Former Viejas leader to be honored at powwow

Booming drum music, performances by Indigenous dancers and the aroma of frybread can be enjoyed in Balboa Park this Mother’s Day weekend during the 35th annual San Diego American Indian Health Center’s powwow.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the corner of Park Boulevard and President’s Way.

Each day will start with Kumeyaay bird singing and gourd dancing, followed by the grand entry for all dancers at noon. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, a member of the Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, will give a speech at 1 p.m. Saturday.

This year’s head woman and head man dancers are Donda Begay and Reginald Begay, both from the Navajo Nation. The head young woman dancer is Lily Franco (Yaqui and Aztec) and head young man dancer is Gabriel Razo (Choctaw Nation), and this year’s emcee will once again be Randy Edmonds from the Kiowa and Caddo tribes.

For many Indigenous people, powwows are a celebration of life and culture, providing a space where people connect with their friends, family and the wider community. It’s also a time to honor elders and others who support the community in various ways.

One of this weekend’s honorees is former Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians Chair Anthony Pico. He is being recognized not only for serving as a tribal leader, but also for his focus on the impacts of historical trauma on the Native American community, said Paula Brim, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma who serves as board chair for the health center.

“The work that he’s doing is just invaluable to the mental and emotional health and well-being of Native children especially,” Brim said.

In the 26 years he served as chairman, Pico said his main goal was to build an economic base for the tribe. While early efforts hit roadblocks with the federal government, the tribe eventually succeeded in building the Viejas Casino & Resort in Alpine.

Last year, Pico was honored by the Indian Gaming Association for leading the way for tribes throughout California to negotiate gaming compacts.