Performers Audrey Guerrero, 8, and LaRay Guerrero, 43, perform various dances during the UTA Native American Heritage Month Kickoff on Nov. 4 in the University Center’s Rio Grande Ballroom. Audrey performed the Women’s Fancy Shaw while LaRay performed the Men’s Fancy War.
Mavericks and community members displayed culture with singing, dancing and various performances during the Native American Heritage Month Kickoff on Monday in the Rio Grande Ballroom.
Partnering with the Intercultural Student Engagement Center, the Native American Student Association hosted the event to inform people about upcoming Native American Heritage Month activities.
The event opened with a blessing, showing gratitude for those attending and praying for those who couldn’t make it.
“A lot of Indigenous people are very prayerful people,” said Stephen Silva-Brave, Native American Student Association president and Sicangu Lakota tribe member. “We want to make sure that we open and close things in a good way, in the right way, in a mind of gratitude.”
A beaded bird is seen on the regalia of performer LaRay Guerrero, 43, during the UTA Native American Heritage Month Kickoff on Nov. 4 in the University Center’s Rio Grande Ballroom. Various details are found on the regalia.
Indigenous Arts, Culture and Education, an organization that strives to showcase North American Indigenous culture, showcased varying Native attire, including feather pieces called back and arm bustles, beaded headbands and leggings.
While some may assume they’re simply putting on a “costume,” Silva-Brave said there is symbolism, history and meaning behind the cultural attire and everything they do.
The event also discussed topics like Indigenous displacement. Silva-Brave said tribes from across the country were moved to Oklahoma territories, ranging from Delaware to Texas.
Performer Carl Green, 35, dances during the UTA Native American Heritage Month Kickoff on Nov. 4 in the University Center’s Rio Grande Ballroom. Green performed the Men’s Southern Straight dance.
“It’s important because people don’t know how crazy it is, how much the people were displaced,” he said. “Even beyond that, you move somebody and then they move them again and move them again.”
Silva-Brave said if people look at the maps they can see how the tribes continued losing more land.
“We are the original inhabitants of this land. We don’t pick the word better than any particular race we just ask for the same level of respect that’s given to every other race in this country and a lot of times it’s not,” said Indigenous ACE president Laray Guerrero. “Some people don’t even realize that we still exist. They think we’re a thing of the past.”
Dallas resident Lyryc Cummings, 21, said being from Oklahoma, she felt the event’s powwow brought her closer to home.
Performer Audrey Guerrero, 8, jumps over a hoop during the UTA Native American Heritage Month Kickoff on Nov. 4 in the University Center’s Rio Grande Ballroom. Guerrero performed a hoop dance.
“It humbles me,” Cummings said. “It feels very sacred.”
She said she enjoyed dancing and teaching others about Native culture at the event.
A list of all the Native American Student Association’s upcoming events is available online.
@reyyhankilic