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Native community asks Hawaiian Gardens to set dates and bless Robert Canada Friendship Powwow
Summary
Two community members urged the council during public comment to formally support the C. Robert Canada Friendship Powwow, request set dates (proposed Aug. 16–17) and permission to use school district land; presenters said the powwow and Bear Clan ceremonies are vital to preserving Tonga/indigenous cultural practices in Hawaiian Gardens.
Hawaiian Gardens — During public comment at the City Council meeting on May 14, community members asked the council to formally support and set dates for the C. Robert Canada Friendship Powwow, a cultural and healing gathering that presenters said preserves Tonga and other indigenous traditions.
“My name is Jesus Mendoza. I live at 22022 Saint Avenue in the city of Hawaiian Gardens,” said Mendoza, who spoke at length about the powwow’s history and community importance. “The powwow and the bear ceremonies are the last voice in the Tonga have left in Hawaiian Gardens. To stop the powwow means the city of Hawaiian Gardens is contributing to the cultural extinction of the Tonga and will silence the voices in Hawaiian Gardens forever.”
Mendoza asked the council and staff to “narrow it down on the dates” and proposed Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16–17, so organizers could finalize plans. He said City and school district blessings were needed; Francisco Noyola was present as a representative of the school district, Mendoza said, and the powwow organizers were prepared to coordinate with the district because the proposed site is district land.
Renee, identified in public comment as a longtime firekeeper and member of the Bear Clan Society, also described the powwow’s role in bringing healing ceremonies and cultural reconnection to Hawaiian Gardens. “All we need is a green light,” Renee told the council, urging a clear, set date so participants statewide could plan to attend.
The speakers said they do not expect city staff to support every operational detail immediately and offered to return to council with further logistics; they explicitly asked for an approved date and the council’s blessing so they could begin outreach and event planning. No council action or formal commitment was recorded at the meeting on the powwow request.
