Elaborate crowns, songs filled with blessings and sacred tribal dances were some of the ways ASU students experienced American Indian culture Tuesday afternoon.
The American Indian Council -- the umbrella for all American Indian organizations at ASU -- celebrated American Indian Day with performances on Hayden Lawn from Akimel O'odham Basket Dancers and the White Mountain Apache Crown Dancers.
"[The event was set up to] show people, natives and non-natives, the native culture on campus," said Gya Watson, the event's master of ceremonies.
It's important to showcase the native culture at the University, even though American Indians make up 2.3 percent of ASU's Tempe campus, said Hope Seweyestewa, a nursing sophomore who also won Miss Indian ASU -- a pageant set up to promote the ideals of American Indians.
"Arizona has the largest Native American population, and each year it is growing," she said.
The American Indian Council invited the dancing groups from different tribes around Arizona. The Pima and Apache nations were represented with dance, but students in attendance represented a number of other tribes.
"Each nation is very rich in their culture," Watson said.
Getting all the tribes together is important to Cindi Johnson, a resident of the Gila River Indian community who participated in a dance with her tribe.
"It is a way to share our tradition, culture and blessings that come from our songs and dances," Johnson said.
The White Mountain Apache nation sent their crown dancers, also referred to as Gaan.
"The disciples are to Jesus what these dancers are to Usen [Apache God]," Watson said.
The dancers participate in special ceremonies, sacred prayer and help preserve the tribe's purity.
One man beat a drum and sang as five painted dancers contributed to the performance with movement and the loud jingling from bells around their belts.
Students walking in front of Hayden Lawn stopped to observe the culture in action.
"The costumes and the dancing are pretty interesting," said Vanessa Jauregui, an education junior who stopped by the event.
Reach the reporter at amanda.m.gonser@asu.edu.
