On March 12, this daylong celebration began at 6 a.m. with a sunrise ritual, which includes the blessing of the dance ring and an offering on an altar made of fronds and grasses. The celebration continues with a ceremony featuring dancers from all parts of California, Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona, Washington and Oregon. The indigenous tribes represented include Aztecs, Ohlone, Zuni, Apache and Mexica. Vendors selling art and novelty items rounded out this free celebration that was organized by the city of San Jose's mobile recreation program and Gardner Community Center with cooperation from the Indigenous Peoples Council.

"The purpose of this event and events like it is to carry on our heritage and promote unity among all indigenous cultures," said William Underbaggage of the Indigenous Peoples Council. "Between indigenous people there are no borders."

"Today is a day of pride and unity among all cultures and all nations," added Gilbert Blacksmith, champion Pow Wow dancer and founder of Medicine Warrior Dance Group, based in Oakland. "There are 500 different Native-American tribes with 500 different languages and 500 different beliefs, but we are strong because we carry on our heritage and cultural beliefs and support each other."

At 10 a.m. dancers from all the groups gather inside the roped-off dance circle. Then dancers are cleansed by the smoke from Copal--a white-pine resin--before entering the sacred space.

The first group to come to the forefront is the Humaya--translated it means "hummingbird"--comprised of singers and dancers of the Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe from Chino. Part of the Ohlone Nation, their traditional dress consists of furs, skins, shells and feathers. Tony Cerda, headman of the tribe, announces each song and relates its significance to the audience. For example, he explains that the acorn song is a prayer to honor the trees, which are important because they provide shade in the summer, wood for homes and clean air to breathe.

After the performance, Underbaggage makes it a point to thank the members of the Ohlone nation for their attendance at the ceremony.

"We are standing on their native land," he said, referring to the Santa Clara Valley, which the Ohlone nation called home until the mid 1800s.

Zuni and Apache dancers follow the Ohlone, each performing traditional dances and songs that honor various natural elements and forces.

A highlight of the day for festival-goer Mary Partridge is Blacksmith and Jesse Holden's performances of traditional Pow Wow dances. Set to the rhythms of All Nations Drum group, the elaborate and energetic dances elicit admiration from the 16-year-old.

"The costumes are awesome and the drumbeats put me in a trance," she said. "I'd be really tired if I was them."

Explaining the significance of drums in indigenous cultures, Underbaggage said, "The drumbeat is the heartbeat of mother earth. All of our ceremonies and dances put us in touch with nature and celebrate the natural world."

Further elaborating on the structure of the dances, Underbaggage explains the significance of dancing in a circle.

"Learning to move within circles teaches you to move within society," he said. "It teaches you how to be aware of everything around you and move without running into other people. And, once a dancer has entered the circle, he is committed to staying in the circle until the dance is done."

Willow Glen resident Matt Malone, along with his wife and two daughters, also enjoyed the day.

"This is really great family entertainment," Malone said. "It's a fascinating cultural experience and we are leaning new things."

From March 28 through April 1, the San Jose mobile recreation program is running a free spring day camp called Camp Quetzal for boys and girls ages 5 through 12. For more information, call 408.279.1498.