Students formed a circle for everyone to dance to the sounds of drums in celebration of the culture, traditions and history of Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
Students at California State University, Long Beach gathered in the Southwest Terrace of the University Student Union to celebrate the last day of American Indian Heritage Month. Students learned about the songs of the Native Americans on campus and shared the eclectic dances of Native Mexican dance.
Cindi Alvitre, American Indian studies professor and director of the Ti’at Society, helped represent the American Indian Society students and spread awareness to correct many of the historical inaccuracies surrounding Native Americans.
“Today is a celebration of the survival of our society,” Alvitre said.
Anna Nazarian-Peters, coordinator of student life and development, advises cultural political and religious clubs on campus and works with the American Indian students who blindfolded the Prospector Pete statue for the week of education on the history of American genocide.
“An influential factor was some current events that went on in the American Indian community,” Nazarian-Peters said.
Craig Stone, Program Coordinator of American Indian Studies Program & School of Art, a celebrated artist best known for Shadows Casting on the shore artworks in Belmont Shores, played a main role in playing the sounds of drums.
“We are singing songs in a form of social protest for awareness of our culture,” Stone said, noting that having these groups on campus helps the retention of students and builds a network within the community, which has a legacy of 45 years on campus.
One of the performers, Miztlayolxochitl Aguilera, a freshman and legacy student that grew up with the American Indian Student Council, said, the event was a great way for American Indian people and Native Mexicans to unite because they share the same struggles.
Students from similar cultures came out to support the event and join in on the friendship circle dance. Norberto Lopez, a member of La Raza student association on campus, expressed his excitement to see more events showcasing underrepresented minorities in the future.