Cultural fair places emphasis on education

UIndy grad students perform an Indian dance at the Baxter YMCA.

Mitisha Shah, a UIndy graduate student studying physical therapy, does a solo Indian dance.

SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY NATHAN PACE Southside 500 Festival princesses Taylor Wong (left) and Jessica De La Cruz were on hand for the Perry Cultural Festival.

UIndy swimming and diving students Bartosz Zarzecki and Agnieszka Malecka, both from Poland, volunteered at the festival.

By Fred Shonk
Southsider correspondent

The Southside’s diverse culture was celebrated Saturday during the Perry Cultural Festival at Baxter YMCA.

This year’s theme was “Celebrations,” and there was a big emphasis on education and how cultures around the world commemorate life. There was entertainment, music, games, crafts, an art show, food trucks and much more.

In Perry Township Schools alone, students originate from 67 countries, which amounts to about 73 different languages. A ceremony at the beginning of the festival featured the flags of those countries.

The Burmese population in Indiana in 2016 was 22,171, and more than 15,000 of those people lived in Indianapolis. The Chin are one of the major ethnic nationalities in Burma. 

The Tapalot Native American Fellowship was represented at the festival. Tapalot means love in the Miami American Indian language. Members of the Miami Nation of Indians in Peru, Ind., were also part of the festival.

Fred Shaw, a native American storyteller of the Shawnee tribe of Cincinnati, entertained folks with wonderful stories.

The festival was launched last year by Perry Township Schools, the University of Indianapolis and the Y. New sponsors this year included the International Center, the Christel DeHaan Family Center, Indy Eleven, Indiana Futsal and the Greater Southside Business Alliance.
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 This was an amazing festival; it’s sure to grow and educate for years to come.

Southsider Voice columnist Fred Shonk (right) and his wife, Lyn, enjoyed the drum performance.

Savannah Mongosa and Daniel Bluetail dance to the beat of the Miami Indian drummers.