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Today was my first day of Pitzer’s Native Youth to College Camp. This camp is unlike any camp I have hitherto attended. All my fellow campers are indigenous like me and so I am now surrounded by a myriad of people congenial to me; all representing one of Turtle Islands various cultures. These are people whom I’m very glad to have camping with me are all interested in learning and sustaining their culture like. It comforts me knowing that I am not alone in my efforts to preserve the immemorial ways of my ancestors.

Today we campers participated in making the traditional craft “clappers”, an instrument that creates a clapping noise, we also participated in an ancient dance, that’s name I have sadly disremembered. Although slightly mortifying it improved my confidence and ultimately I was just thankful to be participating in this dance.

Not even an entire day has elapsed and I can already foresee myself growing into a far changed individual. I’m excited to see where this camp leads me.

-Zaryn Prussia

So today I got to meet a lot of different kinds of Native Americans. We got to do fun activities with one another to get a little more comfortable; which I thought was a really great way to break the ice. During this program I look forward to learning about everyones tribes whom I don’t really know of.

Today was my first day attending the native youth to college program for the first time. I made a clapper stick, was in a talking circle, and met my roommate. I was very nervous at first, but when i started meeting a few people the more fun i had. It was very exciting and very scary, because i knew no one. I met new friends and learned a couple of new things about different types of cultures. I can’t wait for the rest of camp if today was as fun as it was.

-Marissa.A

This is my first year at Pitzer college. At first I was really shy, I didn’t know anybody until my awesome roommate made me feel more comfortable. Later on today I still felt like an introvert and I was quiet until we got into the theatre. The games that we did, I felt kinda dumb and then I was starting to have fun. My mentor is also really cool, we share a few things in common and I’m glad she’s my mentor. So today if were to rate it on a scale from 1 to 10,  I would give this day a 9 because today was fun.

today was fun cause we did different activities and met new people. My favorite activity was the clapper . I am very thankful to have the opportunity to be here and attend this hand selected program. The best part of being here at Pitzer is how open hearted the people are and how welcoming they are. I am definitely going to miss my family, but its all worth the while.

This is my second year doing native youth 2 college program and there are many new faces. So far I feel like I’ve known these people for a long time and feel very comfortable. I’m here because I really enjoyed last year and wanted to experience this amazing program again. The part that I am really exited for is Wishtoyo. I really loved to be at Wishtoyo because I feel like I connected with many people, especially with my piers. Wishtoyo overall was an overall good experience and Would do over and over again. I am honestly not nervous about anything. Actually I know we are going to surf so I am nervous about that. For the next two weeks, I hope to have really good relationships with my piers and mentors. I also hope to learn a little more about myself in terms of my culture and other culture. I am going to try to be open minded with the topics and everybody. My mentor is Belmont and he was actually my mentor last year. We know each other really well. I consider him my friend and a person I can share my thoughts with. Hopefully we can do more stuff with Belmont, such as activities. My favorite part of the day was making clapping stocks. I love to create thing, especially from scratch. I like the idea of making something that’s almost useless, to something that can be used everyday in the next few weeks. The lady (forgot her name) who helped us make clapping sticks is really nice and I remember her from last year. I am really looking forward to having more activities like this, such as building and crafting. Today we also had a talking circle with Julia Bogany. We talked about the rocks in our life. Not literally. It was about who we look up to and who you look for when you want support. It was a really good talk and I’m surprised everybody participated that much on the first day. The clapper stick doesn’t have a meaning for me, yet. I feel like that is something I need to figure out in time. Anyway today was a good day although I am really tired. laters!

Today was a great day talked to a lot of new people made clapping sticks with Aunty Julia Bogany. sitting under a half falling over tree Aunty Julia told us about a natural spring that she own in long beach. Aunty Julia made my day today she is such a happy womyn and the rock work shop we did with her made me reflect on my self and how lucky i am to be living the life i am today

So far, I feel like i am going to have a ton of fun. The mentors here are really enthusiastic. I met new people, I’m not that good at meeting new friends, but i seem to be doing well so far on the first day. I had even got to hang out with some of my old friends from another college program from two years ago. My favorite part of the day is when we were in the theater and we were do the mirror game.

today was fun. this is my first year here at pizer and it is really fun so far. i want to come here next year and try and encourage other to try this program. i like that everyone is willing and open to tell stuff about their culture. i had fun making the clapper sticks. i like the new people that i had made friends with.