Indigenous Peoples Night of Resistance

Columbus Day has become a nationally recognized holiday and his journey is taught all across the U.S. For the most part through the European perspective, subordinating the Indigenous point of view, and leaving little room for discussion of the legacy of colonialism that remains. However, Indigenous communities have organized to change this day into Indigenous Peoples Day and have succeeded in several cities, Santa Cruz being one of them. Through music, art, ceremony, hip hop and education, instead of commemorating the invasion of the Americas, Indigenous Peoples Night of Resistance celebrates the legacy of 520 years of indigenous resistance.

The event is free and open to all!

Guest performance by one of the most ferocious Femcees to Bless the Mic, Cihuatl-Ce!


"Former runaway, now Youth Advocate, Cihuatl-Ce is a lyricist that uses words and rhyme as a way to help heal from the wounds of her past. Born and raised in the gutter gutter, her lyrics strike like bullets.. like the sound of wind when thunder flutters, without shame and with apology. Her music is raw, for some even uncomfortable.. but for her like for many womyn, it is the naked, painful truth that needs to be spoken.. the voice of the violated that refuses to be silenced. "

http://youtu.be/DxOlfW2oFRI

Keynote speaker: Dr. John Carlos Perea

"Born on the Jicarilla Apache reservation in New Mexico to a German-Irish mother and a Mescalero Apache father, jazz bassist John-Carlos Perea grew up in San Francisco, taking up his instrument originally in elementary school. During his college years, Perea studied jazz, world music, modern Western classical music composition, and American Indian music and philosophy at San Francisco State University. Shortly thereafter, Perea helped teach American Indian music for the San Francisco title nine education project and elementary schools, and performed around the world (including clinics at the San Francisco-Osaka Citizen Ambassador Exchange Program, the San Francisco Native Contemporary Arts Festival, the CSU SummerArts Festival, and the San Francisco Asian American Jazz Festival). Perea has been named Writer of the Year by the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers for his contributions to the Gathering of Ancestors compilation, leads his own group (the John-Carlos Perea ensemble), co-leads the Sweetwater Singers (a northern-style American Indian powwow drum) in addition to playing with Francis Wong, Dr. Hafez Modirzadeh, and John Worley. Perea teaches American Indian Music at San Francisco State University and in 2001 issued his solo debut, First Dance."

Brought to you by the Student Union Assembly's Commissioner of Diversity, in collaboration with the American Indian Resource Center and El Centro.

Sponsored by: The Latin American and Latina/o studies department; The literature department; The office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Merrill College