Blog

Today was a great day, just like every day i’ve been here. Today we did indigenous games, taught by John, and we learned about strategy. I felt the discipline, the unity and the strategy from the techniques. We did lots of running today, we kept formations during the runs. But later was probably my favorite part of the day, we walked out of our dorms and we walked toward the talking circle and I was a bit late but not too late. When i got there i thought to myself “How am i going to start this” I haven’t made baskets in such a long time. Last time I actually made a basket was in the seventh grade and it was at my school. I forgot the strategy of how to make the basket, so it felt good to actually do it again.  While making the basket, I had a pattern, starting with the light color and then going to dark in a pattern.  I love making baskets with a group because you can see how amazing others are at being creative. I would say that i made an alright looking basket, but I saw some amazing designs. I am still enjoying everyday while being here, being here makes me forget and be happy.

The day started off by learning some indigeneous games by Hector and John. It was fun, because we got to do some running which makes me happy, because i like to run. Later on we were assigned to finish our three body paragraphs, which I admit was quiet hard because I had only just started to learn how to write essays and the end of the school year. Later on in the evening i got to learn more Aztec math and i had gotten really frustrated because i did not catch on as quickly as the older students, but Marisa helped me out and then i caught on. Each of the students got to take care of nipplewetzine ( sorry if i spelled it wrong), while we go to Wystoyo. My favorite part of the day was when i got to create a basket. I created a basket for my great gradmother ( Julia Bogany ) for her birthday tomorrow. I know how she likes my baskets so i made her a type of basket shape ive never made before.( that was one of my favorite parts of the day).  As i was making the baskets i felt a connection with how our culture used baskets for so many different things. The best part of my day when when i got to call my great gradfather ( I call him Honey) and tell him happy birthday, and that itself i am truly thankful for. Just getting to talk to him, and getting to make a basket for my Nana made my day the best it can be.

~Marissa Aranda

today was fun. The indigenous games. we learned about what the formations are for the capture the flag game that we will be playing tomorrow. i cant wait until we play the capture the flag game tomorrow. another thing that was fun today was making the baskets. i thought it was really calming and it was fun ti make one for my first time.

Today makes day 5 in the program. We started the day off with indigenous games. I so far love learning the moves of the activity that’s being taught. It helps turn my face from muggy in the morning to sweaty and tried after. After breakfast we had our common app and creative writing class with Shelva. I was working on my common app essay and it was honestly the best part of my day. I love writing on things that’s happened in my life.We also had our Aztec math as well today with Vicente. I am really learning a lot this year. After our free time we were basket weaving in the talking circle. It was really fun for me because my tribe comes from an ancestry of women who weaved beautiful baskets. As others or myself say it’s in my blood to make them. I liked helping and watching those of my peers who’s was there first time making baskets.

by: Tyvon Greyeyes

As we progress with the program with each passing day it grows so much more interesting and the connection with the people grows stronger. My most favorite part of the day was during the Aztec Math which is actually very interesting and the concept of it is so creative just. Another part of the day I enjoyed was when we weaved the baskets which was my first time and I did an average job on making my own basket, my basket was not good but not bad at the same time so that is why I said it was an average job, I also put a lot of concentration and effort into making the basket. I am thankful for the people who are here and for the people who take care and educate us with each passing day.

Today was a great day for me. As the days go by and being here at this program, I feel like I’m accepted into another family. This morning was fun at the Indigenous Games because I liked how everyone was working together and working as a unit. Then when we were learning Aztec Math, it felt easier today than yesterday. I feel like I’m starting to get the hang of it, but at the same time, I confuse myself all over again. It’s a process and I’m really eager to learn because math is my favorite subject. Aztec math is a very different method for me, but its a good different. My favorite part of the day was the basket weaving. I’ve never made a basket before, but trying this activity made everything fun.

I’m glad that I’m learning something new everyday because that is my main goal as I grow.  I want to get as much exposure as I can because when I leave for college, there will hardly be any Native Americans at the school I want to go to. Exposure is important to me because my family stresses the idea of me traveling as much as I can on my spare time. Exposure will also help me get over my fear of homesickness and feeling alone. Most Native students are able to go to college and once they leave their home reservation, they notice things are a lot different outside of home. Native kids will feel lonely and they decide to come back home and not go to school anymore.

Today we started off the morning with Hector and John, it was a good way to start the day off. We learned strategies for a game we are going to play tomorrow. The game sounds really exciting and I can’t wait for it! Another thing we did was learn how to do division on the Nepohualtzintzin ( I think that’s how you spell it). That class is always interesting, learning new things every day. Kandonache let us take the Nepohualtzintzin back with us. It is a fun tool to use. The best activity was weaving baskets at the talking circle. It was my  first time weaving a basket, it took me a while to get the sequence but I eventually got the hang of it. My basket turned out pretty nice for my first time. Everyone was having fun doing it. Today was another fun day here at Pitzer College. 

Today was again, pretty amazing. Having a good day and doing stuff I love is inevitable here at this program. We did indigenous games and we ran which usually I hate pero it was with the rest of the female homies so it was more empowering instead of tiring. We did academic writing and Huitzilin and I were laughing over stuff that makes absolutely no sense…also inevitable. Aztec math was difficult but then it got easier and then it got difficult again…I swear that numbers hate me. After that, I went to the pool and was doing stupid stuff with Anna, Issac, Coyo and Jarrod. And something occurred to me that I never legitimately noticed until I was playing pool volleyball: all of us here are the future. And I know this sounds totally stupid and obvious. But I’ve connected with literally everyone here and it feels so nice. We’ve all gone through shit and yet here we are making a difference in the world for our communities. Then there was basket-making and I talked to Jarrod about what he wants to do in the future and Cuauhtli about his life. I’ve bonded with those two and they’re such amazing guys. I truly admire their existence in my life. We had dinner after that and I was told something that was so…different. Something I’ve never heard in my life. So I was at the dinner table and Zion tells me that I’d be a good mother because I care and constantly know whats going on with others. And Cuauhtli agreed with him and said it was my energy. and it might sound weird that that comment hasn’t left my mind since I heard that which was almost 2 hours ago but at the same time it was eyeopening and kind of flattering hearing teenage MALES say that to me. I’m so used to the typical, stereotypical boy attitude so that was very comforting and relieving to hear. I’m tired.

-Aolani

Hi everyone,  I just want to touch base and say what a great job you are doing with your blog posts!!!  I see many of you really pushing to develop your critical thinking and the power of your voice!!!! Soooo very impressive!

Genna is leading again this evening and I will see you Monday up at Wishtoyo.  I am having Genna screen a short “Injunuity” animation about the Influence of the Six Nations Confederacy on The United States system of Democracy.   I am hoping it will connect with some of the issues brought up in Spirit Game film and will prepare you for the “Doctrine of Discovery”  film you will see Monday evening at Wishtoyo. “Injunuity” is Native American produced series of animations utilizes documentary interviews with  contemporary indigenous activists, youth, elders etc… and then animates their stories.  Here is a link to an interview with the director if you want to know more.

There are many ways to tell stories, film, physical theater, ceremony, dance, poetry, some of these forms you have experienced here in the program. You all have important and amazing stories to tell and I am glad you sharing your stories and writing with us!

Write about your day and how what you do here in the NY2C program connects to your own personal story!

Here is a playlist for all of the “Injunuity” short films

I woke up in a good mood because I knew that my favorite thing was happening today. I had to go through breakfast first. I had some french toast and egg with sausage flats. It was good. Then I heard that it stared 15 minutes after breakfast so I rushed over to my room. I was deciding if I should wear my regalia or just my chichiyotes. I just put on my full regalia just because. When I walked over their I was the only one with my regalia on and I felt weird for a second but I knew I was the only making my culture proud. I was a big help to Candonhache, the teacher of the class. I learned more stories from him and I was happy just to dance. Danza is my life and I admire it. After the class, it was already lunch time. Candonchache said we were working on Mexica time. We then were talking about the difference between women and men. It was a lot to take in but the group was alright afterwards. Before my friends and I headed to the pool, the teacher has playing music and I decided to dance to the music. Everyone jumped in and had more Danza. This was the best part of the day.

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