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Publishing Corner: Indian Community: Science & Wonder Indian Heros: California Indian Art: CALIE Library: Academic Financial Aid: Tribal Governments: Indian Gaming: |
The San Diego County urban Indian community gathered on the Viejas Indian Reservation on December 14th for their 2008 annual tribal TANF (temporary assistance for needy families) holiday party that included a catered luncheon, a personal visit by Santa Claus who handed out Christmas gifts to the children, a live cultural dance and storytelling performances, and a live guitar band.
SAN DIEGO TRIBAL URBAN TANF
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THANK YOU, SANTA, from all of us! We know you were pretty busy when you stopped by Viejas to give us all those great Christmas presents, so here are our pictures for you to enjoy when things slow down for you at the North Pole and you have time to relax and think about all the Indian families and children you blessed this holiday season. YOUR BEST FRIENDS IN INDIAN COUNTRY Southern California American Indian Resource Center, Inc. (SCAIR). Funding Agency: Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association, Inc. (SCTCA) Tribal TANF Program. |
Christmas on the ‘Rez’
Viejas 2008
by Roy Cook, Opata-Oodham, Mazopiye Wishasha: Writer, Singer, Speaker
Southern California American Indian Resource, SCAIR, welcomed San Diego Urban Tribal TANF participants to a Holiday luncheon. Sponsored by the Southern California Tribal Chairman’s Association there is plenty of good cheer, gifts and feasting to be enjoyed on the Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay Indians land this Sunday, December 14, 2008 from 10:30 am to 3pm at the Viejas Dream Catcher lounge in Alpine.
There is a very impressive wall of gift-wrapped presents across the stage of the Dream Catchers private meeting room. Cutlery sparkled on the covered tables as the holiday seasons music filtered into the festive gathering. Candy and beribboned centerpieces established a special festive atmosphere for the fun filled schedule of events.
SCAIR Senior advisor Randy Edmonds opened the afternoon’s activities with a prayer for all this holiday season and for all who could not be there for reasons of distance or health. He then introduced Bill Johnson, SCAIR Board President for additional words of welcome and appreciation of the opportunity to be a part of the festivities.
Soaring Eagles coordinator and San Diego Unified School Indian Education Title VII community liaison Vickie Gambala presented a special gift to Ernie Salgado on behalf of the parents and children of the Soaring Eagle Dance and Regalia class. The Gourd stitch decorated dance stick is a symbol of position and privilege. Topped by a claw and wrapped with strips of fur the dance stick is further decorated with two feather drops. Ernie was proudly appreciative of the thought and the gift.
Lunch immediately followed with the call, “Elders First!” This is a fine hot generous selection of roast beef, ham in pineapple sauce, sliced turkey, fried rice, potatoes and gravy, steamed squash and tossed salad with a selection of dressings also rolls and butter. Later there is a tempting table of pies, decorated cake and selections of yummy buttery cookies.
Entertainment is provide by Kim Flying Eagle. He demonstrated a variety of Plains Fancy Dancer steps. His two specialties were a modern choreographed Eagle dace and a 24-hoop selection of designs and movements from nature and the world around us. His finale assembled two worlds of hoops.
The sounds of bells kept ringing as Santa Claus came out, that Red guy with the sack over his shoulder. He called all the children to gather around him as hid elves helped read off the names on the gaily wrapped gifts. There are spectacular gifts, enormous boxes, screams of excitement and joy over ‘their’ gifts. Here and there are piles of wrapping paper and ribbons, children riding and playing with the presents, sharing and having a wonderful time. There are outstanding smiles and lots of giggles of joy. This is a real fun place to be even if you think you are the Grinch. Even you too will smile at the end of this good day.
Finally, a youth guitar class of students led by Father Akers from Trinity Anglican Church of Alpine took the stage and sang songs of the Holiday Season. It is great fun until it is time to say goodnight to all and Ho, Ho, Ho from SCAIR this year.
Thank you, Aho, Mehan.
Back to Roy Cook's Articles page.
PROFESSIONAL VIEJAS PHOTOS
The professional Viejas staff gave the TANF guests the special Viejas VIP service and the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians' famous generosity made everyone feel special and welcome.
Each Indian child received a large candy cane filled with Hersey's Kisses, a coloring book, crayons and a Christmas stocking to decorate. Organizers even had a special table setup for the kids to design their own holiday cookies.
Many of the young Native American children received face painting from Native American face-painting artists.
SCAIR Executive Director Wanda Michaelis personally welcomed TANF participants to the Christmas party.
Each TANF client also received a $100 Albertson's gift card.
The "early birds" had extra time to design cookies at the special arts & crafts tables event coordinators set up.
SCAIR staff and volunteers had checked Santa's special list of good Indian children and had their personalized gifts wrapped and ready for Santa Claus' arrival — this was a lot of work...
SCAIR Board President William H. Johnson welcomed the Native American TANF families to the festivities and acknowledged all the people who helped make the program a success.
SCAIR Senior Advisor Randy Edmonds gave a traditional cultural blessing and spoke about Indian culture and the importance of close family unity throughout the event.
Ernie Salgado Jr, Luiseño, Soboba Indian Reservation, spoke to the TANF group after Randy Edmonds (Kiowa-Caddo) and Vickie Gambala (Cherokee) presented him with an authentic Native American guide stick (handmade by Chuck Cadotte, a traditional Lakota artist).
The ceremonial Indian stick design included a real hawk claw, feathers, authentic custom Indian bead work and tribal designs, animal fur. In indigenous North American Indian culture, the presentation of this California Indian artifact is significant and holds great meaning to its creator, presenter and honored recipient.
Viejas catering professionally catered the tribal event and everyone got a full belly with prime cuts of ham, turkey and beef with all the delicious holiday extras.
Kim Flying Eagle, Diné Indian Nation, performed several dance styles for the San Diego County urban Indians including Eagle dances (above) and hoop dances (below) — Southern Traditional pow-wow dancing style and regalia.
Kim Flying Eagle — a professional Native American dancer and storyteller — stopped occasionally during his performance to tell about the stories, histories and traditions of the Indian songs and dances to teach the audience about his indigenous tribal culture and share their indigenous North American Indian heritage.
The urban Indian families and tribal guests were entertained by Kim Flying Eagle's professional cultural dancing and Native American storytelling performance.
The Indian children were very excited when Santa Clause arrived and started calling out names and handing out their Christmas gifts.
Each TANF child received a personalized, wrapped gift from Santa Claus.
Hannah Montana at Viejas — yeah!
Hot Wheels, a classic gift idea!
Okay, which one is the baby doll and which one is the baby?
Pirates and a pirate ship made for pure happy Christmas smiles.
What's a great gift for a teenage Indian girl? — an Apple iPod!
Trinity Anglican Church of Alpine youth guitar group provided more live entertainment at Viejas.
ROBORAPTO
Antoinette Aleman and Vickie Gambala posed for a snapshot during the event.
Back to Roy Cook's Articles page.
SCAIR Winter Holiday Gathering at Viejas 2010
Santa appears live at event and passes out gifts to children, families take studio portraits...
SCAIR TANF CHRISTMAS AT VIEJAS 2009 — Urban American Indian tribal children gathered on the Viejas Indian Reservation...
PRODUCED BY ERNIE SALGADO (Soboba)
Professional Photography & Design: Gary Ballard
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