Upon moving back to America six months ago, I became interested in learning more about the Indigenous culture here. I’ve been a sound healer for several years, and know that there are aspects that borrow from indigenous traditions and healings. I want to know more, and have gone to an in person workshop and taken a virtual course by indigenous healer Asha Frost. But this is not enough, I want to expose myself more to the knowledge and traditions out there.
And so this weekend I went to my first pow wow, it was a small one held in Oxnard College. But it was beautiful. People from various tribes came from different parts of California and the surrounding states. There was aspects of ceremony and ritual, with sage burning, as communal drums played. Traditional colorful attire worn and gourd dances were performed. There were dances that honor various individuals in attendance whose family members donate money to on the ground, as they stand and dance behind them. The money is picked up by another individual, afterwards often times the individual honored, then offers the money to the drummers and singers who played the entire time. It was fascinating to witness the energy of money being performed in front of our very eyes.
The emcee for the day was a veteran, and I was surprised to find many present were veterans, including two Vietnam vets. At one moment he stated, “During funerals we go to, there are 6-8 pallbearers. What about in life?” He further shared that we should not wait until our deaths to have 6-8 people carry us, depend on others while you are alive. He reminded the crowd that we are all human and have our vices, but collectively we can help each other out. He found this to be true for gourd dances. People have been cured of various ailments, particularly returning back from war through this collective dance.
It was beautiful to witness generations of families are present sharing the lineage of wisdom passed through song and movement. I began to tear up seeing this display of support and hearing the loud strong hearty drum beat, as the drummers beat on one large drum in unison. Seeing this beauty of culture displayed reminded me of the African drum circle I attended in New Orleans next to an ancient tree, where African Americans have been meeting Sundays since the time of slavery. It was the one time of week they were allowed to collectively worship while their masters went to church. In both of these instances, I felt I time travelled and saw the ancestors and their kin playing the drums and dancing to demonstrate solidarity, freedom, and connection.
The longer I am in America, I’m trying to truly understand what this country is about. What do we represent? What is freedom? Where did we come from? Who are the ancestors of the land and all that inhabit it now? What can we learn from them? What wisdom can be gained from all that was lost and somehow saved through traditions such as this?
“Or can you be like you, and reconnect to your own sacred Medicines? Your own beautiful ancestry? Your own power, presence, and brilliance? I see you wanting to. I see you aspiring to. I see you reconnecting. Can you be like you? As I reclaim and remember me. And then, we can finally walk in right relation to each other.”
― Asha Frost, You Are the Medicine: 13 Moons of Indigenous Wisdom, Ancestral Connection, and Animal Spirit Guidance
It Only Takes A Smile 
