jimmydean2018 2018, applications, Environmental Law, Events, Life Skills, Mentors, Native Culture, Native Youth, pipeline program, Telling Your Story, writing

Thank Yous and Takeaways by James Fenelon

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The Native Youth to College program (NY2C) is now coming to an end it is appropriate to say a couple words of farewell. The first words go out to the elders which are the reason any of the activities within the program were possible. They did a great job of mixing fun with learning and deciding which times were appropriate for which. Julia, Scott, and the mentors did an excellent job of guiding the youth. Without them we would not have any foundations to build upon. From those foundations there were many takeaways from the program. NY2C wove together getting into college, college life, as well as importance of culture. Every student shined during the two weeks while we were together. I am going to miss all of the family I have gained here. Hopefully we do not forget one another and that our roads cross in the future. Notice how the final words are farewells and not goodbyes, this is because we will see each other in the future in one form or another.

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tyvongrey2001 2018, Angela Mooney D'Arcy, applications, Dine/Navajo, Environmental Law, Hector Perez Pacheco, Indigenous Games, Mayan Math, Mentors, writing

Beginning of the End of the Program: Tyvon Greyeyes

Sadly this day marks the beginning of the end for Mayan Math, Indigenous Games, and even Blogging. First I’d like to thank our elders Julia, and Mahti, our teachers Santos, Shelva, Angela, and Val for the life changing information that will benefit me in the future. We learned about Environmental Law, Applying for College, Mayan Math, and many more interesting topics that I will do my best to apply to my tribe and local community. The most impactful thing that I learned from this program was environmental law because it shows how much we need to improve the quality and beauty of our Mother Earth. Another topic that impacted me was when Bradley Henson came for a presentation about how we can mix western medicine with traditional medicine which opened my eyes to new ways to help our communities. Finally I’d like to thank all of those who provided this crazy fun experience for me and overall be my friends and teachers throughout the program.

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benjaminalv 2017, Azteca, Dine/Navajo, Mentors, writing

Leaving Pitzer by Benjamin

Hector and John

Every morning we started it off with John and Hector playing the indigenous games. They taught us good self defense techniques. I would like to thank them for all they have done and all they have taught us. Each morning was tiring but those two guys helped out with waking us all up. Thank you so much Hector and John.

Vincente

Where do I even start off with him. He is full of so much knowledge and has been nice enough to share that with us. He taught me how to do many math problems on the Nepohualtzintzin. All the stories he knows about the truth of the tool is so amazing. I will keep working on learning more about the Nepohaultzintzin. He even taught us Aztec dancing, it’s so much fun! Vincente’s class was the best out of everyday here at pitzer. Thank you so much Vincente!!!

Shelva

Shelva has opened my eyes on how to become a better writer than I ever was before. She teaches everyday about writing and on how we could find the right college for us. Finding some colleges that fits for me was good. I liked how she always greeted us with a good attitude every time we came in through the door. Thank you Shelva for all you have done.

Auntie Julia

Antie Julia is the nicest person in the whole world! She gave me many gifts that I know I will cherish for the rest of my life. Even though she didn’t come a lot, I still had a great time with every moment I was with her. Thank you so much Auntie!

Wishtoyo people

Thank you letting us be on your land. Everyday was a good day, learning new things, having fun, swimming, making memories, and Nana’s food!! I had a blast at Wishtoyo for my first time being there. The activities were very nice and I learned a lot. Thank you so much!

Mentors

Bellmont : Thank you for letting me feel welcome and being there for me. I had an amazing experience being your mentee!I hope I’ll see you next year!!! I am thankful for the talks we had and the bond that will never be broken

Phil Phil Phil! : I had a good time laughing with you, and rapping with you! Thank you so much.

Neeka: We had some funny times, and some serious times. I liked how you agreed with the things I said and you are there for me. Thank you so much Neeka! P.S Thanks for the help with my essay.

Anna: We had some laughs here and there. I am thankful for all that you have done for me! P.S Thanks for the snacks!!

Laura : Thanks you for the conversations and laughs. You helped me with my writing and I am thankful. Thank you so much!

Zara : You are a cool person and I liked how we always laughed at things. Thank you for who you are, and for what you have done for me!

MIKA! : Thank you for all the help you have done! You’re a very smart person. Thank you so much!!

Student

Thank you so much for accepting me here!! You made me experience great!! I want to keep in contact with you all. HMU when y’all in Page! I will miss you all!!!

 

coyo135 2017, Azteca, Media Studies, Native Culture, Native Youth, Telling Your Story, Uncategorized, writing

Another Day – Coyotl

Today was packed with a lot of classes about change with our culture. The people in the program and the mentors are all connected in a way that has change my motive and my way of seeing my culture. I have shaped into trying to spread the culture of natives claiming that we still live and we are still a people. All the people have showed there culture and carried their knowledge about themselves. I believe that I can spread this statement through Social Media and through the community. This will eventually be the statement that the government will testify but then approve of since they cant kick people of their own land. They are going against their own rules. It will be totally awesome if this will be carried on through future generations of people.

zionra7 2017, writing

8 days of NYTC 2017 ZION R A

Well were back from Wishtoyo i feel kind of sad but im happy with the time we had there. todays native games with tata Hector and tata john were great i had a fun time playing flower wars relating to it. was great to sing the womyns song with my brothers and tata caldonache teachings are so beautiful. good to work on common app with Shelva and our statments thank you so much

benjaminalv 2017, Wishtoyo Village, writing

Benjamin is back Pitzer!!

Being back at Pitzer is nice but I miss Wishtoyo. We started off the morning with Hector and John, we all played the best game in the world. The game was a good way to start off the morning. I had a good time with Shelva with writing. Aztec math was once again the best activity, Vincente has so much knowledge to teach us and we love to hear his words. I had such a great day back at Pitzer.

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

danielgfabian 2016, pipeline program, writing

Daniel Fabian First Blog

My name is Daniel Fabian and I am from Pomona, California. I am Native American and I’m also apart of the Pit River Tribe located in northern California. I see myself as a dreamer because I have a lot of goals I hope to accomplish. I currently go to Damien High School and will be a senior.daniel2 I have been to some native pipeline events at Western University in the past. A special project I have done at my school was to raise money and buy various items for families who couldn’t afford to give their family a good Christmas. Recognitions I have obtained at my school was Green Honor Roll and outstanding achievement in a chemistry course which means I finished top five in that course. I have not publicly given a speech before but maybe someday I will. Volunteer jobs I’m proud of is being a helper at a elementary school in which I taught 1st graders math and made sure they were able to understand the concepts. I hope to be less shy and quiet in the future because it is problem that I need to overcome.

 

eshulter2238 2015, Media Studies, Native Culture, News, pipeline program, Telling Your Story, WesternU, writing

Native Youth to College Progam and the GenI Challenge

Last Summer (2015), the students of Pitzer/WesternU’s Native Youth to College Program took on the Generation Indigenous Challenge by President Obama and the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY).

The Generation Indigenous Challenge asks Native youth “to work with other youth in their community or at their school to do something positive of their choosing [within 30 days of accepting the challenge].”

Our Result?

Finding Our Way to College. A book by Native Youth for Native Youth.

http://issuu.com/nativeyouth2college/docs/nativeyouth2collegefinal

Finding Our Way to College is a survival guide filled with practical advice, tips, and stories from Native Youth to College students navigating the college application process.

“My goal is to get to college, and I’ve motivated myself to make new connections in the Indian community around the world. I’d like to share my experiences and offer those opportunities to help you apply too! As royalty and a senior, I want to be a role model for others and show them the guidance, motivation, and support.”

“About 1% of American Indians attend my high school and most of them fail classes. We have an American Indian meetings every month and I want to tell them about this program and let them know that it can help them with college experiences and future College applications. However, if they are not interested in this program, I can give them tips about creating their College App. I want everyone to be successful and happy with where they are, especially my people.”

Take some time to flip through the book and read it. Share it with your friends, family, community, and school.

2015 Native Youth to College session students, we are proud of you for working so hard on this, sharing your experiences, telling your story, and being role models for other youth. 

A shout out to Gina Lamb, Pitzer Media Studies Professor, Edwin Gomez, and other Media studies students who worked on getting this ready for us!

#GenI #NativeYouth #TellingYourStory #GenerationIndigenous #Challenge