used as religious symbols, as public signs of accomplishments and special honors. Many educators wrongly use feathers to depict the American Indian in school activities… Educators who encourage the practice of making and wearing of paper feathers by children in schools promote behavior that is insensitive and demeaning. Teachers, when studying honors bestowed on Veterans of the Armed Services would not have everyone make a Congressional Medal of Honor and have everyone wear one…

“Teachers also encourage the use of paper bags for clothing… For some in the American Indian culture, making and putting children in paper backed costumes is liken to the ‘blackface minstrel’ shows that existed until the early 1960s-1970s. Accurately depicting any culture’s clothing is something that needs researching if a person truly wants to convey the truth not fiction to young people.”