SAC Students, Staff Celebrate Indigenous People’s Day

Performers danced and celebrated Indigenous culture at SAC’s Indigenous People’s Day celebration Oct. 14 in the mall area. Photo by Marianne Arrias.
Performers danced and celebrated Indigenous culture at SAC’s Indigenous People’s Day celebration Oct. 14 in the mall area. Photo by Marianne Arrias.

SAC students and staff members gathered in the mall area Oct. 14 to observe Indigenous People’s Day, welcoming Indigenous peoples and community members to play music, dance and celebrate the culture, traditions and contributions of Indigenous people.

Members of the Society of Native Nations and the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas celebrated their cultures and traditions at the event. 

Rey Chavez burns sacred plants in a “smudging ceremony” to cleanse and purify the people and space during SAC’s Indigenous People’s Day celebration Oct. 14 in the mall area. Photo by Marianne Arrias.
Rey Chavez burns sacred plants in a “smudging ceremony” to cleanse and purify the people and space during SAC’s Indigenous People’s Day celebration Oct. 14 in the mall area. Photo by Marianne Arrias.

Founded by a small group of Native people in Texas, the Society of Native Nations is an advocacy group dedicated to protecting and preserving Native culture, spirituality, teachings, medicine and traditions, according to the organization’s website.

Drummers celebrated Indigenous culture at SAC’s Indigenous People’s Day celebration Oct. 14 in the mall area. Photo by Marianne Arrias.
Drummers celebrated Indigenous culture at SAC’s Indigenous People’s Day celebration Oct. 14 in the mall area. Photo by Marianne Arrias.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day recognizes the Indigenous communities that have lived in the Americas for thousands of years, according to the New York Times. More than a dozen states, 100 cities and many organizations and institutions recognize some version of the holiday instead of Columbus Day, the celebration for the Italian explorer who arrived in North America in 1492.

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Picture of Marianne Arrias

Marianne Arrias

Marianne Arrias is a sophomore at San Antonio College studying Journalism. She loves photography and everything related to art. Arrias aspires to become a great photographer.
Picture of Marianne Arrias

Marianne Arrias

Marianne Arrias is a sophomore at San Antonio College studying Journalism. She loves photography and everything related to art. Arrias aspires to become a great photographer.