Today was fun just sitting by the pool with the other kids soaking up the sun. I’ve seen the movie spirt game before but today for some reason the movie was better, i was thinking it was because we got a little insider and more information.
Leaving Pitzer by Benjamin
Hector and John
Every morning we started it off with John and Hector playing the indigenous games. They taught us good self defense techniques. I would like to thank them for all they have done and all they have taught us. Each morning was tiring but those two guys helped out with waking us all up. Thank you so much Hector and John.
Vincente
Where do I even start off with him. He is full of so much knowledge and has been nice enough to share that with us. He taught me how to do many math problems on the Nepohualtzintzin. All the stories he knows about the truth of the tool is so amazing. I will keep working on learning more about the Nepohaultzintzin. He even taught us Aztec dancing, it’s so much fun! Vincente’s class was the best out of everyday here at pitzer. Thank you so much Vincente!!!
Shelva
Shelva has opened my eyes on how to become a better writer than I ever was before. She teaches everyday about writing and on how we could find the right college for us. Finding some colleges that fits for me was good. I liked how she always greeted us with a good attitude every time we came in through the door. Thank you Shelva for all you have done.
Auntie Julia
Antie Julia is the nicest person in the whole world! She gave me many gifts that I know I will cherish for the rest of my life. Even though she didn’t come a lot, I still had a great time with every moment I was with her. Thank you so much Auntie!
Wishtoyo people
Thank you letting us be on your land. Everyday was a good day, learning new things, having fun, swimming, making memories, and Nana’s food!! I had a blast at Wishtoyo for my first time being there. The activities were very nice and I learned a lot. Thank you so much!
Mentors
Bellmont : Thank you for letting me feel welcome and being there for me. I had an amazing experience being your mentee!I hope I’ll see you next year!!! I am thankful for the talks we had and the bond that will never be broken
Phil Phil Phil! : I had a good time laughing with you, and rapping with you! Thank you so much.
Neeka: We had some funny times, and some serious times. I liked how you agreed with the things I said and you are there for me. Thank you so much Neeka! P.S Thanks for the help with my essay.
Anna: We had some laughs here and there. I am thankful for all that you have done for me! P.S Thanks for the snacks!!
Laura : Thanks you for the conversations and laughs. You helped me with my writing and I am thankful. Thank you so much!
Zara : You are a cool person and I liked how we always laughed at things. Thank you for who you are, and for what you have done for me!
MIKA! : Thank you for all the help you have done! You’re a very smart person. Thank you so much!!
Student
Thank you so much for accepting me here!! You made me experience great!! I want to keep in contact with you all. HMU when y’all in Page! I will miss you all!!!
Second last blog from Victor…
Today was truly sad, simply for the fact that we ended writing and aztec math classes today :(. I started of my morning doing danza, which reminded me of the morning ceremonies that I did growing up in Anahuacalmecac. Sooo we finished write class today along with my Common App. and I had a hard time today when writing about my Abuelita Flora’s passing , but she wouldn’t want me sad. Finally we ended our atzec math class today and the one thing I learned today was that my people didnt sacrife other people and that it was a lie made up the Vatican and Cortez. I knew it all along.
Second To Last Day
The past fourteen days has been the best days that I have had this summer and I want to thank all the teachers for taking large portion of their time to teach us so much knowledge which has inspired me. Also I want to thank the mentors for helping us with some problems that we needed help with like with math or writing. A special thanks to Vincente (our Aztec Math Teacher) personally he is my favorite teacher because he is full of knowledge and wise which is why he if my favorite. I want to thank all the others for providing me the best experience that I will treasure the experiences I’ve had here so thank you all.
Second to last Blogg!! :( Saturday, July 23, 2017
Today was your last writing classes with Shelva and your last day of Aztec Math with Candonache 😦
Please write about your biggest takeaways from those classes. What does it mean to you to be learning to look at the world through a different, more circular worldview, and through the view of the Nepohualtzintzin.
This could also be a thank you post or letter to your professors.
Love and Light,
Genna
Social Justice and “identity” by Benjamin Alvarez
” Have the voice, speak up, you need to keep the movement going!” – Valerie
” You need to build a support system” – Valerie
These are one of the many sayings that Valerie Thomas said to us when she talked about Social Justice. She had inspiring words that made me want to stand up for my rights. I loved that class!!
“Proud Native of my own invention” – Neeka
“Theres not only one truth” – Neeka
Today we were talked to by Joshua Hathaway about colonization and out identity. He had some good words about our ancestors but then he said a sentence that frustrated me. He said “the guy that died on the cross didn’t suffer for you, your ancestors did”. Although I do believe my ancestors did, I also believe that “that guy” (Jesus) died for us too. He talked about identity and basically said you have to be in tuned to one religion/culture to be an actual indigenous person. He presented this with anger and it showed his true colors. I get to decide who I am. I didn’t want to be rude but I then realized he was the one who was rude. I didn’t stand up for my rights but I should have. Why?? Because I know who I am, I have the right to say NO. He has his truth and I have mine. Proud Native person is my identity and when someone comes to me and says that I aint who I am I have the right to speak up, you cant tell me what my ancestors would have thought to who I decided to be today. I am a proud Mormon, Navajo, and Mexican, Indigenous people and you cant take that away from me.
“If you’re a proud Native, decolonize your mind.” by: Destiny
Today we had a lecture about Native American history and government. He had a lot of good information about how many Native Americans suffered through their trials and tribulations when the intruders came to America and started to colonize the land. There was a certain thing that was said that made me feel like I was targeted. When he said that if you’re a proud Native, decolonize your mind from the christian mind.
I felt stupid when I didn’t speak up when I felt offended. I honestly didn’t know what held me back of not saying anything. When he said “that guy that’s hanging on the cross didn’t die for you, you’re ancestors did.” The way he presented his lecture, he said his message with anger and I think that’s what made me upset also. He made believing in Jesus was a bad thing as an indigenous person.
He made the message sound like we have to believe in one thing only, it can’t be both. As a proud Baptist Navajo, I know who I am about my identity and no one can change that. I thought it was hypocritical of him to say don’t let anyone change your identity, yet he said and the end I have to believe in a certain thing to be a proud native. I get to decide who I am. I didn’t want to be rude, but he was the one who was being rude. I didn’t stand up for my rights and I don’t know why I didn’t. He has his truth and I have mine.
“Proud Native of my own invention.”-Neeka
Jarrod’s 12th Day
Today, i was woken up to someone knocking on my door to tell me to get to the mounds for Danza. I was woken up a half hour before i wanted to but i was ok with it. I got up put on some clothes and walked straight down to the mounds. While walking i realized that it was a bit warm but not too hot. When i got there i noticed that some people had already started. And then i noticed that there was only about ten people there out of the twenty-five students. Most of the students were sleeping in, and then i told myself, “they are lucky” but i did enjoy the Danza after all. I’m going to skip the rest of the day and go right to one of the best lectures i have ever heard in a while. Joshua Hathaway told us about what really happened back in the day. He told me things that i didn’t really know before and i was so into it. I have to admit, it’s one of the first lectures that was actually interesting to me. He told us what the colonists did to our people and how our people suffered. I don’t want to get into much detail but i just wasn’t to say that i was so intrigued about what he was saying. And how i felt like i am actually apart of something and that i should be a part of it. Today was also just a chill day but i did enjoy most of it, i love to learn, like what i heard before, there is a difference in trying to learn and actually doing it. So i am actually learning so i am enjoying everyday while i’m here.
Plog Brompt: Saturday, July 22, 2017
Spirit Game instructions:
- Review edits from Gayle Kelley
- Post to facebook on the Spirit Game page: https://www.facebook.com/SpiritGameLax/
Today’s blog:
- Reflect on your conversations with Joshua Hathaway and Val Thomas from today and yesterday.
- Use the writing strategies you learned from Katherine Watkins this evening as you write your post.
-G&G
Another Day At Pitzer
by: TyVon Greyeyes
Today was almost as usual as everyday like we did math, wrote, and blogged but the most unusual part of the day was when we went to Western University cadavers which was very weird but we had a ceremony in the beginning to help us get through this activity. My thoughts of the cadavers have to be mixed between disgusted and sorrow because I thought why would you do this to a person they once laughed, cried, loved, and felt the warmth of happiness at one point of their life but they want that for themselves so I guess this is how they wanted it. So the rest of the day was very great and I like this program so much.
nativeyouth2college.org 