destinythelegacy 2017, Dine/Navajo

“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

tyvongrey2001 2017, Dine/Navajo

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.

destinythelegacy 2017, Dine/Navajo

Saving a Dying Language: by Destiny

” The Marines talked to me, interviewing me in English about my family and my education… There were no interviews in Navajo. Apparently the Marines assumed we all spoke Navajo.”- Chester Nez (1921-2014). This quote was said by a World War 2 Marine veteran. He was the last original Navajo Code Talker to serve in the Marines. So in this quote, Chester’s saying even though he has to suffer a lot in order to learn English at school, he reaps the rewards later when he can prove to the Marine recruiters that his grasp of English is strong as his grasp of Navajo. He’ll need both languages for his work as a code talker. The Code Talkers stories really inspires me to learn more about my language and culture. I realized that I took being able to speak Navajo as a little girl for granted because I’m eager to learn more and save my language for my people, before it dies out.code-talkers-nara

coyo135 2017, Azteca, Media Studies, Native Culture, Native Youth, Telling Your Story, Uncategorized, writing

Another Day – Coyotl

Today was packed with a lot of classes about change with our culture. The people in the program and the mentors are all connected in a way that has change my motive and my way of seeing my culture. I have shaped into trying to spread the culture of natives claiming that we still live and we are still a people. All the people have showed there culture and carried their knowledge about themselves. I believe that I can spread this statement through Social Media and through the community. This will eventually be the statement that the government will testify but then approve of since they cant kick people of their own land. They are going against their own rules. It will be totally awesome if this will be carried on through future generations of people.

vickeycohen Azteca, Mexica

Victor: 4 Days left?!?!

Felt pretty tired this morning… But I started the day with Indigenous Games which boosted me up for the day. I went to work on my common applications and fabricating the foundation of the essay, which i’m going to start writing tonight. After that I went to Aztec Math which was awesome as always but i’m a little sad that that’s going to end in a couple of days 😦 . Then we had a class on Social Movements which was AWESOME!!!! We talked about the Zapatistas and the Idle No More movements and I received lots of new information on those movements.

katherinejefferson Chumash, Uncategorized, Wishtoyo Village

Wishtoyo- Kat’s reflections

First, words can not explain how closely related I feel to my Chumash people. Mati, Luhui, Auntie Georgie, Auntie Mena, Uncle Johnny, Nana, Uncle Ray, Leah (and Mateo), Sergio, Sarah, Kotes, Joe, Shoshoy, Sumo, and Ashk’a. Coming from another Coast Salish area and visiting with the Chumash who are also from the coast is absolutely amazing and such a blessing. The last three years in this program, I made a family and a home at Wishtoyo. It truly is a Rainbow, and I could follow it forever. The Turtle and Dolphin clan, I feel are gonna be my forever family. So many stories and teachings are stuck in my mind and I hope I never forget them. Songs, stories, teachings, blessings, prayers, gifts, creations, laughs, FOOD, scenery, history, love, kindness, traditions, and so much more are given to you when you go to Wishtoyo. Humaliwu, also known as Malibu, is the original homelands of the Chumash and we are always welcomed with open arms.

Right after I typed this paragraph above, my computer shut off and I thought I lost all my writing just now. I couldn’t stop myself from crying because I put my heart into it. It was a paragraph I could have written again but it just meant so much too me. The effect that Wishtoyo has had on me, its like I can’t even handle losing just a little piece of it. The memories and people that are now part of my life mean the world too me. I know there are going to be more journeys to Lemu, Wishtoyo, and Humaliwu. Thank you too my family, and friends from the rainbow.

You’re forever my family,

I love you all

Hysh’qe

Panamea

Thank you,

Kat

 

vichacon 2017, Dine/Navajo, Media Studies, Native Culture, Southern Paiute

Violet’s back from Wishtoyo day

Coming back from the Wishtoyo village was sad because we had to leave the beautiful village and amazing ocean but we got to come back to Ben Florio. Where we learned about films and the background music which was really chill to come back to and really uplifted my spirit. To start off the eighth day of the summer program we got to do the Indigenous games and play against each other. I thought this was so fun because we got to work with each other in a groups and use strategies. This helped to wake me up and energize my spirit for the whole day. To finish off our day, we got to have a talking circle with Auntie Josie, whom taught us a bunch of native songs. Screen Shot 2017-07-19 at 9.46.16 PM.pngScreen Shot 2017-07-19 at 9.46.38 PM.png

alyssasaige 2017, applications, Native Culture, Pima, pipeline program, Tohono O'Odham

Back at Pitzer

Today i woke up very tired. After I had indigenous games I was very much pumped up and ready for the day. Today was a very chill and relaxed day. The rising senior ME went to Pomona college and we where with the people from the admissions office. They talked about the common app and gave me very valuable information and hope to contacting them soon to help me build my common app. We ended our day well besides this with a drumming circle. Held by Josie Montes it was a memory to remember. We learned so many songs and learned about there meanings. The best part was when we sang the humming bird song and just s few seconds later a hummingbird was buzzing around us. Such a wonderful day we had now its time to end because i’m really tired.

Aolani 2017, Chumash, Wishtoyo Village

No place like home

Well, my spirit isn’t at Pitzer College…it’s at Wishtoyo. Those three days were the best. Anything involving my homeland is just so medicinal for my body, mind and spirit. The moment we got there, I was greeted by my grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins, my brother (He’s not really my brother. He’s my cousin’s fiancee who is one of my favorite people.) and MY MOM! I missed my home-girl so much. After greeting, we had ceremony filled with songs, stories and prayer. Then we went out to the cliff and did a prayer for our Mother ocean because she is hurting. Then we went down to the water and people got their feet wet but the tide came in and majority of the people were drenched. We then had a separate Woman talk about the importance of the Moon Time. The ,men had their talk too but i have no clue what they discussed. Then we ate food BROUGHT TO YOU BY NENAAAAAA!!!! Then we went to the beach and I sang some Chumash songs to Anna. Basically the whole entire trip was amazing. The funniest part for me was the way back. So, the night before, the men had a sweat and everyone was sleeping but somehow Cuauhtli managed to stay awake. On the way back to Pitzer, Zaryn, Marissa, Sylena, Violet, Jasson, Aleyah and Kyle were talking and Cuauhtli passed out on the floor of the van. So while he was sleeping, we were messing with his face and stuff like that. Then he started to snore…LOUD! And Kyle laughed so hard. It was hilarious. Anyway, it was dank.

-Aolani