Seminole State College hosted its third annual Tribal Fest on Oct. 9 at the Cook Commons on SSC’s campus. Hundreds of attendees browsed the tribal resource fair, which featured more than 30 vendors. Attendees also enjoyed art demonstrations, traditional dance performances and Native American cuisine. The event was sponsored by several federal grant programs on SSC’s campus, including the Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions, Talent Search, Upward Bound, Student Support Services and Student Support Services STEM.

Tribal princesses greeted guests and posed for photos at the event. Pictured (left to right): Little Miss Seminole Nation Emma Wise, Junior Miss Seminole Nation Analees Martinez, Miss Seminole Nation Adyson Beaver, SSC Vice President for Finance, Grants and Enrollment Melanie Rinehart and Delaware Nation Princess Kayleigh Combs.

Members of the SSC Belles women’s basketball team signed autographs at the event. Ten of the 16 players on this year’s roster are Native American. Pictured (left to right): Hailey Mack of Varnum, Pauline Black-Harmon of El Reno, Jada Ponce of McAlester, Head Coach Rita Story-Schell, Jenna Bigfoot of Putnam City and Hiahni Howard of Stigler.

This year’s featured performer was Native American hoop dancer Eric Hernandez. Hernandez, a member of the Lumbee tribe, was the lead character and dancer in Cirque du Soleil’s “TOTEM,” which toured in more than 17 countries. He showcased his talents in the Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Auditorium.