Native American Day

By the shores of Sacramento By the murky Delta water Stood the office of Pete Wilson. Son of Rightness, Peter Wilson, He whose right hand is his pen hand. * Bright before him lay the paper, Lay the clear, official wording Making one day for the Indian One day hallowed to the Indian Out of all the long year's passage. * Wilson signed it for the Indians, Called them "our first Californians," Set aside a harvest Friday Fourth of each September's Friday To remember our red brethren.

By the shores of Sacramento By the murky Delta water Stood the office of Pete Wilson. Son of Rightness, Peter Wilson, He whose right hand is his pen hand. * Bright before him lay the paper, Lay the clear, official wording Making one day for the Indian One day hallowed to the Indian Out of all the long year's passage. * Wilson signed it for the Indians, Called them "our first Californians," Set aside a harvest Friday Fourth of each September's Friday To remember our red brethren.

California is raising the visibility of a holiday honoring American Indians. A bill signed Saturday by Gov. Pete Wilson declares the fourth Friday in September as Native American Day, to be commemorated for the first time next year. State legislation proclaimed an American Indian Day holiday on that day beginning in 1984, but it was not widely acknowledged, said supporters of the legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Joe Baca (D-Rialto).

California is raising the visibility of a holiday honoring American Indians. A bill signed Saturday by Gov. Pete Wilson declares the fourth Friday in September as Native American Day, to be commemorated for the first time next year. State legislation proclaimed an American Indian Day holiday on that day beginning in 1984, but it was not widely acknowledged, said supporters of the legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Joe Baca (D-Rialto).

Mary York is an urban Native American for whom Thanksgiving has always represented a paradox. "As a revered holiday, I observe it," said York, a North Hills woman who is part Chiricahua Apache, Mohawk, and Penobscot. "I'm an American. But it was also a day of sadness, a day of mourning for me." Los Angeles has the largest population of urban Native Americans, about 100,000 people representing 200 tribes from across the United States.

More than 12,000 visitors are expected to attend the seventh annual Lake Casitas Pow Wow on Saturday and Sunday, a popular event that features Native American food, music and dancing. The highlight of the powwow, a championship competition among dancers from more than 40 tribes throughout the United States and Canada, has become a magnet for the best Native American dancers in North America, organizers said.

Columbus Day weekend brought to town America's newest Indian chief, but he didn't come for the holiday. Indeed, he makes it a point to not celebrate the day at all. "Columbus didn't discover America," said Joe Byrd, 40, a former educator who on Aug. 5 was elected principal chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. "For us, it's like any other day. We go to work, do our business."

Culminating a kindergarten project on Native Americans, Friday has been designated Native American Day at the Sunset Lane School. The school's 87 kindergartners will plant, gather berries, grind corn and eat foods pertinent to that culture. The activities will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the kindergarten playground, with the assistance of parent volunteers.

Fullerton College will commemorate American Indian heritage with a monthlong display of crafts, artifacts, books and photographs. The exhibit, to be on display at the college's William T. Boyce Library, will coincide with the national observation of Native American Day on Sept. 27. The exhibit, on display from Sept. 9 to Oct. 4, will also feature autographed photos from artists, entertainers, politicians and writers who have a special interest in American Indian history.

For the first time, federal legislation has set aside the day after Thanksgiving -- for this year only -- to honor the contributions American Indians have made to the United States. Frank Suniga, a descendant of Mescalero Apache Indians who lives in Oregon, said he and others began pushing in 2001 for a national day that recognizes tribal heritage. Suniga, 79, proposed his idea to a cultural committee that is part of the Portland-based Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians.

More than 12,000 visitors are expected to attend the seventh annual Lake Casitas Pow Wow on Saturday and Sunday, a popular event that features Native American food, music and dancing. The highlight of the powwow, a championship competition among dancers from more than 40 tribes throughout the United States and Canada, has become a magnet for the best Native American dancers in North America, organizers said.

Columbus Day weekend brought to town America's newest Indian chief, but he didn't come for the holiday. Indeed, he makes it a point to not celebrate the day at all. "Columbus didn't discover America," said Joe Byrd, 40, a former educator who on Aug. 5 was elected principal chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. "For us, it's like any other day. We go to work, do our business."

Mary York is an urban Native American for whom Thanksgiving has always represented a paradox. "As a revered holiday, I observe it," said York, a North Hills woman who is part Chiricahua Apache, Mohawk, and Penobscot. "I'm an American. But it was also a day of sadness, a day of mourning for me." Los Angeles has the largest population of urban Native Americans, about 100,000 people representing 200 tribes from across the United States.

Dancers, arts and crafts, lectures and films will highlight Saddleback College's Native American Awareness Day, which will be observed from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today. Lectures and films will be presented throughout the day, and food will be sold. American Indian dancers and musicians will perform between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the campus quad. Admission to all of the day's events is free. For more information, call (714) 492-0352.

Dressed in grass or leaf skirts, leis and other traditional attire, a group of Polynesian dancers, backed by a band, livened up the lunch hour at Ventura College's Quad Stage on Monday. About 200 students gathered around the stage--some to watch the dancers, others to learn the traditional dance routines, still others to enjoy the barbecued food. The performance was part of the activities for Asian Pacific Islander Day, the opening day of a weeklong Culture Fair at the college.