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‘One nation' performs at Marysville Pow Wow
Joelle Rocha tapped softly in the Marysville Pow Wow dance arena Saturday afternoon, her delicate Jingle Dance regalia jangled as the 10-year-old Sacramento girl danced.
"It's a healing dance," Joelle explained. "Every day, they put a jingle on the dress, then you dance because every day there's somebody who needs to get healed."
Joelle was one of several hundred Native American dancers attending the 10th annual Marysville Winter Pow Wow at the Allyn Scott Youth and Community Center on B Street, across the street from Marysville High School — "Home of the Indians."
Pat Bennett, coordinator of the American Indian Education Program in Marysville, said the traditional Pow Wow is a way for local Native Americans to share their culture.
"That's what we try to do with the school American Indian Program," Bennett explained. "The Pow Wow is a social gathering and is the easiest way for us to share that."
Dozens of dancers from Native American cultures from all over the US shared traditional dances while three separate drums circles sang songs.
Joelle Rocha tapped softly in the Marysville Pow Wow dance arena Saturday afternoon, her delicate Jingle Dance regalia jangled as the 10-year-old Sacramento girl danced.
"It's a healing dance," Joelle explained. "Every day, they put a jingle on the dress, then you dance because every day there's somebody who needs to get healed."
Joelle was one of several hundred Native American dancers attending the 10th annual Marysville Winter Pow Wow at the Allyn Scott Youth and Community Center on B Street, across the street from Marysville High School — "Home of the Indians."
Pat Bennett, coordinator of the American Indian Education Program in Marysville, said the traditional Pow Wow is a way for local Native Americans to share their culture.
"That's what we try to do with the school American Indian Program," Bennett explained. "The Pow Wow is a social gathering and is the easiest way for us to share that."
Dozens of dancers from Native American cultures from all over the US shared traditional dances while three separate drums circles sang songs.
Vendors offered homemade drums, hand-woven baskets, dreamcatchers, belt buckles, along with buckskin clothing and Native American-themed art.
Outside the dance arena, Marcia Hoaglen diced purple onions, a key ingredient of her family's "Indian Tacos."
"I can't remember exactly when it (Indian Tacos) started, but my family has been selling them a long time," Hoaglen said.
It starts with a piece of frybread, a deep-fried bread, with beans, meat, lettuce, tomatoes and cheddar cheese.
"It's like a tostada, but it's a taco," Hoaglen said.
Marysville's Greg Levias brought his wife and three sons to watch the dancing.
"I just like it (the dancing), it just draws me in," the 33-year-old Marysville man said. "My grandmother says I'm part something, I don't know, but seeing this always makes me feel some kind of connection."
Saturday's Pow Wow was more than just a celebration of Native American culture.
"It's a prayer, we're praying all day for health for the whole community — for everybody everywhere," explained Ben Pimentel, a gourd dancer from Yuba City. "It's a blessing for the whole world."
Pimentel, 60, did not want to discuss any specific tribe on Saturday.
"People started dividing us into groups a long time ago, but we're all one nation, now," Pimentel explained. "One nation together."
Vendors offered homemade drums, hand-woven baskets, dreamcatchers, belt buckles, along with buckskin clothing and Native American-themed art.
Outside the dance arena, Marcia Hoaglen diced purple onions, a key ingredient of her family's "Indian Tacos."
"I can't remember exactly when it (Indian Tacos) started, but my family has been selling them a long time," Hoaglen said.
It starts with a piece of frybread, a deep-fried bread, with beans, meat, lettuce, tomatoes and cheddar cheese.
"It's like a tostada, but it's a taco," Hoaglen said.
Marysville's Greg Levias brought his wife and three sons to watch the dancing.
"I just like it (the dancing), it just draws me in," the 33-year-old Marysville man said. "My grandmother says I'm part something, I don't know, but seeing this always makes me feel some kind of connection."
Saturday's Pow Wow was more than just a celebration of Native American culture.
"It's a prayer, we're praying all day for health for the whole community — for everybody everywhere," explained Ben Pimentel, a gourd dancer from Yuba City. "It's a blessing for the whole world."
Pimentel, 60, did not want to discuss any specific tribe on Saturday.
"People started dividing us into groups a long time ago, but we're all one nation, now," Pimentel explained. "One nation together."
CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.
