Author: jassonmurgo

During my time at Wishtoyo, I learned about all these issues that impact the native communities and nations.We were working on a declaration to change the future of the native people. Unfortunately, we were not able to complete it, but we have decided to continue our research. This was a great experience in terms of working with other people who are in my generation. My biggest take away from Wishtoyo was the men ceremony. It was really good hearing other men talking about their experience, opinions, and advice. My biggest take away from Limuw Island was the run through. I ran with a mentor and a peer. It was a really great experience seeing everything through my eyes and so close up. I believe the run was about 3 miles. Limuw and Wishtoyo are really similar because they have indigenous history and memories. The only thing that was different was the type of environment. The air felt much fresher in Limuw than in Wishtoyo. Overall, this was a great experience.

Same morning schedule as usual, wake up at 6:30 to get to the indigenous games with Pacheco. We did more physical activity today than any other day. My favorite activity was running around the field because I am really good at running and enjoy it. Pacheco then gave me a shirt for being the winner in running. After that, we learned more about scholar ships and how to apply for financial aid. We went over terms that are usually found in common applications for FAFSA and more. We also went to the lab to dissect a sheep brain. The professor explained parts of they brain and their importance. Every part of the brain plays big roles. We then went to theater where we did more human cultures and machines. They had to represent nature or action. Sometimes it was really hard to be creative, but my group was on top of it.

An object I would take to the altar for theater is corn. The elder at my school has always talked about the importance of it and how it was one of the main foods for native people. he made me appreciate corn and respect it and other foods.

A tradition that is really important to me is soccer. It is a tradition that runs in the family and in the Mexican culture. My family expects me to have some some of skill in that area, therefore I try to improve as much as I can and dedicate time to it.

A tradition I would like to create is having any sport, preferably soccer, and ply it within the community. Like set up a special date and every year, we can go play soccer. It wouldn’t only run in the community, maybe it can spread to other communities

Today was the same morning schedule as usual. We wake up at 6:30m and go to the indigenous games with Pacheco. In this session, we played a game called the chicken dance where we had to push each other out of a circle standing on one leg and holding one hand. We also threw sticks like if they were spears and played game where we had to roll stones in between to small sticks about two feet apart. After that we looked for five scholarships online using a website called FastWeb. We then went to a session involving Shakespeare and his poems. We compared how the poems could apply to our lives. We then traveled to Western U where we looked at a virtual Autonomy  and then later looked at real human hearts, lungs, and kidneys. Finally we had theater class and it was pretty interesting when we had to become a snake, jaguar, eagle, or hurricane. After, we told a story to a partner and we had to make a sculpture that related to what we are told.

Today, we started off with the same schedule as always, wake up at 6:30, go to the games with Pacheco, and practice martial arts. Today we practiced with sticks by attacking someone and the other person had to disarm them. Then we had breakfast which was really good. Another session that I really enjoyed was when Shelva Hurley taught us how to apply for financial aid and scholar ships. I feel relieved because I now know more and she even gave us advice for the interviews. My favorite session  was with Kim Marcus. We shot arrows with bows across the field. Then we made pancakes with mesquite and honestly, they tasted weird! Maybe I am just a bad cook. Some of the foods at home that are really important to my culture and tradition are shrimp. It runs in the culture of the Huicholes and Coras. I also cracked acorns which was pretty fun. Then my favorite session for everyday was theater. The group helped build an altar in which we then put items that are special to us. Some of the stories behind the item were emotional and took a lot of courage. 

Today, we had a talk with Joe Parker which was really good content. We talked about the Idle No More and how it started and began a movement. It was first used as a hashtag and grew within the community. I think that we should’ve been more active and be more communicative. Good content though. Then we met with Saginaw and we thought us that education and culture was really important. We need to have an education to get a key role in the native community. We are the generation that need to take the role now of stepping up for your nation. A change that I would like to see in the community would be seeing everybody know and be proud of they’re culture and nation. There are a lot of people who don’t now anything about their ancestors and where they’re from

Today, our group visited the Pomona Museum to observe and grab artifacts. Some of these artifacts were baskets and the material they use for it. The Museum also had art which indigenous people made on pelt. I had the chance to make my own art, but it was on cloth. My favorite part was when I created my own basket. It took a while, but I had fun and was really surprised at my final product! I believe it was a great experience and a great opportunity to learn about ancestral tools. After that activity,  Tory Mudd presented to us stereotypical depictions of Native American in film by Hollywood directors. I had a lot of different feelings about the videos. Sometimes I get like laughing because it was funny and sometimes I felt sadness toward the Native Americans. Native Americans weren’t treated humane, they were treated like rodents that need to disappear. As a counter balance to all these stereotypical things, Pamela Peters presented her work with was a poem she created. I felt really empowered and inspired to create my own work and to speak up for others as Pamela did. A way to respond to stereotypes in films is by speaking up or creating a project that will empower others and counter the stereotypes. I would like to produce a movie that takes place in the 1700 or 1800, in which an Indian goes to the future with a time machine or something and just having to adapt to the world in 2016.

My first day at Pitzer was really productive. I was really impressed with the workshops and the organization of the schedule. I met new people which are now my friends ( I Hope ). My mentor, Belmont, was awesome. I thought he was really chill.  I really like the mouse on the computer.

Hey! My name is Jasson Murgo and I identify myself as a Cora from Tepic Nayarit, Mexico. I see myself  as a leader in school, as well in sports. I consider myself a athlete, however
I focus on soccer because it is family tradition and I feel free when I play. In a
ddition, I also consider myself an artist as I have a skill in drawing. I am from a school, Anahuacalmecac which is located in North East Los Angeles and I am on my way to being a Junior next year. I participate in the teen court for my school that includes a real case every month which is determined by twelve jurors. I also participate in a theater club, in which we create improve plays. I have volunteered at the L.A county fair for 5 days as part of Generation Green. I obtained an award for the S.H.A.D.E.S program as a requirement for teen court. Another award for teen court was for participating in CAYC. I gave a speech to the public about overcoming my challenges during the L.A County fair. I hope to have a successful education to have my dream job.