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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TRIBAL CULTURE

SAN PASQUAL Culture Day 2013


by Roy Cook, Opata-Oodham, Mazopiye Wishasha: Writer, Singer, Speaker

We seem to be closer to Heaven and on our own two feet at the June 15, 2013 Bird song and Peon gathering overlooking the valleys below. The heat of the sun this afternoon peels off the cares and layers of imposed western society.

BIRD SINGERS DANCERS

Once again, in our own company and our own skin we bask in the Native tradition of this land. The Ipai tradition, the Yuman language is at home in the hills and rocks of eons of generations. This is a land of National History and it is a chronicle of our Federal government doing right and very wrong in history. And yet, we survived as a Native people.

But, that aside for the moment, and looking toward the future this June 15, 2013, Bird song and Peon gathering culture day at San Pasqual is evident of the quality of dedication that a community can provide, by example, for the Indian children.

CALIF CULTURE

Tribal people from all over Southern California have gathered to visit with friends and relatives. We have come to enjoy the hospitality and festive traditions of thousands of years at these gatherings.

There are excellent food booths to sample, beautiful gifts to select choices from and free T-shirts to remember this San Pasqual culture day.

The sun dips and the Singers start the Bird songs and the dancers respond as they form and reform into ever changing lines of responses to the songs and singers.

SINGERSThese songs are a sweet sophistication of multiple related songs. The lead singer may or may not elect to bring out double step, or triple step songs, spins, turns.

Facing the Singers the dancers will often assemble, mostly female, and guided by the gourd rattle and song join in the presentation.

The dancing is often inspired by the moment and song selection of the lead singer. Strong songs sung by stronger singers from the River Tribes call out to the dancers, visitors and our relatives unseen that we are still here. We respected their teachings and examples. We remember them and our songs that sustain us in and thru many changes. We are still here!

SAN PASQUAL RESERVATION

Singers continue to take their turn into the dusk and night as the fires are lit for the Peon games that might last till dawn. Sometimes after 3am and when the groups are head to head in fierce challenge the best songs come out to encourage the teams of players.

The Peon competition takes place in a highly-competitive game of complex strategy, skill and calculation. It is played with eight players -- four on each side -- with an additional man or woman to act as umpire (Koymi) and award the tally sticks.

KUMEYAAY PEON GAMES 1960s
PEON photos courtesy of the Jane Dumas collection, kumeyaay.info.

The two sides are usually made up of youth or male or female players from different tribes or bands. Score is kept with tally sticks and the game is won when one side wins all of the tally sticks.

Much betting accompanies the game among the youth, men and the women. The game may be won in a short time, or it may -- as frequently happen -- through an entire night until the early morning, with several thousand dollars or more changing hands.

Finally, with the people gathering, the songs sung and the traditional games played create a resonance with the land that is sustaining and empowering.

As we do this Tribal custom and tradition we will continue to survive with and on this Indian land.

KUMEYAAY CULTURE ON LINE
KUMEYAAY TERRITORY
KUMEYAAY GUIDE
territory of the Kumeyaay at the turn of the 21st century.

SMITHSONIAN OUR LIVES
KUMEYAAY AT THE SMITHSONIAN
— the Kumeyaay Nation was featured in the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian "Our Lives" exhibition in Washington D.C.

CALIF INDIAN SOVEREIGNTY
CALIFORNIA INDIAN SOVEREIGNTY
— the San Pasqual Band of Diegueño Mission Indians of California is one of twelve federally-recognized Kumeyaay bands in Southern California that comprise the Kumeyaay Tribe of North America. In addition, there are four recognized Kumiai Indigenous Communities in Northern Baja California, Mexico.

VIEJAS KUMEYAAY STORIES
NATIVE AMERICAN STORYTELLING featuring the Kumeyaay stories of Sam "Howka Sam" Brown, Viejas KUMEYAAY.ORG

CALIF INDIAN ART
KUMEYAAY CULTURE — learn about the Kumeyaay culture online.

RESEARCH THE KUMEYAAY
KUMEYAAY RESEARCH — learn information about how to research the Kumeyaay Tribe of Southern California.

TRIBAL DOCUMENTARIES
CONTEMPORARY BAJA TRIBAL MULTIMEDIA DOCUMENTARIES — San Jose de la Zorra, San Antonio Necua, La Huerta, Santa Catarina, Juntas de Neji, El Mayor.

TRIBAL FAQ
TOP 50 Frequently Asked Questions about American Indian tribes — "American Indian or Native American?" | "Tribe or Band?" | "Who is an American Indian?" | "What is Indian Country?" | "Tribal Sovereignty" | "Indian Preference Jobs"...

And still more CALIE cultural projects under development:

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NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS PORTAL
— CRISIS HOTLINES, HEALTH CARE, HOUSING & DISABILITY BENEFITS, EMPLOYMENT, BURIALS, STATE & FEDERAL PROGRAMS...

AMERIAN INDIAN CHIEFS ON FACEBOOK
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FAMOUS AMERICAN INDIAN SPORTS SUPERSTAR ATHLETES
FAMOUS AMERICAN INDIAN ATHLETES

TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY
AMERICAN TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY GUIDE

MISSION INDIAN FEDERATION ON FACEBOOK
MISSION INDIAN FEDERATION

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Ernie C. Salgado Jr.
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