Around 100 people participated in a “Health & Healing Walk/Run around Woodland Community College on Monday as Part of National Hispanic Heritage Month. (Jim Smith / Courtesy)
Around 100 people turned out for Monday’s “Sana Sana: Health & Healing Walk/Run” at Woodland Community College.
The event was held to raise awareness of the health and healing practices in everyday life, according to organizer Dr. Melissa Moreno, a professor of ethnic studies at the college. It was part of several events scheduled throughout Woodland as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
According to a resolution scheduled for adoption by the city of Woodland Tuesday night, there are 15 million Latinos living in California. Woodland itself is about 50% Latino.
The Monday walk and run was hosted by the Native American Studies and Chicana/o Latina/o Health and in collaboration with the California Tribal College, Native Dads Network, and Northern Valley Indian Health, Taller de Nuevo Amanecer, WCC Health Center and Woodland College Fund Committee.
The Native American Studies and Chicana/o program focuses on health issues for Latinos along with the role of poverty and lack of education and limited access to health care.
Members of the Native Dads Network sang traditional First Nation songs prior to the event.
Earlier in the month, Woodland Community College joined the nation in celebrating and bringing awareness to the contributions of Hispanic/Latinx people during its annual Bienvenida Celebration.
Held in the administration building at the college on East Gibson Road, Bienvenida offered students an opportunity to learn more about Hispanic programs and support services at the school. It was hosted by the Office of Retention and Student Life.
There were several speakers who noted programs at the college, California’s Hispanic heritage and more.
Interim College President Dr. Santanu Bandyopadhyay said of the event that it was an “opportunity to express our gratitude, acknowledge the achievements of all those that have come before us and those who are paving the way for many others.”
Other events are planned through October to recognize the contributions of Latinos in Woodland and across California.
Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month is typically celebrated between Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 and is known nationally as Hispanic Heritage Month, and is a time to honor the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latinx Americans.
The theme of the month this year is “Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power and Progress in America,” and highlights the contributions of Hispanics to America’s economic, political and social growth.
Tuesday night, the Woodland City Council was expected to adopt a Proclamation recognizing Sept. 15 through Oct.15 as Hispanic Heritage Month.
“Chicano, Latino and Hispanic people have had a profound and positive influence in the United States through their strong commitment to family, hard work, and public service, among many other qualities,” the resolution states. “They have enhanced our national character with traditions that reflect the diverse customs of their communities and Woodland is a more vibrant placed because of them.”
The resolution continues by noting that Latinos “have and continue to serve as Civil Rights leaders, educators, public servants, business owners, activists, artists, colleagues, friends and much more in our community and across the world.”
A presentation is also set Tuesday night at the City Council meeting to consider an upcoming visit of a delegation from Woodland’s Sister City of La Piedad de Michoacan, Mexico. The delegation is expected to visit from Oct. 4 through 8 with an agenda still being worked out.
