Native American Month
Kristina Mendez (left in photo above), the San Pasqual Middle School Indian Princess; Teresa Valenzuela (center), the San Pasqual High School Indian Princess; and Gail Johns, from the Quechan Senior Center, perform a traditional dance to a traditional song during Wednesday’s National Native American Heritage Month event on the Arizona Western College main campus. The International Team on the campus, in partnership with Northern Arizona University-Yuma Social Work students, hosted the event. First celebrated in 1990, Native American Heritage Month was established to recognize the significant contribution the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S. The International Team, an AWC student organization, is comprised of those enrolled as international students as well as students interested in broadening their understanding of the world. Members of the Strong Heart Society at San Pasqual High School perform a traditional song using gourds (inset). Orlando Jefferson (left in photo top left) and Michael Phillips, both members of the Strong Heart Society at San Pasqual High School, dance during the performance of a traditional song. Carlos Ramos (left in photo middle left), with the Northern Arizona University-Yuma Branch Social Work Program, addresses those gathered at the event. Quechan Tribal Council member Willie White (bottom left) speaks to the audience.