The Friday night ceremony on June 28 began with the resounding beat of the Aztec drum, heard throughout The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. The outdoor tent was lined with family and friends who had come to witness their children perform an indigenous ceremony celebrating all the knowledge they had learned at the Indigenous Arts Summer Encounter, held from June 24-27 at Cuauhtemoc Hall.
Soon, a long line of 41 students entered, dressed in their handmade regalia, wearing feathers they had earned during the Encounter for service to their community. The students formed a circle in the middle of the tent and began a heartfelt and sacred performance depicting the Native American languages, dances, stories and songs they had learned during their week-long experience.
“It was such an emotional and awe-inspiring performance,” said Executive Director of the Indigenous Cultures Institute Maria Rocha. “They worked diligently throughout the week to learn the songs, dances, culture and arts of the indigenous people of this area of Texas.”
