Mom Monday: Taking My Kids to the Berkeley Indigenous Peoples Day PowWow and Indian Market

For this Mom Monday, I’m sharing our experience at the 34th Annual Berkeley Indigenous People Day (IPD) PowWow and what turned out to be a meaningful day of learning, discovery, and connection.

At first, I was a little reluctant to make the trip. I worried about the logistics of getting to Berkeley, finding parking, and navigating an event that might be overwhelmingly crowded with young kids in tow. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the experience was. Parking was manageable, and the PowWow, held at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park felt welcoming and accessible. The park is relatively small, which made it easy to explore without feeling overwhelmed by the crowds.

Beforehand

Before we went, I talked with my son about some basic ways to be respectful at a PowWow. We discussed how many Native American dancers would be wearing regalia for the dance competition. I explained that regalia is not a costume, but sacred attire. I explained the importance of never touching anyone’s regalia. If he wanted to compliment someone, he could simply say, “I really like your regalia.”

We weren’t able to stay for the entire dance competition, but what we saw was incredible. We could feel the thumping of the drums in our bodies and admired the different styles of regalia. The colorful and masterful beadwork and feathers on some of the regalia was incredibly special to see. 

Of course, a conversation beforehand can only cover so much. One of the things I appreciate about taking children to cultural events is that they get to put those conversations into practice. They have an opportunity to observe, ask questions, and begin to understand that respect is something we demonstrate through our actions, not just something we talk about at home.

For my son, one of the highlights was exploring the vendor booths. He was fascinated by the arrows, arrowheads, and carved animal figurines. He decided to spend some of his own money on two small turtle keepsakes: one for himself and one for his dad, who wasn’t able to make it that day.

At home

When we got home, he gave his dad the turtle he had picked out for him. His dad was delighted and asked if it was to represent Turtle Island. Our son said, “I don’t know.” This opened the opportunity for my husband to  explain that it is a name used by some Indigenous people for North America or the world. My son's eyes lit up with wonder. 

With today being the actual federal holiday of Columbus Day I am going to make sure to carve out time to explain to my kids how unfair it is that there is a holiday with that name and tell them how some states in the US and some government officials want it to be changed to Indigenous Peoples Day instead and that the effort to change the name started in 1992 by a small group of Native Americans. 

So much of the history children encounter in the US centers on a European perspective. I want my kids to grow up with a broader understanding of this country’s history, including the Indigenous peoples and cultures that were here long before European colonization and that continue to thrive today. Not only was the IPD PowWow in Berkeley welcoming to non-indigenous people and was a family friendly event, but it gave our family the opportunity to show respect and to have meaningful conversations about Native American resilience and sacred traditions.

Here are two books that I recently discovered that are just beautiful and would be a wonderful read:

 

Dream for the Land

Written by Laekan Zea Kemp · Illustrated by Leo Espinosa

A lyrical, beautifully illustrated story that invites young readers to consider their relationship with the land and the generations who have cared for it. Through its evocative imagery and heartfelt storytelling, Dream for the Land opens the door to conversations about Indigenous perspectives, our connection to the natural world, and the responsibility we share to protect the places we call home. It’s a thoughtful choice for families who want to nurture curiosity about the land and the stories rooted within it.

For a Girl Becoming

Written by Joy Harjo · Illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia

Written by celebrated poet Joy Harjo, For a Girl Becoming is a tender, lyrical celebration of a young girl growing into herself. Through poetry and expressive illustrations, the book offers a sense of connection between a child, her family, the natural world, and the wisdom carried across generations. It’s a beautiful book to share with children as they develop their sense of identity and belonging, and a gentle reminder that growing up can be grounded in love, community, and connection to something larger than ourselves.