The summer of 2021 was unique for many across the world. Most were reeling from the devastating effects of COVID-19 and the various mutations afterward that had most establishments across the globe shut down... indefinitely. Times were unparalleled, unprecedented and underestimated, to say the least.
While all of society was dealing with the pandemic - members of the Indigenous Cultures Institute (ICI) were trying to pivot summer programming to continue to serve the youth of San Marcos, Texas. The ICI aims to preserve and reclaim the cultures and histories of Indigenous communities and people native to Texas and Northern Mexico. At the banks of the San Marcos River, or yanawana - Sacred Springs, as they have always been known to native folks, the ICI puts on the annual Youth Summer Arts Encounter, a summer program for hispanic and San Marcos youth to connect with the Indigenous traditions of the community and possibly even their own ancestry.
The pandemic ravished society, disproportionately affecting black, brown and indigenous communities as well as elders. How could we go on? It was clear that the ICI could not have it's regularly scheduled Summer Encounter and risk exposing youth and elders. The decision was made to cancel and the leadership team saw an opportunity to use resources from the Encounter to gather in a different way - through a retrospective art exhibit.
The idea was pitched to ask youth from the encounter to lend their artworks, writings and photographs from past programs the ICI had since the organization was founded in 2006 by the Miakan-Garza Band. It was also important to include personal artifacts, ceremony items and artworks created by the ICI's Founding Elders, Dr. Mario Garza and Maria Rocha. The ICI has hopes of creating a physical center for their educational, environmental and ceremonial endeavors to better pass down their ancestral indigenous wisdom for the benefit of the San Marcos community and this would be a good way to provide an educational exhibit of ICI resources that would be open to the public.
The exhibit's planning took place throughout the pandemic over virtual meetings and phone calls and the San Marcos Price Center agreed to sponsor and host the show in their community space.
Finally, the ICI's story, which is the story of San Marcos, was displayed- depicting community members who lived, danced, sang, and prayed in these items. It was a sacred experience. Creating "Napakō" supports the ICI's mission to restore ancestral knowledge and Indigenous heritage.
Below is an excerpt from a Texas State University Star publication on the exhibit written by Sara Hernandez, Life and Art editor 2021.
"Napakō: Our Journey" pays homage to San Marcos' Indigenous community and the programs the ICI has implemented, such as the annual Sacred Springs Powwow. The gallery features personal items the ICI has documented through its programming such as ceremony regalia and original beaded artwork belonging to Maria Rocha, executive director of the ICI, and Dr. Mario Garza, the ICI's board of elder’s chair and principal founder of the institute.
The gallery also features original artwork and writing from young Indigenous students who describe what it means to be Indigenous. Rocha said the institute was willing to share personal sacred items with the community so it could understand that the exhibit came from the heart and personal feelings of Indigenous people.
"It gives people a chance to look into our world and see us in our programming and see what our clothing looks like and what our jewelry looks like and some of the dances and feathers that we use. Just to go into our world and see what that's like," Rocha said. "And it's so beautiful and colorful and rich, and we want to share that with people."
The name of the exhibit, "Napakō," when broken down, translates into "our journey" in Coahuiltecan, the language of the original Native people of Texas. Rocha said the name embodies the Indigenous people’s holistic way of thinking and their cultural journey.
"We journey seven generations in the past, to where we are now, seven generations into the future and then on and on and on," Rocha said. "But it's always a journey that we all traveled together. And so that's the concept we want to pass on to people. We're in this world for a short time as human beings. In that journey together, we should do positive things, good things, generous things."
"It helps make sure their story is told accurately and professionally … if you don't attend the powwow, you don't see this story. You don't know this story. And so, I felt it was important that we provided this opportunity. And I'm just thrilled that they are pleased with it as I am," DeStefano said.
Rocha, Dosal-Terminel and members of the Price Center encourage young people in San Marcos, especially the college population, to visit the exhibit so they can gain a deeper appreciation for the place they live. Rocha's hope is that the exhibit can teach those unfamiliar with the city's Indigenous culture about the sacredness of the place they live and have a new respect for the people whose history and heritage are rooted here.
"Napakō: Our Journey" will be displayed until Nov. 27 on the first floor of the Price Center located on 222 W San Antonio St. The gallery space is open free to the public Wednesday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information on the Indigenous Cultures Institute visit its website.
