Former Campo chairman Paul Cuero, Jr. was recognized for helping to preserve tribal traditions
Being a good tribal leader in the modern day means being able to enrich the Indigenous community by fostering the growth and education of its youth.The former Campo Kumeyaay Nation chairman was honored Saturday during the 34th annual Balboa Park Powwow.first day of the powwowEach year, the San Diego American Indian Health Center, which hosts the powwow, chooses to honor local Indigenous people for the contributions they’ve made to their community.
Having learned side-by-side under the same Kumeyaay elders, Banegas described Cuero as spiritually being more akin to a brother than a friend. He credits Cuero as being responsible for why so many young Kumeyaay people are participating in their traditional practices today, which helps to reiterate the message that the tribal community is still alive and well.
On Sunday afternoon, the committee will honor Randy Edmonds from the Kiowa and Caddo nations, who is also serving as the emcee for this year’s powwow. Even in retirement, Brim said Edmunds has continued to be a spiritual and community leader in San Diego. Last year, Edmunds performed a blessing ceremony at the opening of the San Diego Symphony’s new Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, and he is an advisor for SDAIHC.
In a short speech before dancing in the powwow circle, Pamela James from the Chickasaw, Santee Sioux and Menominee nations shared the importance of jingle dress dance as a form of medicine. “When we dance, who we’re praying for is everybody here who can’t dance, people who can’t be here today and for everything that’s going on with Ukraine, the pandemic,” she said. “We’re always praying and dancing to heal, to give people life, to give people happiness.”