Indigenous Peoples’ Day

After the San Marcos City Council voted in September to establish Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday in October, as part of a national movement to address the issues of Christopher Columbus Day, the Indigenous Cultures Institute organized a blessing on the shores of Spring Lake to commemorate the first Indigenous Peoples’ Day in San Marcos. During the ceremony, Dr. Mario Garza sings a blessing as he shakes a rattle, one of many voices who joined together to share their thoughts and prayers in the ceremonial circle. Daily Record photos by Denise Cathey

White Snake walks through the space that will be used for the ceremony while tapping on her drum as part of the blessing ceremony. The drum beat represents the heartbeat and will keep going throughout the entire ceremony.

Roxanna Garza watches the smoke from the sacred fire she holds drifts away on the breeze as preparations for the blessing ceremony begin.