SeeCalifornia.com

It’s no surprise that California has the largest Native American population in the United States (estimated at 370,000.)  It also has the largest LGBT population in the nation.

An article in “Indian Country Today” asked why The Village People continue some 40 years after their initial success, to draw on stereotypes of Indians in performances of “YMCA” at concerts and pride fests.

In 1977 the group’s fantasy act geared toward the gay community launched with The Indian character, played by Felipe Rose (Taino and Lakota,) then added a cowboy, construction worker, cop, leatherman and a soldier.

“Why on earth, after American Indians have for decades been successfully waging war against the use of Indian stereotypes in popular culture, is Felipe Rose still parading around on stage in an Indian costume like a character in a Mel Blanc cartoon?” asked Dina Gilio-Whitaker.

Felipe Rose, who still performs in concert with The Village People, countered: “It is not just a costume. It is also a public statement of where I come from and my long association with Native American groups across the country.”

When I updated SeeCalifornia.com’s lists of pride festivals and pow wows the same night I wondered if there’s some common thread in these events. As it turns out, both festivals are celebrations of pride represented with costumes, song and dance. The public is welcomed at pride fests and pow wows –and sure to have a good time.

Pow Wows

• FRESNO: First Nations Fresno State Powwow April 6-8, 2018
• ARCATA: California Big Time Pow Wow April 7
• MALIBU: Chumash Powwow April 14-15, 2018
• CARSON: CSU Dominguez Hills Pow Wow April 21-22
• See California pow wows…>

Pride Festivals

• LAGUNA BEACH: West Street Beach Spring Break at America’s Favorite Gay Beach April 22, 2018
• LONG BEACH: Pride Festival May 19-20
• DAVIS: Davis Pride May 20
• See California Pride Fests…>