Keeping the Songs Alive

Cahuilla singer Will Madrigal Jr. (far right)

© Carlos Puma Photo for The Center

The songs recall the Creation.

The stories share other Native American cultural history and memories.

Cliff Trafzer, UC Riverside history professor and Costo Chair in Native American History, worked with 10 elders and recorded their stories and songs.

The result was a 40-minute DVD video, called "Keeping the Songs Alive," which Trafzer has shared at Native American and other public gatherings.

In addition, more than 40 hours of videotaped interviews are archived at UCR's California Center for Native Nations and at UCR Libraries Special Collections & Archives.

At our Dragonfly Lecture Monday, Trafzer and

Will Madrigal Jr., a Cahuilla singer and recent UCR anthropology graduate, will share the DVD and more about the project, which was funded by a $10,000 grant from the California Council for the Humanities.

Read more about the project HERE.

DETAILS: 6 p.m. Monday April 11,

The Learning Center, 17 W. Hays, Banning.

Information: 951-849-7736

Ernest Siva © Carlos Puma Photo for The Center

Our Center co-founder and leader, Ernest Siva, is one of the elders featured in "Keeping the Songs Alive."

Below:

Click on the arrow to see the late culture bearer Pauline Murillo of San Manuel Reservation sharing a story and song: