Preserving Traditions

Like most teens, Tawny Hale, 16, and Cuauhtli Arvizu, 15, like to dance, listen to music and hang out with friends. On weekends, though, they are not so typical. Both grew up learning the rhythms and songs that have been passed down by their ancestors: for Hale, the Navajos of the Southwest, for Arvizu, the Aztec Indians of Mexico.

The Hales, of Pico Rivera, and the Arvizus, of Garden Grove, spend almost every weekend performing indigenous dances at schools, powwows and public events. They will appear at the Orange County Fairgrounds this weekend.

The Arvizus go by the name Xipe Totec, which means “new life in honor of springtime.” The Hales, led by Tawny’s father, Ben, are known as the Eagle Spirit Dancers.

Cuauhtli Arvizu’s mother, Virginia Carmelo, taught her six children, ages 12 to 25, to dance, sing and drum. Involving the children has given them an understanding of their heritage, she said.

“We go to schools and young kids will say, ‘We thought all the Indians were dead,’ ” Carmelo said. “What we hope to do is to share the culture--the historical part but also where we are today.”

The same is true for the Hales. One of the Eagle Spirit Dancers’ signature pieces features Tawny and her sister Leya, 14, doing the silent “Swan Dance.” Ben Hale explains how the dance honors the grace and beauty of the swan and of women. Ben’s father, Henry Hale, 62, sings and drums along with aunts, uncles and cousins. Said Tawny, a Pico Rivera High School sophomore: “When I have a chance to participate in the ceremonies, I appreciate it.”

Among their most arduous tasks, said Ben Hale, is to try to dispel negative images of Native Americans. TV and movies “depict Indians as having no values, of running around wild and killing people,” he said. “We are actually very spiritual people.” Trying to change that image and to preserve Indian culture, Hale and Carmelo agree, is in the hands of Native American youth. Both families say their children have been learning from the elders--and from one another--at powwows, conferences and Native American gatherings.

Carmelo is confident the children will continue to share the traditions of their ancestors: “I really think at this point their base is so strong. I hope it will always be a part of them.”

BE THERE

The Carmelo-Arvizus will appear Saturday at the powwow’s crafts and storytelling area. The Hales will compete in the dance contests all three days. The Pow Wow is at the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Native American music, dance, rituals, arts and crafts, food and entertainment, sponsored by the Southern California Indian Center. 2-10 p.m. Friday. Also 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $1-$5. Call (714) 663-1102.