A dozen Santa Maria High School Chicano/Latino Studies and Club C.E’E.N.I students expanded their textbook knowledge at the 21st annual Chumash Intertribal
Pow-Wow this month.
The students attended the event near Lake Cachuma to prove that history and cultural lessons don’t always depend on a textbook, and to see that the Native American culture remains alive. They also learned that indigenous people throughout the Americas are striving to keep their language, music, stories, and traditions from fading away.
“Many of our Latino youth also have indigenous roots,” Chicano/Latino Studies teacher Ricardo Valencia said in a press release. “Unfortunately, because many have not been taught their history, they do not realize that they are Indian too, albeit from Mexican, Central and South American countries. The experience provided a chance for our students to reflect on who they are and appreciate the many facets of indigenous cultures.”
The Saints say they made powerful cultural connections outside the classroom.
“It was intense,” junior Eric Santos said in a statement. “Especially how they danced, because you could tell many of them enjoyed it. Even though they are from different tribes they communicate through dancing. They all had different styles, though, like some were colorful, and some wore leather, like in hunting.”
