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Hi again,

Today was an okay day for me. I felt really sick for the most part so that kind of sucked. I thought that the martial arts was really cool to watch but I couldn’t fully participate because of how sick I felt. I liked the basket making that we did because I really like working with my hands in a relaxed setting so that was my favorite part of the day.

I also really enjoyed the work with the worms and the video that came with it because I didn’t know that the c. elegans shared similar chemicals and nervous system as us humans, and I thought it was really interesting that we can learn so much from something that so many people don’t even know about.

When we visited the museum I was saying it was sad that we had to look at ourselves through a glass case and how it was scary because we are going extinct. The guy that was having everyone talk said that it was a misconception but I don’t think he really understood what I was saying. We as native people are losing out bloodlines because of reproduction with other races. Not that it’s bad or anything; it’s just something that’s happening. And another thing that I meant by going extinct is that we have native in our blood, but we don’t have it in out minds or our hearts… our culture isn’t sticking with people and continuing onto future generations and I feel scared because I don’t want us to die out and forget who we are.

The last video that Pamela Peters shared, which was her new poetry video, actually made me feel pretty emotional because I was thinking about how much we used to have and how much has changed since settlers came. I was thinking about all the hardships and all the pain that our ancestors have gone through and the video also made me very happy because I was seeing empowered women that are willing to embrace who they are. And I enjoyed our theater class with Rose more today than I did yesterday because I felt more comfortable and excited so that was another good part of my day. And yeah, bye again. 🙂

Day 2 had many highlights. Starting at 7am with learning some steps of a traditional game. It was defiantly a great way to start the day. I felt it brought a lot of unity to the group which can be reassuring for me. Then we went to Pomona College and were able to visit an actual lab with students that are researching there this summer. We were able to observe glowing c elegans in a microscope. That alone was so amazing. The c elegans are so tiny and just seeing them glow was crazy. Then we made our way to the Pomona Museum with a visiting elder, Lori Sisqouc. Lorie explained traditional baskets and there multiple purposes. We discussed quite a bit about the importances, dipper meanings of the baskets and what they were originally used for. I especially liked how we were able to be so hands on and were able to make our own baskets, it felt very meaningful. As we went on with our day we were able to meet Tory Mudd who gave a presentation about stereotypes of Native Americans in Hollywood films. I was so gravitated to learning and discussing more about how theses stereotypes are still being played out in today’s society and more specifically how this has an effect on the Indigenous people’s.

Over all today went well. I loved how hands on some activities were.

Below is a picture of my friends  (on the left) and I’s (on the right) baskets we made! 

Today i woke up, sadly at 6:30. My day started off by doing traditional games and after we went to breakfast. Later on we went visited a lab at Pomona college and seen glowing worms that were made by some genetic sea creature. After we went to lunch then went to the Pomona museum and learned how to make a traditional basket. We came back to Pitzer and seen a movie about the Native American people. What I got from the films were that cowboys were always shown as good people while the Indians were shown as the bad ones. Also Indians couldn’t get a role to play an Indian in a movie.

I feel very calm and hyper at the same time for some reason probably because Rosa lifted my vibes up and made me feel sooooo PINK. The program has been great I am enjoying my self and thankful that I am here and that I can take something from this experience. Today we went to the Pomona museum and we were able to do some GREAT activities with Lori Sisqouc and we made some really pretty baskets and she explained that her culture uses them for cooking and other stuff in their daily routine. Also we made a story painting which was really interesting mine wasn’t really a story it was more of an experience that I had with my family on fourth of July. Then we went to a classroom and we were able to hear Tory Mudd presentation on stereotypical depictions on Native Americans it was awesome to here more about Native Americans and their struggle today and back then as well I loved how she put together and took the time to show us a little clip of examples from movies, YouTube videos etc.. Also I was able to here Pamela Peters and she was AWESOME I hope to see more of her she is a photographer and a film maker I  believe and if not I apologize Miss. Peters she showed us a video that she was working on and it was on poetry and it was really really really cooooool I loved how she carried herself and what she had to say she said some really important key points that I really liked and it motivated me to be more of a stronger person and to stand and fight for my culture, my people and my language as well. But overall it was an amazing beautiful luscious day for MUA.

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.

Hello! Today was a really good day! Going to Pomona Museum today was emotional for me. However I noticed the warrior in me came out today. I don’t like museums in general, so the area we were in didn’t help. As soon as you walk in the door you can just feel the injustice that has happened to the artifacts and the spirits that are there. I had a very serious talk with the director about when they are told to take down or cover something, they need too. We also talked about how they need to return the artifacts to the people or are where it belongs. Some things they said was a little offensive. It’s a very real problem that people are taking what isn’t theres. I did mention that to them because they did say how they were worried it would end up in the wrong hands. We responded with well they’re already in the wrong hands. I did see almost all of the artifacts that not everyone got to see. It was hard to see my own people’s stuff and us not even being offered our stuff back when it wasn’t theres in the first place. As soon as we left that building I immediately felt better and I know what needs to be done. I will be in contact with the director and they agreed to have a meeting with elders and us so the artifacts can be returned. Other than that very emotional and sicking part of the day. The rest was wonderful! It was really nice to talk to some mentors and them understand my frustration with the museum and of course our elder Rose and other students knew my exact feelings. I didn’t really have a favorite part of the day. However I liked being able to bond with some of the mentors and some students.

Elder Lori Sisquoc:

Making the baskets and painting on the canvas was a great experience! Excited to pass on my first basket to a family member or friend. Back home we have the same teaching! Like with cedar hats (or beading), after you make your first hat (or jewlry) you have to give it away and gift it to someone who is special to you or even a stranger. It felt very nice to know that some cultures have the same teachings or the same beliefs. I also loved learning  from lori, she is a great teacher/elder and I’m so thankful that she took the time to share some of her knowledge ❤

Tory Mudd:

I thought her presentation was very good. She was the narrator, and she told the stories very well.

Pamela Peters:

I think that her videos were amazing and they were very inspirational. I loved how she told us to show our voices and embrace our culture! Spread greatness through our communities and the world.

At the Pomona Museum I liked having the opportunity to place myself into a different native culture, other than my own, and drawing something spontaneously but also drawing something that meant a lot to me. With the artifacts, I had varied emotions.

The stereotypical depictions of Native Americans in film by hollywood directors presented by Tory Mudd was really eye opening. I mean, I already know what is wrong and what is right when watching a native movie made by people that aren’t a part of the native lifestyle and who only hear one side of the story, and I have known this since I learned to think for myself but Tory Mudd’s presentation made it seem even more important and I respect her for making it known to people who don’t understand.

When Pamela Peters showed short clips I really enjoyed it and became emotional when watching the video she made with her own writings. Her poem was true. I’ve been through what is depicted in the words she wrote. I’ve seen my family struggle to forget the past. I’m facing my own struggles to forget the past, or at least heal from it because I need to.

We should respond to stereotypes by setting the record straight to oblivious people.