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Beginning with Hollister poet Mary Macias invoking the native peoples of Michoacán, the home of her grandparents, the opening ceremony at the Third Annual Hollister Powwow and Native Gathering started a three-day event at Bolado Park on Nov. 7.:
I walk and rest with my ancestors.
Feeling their strength and peace.
Beckoning me to follow their steps.
I am Purépechas.
I am the voice that travels through time,
Holding my ancestors’ language, customs, and dreams.
It was an indication of the cultural range of the gathering, with representation from native peoples spanning the North American continent in a display of song, dance, storytelling, fashion and crafts all rooted in centuries-old traditions that are very much alive today.
At the beginning of the ceremony, tribute was paid to four native leaders, starting with Ohlone elder Ann Marie Sayers of Indian Canyon, who was honored with a seat at the center of the circle throughout the evening.
Gavian College trustee Kathy Chavez Napoli was also honored, along with substance abuse counselor Rick Larios, who passed away last year, as well as Ascension Solarzano, who was essential in the preservation of the Mutsun language and culture, and Toypurina, who led the San Gabriel Mission rebellion in 1785 and is buried in the Mission San Juan Bautista cemetery.
The scheduled dancers for the weekend include the Muwekma Ohlone Bay Area Feather Dancers, Calpulli Tonalehqueh Azteca Dancers, Grupo Nauhcampa Danza Azteca de Concheros, Ama-Ka-Tura with Yana-Hea and the Carmel Band of Rumsen Indians, who were the first to perform at the ceremony.
According to Rumsen council member Guilermo Morales, the tribe historically encompassed an area from Monterey to Big Sur. However, it was displaced two centuries ago to Southern California, making the journey to Bolado Park a poignant return for the dancers to an area near where their ancestors thrived.
“Keeping our traditions alive has been very hard,” he said. “But we are making our way back home, little by little. We’re practicing our ceremony and our culture, keeping it alive with the youth.”
Known as “Humaya” or “the hummingbird singers and dancers,” the group’s movements honor spiritual animals and serve as a form of prayer. There are about 50 to 70 dancers in the group, although for this event, they brought only about 15 of the youngest dancers.
“We’re just here to share our culture,” he said, “We do this for our children, the future generations. And we perform for their elders who can’t walk anymore, the ones who can’t dance anymore, and the ones who have passed on.”
Bear Dancers performed at the close of the ceremony, following their ritual retreat to the first sweat lodge ever constructed at Bolado Park. According to dancer Paul Marino, of the Huichol Nation, the Bear Dance offers a powerful gift of healing.
“It’s for anybody with any kind of ailment or sickness,” he said, which could come in a thousand different forms. “When we put on that bear skin, we connect with that bear, and we bring that medicine here for our community.”
Kanyon Sayers-Roods of Indian Canyon emphasized the sacred nature of the dance to all attendees, explicitly forbidding photography and recording. She urged everyone to confront anyone attempting to take photos, confiscate their cameras, and delete the images.
The Pow Wow concludes on Nov. 9 with four dance performances, including an appearance by Ohlone dancers Ama-Ka-Tura, who regularly attended the Indian Market, the precursor to the event, which was previously held in San Juan Bautista. There will also be an awards ceremony and a special tribute to veterans.
Co-sponsored by the Indigenous Nations Diversity Network and the Youth Alliance, Network board member Bernice Cuauhxihuitl Aguilera said that the goal for this third gathering was to offer as much diversity as possible.
“This is our first year being a pow wow and a gathering,” she said.“We’re taking our time to explore different ceremonies. This weekend is about building relationships together so we can work towards a common cause, which is love.”
Schedule for closing day at Bolado Park, Nov. 9, 2025
- 10 a.m. – Amfire Starts & Land Acknowledgement
- 10:15 a.m.- Am Grupo Nauhcampa Danza Azteca De Concheros
- 11 a.m. – Gourd Dance
- 12 p.m.- Grand Entry
- 1 p.m. – Ama-Ka-Tura With Yana-Hea (Outside Circle)
- 1:30 p.m. – Veterans Honoring & Powwow
- 5:30 p.m. – Retreat Flags
- 5:45 p.m. – Honorariums & Awards
- 6:15 p.m. – Event Conclusion
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