San Marcos —
Indigenous Cultures Institute was among several local organizations that received recognition and monetary support from the Bluebonnet Lions for their programs in San Marcos.
"We're very grateful and appreciative of this gesture of support from the Bluebonnet Lions Club," says Dr. Mario Garza, board chair of the Institute. "This is a group of active, caring, and hardworking members who are helping to make our city a better place to live."
The award will support the institute's Powwow in the Schools program, starting up this fall at San Marcos High School, with supplemental programming at Travis Elementary School. The nonprofit group plans to bring Native American performers and presenters to the schools to educate students about the Hispanics' indigenous identity.
Powwow in the Schools will offer eight, once-a-month, luncheon sessions at San Marcos High School, starting in September, which will culminate in an exhibit at the Institute's annual Sacred Springs Powwow and Heritage Celebration in May 2011.
Each monthly session will include artistic components — Aztec, Mayan, and Powwow dances and Native American flute playing — and provide information on the indigenous identity of Hispanics.
"The indigenous identity of the Hispanic has long been suppressed, and most of our cultural practices, arts, traditions, and social ceremonies have been incorrectly attributed to Spanish culture," says Dr. Garza. "By restoring their Native American heritage, we will help young people to fulfill their personal potential and contribute positively to our society."
Indigenous Cultures Institute organized the local Native community to provide education and information about Native Americans, particularly from this area, southern Texas, and northern Mexico. Their first major event in San Marcos, "Songs of the Seven Directions" music festival, was held at the Aquarena Center's Earth Day Celebration in April 2009.
They have since produced several Native functions including "Eagle and Condor" dance exhibition, "Hispanic's Indigenous Identity" lecture series, "Tracing
Indigenous Ancestry" genealogy workshop, the "Seven Directions Art Exhibit - celebrating Native American culture", and the 1st annual Sacred Springs Powwow this past May.
For more information visit www.IndigenousCultures.org.
