October 2011
16 posts
3 tags
At the California Indian Conference this weekend, and I feel so good.
Hearing stories of California Indian resistance, perseverance, cultural revitalization. Watching our dances, hearing our poems, our ancient songs being sung again.
We understand each other.
Tonight, I walked with my people in unison. Abalone necklaces chang chang chang in a familiar unision that has been heard in this land...
One day we will speak it again
In the old stories passed down to me, my ancestors went to the peak of Tuyshtak, now known as Mt. Diablo, soon after the world was created to receive their voices on the peak of that sacred mountain from Creator, Grandfather.
For thousands of years, the descendants of those people on the eastern shores of Awwash (San Francisco Bay) spoke a language called Chochenyo. This is how it has always...
WatchMission Dolores at Fall
Today is my birthday. I am 25. Feeling so much love from the all my family. Went out with my cousin and my Mission Dolores family for lunch, and a great dinner with my parents. When I got home, my grandmother send me old pictures of me as a kid with my papa, and his mom, my Nana, an Ohlone elder. I also saw some pictures of me as a kid at a tule house… Good memories. A good birthday!
4 tags
Never Surrender
The Ohlone Gathering last Sunday was amazing. I left with a strong sense of pride and hope after hearing traditional songs, watching those in traditional dress dance the dances of the ancient ones, hearing stories of perseverance and preservation, and our place in the future. I left realizing, with a renewed hope, that our differences can be overcome and that we can someday be more united…...
@ the Ohlone Gathering right now listening to songs and dances of my ancestors, educating the public that we are still here, and bonding with my people. I just led th Chochenyo prayer in the four directions. I am proud. Kaana alsip.
2 tags
Throughout my life, I’ve struggled to blend a modern life with a seemingly “ancient” identity. Many people don’t think Indian folks change with the times like the rest. As I get older, I realize the best way to deal with this dumb misconception is to resist, to ignore them, and not give a damn so long as I know who I am. I am 24, a full member of the 21st century, and...
Preparing for the Ohlone Gathering @ Coyote Hills in Fremont, our biggest gathering of the year. If anyone tomorrow would like to come, please join. 10am until 4:30pm, with me leading the traditional Chochenyo Ohlone prayer at 1145am. Ilac! Come!
