In the mid 1960s, college freshman Clyde Benally, alongside the Shalako Indian Club, started a legacy that would turn into the longest-standing student-led tradition at Fort Lewis College. It was called Hozhoni Days. Today, Benally is referred to as “the father of Hozhoni Days.”
This afternoon, students, faculty, community members and Native American tribes from all over the Four Corners, will gather to honor the 50th anniversary of the “Days of Beauty.”
“Hozhoni,” roughly translated to mean “beauty” in Navajo, kicked off with the long-awaited grand entry powwow Friday night in anticipation of today’s big day.
The traditional powwow, taking place at 1 p.m. in FLC’s Whalen Gym, will include drumming, singing and dances from a variety of tribes, among other activities. Dancers do not necessarily have to be experts; some songs invite everyone to participate, regardless of their dancing abilities.
Traditional and nontraditional vocables – sounds not consisting of actual words – with a few English words thrown in here and there, will fill the air of the gymnasium.
Native Americans dressed in their traditional regalia will give the event a touch of culture and color.
Also on the list of scheduled events is the crowning of the 2014-15 Miss Hozhoni. She is scheduled to be crowned at 7:30 p.m. today in the Whalen Gym. Four women are in the running for the title.
Anyone can attend the festivities for a minimal entrance free.
Yvonne Bilinski, who is coming up on her eighth year as director of the Native American Center at FLC, has been busy planning the events with the Wanbli Ota Club.
Bilinski, a Native American who did not grow up with the traditions of the powwow, has learned a lot through her work with the Native American Center. She strives to make improvements every year, she said.
One aspect of the event she is fond of is working with various participants.
“I enjoy walking around and visiting with people,” she said.
So what exactly is a powwow? Bilinski explained:
“A powwow is a gathering of people to celebrate being Native through song and dance.”
Many of the drummers who attend the powwow travel across the states providing their music talents, she said. Usually in a drum circle, there is a central drum that can be surrounded by anywhere from five to 15 drummers, she said.
In the past, student drummers also have joined in.
There is sometimes confusion about how to pronounce Hozhoni. Bilinski pronounced it “Hu-zhjo-ni” but said there isn’t a truly correct way of saying it.
Navajo is a difficult language, she said, and different groups will pronounce it differently. People don’t need to worry or feel self-conscious of their pronunciation, she said.
Though the event holds 50 years of tradition, this year is a bit different. The focus is on alumni and welcoming them back.
Bilinski expressed enthusiasm for getting to know FLC alumni and keeping in touch with them.
FLC President Dene Thomas said she is astonished and proud of the university’s diverse celebration.
“It’s both an honor and a delight to be part of Hozhoni Days,” Thomas said. “What I have learned about Hozhoni Days since I’ve come is that they celebrate FLC’s college commitment to Native American education as well as celebrating all the tribes.”
The powwow is a culmination of intellectual capability, talent, food and tradition, Thomas said.
FLC currently has 140 tribes represented in the student body, she said. Any given semester, the numbers range between 135 to 140 tribes from 45 different states.
“The diversity is remarkable,” she said.
vguthrie@durangoherald.com
If you go
The Hozhoni Days powwow will begin at 1 p.m. today at Fort Lewis College’s Whalen Gym. The public is welcome. The entrance fee is $5.
Miss Hozhoni is scheduled to be crowned at 7:30 p.m. today, also in Whalen Gym.
