elkabear2011 Cahuilla, Higher Education, Life Skills, Native Culture

lalala

I loved hearing Jessica and Janna’s (I hope I spelled your names right! <3) dad speak yesterday! I forgot how many similarities there are to my culture and the Hawaiian culture. For example: In my language we call our grandma tutu and so do Hawaiians! That as well as not interrupting others and not displaying rude behavior, not whistling at night because of bad spirits, acknowledging our elders presence, etc. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised (: I also thought Alex’s daughter was the cutest! 

Anyways,

I was also thinking about how much of a culture shock it is to be away from home and be with mixed cultures that aren’t the same as mine. Sometimes I have to hold back from getting really upset with people whistling at night, people’s different personalities/mindsets, and especially getting asked if I wanted to eat while I was helping with the fry bread. I’m progressively learning how to cope appropriately with situations such as these and I’m really proud of myself because I;m figuring it out on my own. I can see that being here is like being in the real world outside of home; There are going to be people who I can’t get along with or that are different from myself and I just have to understand that, deal with it, and move on. It’s all a learning experience and I’m happy with it.

Alex Mojado Events, Life Skills

a few things… that have been fun

So we did some dancing the last few days which was very fun and funny because I really have no idea how to dance… the West African dancing that we learned was really hard for me because it was so much movement and exaggerated movement… I was so sore after we learned ONE dance. Yesterday, we learned some salsa dancing which was awesome it took a while a for me to get the count down and then when I did we had to switch partners. Today, we went to the farmers market which was fun also because I got to talk to a few people from there… one guy was selling cacti from all over the world. One of the other mentors, Becca, bought an old man cactus which was awesome because it was all hairy.

In total, I am having a good time; an even better time because I got to see my daughter and husband yesterday… but I really feel like some of the youth here have become more connected and bonded. I am super excited that all the youth who are here have so many ideas and goals and I can’t wait to see where they go in life….

Alex Mojado Life Skills, News

Just a few thoughts…

So today is Saturday… we have made it through the first week and I am so proud of everyone!! I think that tonight was by far the best and I feel like we all really connected better than any other time we have had. I am happy that everyone who is here came to this program and I am so grateful to have a wonderful group… both young adults and mentors!!

Alexandra

socalens Events, Higher Education, Life Skills, Media Studies, Native Culture

Response to “In Whose Honor?” posts

Hi All…I want to thank you all for posting insightful and powerful comments about the documentary, “In Whose Honor?”. I am truly moved by what each one of you has written.  “In Whose Honor?” a hard documentary to watch, because it so painfully portrays how common ignorance leads to expressions of blatant racism in our society.  And…when racism is embedded in popular culture icons/mascots and sports teams, that large groups people are invested in, it can blind people to the possibility of individual change and awareness,  even if causes tremendous harm to others…hard to stomach at this point in history!

On the positive side, this film is inspirational in it’s portrayal of the work of Charlene Teters, a powerful contemporary artist and activist.  By enacting her individual protest and resolve she bravely demonstrates how one person can raise awareness about an unspoken issue and inspire others to speak out against discrimination whenever it pops up in any way that we can.

I though you may be interested in a video produced by New Mexico Public Television that updates the “In Whose Honor?” doc.  The video is narrated by Charlene Teters, and it tells some of the same story, but in the second half, Charlene talks about her work as a contemporary artist, and how her art practice has been influenced by her activism on the mascot issue, you get a chance to see some of her artwork and hear her philosophy on navigating life and identity in a world where ignorance an racism exist.  You can also find more information about Charlene Teters and see images of her artwork at her website: http://www.charleneteters.com/Welcome.html

You all are do amazing work and I will see you on Sunday.

– Gina

fabian3penguins Health Science, Higher Education, Life Skills, Media Studies, Native Culture

“In Whose Honor? : American Indian Mascots Sports”

“In Whose Honor? : American Indian Mascots Sports” by Jay Rosenstein Featuring Charlene Teters (spokane) was a very heart-touching and shocking thing for me to see. I disliked how they treated her and how they pulled her hair, threw thing at her, spit on her, and called her names. I can see and feel how Charlene feels its so hurtful and i don’t think you could get over something so traumatizing like this. Although all this happened i liked how charlene stood up for what she believed in and took a strong stand not backing down. She even even got calls and death threats from people and her children sometimes had to face this problem with her. I also hated the people and their stereotypes because they weren’t true they were just all wrong and they think they know a little bit of knowledge because they’ve seem a movie or read a history book.

1). At What point did you think about giving up and stop what you were doing?

2). What kind of questions did your children ask you when you were going through the bad emotions and feelings?How did they feel?


wordofember Events, Higher Education, Life Skills, Media Studies, Native Culture

“In Whose Honor”? : “American Indian Mascots in sports” by Jay Rosenstein

This movie was a tough thing to watch cause I know to this day there are still people out there that are, from my point of view, is that the are basically disrespecting our culture and I say “our” because there not picking with one particular tribe they are mess-in with all tribes and I’m happy that there are people out there as well that are supporting Indian culture but when I see someone who is going through pain such as having their hair pulled out because she sees something that needs to be fixed and watching this film truly broke my heart and in somewhat sickened in a way of almost feeling discarded to a point of realizing that we are living with people who despise Native Indians and its said in the movie “Indians are human beings NOT mascots”…

…enough said.

fabian3penguins Events, Field Trips, Health Science, Higher Education, Life Skills, Native Culture

Western University

Today, The Native Pipeline traveled to Western University of Health Science to go see the human anatomy, but I couldn’t watch it because i wasn’t old enough. Although, i couldn’t see the human anatomy i did get to a see a veterinarian lab and the school campus which is very amazing and i love there art work that they have there. I learned a whole lot about bones, muscles, and reflex points. I also learned about massages and how the muscles are used to work together and relax the body  it is very interesting but I am still sticking to mechanical engineering.

Painter Statues
i like these statues because they look so realisticdoctor tools