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1. An object I would put on the alter is a picture of an Apache Crown Dancer, more specifically the head Crow Dancer. The reason why is because it reminds me of my dad who was a natural born leader. At Sherman my dad played the role of the head Crown Dancer and when he committed suicide awhile ago we brought out a lot of pictures of him in High School in his attire. Also seeing these pictures really made me proud that he was my dad and that he taught me to be proud of where I come from.
2. To me a tradition that has a lot of meaning to me is what’s called an Apache Sunrise Dance and what that is, is basically a girl’s puberty ceremony and how she is then transformed into a women. Usually the ceremony takes 6-8 month in preparation and last about a week. The ceremony really takes endurance, strength, and motivation. Because you feel the spirit of the White Painted Women, who was the mother of Apaches and is a powerful women. So it was really life-changing for me to experience this. Also every women in my family has had a Sunrise Dance.
3. A tradition I would create is that the women in my future family would be gifted a pouch of yellow powder to pray with, an eagle plum to protect her, a red stone to give her endurance, and a pair of moccasins so she will always remember to walk in beauty through life and to be brought in a good way. To be close with her traditions and respect all her people. Because women are really praised in the Apache tribe so I would gift her these scared items to help protect her up brining in the world.

1. An object I would put on the altar would be a big indian staff in which my grandpa gave to me awhile back. He showed me the writing it had and it showed the tribe and band we originate from. It means a lot because it reminds me where I came from and it is very important to know that.
2. A tradition that has a big meaning is when I spend 4th of July at grandparents house because we get to light fireworks and talk with one another and a lot of funny things happen.
3. A tradition I liked to create would be a family reunion of some sort to get everyone in the family closer. I hope when I’m older I will start it and it will passed down forever.

 

1. I would put a diaper on the altar because it reminds me of my 1 year old sister. It amazes me that a life at young age can have a impact on me. When I see her she reminds me there is a God or a higher power because she has the feeling of love and does these little things that amazes me. We play together and we laugh together.
2. A tradition that has meaning for me is when my family gathers on christmas eve and wait till midnight to open presents. I like how my family joins together and show our love for each other.
3. A tradition I would make is something with my family. Cooking together then gathering at the table. This would happen every 2 weeks.

1. I would put a Wansak (clapping stick) on the altar because that’s the first instrument I’ve ever made and Mati taught me how to make them. It’s very special to me because it’s learning those traditions that were passed to him and him passing them to me.
2. A tradition that has meaning for me is going to Wishtoyo for  Winter Solstice. It’s spending time with family and eating tons of food is what’s fun about it.
3. A tradition I would like to start is running from the village (Wishtoyo) to the end of the beach. To run with my ancestors and for them.

1. A object that I would place on the alter is my grandpa hat that was from the military. He always wore that hat and when he passed away we put it on the coffin for him. I thought of him because he was always there for my family and kept the family together even through tough times he was alway the one to keep the fam together.
2. A tradition that has meaning to me is every 4th of July we always have competion with our neighbors on who has the best fireworks.

1. An object that I would bring to the altar that is important to me, would be my grandmothers scarf. It was given to me after she passed away, and it means a lot to me ,she means a lot to me. I will cherish everything that she has given me forever.
2. A tradition that has meaning to me is going to Peyote meetings in the spring and summer with my family. Sitting in the Tipi around the fire and praying all night with my friends and relatives calms my spirit. Eating the medicine heals my heart and protects me from bad spirits. Hearing everyone sing, and share their voices all night long replays in my head all of the time. Its so beautiful how culture and traditions can touch someones heart so deeply.

Same morning schedule as usual, wake up at 6:30 to get to the indigenous games with Pacheco. We did more physical activity today than any other day. My favorite activity was running around the field because I am really good at running and enjoy it. Pacheco then gave me a shirt for being the winner in running. After that, we learned more about scholar ships and how to apply for financial aid. We went over terms that are usually found in common applications for FAFSA and more. We also went to the lab to dissect a sheep brain. The professor explained parts of they brain and their importance. Every part of the brain plays big roles. We then went to theater where we did more human cultures and machines. They had to represent nature or action. Sometimes it was really hard to be creative, but my group was on top of it.

An object I would take to the altar for theater is corn. The elder at my school has always talked about the importance of it and how it was one of the main foods for native people. he made me appreciate corn and respect it and other foods.

A tradition that is really important to me is soccer. It is a tradition that runs in the family and in the Mexican culture. My family expects me to have some some of skill in that area, therefore I try to improve as much as I can and dedicate time to it.

A tradition I would like to create is having any sport, preferably soccer, and ply it within the community. Like set up a special date and every year, we can go play soccer. It wouldn’t only run in the community, maybe it can spread to other communities

 

 

 

Don’t get me wrong, I love flying. I’m just not very good at it and I have to constantly remind myself that its actually something I enjoy. What is most confusing is my body’s reaction to the weird effects of flying: Time feels as if it’s judo flipped into a swirly straw and minor events/inconveniences such as the dreaded airport line budging leave me in the mood for murder as I begin to  rely on suspicions like crossed fingers as proof I will get to my plane in time.

Even after that, these travel shenanigans transporting me from Vancouver YVR to the Seattle Airport and eventually to Ontario, California were only the first rollercoaster slope (rollercoaster slope as in scary  but rewarding and ultimately very fun) in the densely scheduled map of the day. 

After hours of clenched fists and many uncomfortable silences shifting in between trailed-off small talk about Canadian weather with the businessmen who sat next to me; I gathered my belongings and got off the plane.

The first thing that hit me was the heat. It was the type of heat that is tangible, that you can smell and taste and roll between your fingers; saturated with that dry, signature California imprint of gasoline and desert air and the distant smoke. 

Standing in the parking lot I spotted Scott and Rose who loaded my bags into the car and cranked up the classic rock radio. Rose, my auntie, was singing along to KISS and yelling over the highway wind that I was to be dissecting worms upon arrival.

Walking into the lab, before I noticed the worms, I noticed Nika, my program mentor. This was a relief as I had spent some time with her earlier this year and between her and Sadie and Rose, I felt a secure and in a circle of friends and familiar faces. Over the next few days this circle would only grow bigger. 

When I saw my first worm through the microscope I got excited and did what any reasonable, caring person does to their worm, I named her Guadeloupe. The form of Guadeloupe and her other worm cronies was only possible via scientists studying the worms genetic sequence, and editing it as to produce a glowing worm. In the company of Guadeloupe and Nika I frantically rambled on about ethical codes in genetic engineering technology reflecting on the future history of humanity in a way I felt was much deserved after hours at 10,000 feet. 

After this lesson the group marched over to the Pomona Campus to view their collection of Indigenous artifacts, dashing fully clothed into water fountains in a desperate attempt to avoid heat exhaustion.

The lesson provoked a sensitive and highly layered conversation on how institutions dedicated to preservation of history can reconcile with and apologize for the fact that their field was based in a system of genocide. A system of genocide of which these white historians emerged, stealing sacred treaty hides and and the beaded bear claw necklaces from the native bodies their culture killed. I feel like the historians at the museum could’ve done more to honor and encourage a dialogue about how museums can return sacred items that contain much political relevance between tribes. And perhaps not just allow contact between the artifacts and the next generation of native youth, but return that power to the local nation, so it is no longer just ‘theirs’ to allow. The museum was still fairly progressive and open to these issues. 

Regardless, I had a lot of fun. An elder came in to teach us about traditional crafts, giving the youth a tutorial on basket weaving (my basket looked horrible (but made with love)) and traditional painting. The paint was made by mixing various dampened pigments with salt which acted as a fixative, and storing them in small shells. Pounded pieces of soaked bark were used as brushes. It was really beautiful to watch native youth not only become skilled and able in this activity, but experiment with colors and ways to make the craft unique and improved. 

Myself, I became overly ambitious and embarked on a journey to create’great artwork’…Which I never came close to finishing and in its final product…at best looks, ‘abstract’, at worst, horrifying.

After lunch there were two presentations: One was a timeline on Native American representation in the media up until now and the other one was a presentation listing modern day Native filmmakers and their accomplishments. As a Native American child who was passionately involved in acting throughout the elementary school years, I had a few opportunities to star in films about residential school. I would say from the age of seven I had to learn about the implications of residential school on indigenous communities; but that isn’t technically true. Even as a child I already had a sense of the trauma in my nation and those films encouraged me to look into my history and further change my relationship to that history from powerless to powerfully informed.

I think it was this acting and the knowledge that came with those films that launched me on the path that landed me at this Pitzer program 🙂

AAAANyways, At the end of the day I was just amazed and exhausted by the amount of learning I received. I am so honored to be apart of this program and I’m looking forward to writing more about my next adventures 

 

-Peace 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This morning we learned how to do a game called The Chicken Dance. We held one foot up with one hand and interlocked our other hand with our partner. The first one to fall or let go of their foot lost. This really brought us closer and we learned how to thank each other after each game. Later we came to the computer lab and looked up scholarships we can apply for to get money for when we start college. Two of my friends and I found an easy scholarship that we applied for in class. Next we meet with a college professor and learned a little about the history of the haudenosaunee. We went to Western University and first we were handling organs. We were learning about what side of the organs is bigger and smaller. We felt hearts that had cancer and you could see black spots on the top of it. Next we went to see a virtual cadavers on a new type of technology. I think the future for medical school but they still need to add a few more features. One thing I asked about was if they had different bodys to look at because not every human body is the same. I think with in 10 years the technology will be way more advanced than it is now. When we left we headed to where our mentor Belmont lived in college. We got a machete and went back to Pitzer to make a banana tree that was already out of the ground into composed. We went crazy on the tree slashing it over and over again. At the end of the day we went to theater and we shared a tradition with a partner and then made gestures with each other of what their story meant with us.

So this morning we played four ancestral Hawaiian games that Hector Pacheco shared with us. The games required a lot of upper body strength and because I was sore from working out yesterday I didn’t really do to well. Then on the spear throw I was the one who threw my spear the furthest. I really enjoyed looking up different scholarships and being exposed to resources that are really going to benefit me on my pursuit to college. I actually already figured out a scholarship I am going to be working on this week. I didn’t really put to much thought into touching the Human hearts and lungs because I did it recently in another program but I still made sure to be very respectful while dealing  with the organs. What really got me thinking today was thinking about traditions that I have with my family and when I put some thought into it my family doesn’t really have many. One of the ones that we do have and I truly appreciate is that every time one of my family members or I is sick my mom makes teas that really make me feel better. Its not just the tea that makes me feel good, Its the love that my mom puts into that makes the real difference.

 

Here are some of the pictures from yesterday.