Arlie Neskah, a member of the Diné-Navajo nation, is a musician, composer, and artist who is serving as MC at this weekend’s 53rd annual powwow at California State University, Long Beach. He kept it light during this afternoon’s performances, even throwing in a glancing, dancing reference to the old Creedence Clearwater Revival song “Green River.”
The mood waxed somber when he introduced us to his grandson, a U.S. Navy volunteer who is about to deploy to the Middle East. We stood and applauded as dancers escorted him around the grounds. Neskah sounded so proud of his grandson. Each in our way, we prayed and hoped for his safe return. He is taking his place in a long line of indigenous people, including the legendary Diné code breakers during World War II, who fought courageously for a nation that treated them abysmally.
It was daughter and CSULB alumna Lindsay’s fifth powwow and my first. It continues tomorrow. Today we saw several intertribal dances as well as individual competitions for younger dancers. Adults complete tonight. We enjoyed eating fry bread, tacos, and kettle corn and wandered among the crafts booths. The powwow identifies its location as Puvungna, a sacred site and ancient Tongva village preserved on campus between two dormitories.
