issanda909 Uncategorized

Day 10- DancingButterfly

My great-grandmother inspires me so much hands down. Ever since I started picking tuli and learning about the culture she introduced me to, I have not lost interest and have not given up on bringing the culture back. I would probably be sitting at home and doing nothing to learn or inspire other people., if it was not for my Nana. I have gotten other people interested in the culture as well. I would not even be in this program right now, but i am and i’m thankful for that. Today i was blogging and i looked up and saw a poster that made me smile and be emotional in a happy way. I had saw i a poster that said “Tongva Women Have Never Left Their Land, They Just Became Invisible- This Book Is About Making Us Visible”~Julia Bogany. I am truly luck to have a women like her in my life.

~ Marissa Aranda (DancingButterfly)

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kylerodriguez63 Uncategorized

Kyle’s 10th day

The one person who has inspired me would be my mentor Tekpatl. He has been there for me and all of the other mentees. If we had a problem or we just wanted to just talk he would be there for us. I really enjoyed having him as a mentor because he was like a mentee himself. He could relate to the things that we were going through and thats whats made all of us bond so quickly. This mentor was full of knowledge. For such a young man, he had so much knowledge. He had told me that no one is perfect. No one will ever be. He reassured us that we all have some things in common and thats what makes us brothers. I personally would love to take the knowledge that I have learned from this program back home and back to school so that I can share it with my family and show that I am native and I am not being treated like crap anymore. I found that inner voice and I’m not going to let anyone treat me like that anymore. I have native pride now. It is a great honor to have a mentor like Tekpatl. Thank you so much. Love you bro.

jarrodchap 2017, Uncategorized

Who inspires me at this program?- Jarrod

At this program i have learned so much, and all that knowledge came from Vicente. Without Vicente i wouldn’t have learned much about any culture. Every day, when Vicente talks to us, i am dragged in by his stories and the way he uses his words. He tells us stories and some cool little tricks that i didn’t even know about. He is also technically a living calculator with that nepoalzintzin (i don’t know how to spell it). Vicente’s knowledge is endless, when we were in a circle, i think he did a hummingbird call and then some hummingbirds actually arrived. I look up to Vicente because he takes his own time out of his day to teach us and tell us stories.

My legacy will be me helping the people going through depression, i feel like i should be out there telling my story. I want to talk to the youth and tell the story of depression, and how no one should go through that. I don’t know why i want to do this but i feel like i have to. No, not have to, need to, i really want to try and end depression.

tyvongrey2001 Uncategorized

Another Fantastic Day

By: TyVon Greyeyes

Just as any other day at Pitzer it was fantastic because the lessons taught here are very well thought out and they may help with future problems like we have been learning how to write a proper essay for college, Blogging, and Math. I also learned how we can involve ourselves into social movements to better our lives for the long run and also for the ones that will come after us which has me thinking that when I am of age I want to do some of these movements to better many communities and regions. The experiences might have me come back again next so that I can experience this program again because it is just so fun here. Well I am thankful for the Elders, Mentors and the Staff are doing such a great job at keeping us entertained which I am thankful for and also blessed to be participating in this great program, So if the Elders, Mentors or the Staff reads this I want to personally thank you.

isaacmartin32 Uncategorized

Isaac- Day 10

today was really fun and chill. we did the games this morning and that was really fun because we learned how to disarm a weapon from someone. we did some writing today and i felt like i did really good on the writing. the math we had today was really fun too. we learned about Roman numerals in the other math class we had today. i would have to say the mentors have been so much of an inspirational mentor. they have done so much for u and keeping us safe. they make sure we are learning and stay on task. so thank you to all of the mentors.

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

 

MeDiego Uncategorized

Diego’s Wishtoyo Take Away

Upon arriving into the Wishtoyo Chumash Village, I immediately feel welcomed by their whole family. Singing and dancing as we walked up to them, waiting for the song to end, anxious to say hello and hug everyone. We had no idea what was waiting to come the next few days. Mati and Luhui were amazing hosts, they could not have made our short visit any better. I was able to experience my first sweat along side with all the males in the program. It was a new experience being able to cleanse everything my body has been through. Throughout our trip, I was given chances to practice spear throwing using a traditional atl atl. Learning the techniques of moving your arm in a smooth motion, not to rough to break the spear. We were given the chance to go to the beach to document the sea level rise. This was important to me because I understand the lack of awareness relating to climate changes and other problems our ocean is facing. This gave me a clearer explanation of what is going on and I am am able to express myself in new ways and spread awareness to my friends and new people who I am yet to encounter.

zarryx55 2017, Chippewa, Native Youth, Ojibwe, Uncategorized, Wishtoyo Village, writing

My Wishtoyo experience

The village of Wishtoyo, is located between the dry and burning mountains of southern California and the cold pacific ocean. The briny ocean waves crash up and the mountainous heat bleeds down, and amalgamatein Wishtoyo, one of the most sacred places I have ever set foot on.

When we arrived I was welcomed by the amiable and smiling Chumash people. the keepers of Wishtoyo. We greeted and then entered this circular structure, partially submerged in the earth. The place was incredibly traditional, and when I entered, it felt like I was back in the past, and all that existed outside of this erection was miles and miles of wilderness, that expanded to the boundaries of all of turtle island. I camped at Wishtoyo for 3 days and 2 nights and during this time Mati, a wise chumash elder, and his people treated us to their enthralling stories and congenial ceremonies; all of which profoundly affected me. However, the sweat we had is of particular significance. The sweat consisted of all us men, and the reasoning for this, was for us to be completely comfortable and open. We all stayed up until midnight, and then prepared the grandfather rocks to be heated. In this process we had to be meticulous, because there was only a certain way in which we could set up the rocks. After they were lit, we sat and talked with one another, for a few hours. Here everything was realized, and in the lodge everything was manifested. At that fire I thought about my mother, my culture, and my relationships. Ar the lodge I sang for my mother, the person whom I owe my existence and everything to, and my culture, the crucial part of me which I finally began to truly reconnect with, all singing surrounded by my brothers and the spirits of my grandfathers. I am so grateful for my Wishtoyo experience, it will not be forgotten.

-Zaryn Prussia

aleyaht Uncategorized

Wishtoya- aleyah

I had a really bless time at wishtoyo. I met new people and i will forever be grateful for the up close and personal experience i got to have on the chumash grounds . When we first arrived, they were singing the welcoming song. As we all unloaded from the cars we greeted them with hugs and words of wisdom. Then we settled into our tents and ate lunch, Nena was a bomb chief. Tbh. While we were there it was kinda feeling like Pitzer weather once the sun started glaring hard later in the day some of us got burned. Sleeping in the  tents was really fun, to be paired up with people was interesting. My tent had the girl mentors and it was me destiney and Marissa, me and Destiney had some good times tho, lots of laughs. The next day i was super exhausted but i took a nap while some people learned sacred geomatry . We also went down to the beach, it was real rocky tho so as a result i got some scratches from the rocks, again the food was really good. They separated us into groups that had to do the dishes. I was in group 3. In the morning after we got there they opened us with the sunrise ceremony in the saleek. That day we also learned about climate change and ow if we dont hear about it now we will not be prepared for the future. Us as growing and maturing women learned about the moon cycle and how it was a blessing and we should not feel that its a punishment, We were told that this is the time were were most powerful and sacred and we were just so valuble. That meant that the girls that were on there moontime couldnt go in the kitchen or hug other men or even go in the saleek. but the rest of the time was realy enjoyable

lalamilk 2017, Azteca, Azteca, Chumash, Mexica, Nahuatl, Native Youth, pipeline program, Uncategorized

A trip to the Place of the Rainbow

In the Chumash language, Wishtoyo means Rainbow. When arriving to the place of the Rainbow, I heard such beautiful voices coming from the entrance way. I seen Mati, Luhui, Sarah and the rest of their family with such big and wide smiles. I felt like crying when seeing such wonderful people once more. After getting off the van, I witness such positive energy and a great aura emanating from them. Once they sang to us, I went up to every single person and hugged them with so much joy, that it was overwhelming. Then we had a ceremony for our arrival to Wishtoyo that gave such a good feeling and positive energy. Hearing the voice of Mati and sharing his teachings, made me feel at home. Wishtoyo does feel like a second home.

Throughout the day of arrival, spent a lot of time settling into our tents and the feel of the place. That same day, Joe Clues showed us Sacred Geometry that interested me to be involved in. He taught me how to the Geometry is involved and connected to patterns and things in the universe. Since I have such a great love for mathematics and the universe, I was one hundred percent focused on his words and what he was teaching me. I spent the first night of sleep outside looking at the stars with my friend Cuauhtli and opening up to each other like I’ve never done before. The sound of the ocean was so soothing and beautiful that it made the even better.

The next day, I made a necklace using a plant called Yaka. I hit the plant with a rock until the strands of fibers started to show and part. Then, I pulled the strands of fiber apart in half and began to time the strands of fibers into a necklace. I was unable to decorate the necklace, but I did finish and let it dry. Again, we had another class of Sacred Geometry that taught even more. At the end of day, I went to the bottom of Wishtoyo where we created a fire with rocks for sweat ceremony. It took about two to three hours for the rocks to get fully heated. We entered the area for the sweat ceremony. The first round began and it felt good but very hot at the same time. We sang and had prayers which made me feel united with everyone in there. I excited after the first round but I felt like I could’ve lasted more. The ceremony did not end until around six the next morning. I only had about two hours of which made me feel tired and exhausted throughout the rest of the day. When we left, I felt so sad but so happy to have gone to Wishtoyo and been around the elders and everyone else.