Q&A with co-chair of Natives at Penn

College freshman Sean Massa is a co-chair of Natives at Penn, a group founded in 1994 to increase visibility and awareness of American Indians on campus. The group is currently preparing for its third annual “powwow” this coming weekend — a celebration of American Indian culture.

The Daily Pennsylvanian sat down with Massa to discuss the organization.

Daily Pennsylvanian: How did you first get involved with Natives at Penn? Why did you decide to join?

Sean Massa: One of the former directors, Vanessa Iyua, contacted me when I was still back home in California. She sent me an email once I got on campus and she was actually one of the first people I met at Penn, so it was really cool because she gave me a welcome package with info on native resources — that really kind of pulled me in. I did not know that there were native resources until she contacted me. I had already confirmed my offer from Penn but it was a nice little surprise.

DP: Why did you choose to run for the position of co-chair of Natives?

SM: I didn’t really have to run for it, I was more so asked. But I’ve been really involved since the get-go at meetings and as a United Minorities Council representative for awhile last semester.

Overall, it’s been really cool, I was really privileged last semester in October to go to the Navajo Nation with Vanessa to return some films that they found at the Penn Museum to the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Ariz. It was such a cultural immersion and Vanessa is actually part Navajo, so it was really cool getting to meet her family.

DP: How has your involvement with Natives changed your time at Penn so far?

SM: It’s been really interesting reconnecting with my native heritage. I’ve always known I’m part native, but I’ve never been able to really explore that since my actual tribe is in New Mexico and I grew up in California. Being involved has really allowed me to explore not only my own heritage and identity, but also to learn about other cultures.

DP: What are some of the goals the Natives have for Penn or the greater Philadelphia community?

SM: One thing we really want to do is inform the community of how modern our communities are. We’re not just what you see in textbooks. We’ve integrated into society, but what’s really awesome is that we’ve maintained that distinct identity.

DP: What is powwow and what does it represent?

SM: A powwow is a native festival. We have dancers and drummers come — it’s pretty authentic and it will be a really authentic cultural experience.

DP: Any other upcoming events? What else are you working on for this year?

SM: Yes, there’s actually an event right after powwow, on the first week of April. It’s called the all-Ivy conference, and it’s where all the Native American groups from the Ivy League will gather this year at Columbia.

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