NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE took center stage over the recent holiday weekend as the University of the Pacific hosted the Annual Stockton Labor Day Pow Wow.
The University of the Pacific El Centro, formerly known as the Latinx Community Outreach Office, along with the Stockton Pow Wow Committee hosted the two-day celebration that ran through Sunday at the university’s DeRosa Lawn.
The annual gathering was first held 42 years ago at the Native American Indian Education Center, according to Pow Wow Committee Chair Destiny Rivas. The pow wow was traditionally held as a three-day event until the pandemic.
The pow wow opened Saturday with older male veterans blessing the grounds, followed by the Grand Entry and a series of dances.
“The Grand Entry is the highlight of the season,” Rivas said.
It opened with a Native Honor Guard, followed by the chosen dancers picked to represent different tribes, the pow wow princess and visiting royalty from all over the nation.
“And that’s how we start our pow wow. It’s spectacular to see,” Rivas said.
Jingle cones clink together as a jingle dress dancer takes part in the Grand Entry during the Annual Stockton Community Pow Wow at University of the Pacific on Sept. 2, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
From left, Zina Biakeddi takes part in the coming out dance alongside her daughter Nichoni Biakeddi and her husband Edward Biakeddi during the Annual Stockton Community Pow Wow at University of the Pacific. Edward Biakeddi holds a photo of his wife’s twin brother, Julius Wilson, honoring him as he passed away two weeks ago. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Feliciana Rocha, 5, wraps her arm around Katarina Hill, 3, as they walk in the Grand Entry during the Annual Stockton Community Pow Wow at University of the Pacific on Sept. 2, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Larry Harrison dances in the Grand Entry during the Annual Stockton Community Pow Wow at University of the Pacific in Stockton on Sept. 2, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Sandra West stretches out the dough for fry bread the traditional way during the Annual Stockton Community Pow Wow at University of the Pacific on Sept. 2, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Fry bread is pulled out of hot oil during the Annual Stockton Community Pow Wow at University of the Pacific on Saturday. Visitors to the event had a chance to taste such traditional Native American foods. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Rena Horse, a Northern Traditional dancer, gets ready for her dance during the Annual Stockton Community Pow Wow at University of the Pacific on Sept. 2, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
A sidewalk is filled with vendors offering Native American crafts during the Annual Stockton Community Pow Wow at University of the Pacific on Sept. 2, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
The event also had several vendors selling Native American jewelry, accessories, clothes and home décor alongside fresh, hot food such as buffalo burgers, Indian hot dogs, Native American tacos with frybread and frybread desserts.
Despite its cultural significance, Rivas stressed that the pow wow is intended as a public event and that organizers each year welcome everyone to experience Native American arts, culture and food — with one caveat:
“A lot of people get nervous and think that we don’t want them to come in,” Rivas said. “We want everyone to come just listen to the songs and the emcee, (but) don’t walk across the grounds because we bless it.”
