Spectacular = Gala Silent Auction

A few items you'll see at our Dragonfly Gala Silent Auction:

1. Quilt by Serena Taylor (50 by 70 inches)

Fantastic needlework and detail is not done justice in this photo.

2. Navajo Kachina (collector's item)

3. Gourd ornaments

4. Basket with Snake by Artist Eva Salazar (Kumeyaay)

5. Extra-Large Native American pot from Arizona

6. Detail, front of pot

7. Small pot with painted bird singers and dancers

8. Navajo doll with velvet dress, 

turquoise necklace and earrings

Don't miss out! More items are being donated daily. 

RSVP for the Gala today: siva@dishmail.net

When: Saturday, Aug 9, 4 to 8 p.m.

Where: Morongo Community Center, Morongo Reservation

WHAT: 5th Annual Dragonfly Gala

Highlights: Roast beef dinner; tasting and demonstrations of traditional foods; silent auction; traditional songs and dances; Dragonfly Award

What you'll accomplish: You'll help the nonprofit Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, Inc., save and share Southern California's endangered Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts — all essential to our national heritage. Join our community, working together!

Tickets: $45 individuals, with opportunities to sponsor $1,000, $2,000, $3,000 tables.

We thank our Gala Sponsor, San Manuel Band.

And we thank Barona Band for their support.

Not Silent about the Silent Auction

The Dragonfly Gala fast approaches. It's Aug. 9!

Our Silent Auction has been described in the past as "epic" by News from Native California. That was when the auction was SMALLER!

This year, we already have dozens of beautiful items and many more on the way in. Here are a few:

• Native American flutes.
  
• Gourd artwork.
  
• Quilts handmade by Native American artists.
  
• Pottery, pottery, pottery.
• Jewelry.
• Baskets!

From a past gala (2005), here is a pot by Tony Soares that incited a lively bidding war:

Douglas Park Photo

 

This year, we are thankful to Mr. Soares for donating more of his stunning art in clay.

Don't miss the Silent Auction at the 2008 Dragonfly Gala!

Here is the who, what, when, and where.

Let us know by Aug. 1 if you're coming!

— PM

Pivii'pivii'yam (baby quail)

I forgot to mention our little friends, Pivii'pivii'yam or baby quails, who are so cute in their fast movements, running or flying. They remind me of hangam (bees), especially when the quail (kakata'yam, adult quail) are just out and about. We've been seeing them cross the road. - ES

Traditional foods at the Gala

Our Dragonfly Gala will have a theme of "Feeding the People."

• Eat a delicious dinner!
• See displays and demonstrations featuring foods such as mesquite, acorn, cherries, and much more. To whet your gala appetite about traditional foods, click here to visit Pechanga Reservation's excellent online cultural resources guide about Luiseño foods.
• Enjoy bird singing and other traditional music.
• Bid in our famed silent auction. Example of what you can buy.
• Honor the winner of the 2008 Dragonfly Award!

Gala details: 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 9

Morongo Community Center, 

13000 Fields Rd., Morongo Reservation.

$45 individual; 

$1,000, $2,000, or $3,000 tables.

E-mail info@dorothyramon.org  to reserve your spot.

Honors for Culture Bearers

Photo by Douglas Park

Ernest Siva, president of Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, has been honored with a statewide award for his work in saving and sharing Southern California's American Indian cultures, languages, history, music, and other traditional arts.

In ceremonies this morning at the ninth annual "For All My Relations: Conference for Indian Families," the California Indian Museum & Cultural Center gave Mr. Siva the inaugural "Cultural Guardian" award. 

Further, San Manuel chairman James Ramos, also a charter member of the Board of Directors of Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, was honored with a "Leadership in Action" award at the same ceremony!

(James is pictured here cooking yucca blossoms at San Manuel's annual yucca harvest. Photo by Pat Murkland.)

Our friend William Madrigal received an "Emerging Leader" award.

The Museum Board said: "We congratulate and commend the hard work and dedication of these gentlemen as they pursue their goals in the advancement and safeguarding of California tribal families, communities, histories, and cultures."

Congratulations! — P.M.

Flutes on the Hill

Idyllwild Arts offers a full schedule of Native American Arts classes again this year during the weeklong Native American Arts Festival.

 

We'll be there! Ernest H. Siva, Dorothy Ramon Learning Center's founder and president, will be again teaching Native American Flute Making with Marvin and Jonette Yazzie. 

This class inspired Ushkana Press, our nonprofit publishing arm, to publish our first work in 2004, the book and CD set, Voices of the Flute.

The 3-day flute-making class is a lot of fun. This year it's July 10-13. Students often return to take the class again and again. Each student makes and decorates a beautiful six-holed flute with the talented Yazzies. Ernest Siva teaches the basics of flute playing and students get a copy of Voices of the Flute. For those of you who missed the flute-making workshop that Dorothy Ramon Learning Center offered at the Art Hop, now's your chance! — PM

Scenes from one of our flute-making workshops:

(Pat Murkland Photos, copyright Ushkana Press)