jimmydean2018 2018, Chumash, Indigenous Rights, Native Culture, Native Youth, Wishtoyo Village

Rainbow by James Fenelon

God_s Rainbow

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.

jarrodchap 2018, Native Youth, Wishtoyo Village

Jarrod’s experience at Wishtoyo

When i first got to Wishtoyo and saw the tents and the beautiful view of the ocean i had a sense of relief. Mostly because i was tired of being in the bus, just kidding. I was relieved at the fact that i get to see the ocean again and maybe even see some dolphins in the ocean. On the second day of being at Wishtoyo, we went to the Limuw and i Kayaked and Snorkeled for the first time in my life. While kayaking, i was scared because my friend Isaac was messing around and was rocking the kayak and almost made it flip. While snorkeling, i was just scared to get caught in kelp or meet a creature that wouldn’t be that comforting to be face to face with. Snorkeling was fun tho, i saw creatures that i haven’t seen before in person. Anyways on the way to Limuw, i saw dolphins for the very first time in person, and it actually brought a smile to my face. But when we came back, i was upset because of certain events and stayed in my tent, but i would hear the songs that everyone was singing and it was actually calming to me. But overall i am happy to have gone to Wishtoyo again, it brought me knowledge and understanding.43366806492_8a0625b6aa_z

isaacmartin32 2018, Native Youth, pipeline program

Isaac’s blog

today was fun. we got to do the indigenous games and we got to learn how to take away a weapon. we also got to make some baskets. It was fun to make the baskets because i made one last year and i use it for my coins. the one i made this year i am going to give it to my sister. washtoyo was fun to i liked the swimming part was fun. we also did kayak. i had fun on the way to the island where we did the swimming and kayaking.

isaacmartin32 2018, Native Youth, pipeline program

Isaac’s 4th day: Spirit Game

This was the second time watching the movie and even though it was me second time it is still good. i think i would be good if everyone should be able to see this movie. i had my hopes up and alway think the they are going to win at the end of the game. it reminded me of my tribe and on how we have a somewhat sport the has been around for years. the sport is called war canoe racing and i have been racing for like 5 years. it is a big thing for my tribe. we have a festival every year and it is called stommish and everyone is welcome to come and watch all of the tribes race. we have 7 and under up to 45 and over. they race with a lot of other people.

benjaminalv Dine/Navajo, Indigenous Games, Native Youth

Benjamin’s 4th day back!

Today was a good day for all that we done and accomplished. We started off with our writing class but I ended up in the wrong class. Even though writing isn’t mt best subject, I still had fun with it. Next we studied the Mayan math and it was fun in there but it got hot fast. The highlight of my day was when we watched Spirit Game; Pride of the Nation. This was my second time watching this movie and I still get nervous about it. The movie was really good and it taught me about a background of La-Cross. All in all it was a great day and I’m very excited for Wishtoyo tomorrow!

jimmydean2018 2018, Indigenous Games, Indigenous Rights, Native Youth

Flower Wars by James Fenelon

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With the name “Flower Wars” there is inherent feeling that there might be an aggressive tone to the game. This is not the case. Flower Wars is a fun game that has two teams compete in a team building manner. As we would play, it was easy to observe that one of the objectives of the game was to give support to your team where it was needed. You couldn’t succeed in beating the other team unless your team was great with supporting one another. These positive messages should included with our policies regarding the environment. If we do not support endangered species then it is possible the whole ecosystems could collapse ultimately hurting us and the environment. This also related to the mistreatment of indigenous communities in that we are hurting people that are on our own team, humanity.

jarrodchap 2018, Indigenous Games, Native Youth, pipeline program

Jarrod’s 3rd Day :D

Today, I learned the importance of communication and strategy through the Mexica Flower wars by how the first round my group didn’t know what to do because we were not led properly and we were basically running around like headless chickens. On the second round on the other hand, we were coordinated and actually communicated with each other, and that led us to a victory. Communication and strategy actually makes a big difference in your team if you are actually willing to listen.

In Angela’s class, we talked about environmental issues and Law issues. With the environmental issues we talked about oil, cultural land and pollution. With laws we talked about discrimination and how some law enforcement is not always good.

isaacmartin32 2018, Native Youth, pipeline program, Uncategorized

Isaac’s 3rd day

Today was alright. It was kinda slow but it was fun learning about the flower game. we did a couple of rounds and go t to come together as one. we all had a part to do when we played the flower game. the last activity of the day was alright we got to learn about what the US has been doing trough out the years. for example they have been trying to bring down the of the illegal immigration. i got to learn a little more about mayan math. i didn’t get it at first but after today i kinda understood it a little more then what i did the first time.