The movie Spirit Game was about the Iroquois playing the game Lacrosse a game that their ancestors have played for thousands of years but instead of playing people from their own area they take on teams on the international level which means playing against other countries. This movie had a strong effect on both the mind and body. As you watch this movie you instantly begin to feel their pride, determination and integrity throughout every second of the movie.
Kyle’s Movie review for Spirit Game: Pride of the Nation
Today was a great and blessed day. I was given the opportunity to experience watching a screening of the movie “Spirit Game: Pride of a nation”. This was very inspirational because it taught me the lesson of patience. The movie displayed patience by showing that the even though the native lacrosse players went through many losses, they were still never defeated within their spirit. This is a great lesson because it shows that no matter how hard the situation is, you should never give up on yourself and your spirit. Gale Ann Kelley is an amazing producer and did a great job on this documentary. I thank the creator for allowing me to see this wonderful movie.
Spirit game pride of a nation movie by Isaac
the movie was good. i really liked it. i would like to learn more about the game. i want to play. it looks really fun. the movie was really good. they talked about how they played and how long they played. they have been playing for a while. they ancestors have been playing it since 1890. they used it for medicine, not to be a sport were they just played to hurt people. i would like to get the movie and watch it again.
Spirit Game Movie Review By Marissa.A
Today i watched the movie Spirit Game: Pride Of The Nation, and as soon as the movie started i could not stop watching. The movie was intense and overall interesting. The Producer of the movie (Gale), did an incredible job. I Cant imagine how much work and effort all of the cast crew put into this film. The over all review is that i can watch this film over and over until i’m blind.
- Marissa Aranda
Johanna – Day One of Knowledge
Hello, I would like to quickly introduce myself and let all of you get to know me just a bit. I am Johanna Osuna, an upcoming senior at Anahuacalmecac International University Preparatory of North America. Being in an indigenous school for the past thirteen years, I have always been taught the traditions, culture, and language from the Mexica People. I never really knew my own nation or people because both sides of my family are fully mexican and never considered themselves natives, but I recently discovered that in Sinaloa, Mexico there are three tribes; Yaqui, Pima, and Mayo Indian. So from now on, I considered myself those three tribes, but I will still continue to discover more and more about each tribe and get to receive information to understand more about my ancestors.
Today on July 11, 2017, was my first day attending the Native Youth to College Program at Pitzer College. I was so excited to attend this program for the past two years, because last year I was not able to attend. Being here today, in just one day I can say that this program is going to be such a helpful resource to get myself into a great university but also learn about everyone’s culture and possibly share a bit about my culture.
Today, we learned different exercises in the theatre room to get a bit more comfortable with each other even though some of us were still shy but others got really comfortable really quick. Our next workshop was with one of the elders from the program, Julia. During her workshop we created clapping sticks and got the chance to decorate our own. Next workshop was also with Julia, but in this workshop we got to present a bit about ourselves and share about one person in our life that we go to for love, support, and care.
I am glad I have received this opportunity to connect with so many different native youth leaders and have a head start in my road to a higher education. I am excited to see what the rest of the program has planned for us and to meet and connect with these native youth leaders.
always happy, Johanna Osuna
Christine’s First Day
Hey everyone I wanted to just quickly introduce myself and tell you all about my wonderful first day at pitzer college. My name is Christine Estudillo a student at Anahuacalmecac University of Preporatory of North America and a this is my first year at the Native 2 Youth College Pitzer College Program. I am very energetic and hope to use all of that energy during this 2 week program.
My First day at Pitzer I was amazed by how far away people came from just to be here and to participate in this program. I enjoyed seeing all these people share there indigenous backgrounds and seeing how we all are different yet we are still connected in many ways. I was very nervous in the beginning but throughout the day I gained confidence and I got to meet so many different people and find a connection with them in some way. We did activities from Theatre to a talking circle where we all shared who are rocks /role models are and even did a hand on activity by making clapping sticks. I would like to say that my favorite part of the day would have to be Theater because that was were I was able to loosen up a bit and finally get to meet so many people. Over the next few weeks I would love to learn more about my peers cultures and as well as learn to create something new every day.
Peace and Love Christine
TLALOC’S First FIRST DAY Of Comfort
Today was completely unknown. I was unable to attend the first day of last year’s program. Today made me more comfortable than I already was. Sadly my family were not able to attend the orientation because of work, but their were there in spirit giving me positive energy. It was good seeing my friends and familiar faces from last year, but was good seeing new faces that I could now get know. It was good seeing Elder Vicente presenting the Nepuhuatzintzin, a tool that is very familiar to me which is being taught at my school. It was a good feeling to know that a part of my culture is going to implemented into program in the future.
The theater session with Professor Lu was a very fun and interactive experience that allowed to become more comfortable with the new students attending. Every activity helped me start to build bonds with the people I worked with and hopefully with the rest of people who in the program. It really excited me to do the mirror activity with someone who I hadn’t talked to or interacted with, so it was really heart warming to copy and lead with my partner. Then unfortunately my clapping stick broke and I ran out of time to make another one. But I became happy when we had a talk group and shared what our rock was. Everyone’s rock was about someone or something that gives them happiness or the influence that made them who they are today. Today was a really good First First Day.
Theatre Prompts
- An object I would like to place on our altar is a nice rock. My mother believes that all rocks hold strong veneerer that has the potential to heal. My mom is one of the most important people in my life,and she gives me every ounce of her love. When I don’t feel well, my mom likes to sit with me and meditate with rocks that come for the earth that loves us so much.
- Two traditions that have meaning for me are Chanukah and Passover. One of my favorite traditions is searching for the Afikomen and winning a prize. I also love my family’s traditional Chanukah celebration in which we play dreidel for a prize of chocolate coins.
Trisha is awesome because…
Hello, Im Trisha Smith from Lummi Nation in Bellingham WA. I see myself as an artist, runner, creative thinker, and shy. I go to Ferndale High school this is going to be my final year of high school which is very exciting. This program is amazing and I love it, third year attending cant wait to see what happens this week. Being shy puts me in difficult situations at school because I don’t like being a presenter in front of so many people. My favorite sport to play is volleyball. I never wanted to learn any other sport in middle school because I always played volleyball. I can listen to anything music but jazz. Jobs that I have done were within the tribe, I was titled as part of the work crew for a couple of years to clean, cut grass, and pick up garbage for about five weeks in the summer. Now I work in Human Resources with tribal members in Lummi Indian Business Council (LIBC), I took time off to be part of this program. I plan to go to a college here in California my dream college is San Fransisco University to major in Business marketing or accounting. My second choice is to attend a college close to home, possible in Seattle.
Getting to know me#1 I adore kittens but I like having a dog as a pet.
Maya!!!
Hey! I’m Maya. I’m of Taíno and mixed European descent, and have lived in Claremont all my life. I am an upcoming junior at Claremont High School, and I enjoy spending my time drumming, rock climbing, and teaching. I teach art with a volunteer program called artSTart to elementary age children. This program has led me to do things that I wasn’t even aware i was capable of (Such as speaking in front of the mayor, councilmen, AND 60 people) and I am so grateful for it. I’m not yet sure if I’d like to do art therapy or elementary school education, and am considering a double major in sociology and psychology. I am ecstatic to be back at Native Youth to College for the second time. Going to college is incredibly important to me, and being that Pitzer is my top choice, I couldn’t be happier to be here. I am so enthusiastic to be at a program that ties together native culture with my passion for education.
nativeyouth2college.org 