History of United San Antonio Pow Wow
Anthony Hernandez
Volunteer at Scobee Education Center and Educational Volunteer (NASA-STEM), Planetary Society-Member
The celebrations of Pow Wow started in White Eagle, Oklahoma, about 1877, after many tribes were removed from Indian lands. The Indian community came together for this social event as a celebration gathering, warfare, song, dance, and a great feast, which allowed people to give thanks to the Creator. The ceremony allowed them to pray and give special honors to their deceased relatives and veterans and rites of coming of age. The best part of these Pow Wows is renewed allegiances among the native people, developing friendships, and making new friends. In today's Pow Wow, each organization selects its princess, an honorary title, to be a representative at various Pow Wows for a year.
The start of the United San Antonio Pow Wow talks occurred in September of 1997, with first talks among Emma Ortega, (The late) Mike Gonzales, Jeannette M. Hernandez, Aldolfo Gonzales, and Anthony Hernandez for the first three meetings at Jim's Restaurant on San Pedro Ave. and Hildebrand for the first two meetings, and the third meeting at the Malt House Restaurant on Buena Vista and S. Zarzamora St. in San Antonio Texas. The third meeting consisted of over fourteen individuals, including Erwin De Luna and Cecil Gonzales from the various Native American organizations in San Antonio.
We planned to have Mike Gonzales and Erwin De Luna because they both have experience setting up and running Pow Wows and have been involved in area Pow Wows as Master of Ceremonies and head Dancers.
The journey to establish the United San Antonio Pow Wow was challenging. Without an IRS 501c or any initial funds or items, the group relied on community support. Donations were poured in for food, drinks, supplies, and funding, enabling the securement of St. Paul's Catholic Community Center at 1201 Donaldson Ave, San Antonio, Texas. Despite lacking a 501c, the process was initiated, and Erwin De Luna was elected President of United San Antonio Pow Wow. The Pow Wow serves as a platform for native people in San Antonio and visitors from tribes in Texas and beyond to showcase and educate about the various dance styles and regalia of each dance and tribe, a testament to our duty and legacy of sharing the understanding of the native community.
The first United San Antonio Pow Wow was in February 1998, the same week as the San Antonio Rodeo. That month was selected because it coincided with native people attending a ceremony in Merinda City near Lerado, Texas.
I was having a pow-wow for native brothers and sisters to relax on their way home to their various reservations and states. The United San Antonio Pow wow was moved just about every year to get the best price for a place to operate the Pow Wow.
The 26th United San Antonio Pow Wow was held at San Antonio College, at the Chandler Physical Fitness Center, on March 9-10. It was a weekend event with dancers, drummers, and others attending Pow Wow. United San Antonio Pow Wow has become one of the additional events during Fiesta San Antonio each year, a mini-pow wow of four hours.
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The United San Antonio Pow Wow has established itself as a significant event and forged a strong alliance with the American Indians of Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions (AITSCM), representing the Mission Indians of all five Spanish missions in San Antonio. AITSCM, a non-profit organization of the Coahuiltecan Nation of Mission Indians, and United San Antonio Pow Wow have nurtured a robust partnership. Under the leadership of Erwin De Luna, who continues to serve as the president, the Pow Wow has flourished, thanks to the dedication of its members and supporters. Today, the United San Antonio Pow Wow is a Texas nonprofit-chartered 501 (c) (3) federally recognized organization promoting traditions and Native American culture. For more information about the United San Antonio Pow Wow and future events and Pow Wows, contact them at the links below:
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