Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association TANF Newsletter Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families December 2019 – Volume 22 Issue 12 At UCSD, AIR Banquet Honors Native American Students By Gary P. Taylor, SCTCA TANF When it was founded more than a quarter century ago by Dwight and Devon Lomayesva, American Indian Recruitment (AIR) had a simple goal. “Our mission,” AIR proclaimed, “is the promotion and success of American Indians within education.” That has not changed. In late October, AIR held its 26th Annual Awards Banquet at the Faculty Club at the University of California San Diego. The three-hour evening event drew more than 150 students, family members, tribal leaders and educators. AIR presented awards and honors throughout the evening, including its Student Leadership Awards and Community Leadership Award. Cheyenne Faulkner, Amaya Esparza and Nagavohma Lomayesva received AIR’s Student Leadership Award. All three were lauded for their academic accomplishments, determination to succeed and commitment to their tribal communities. AIR’s Community Leadership Award was presented to Gwendalle Cooper, Ph.D. Cooper is in the Department of American Indian Studies at San Diego State University. AIR was founded by Lomayesva and his wife Devon in 1993. Cheyenne Faulkner (Continued on page 4) Sycuan Hosts Annual Native American Health And Wellness Conference By Karin Giron, SCTCA Newsletter Contributor On Thursday October 17, 2019, included beginner’s yoga out on the Southern Indian Health Council (SIHC) Terrace surrounded by the beautiful hosted its 21st Annual Native American landscape of the Dehesa Valley. Health and Wellness Conference at the The conference began in a good way Sycuan Casino Resort. with a prayer from Sycuan Elder George The day-long conference coincided Prieto. After the eagle staff and flags with Domestic Violence Awareness were posted by the American Indian Month (October) and provided a wealth Warrior Association, attendees were of information about the issue. During welcomed by Sycuan Tribal Chairman registration, attendees were invited to Cody Martinez. Bird Singers led by Blue participate in a wellness activity that (Continued on page 2) LA OL BA J N A D L L S U EST. 1875 I N S E I A Ñ O I N D (Continued from page 1) Sycuan Hosts Annual Native American Health And Wellness Conference The Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association (SCTCA) publishes the Tribal Temporary Assistance for Eagle Vigil and Jamie LaBrake sang a round of songs for all in attendance. Needy Families (TANF) Newsletter throughout the year at: The conference’s keynote address was delivered by Dr. Juana Majel-Dixon of SCTCA / TANF the Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians. In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness P.O. Box 1470 Valley Center, CA 92082 Month, Majel-Dixon spoke about the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and E-mail: [email protected] Public Law 280. She provided an overview of the struggle to pass the law and how (760) 746-0901 Ext. 100 they pursued VAWA from a sacred point of view that included tribal understand- The newsletter is designed and printed by Tribal Print ing, culture and traditions. She also clarified that VAWA protects women, chil- Source, a division of SCTCA. dren, men and elders. She stressed the importance of VAWA and Public Law 280 The purpose of the Tribal TANF Newsletter is to provide because, according to the most recent data, one in two Native American women the tribal communities with information about services will be a victim of some form of domestic violence. provided by the TANF Programs and other important issues Throughout the day, a series of workshops were offered on topics ranging concerning our rural/urban communities and families. from Suicide Prevention, Healing Through Food and Nutrition, Missing Murdered SCTCA provides services to San Diego and Santa Barbara Indigenous Women, Native Plants and Traditional Healing. In between sessions, Counties and the following reservations: conference attendees had the opportunity to visit a resource fair that included Barona Cahuilla Campo Ewiiaapaayp various agencies servicing Native Americans and their families. Resources were Inaja/Cosmit Jamul provided about domestic violence, mental health, voting, and medical benefits. La Jolla La Posta Attendees also had the opportunity to receive their annual flu shot, free of charge. Los Coyotes Manzanita Mesa Grande Pala Overall, the annual conference provided a wealth of information for attendees Pauma Rincon and was well coordinated by SIHC. San Pasqual Santa Ysabel Santa Rosa Santa Ynez Sycuan Viejas PLEASE NOTE: No articles or pictures published in the SCTCA TANF Newsletter may be reprinted or used in any manner without the expressed written permission of SCTCA. SCTCA is not responsible for any errors / mistakes on submissions added to our newsletter. Publisher: SCTCA Editor: Gary Taylor SCTCA Newsletter Contributor: Karin Giron Contributor: Colleen Turner, Editor and Contributor, 1998-2018 Printers: Tribal Print Source Copyright ©2019 2 California Declares –––– DISPATCHES –––– ‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day’ San Marcos Tishmall Turner, left, and Joely Proudfit On the third Friday in November, a group of tribal members, educators and students gathered in the MacMahan House on the far west end of California State University San Marcos (CSUSM). They were there for the Ninth Annual Southern California Tribal Education Summit. “The purpose of the summit is to convene tribal leaders, Tribal Chairwomen accept Proclamation American Indian educators, American Indian professionals, and In a signed Proclamation, California Governor Gavin Newsom regional school officials to learn how our local higher education institutions are serving tribal communities and American Indian declared Oct. 14, 2019, as ‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day.’ students,” said Tishmall Turner, Tribal Liaison at CSUSM. “We are The Proclamation effectively replaced the state’s recognition excited to have the University of San Diego, Kumeyaay Community of Columbus Day, which also fell on Oct. 14. College, Palomar Community College, University of California “Instead of commemorating conquest today, we recognize San Diego, and San Diego State University joining California State resilience,” the Proclamation read. “For the first time in California University San Marcos to share exemplary programs established to state history, we proclaim today as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Home serve American Indians.” to one of the largest and most diverse populations of indigenous During a two-hour session, representatives from the colleges and peoples anywhere in the United States, California is a better, universities spoke about the classes, instruction, educational inno- stronger and more vibrant place because of them. vations and new courses in American Indian studies at their respec- “Since time immemorial, peoples indigenous to the lands tive institutions. we now call California have built communities, fostered cultures While each acknowledged challenges and obstacles, none were discouraged. In fact, each expressed optimism about higher educa- and stewarded the land sustainably. As federal policies forced the tion opportunities for Native American students. mass relocation of Native Americans westward from their ances- “I remember when 100 Indian students would start college and tral homelands, Native American peoples found community in only one or two would finish,” said Stanley Rodriguez of the Iipay places like Oakland and Los Angeles, where they came together Nation of Santa Ysabel. “We don’t want to return to those days.” to support each other and share across cultures. And, while some Rodriguez – an instructor at Kumeyaay College – said the college California Native American communities were divided by borders, is trying to get MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding) with San many indigenous peoples in California today crossed borders and Diego State and UCSD. Such memos can provide an entry point for oceans, bringing the strengths of indigenous peoples from all over Indian students if they apply to those institutions, he said. the world to California. Rodriguez also noted Kumeyaay College has been buying SMART “In making this proclamation, we pay respect to the cultures Boards so students can attend classes on their own reserva- and populations that existed long before European contact. We tion instead of having to drive to the campus. SMART Boards are currently available on the Santa Ysabel and San Pasqual Indian celebrate the contributions of all indigenous peoples to the reservations, Rodriguez said. The college would like to expand the culture of diversity, innovation and resilience that has marked boards to several other reservations to open up educational oppor- California as a leader on the global stage.” tunities for Indian students. In San Diego, several local tribal leaders accepted framed “We want our people to not only learn what they need to know, copies of the governor’s Proclamation, including Brandie Taylor, but also to know our tribal culture,” he added. Chairwoman of the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel. Joely Proudfit, Chairwoman of CSUSM’s American Indian Studies “Today, we also honor the local leaders from around California program, was pleased with what she heard from Rodriguez and the who were decades ahead of us in commemorating Indigenous other educators. Peoples’ Day,” the Proclamation also declared. “We remember “It is really impressive to hear these tribal leaders and see the the protests throughout Northern California against