Powwow returns in celebration of tradition, community, and place

Before the first drumbeat echoed through downtown Santa Cruz, the ground already knew the story. Held on the unceded homelands of the Awaswas-speaking Uypi people—whose descendants are among the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band—the University of California, Santa Cruz Powwow returned in spectacular form on May 18, 2025, grounding tradition in place, spirit, and purpose.

This year’s celebration marked the first off-campus UC Santa Cruz Powwow in over three decades, drawing hundreds to the Kaiser Permanente Arena for a day filled with dancing, singing, vibrant regalia, and the shared joy of cultural connection. The event, hosted by the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) in collaboration with the Student Alliance of Native American and Indigenous Peoples (SANAI) and Cabrillo College, was free and open to the public—an intentional act of inclusivity that reflected the event’s heart: community.

At the center of it all was AIRC Director Angel Riotutar, whose thoughtful leadership helped reimagine what the powwow could be—not just a celebration, but a bridge. Under Riotutar’s guidance, the AIRC has become a vital campus hub for honoring Native identity, creating culturally grounded student support, and building relationships between UC Santa Cruz and local Native communities.

The powwow also served as the backdrop for honoring recipients of the E.A. Forssgren Scholarship—a needs-based award offered through the AIRC. The scholarship provides up to $3,000 per academic year for American Indian undergraduate and graduate students who are currently enrolled in a federally or state-recognized tribe. Recognizing awardees in this space underscored the event’s deeper purpose: uplifting Native students and celebrating their academic journeys within a culturally meaningful setting.

Throughout the day, attendees were treated to breathtaking dance exhibitions, intertribal rounds, and performances that showcased the beauty and resilience of Indigenous traditions. The arena was filled with 22 Native American and Indigenous arts and crafts vendors, 7 informational booths (including UC Santa Cruz Admissions and Cabrillo College), 2 food vendors, and 2 drink booths serving offerings like Peruvian coffee. Elders and youth, students and visitors alike gathered in a shared celebration, demonstrating that Indigenous culture is not only alive—it’s thriving.

A special thank you goes to the dedicated host staff whose leadership, presence, and spirit helped make the day possible:

• EMCee: Randy Pico (Luiseno)
• Arena Director: Gene Newman (Shawnee)
• Host Northern Drum: The Braves
• Head Gourd Dancer: Richard Vigil (Jicarilla Apache)
• Host Southern Drum: Southern Express
• Head Judge: Kelly Swanson (Crow Creek Sioux Tribe)
• Golden Age Man: Larry Harrison (Yankton Sioux)
• Golden Age Woman: Sioux Swanson (Crow Creek Sioux Tribe)
• Head Man Dancer: Randall LaMere (Chippewa Cree)
• Head Woman Dancer: Mandy LaMere (Chippewa Cree)
• Head Teen Boy: Jackson Prado (Odawa/Mohawk)
• Head Teen Girl: Summer Harrison Little Cloud (Navajo, Pamu Paiute, and Yankton Sioux)
• Head Youth Boy: Angel Borjon Pacheco (The Ho-Chunk Nation)
• Head Youth Girl: Feliciana Dawn LeRoy (Omaha, Yaqui, Apache; enrolled member of the Northern Ponca)

The powwow also embodied the core goals of the AIRC’s mission: advancing Native student success, revitalizing culture, and confronting settler colonial legacies through education and activism. Events like this don’t just honor tradition—they energize it. They strengthen the bonds between UC Santa Cruzand Native communities across California and Turtle Island, and affirm a powerful truth: Indigenous futures are not only alive—they are thriving, resilient, and unstoppable.

Learn more about AIRC and DSAS

American Indian Resource Center (AIRC): Open to all, the AIRC is dedicated to supporting the needs of American Indian students and increasing Native visibility on campus by hosting student-centered programs, cultural events and providing tools for academic success and personal well-being. Part of the Division of Student Affairs and Success, the center is a vital link between American Indian students, the University, and tribal communities that fosters growth through mentoring, leadership opportunities, and scholarly development.

Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS) encompasses nearly 800 professional staff and 1700 student staff spanning five major units. Our division cultivates an equity-centered environment that fosters scholars and change agents. To learn more, visit the DSAS website and follow @ucsc.dsas on Instagram.