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Today marks the second day of the Native Pipeline program at Pitzer College. The day was a very packed and busy one.  Our first class was Aztec Math. This coarse in particular was very interesting to me because of how the natives used this method way back in the day. It’s astonishing to see how  smart our people are but sad at the same time because of the loss of tradition fading away. One of the perks of this program is that we are being taught to remember all the traditions and ways of our people. Doing activities like drum making and learning traditional dances really connect all of us back to our roots as…Native Americans. The worst thing that can happen is the corruption of a community, and as we learn to pass along and share our knowledge the better.

During our trip today at Western University, we learned the different out looks on life. As David Zachary stated about how life is depicted of different lenses – and which ever one we choose to look through we must be knowledgable about it. When we discussed the use of animal testing at Western University today, I understood many of us were upset about that fact and thinking to our selfies “Oh that’s so sad how they’re using innocent animals for testing to cure diseases and such.” The fact of it is, that we as humans created all these problems and diseases. It is horrible and wrong of us to do such a thing, but we can’t all be so naive. Doctors are there to try and help us survive, live and carry on with our lives. I can tell you from what I heard today , that the Medical Doctors  have no intent of hurting these animals but the truth is that we, as human beings, are to blame. We are the ones who pollute the earth, do stupid things , and bring all these bacterial disease and terrible outputs into our earth. We put our selves in this situation where doctors have to test on innocent animals to help cure us, the people. I hope if you read this you understand we are to blame, but it is never to late to change our nasty ways. -Thank you

Gosh, today was eventful and longer than the lunch line when the Italians get to the cafeteria first. A good kind of long though. Not the Italians; the day, I mean. First I woke up at 5 or 6AM, nice to know I can’t sleep through this new alarm I found,and I got a lot of alone time which– with 8 girls and 2 bathrooms–was very nice. It was cold though. I gotta learn how to use the AC,and more importantly, how to turn it off.

We did Aztec Math, which we got a tablet (like an abacus). It’s hard though! I still have to do subtraction on my hands with my fingers, so translating from fingers to tablet will be pretty hard. And then Academic English was good! It was fun listening to everyone talking. Then we went to Western University, and we learned about pollution and medical careers, and then went on a tour. I liked hanging out with Kevin Tarn and everything! Funny guy! And then we watched a movie about surfing and a famous man named Eddie Akiau (I think I spelled that right…? The tablets hard to work with multiple tabs).

But the best part was definitely when David came by to borrow Violet’s guitar and she brought out her fmusi in the hall right after my hot shower and just… Wow. He’s really improved from last year, I can’t wait to goto Wishatoyo because I remember Sarah and all the other Chumash musicians and David (and hopefully Violet!) playing together– it’s going to be amazing to hear. I can’t wait!

A wonderful end to a wonderful night guys, thanks David and Violet; love you both!

Many facets today caused me to reflect upon the relevance of taking the time to be fully present. Present in our lives, our words, and our actions. That sounds a little wonky perhaps, how can we be living a life that we are not present for? Simple, many of us choose this path on a daily basis, we choose to continue this way by withholding recognition, respect, and responsibility from one another. As Robert John says, every day we all decide whether or not to grow, and allow ourselves to be changed in a positive way by engaging in our lives and engaging with one another. The vitality of acknowledging and respecting our intricate links are of the utmost importance in healing ourselves, our communities, and our mother. 

“Pull a thread here and you’ll find it’s attached to the rest of the world.” 
― Nadeem Aslam

First day of classes!! And it was pretty awesome even though I was half asleep throughout the day, haha. This evening, the movie we watched, not only about Eddie Aikau but explaining about the 49th state and how they cheated the Hawaiians into giving up there land, was so inspirational and i thought about the sovereignty us, Native Americans, have been through but we have to remember that we are strong and more powerful than we think. We have to respect our elders, parents, and everyone we come in contact with because they might be the only people that will care for us.

Stay fierce my friends. Yours truly, Dani.

Trisha- today was amazing I learned a lot I kinda got tired in the middle of the day but native science is still a question mark in my head like I heard everything tiffany was talking about I just couldn’t get it clear anyways tomorrow let’s see I may be tired but I’ll still learn more then ever ha okay
List:
-work out (now)
-do nothing
-lay down and enjoy life lol
-goodnight people
❤ trish

Throughout the day it was quite interesting, until we got to the end of the day after dinner we had 20 minutes of free time after that we went into a classroom. The movie that we where  going to watch was Hawaii: The legend of Eddie Aikau. It showed me a lot it was a quite touching story that had so much meaning and it gave me an idea that your spirit is something to cherish. No matter what you do never give up and if you believe in something make it happen. At the end Eddie had a great heart and was appreciated by everyone for who he was as a person. He had his own personal legend that one day, I need to find mine.  
                                            

                                                                               xoxo,
                                                                             Jackie O.

Today was a great second day. I enjoyed the math and making a fool of myself dancing.

Today a lot of my interest went into the academic writing class because it was really fun. Also I really liked the Western U college tour we went on it was very funny. 👌

If I had to give one word for what I personally thought stuck out to me it would be RESPECT but not only for yourself but for everyone and EVERYTHING around you and knowing the value of what you see everyday, things we take for granted are sometimes the things we need the most in order to survive… Like for example a tree we see them everyday and we don’t think anything about it right ? Well think about what what that tree provides you with , oxygen, shade when you are really hot. A place for a hammock and tight rope something to climb and recite Shakespeare if you wanted to 😂 but yet everyday after we finish with it when we are all cooled down we have caught our breath ran out of sonnets… We don’t even think to thank that tree we just walk away… And I think that’s what is really the most part. And I can’t say that I say thank you to the tree but it’s something we should all think about….

2nd day was amazing I say may the sun and mother earth brighten your day up and feel a little joy to live the moment.🌞🌞 Some one can have a effect on thousands saved thousands and is in sound with the water has the connecton to be out in the waves 🌊🌊🌊  Touched many hearts.💜 but I’m glad we are all connecting more and making great memories can’t wait for tomarrow.
Xoxo Bella:):)