Two days ago we basket weaved and it was a great experience! Although I did it last year, I still needed to get help. While I was in the middle of my basket, my main part of the basket broke on me. So I ended up doing a small basket but it still turned out great. Yesterday we had a class about “what we are leaving behind?”. It was a good topic because it made me think about what I’m going to contribute to the next generation. Today we had a talk about Green energy and jobs. The topic was good and the people that presented the information made me want to see about that career. After that we had a tour of Pomona College and it expanded my mind to this opportunity. I found out some information and I’m considering the college but I’m still not sure about my career choice, lol. Just after that we had a class about Anatomy and Animation. It was cool but the coolest part was meeting a lady who did designs in movies I watched as a kid. It was like meeting a celebrity. Today was very productive and I hope the next few days are going to be the same.
Weaving Worlds of Medicine by James Fenelon
The weaving of modern medicine and native medicine is key to the progression of the medical field. As mentioned by Dr. Henson, old native sources of foods like the Chaga mushroom can be the answer to complex illnesses like cancer. Bradley Henson was pushed to desperation to find a treatment for his father’s liver cancer. He then turned to the Chaga mushroom of his ancestors. This treatment helped significantly with his father’s illness. While we cannot dismiss the major leaps forward we’ve had in modern medicine, we should consider treatments from different cultural backgrounds on an equal playing field when doing tests. Native communities hold more answers than we think, we just have to learn to listen.
Joesph’s day at Pitzer
For these past couple days we have had a jammed schedule and most of these sessions have been real deep conversations. One sessions was with Julia and was about what our ancestors left us and what we are going to leave the future generation when we leave this world. We also have learned a lot about Mayan math and which was a bit confusing until we understood the concept. One thing that will really help me is the academic writing because it is about the personal essay for the common college application. The thing that was really amazing was the basket weaving. I easily caught on which made it more easy for me to finish quickly. On Sunday we had a photo shoot and everyone had time to take pictures and be the director and be the documentary person. we learned how to photo shop us into other backgrounds and edit them so we actually look like we are in the pictures. Today we had a presentation about animation of anatomy. For this presentation the lady was the person who made some of the human and animal figures in the Disney movies. For instance she did the movie Mulan, The Lion King, Trazan, and Brother Bear. Overall I think these presentations will be helpful in the long run.
Blog Prompt: Think Back and Reflect
Think back over the past few days. They have been jam-packed with activities and learning experiences. What have you learned?
Dig deep. Reflect on your experiences with the activities.
Write about any and/or all of the following:
- Footprints “What are we leaving behind?” Talking Circle with Auntie Julia
- Basket Weaving with Auntie Sisquoc
- Green Energy and Jobs
- Anatomy and Animation: the Art and Science of the Moving Image
- Pitzer and Pomona College Tours
- Mayan Math
- Writing with Shelva
- Indigenous Games
- Limu Island
- Drum Circle with Auntie Josie
Photoshopping experience: Jarrod
Even though i have photoshopped before, i never photoshopped my own self. It feels cool to photoshop myself at an area that i have wanted to be at up close. And to add anything that makes me look cool. I am glad i have taken photoshopping class before or i would be lost.
Analysis of My Photoshop Piece
The Photoshop piece that I made was with the Bears Ears behind me with me in front protesting with a protect bears ears board, a deer in the middle of the road, and finally a map of what will happen if we allow companies to start extracting on these lands. Well first of all the national monument established by Barack Obama, then it was reduced by 85% President Trump did this to increase the jobs in the area which will have disastrous effects on the local ecosystem and destroy the sacred place for Navajos, Hopis, Zunis, and Ute. The deer in the picture represents the local wildlife which will be forced to move to another location due to the effects that are to come. I am protesting in the front of the picture to represent my full support for the protection of this beautiful and sacred site. If we stand together we can save this national monument and we may be even able to save the countless sacred sites for indigenous people all over the U.S and maybe even the world.
The Photoshop practice! -Ben
I chose this picture because it shows my hometown, my reservation, and my favorite type of weather. My hometown is Kaibeto, AZ, it is located on the Navajo reservation in Northern Arizona. In Arizona the weather gets hot fast and when it rains it makes me feel good about the day.
Ja-Rey in her element
announcement.
My best friend was shipped in last night to start the NY2C program a whole week late. Yeah a whoooole long week but she was at another summer camp so ya know it was all good. This passed week we had been disconnected from the world obsessed with speed and slowed down a bit to ground ourselves with the love of culture. We were invited to Wishtoyo and got to stay 4 great days on the restored village site of the Chumash people. I cant even begin to explain the amount of love I felt leaving those lands on our final day. Those who have dedicated their lives to the culture and who took time to greet and care for us those 4 days are the most amazing people I have every meet. We did so many activities, like kayaking and snorkeling on Limuw island which is the origin place of the Chumash people. through all of that my most beautiful memory d at Wishtoyo is spending many hours of the day learning Chumash native songs and stories. sitting in front of the fire offering prays was the best night. It reminded me of the pwoer within our culture and ourselves. It was an amazing experience and ooooh i slept outside every night too. (fun fact: you cant see the moon because of light pollution from the city)
The 3 days at Wishtoyo! -Ben
The four days/three nights, that’s how long we have been having fun! The first day was great, they welcomed us with open arms and open hearts. As always the food was really great, the homemade meals made me not feel homesick. The 2nd day was AMAZING! I’ve never been to the Limuw Island before and it was so beautiful! The boat ride was an amazing experience. I saw animals that I wont see in Arizona. At the island I went snorkeling and kayaking. I had never done those two things and it was so much fun! 
The 3rd day we shuck Abalone. The experience was fun, it felt weird but it was satisfying. Although we didn’t eat any, I had soo much fun!
Just like every year Wishtoyo was so amazing! I can’t wait to come back next year to see it again!
R.I.P Sho Shoi
Rainbow by James Fenelon
I am now back from Wishtoyo which means rainbow in the Chumash language. Wishtoyo is one of few places which has managed to preserve much the culture from the natives of that area. For the most part the place is unaffected and tries its best to stay that way. The Chumash people are currently involved in a fight for the channel islands which was originally theirs. Many lessons were taught, but the most important of them was to fight to keep your culture alive. The Chumash like many native nations are still alive and are adapting alongside society with them being ahead in some cases. Many native nations were already aware and grateful for their resources which is something that most countries are having a tough time grasping. This is what makes Wishtoyo (Rainbow) a truly sacred place.
nativeyouth2college.org 