Post by Okwes on Dec 19, 2006 13:08:10 GMT -5
Native American groups bring pow wow to BCC
By: Deborah Allard, Herald News Staff Reporter
FALL RIVER - An authentic Native American pow wow shook the Bristol Community College cafeteria Saturday with drum beats and traditional song and dance.
In full dress, they were a colorful group as they stomped and swayed throughout the ceremony, their feathers, bells and tom-toms adding to the experience.
The pow wow, "Respecting Tradition, Embracing a Healthy Future," was a first for BCC and was held in celebration of National American Indian Heritage Month.
It was sponsored by the BCC Affirmative Action Committee and the Asian, Hispanic, African, Native American group AHANA. Helene Costa, BCC employee and member of the Abenaki nation of Quebec and the Dighton Intertribal Council, organized the pow wow.
"Being a native American Indian, we haven't had anything here to expand that diversity," Costa said. "I want to express my heritage to the community."
BCC holds various activities throughout the year to celebrate its diverse student population, such as Black History Month. This will be one more way to recognize other cultures, she said.
Costa, who plans to make the Pow Wow an annual event, said, "BCC is very dedicated to expanding diversity throughout the year."
Some 500 people attended the Pow Wow to watch the ceremonial dance and prayer, have a look at Indian culture and taste its cuisine.
Those attending found merchants selling vibrant stones and dreamcatchers, handmade soap, wrapped bundles of purifying sage, all natural tobacco, osha root, jewelry and fur.
On the menu were Indian tacos, corn chowder, beef and bean chili and fried breads. Admission was free.
"I'm just overwhelmed by the response in the community," Costa said.
E-mail Deborah Allard at dallard@heraldnews.com.
By: Deborah Allard, Herald News Staff Reporter
FALL RIVER - An authentic Native American pow wow shook the Bristol Community College cafeteria Saturday with drum beats and traditional song and dance.
In full dress, they were a colorful group as they stomped and swayed throughout the ceremony, their feathers, bells and tom-toms adding to the experience.
The pow wow, "Respecting Tradition, Embracing a Healthy Future," was a first for BCC and was held in celebration of National American Indian Heritage Month.
It was sponsored by the BCC Affirmative Action Committee and the Asian, Hispanic, African, Native American group AHANA. Helene Costa, BCC employee and member of the Abenaki nation of Quebec and the Dighton Intertribal Council, organized the pow wow.
"Being a native American Indian, we haven't had anything here to expand that diversity," Costa said. "I want to express my heritage to the community."
BCC holds various activities throughout the year to celebrate its diverse student population, such as Black History Month. This will be one more way to recognize other cultures, she said.
Costa, who plans to make the Pow Wow an annual event, said, "BCC is very dedicated to expanding diversity throughout the year."
Some 500 people attended the Pow Wow to watch the ceremonial dance and prayer, have a look at Indian culture and taste its cuisine.
Those attending found merchants selling vibrant stones and dreamcatchers, handmade soap, wrapped bundles of purifying sage, all natural tobacco, osha root, jewelry and fur.
On the menu were Indian tacos, corn chowder, beef and bean chili and fried breads. Admission was free.
"I'm just overwhelmed by the response in the community," Costa said.
E-mail Deborah Allard at dallard@heraldnews.com.