Ahunika'

Flute fun

2012-01-17T08:37:00.001-08:00

Second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling!

Ernest Siva (left) with Antonio Flores (Murkland Photo)

Crowd at the Center, making flutes (Murkland Photo)

All ages make flutes with Antonio Flores (Murkland Photo)

Center President Ernest H. Siva tries out a flute he made. (Murkland Photo)

Discovering the voice of a newly made flute (Murkland Photo)

Elderberry sticks in varied stages of transformation (Murkland Photo)

Everyone is enthused about the emerging flutes (Murkland Photo)

Discovering the music (Murkland Photo)

People of all ages and cultures came to make their own Pomo-style wooden flutes with Antonio Flores on Saturday. Some drove from Hemet and other areas. Three were walking a dog past the Center when they were drawn into the excitement. We thank Antonio Flores for trekking from Oakland to share his flute-making zest. The Inland Empire Flute Circle was meeting as well. And later that evening was our monthly Native American flute class. A musical start to a year full of activities at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.

Generation to Generation

2012-01-02T19:53:00.000-08:00

Weare honored that Dorothy Ramon Learning Center's first 2012 DragonflyLecture will feature Walter Holmes, Jr., leader of the Morongo BirdSingers. Come share an evening with a Native American culture bearer, traditionalsinger, and minister.

Details: 6 p.m. Jan. 9,
Gathering Hall at 127 N.San Gorgonio Ave., Banning, CA.
A $5 donation at the door will help thenonprofit Center save and share Southern California's Native Americancultures, languages, history and traditional arts. Information:951.849.7736

Flutes in January

2011-12-15T20:16:00.000-08:00

He's always a crowd favorite. We'll welcome back Antonio Flores to our Second Saturday Storytelling Event on January 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. Learnhow to make a Native American flute from localelderberry wood and learn how to play it. Make and take your flutehome! Free family fun! Learn about area Native American music. In frontof the Center, at the corner of San Gorgonio Avenue and Hays Street inBanning. (We'll move inside if it rains.)

Second Saturday To Be REscheduled

2011-12-06T20:48:00.000-08:00

We're sorry to say we'll be rescheduling the basketry program we had planned for this Saturday's second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling program. So, no second Saturday event on Dec. 10. See you next month.

Come to the Hall

2011-11-30T18:55:00.000-08:00

A wreath filled with Native American pottery ornaments hangs in our Gathering Hall, awaiting Saturday's downtown Phineas Festival and Christmas-tree lighting. Join Dorothy Ramon Learning Center during the festival at the San Manuel Serrano Band of Mission Indians Gathering Hall at 127 North San Gorgonio Avenue. The festival runs from 3-8 p.m. and offers lots of free family fun. At the Center's Hall, you'll find flute and other music and arts. See you soon!

Acorns!

2011-11-09T12:03:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of Michael Contreras, Jr.

Acorns were an important food for Native American people throughout California.
In Southern California, acorn remains a favorite traditional food.
Ever wonder how an acorn is transformed from a bitter-tasting nut filled with tannic acid into a nutritious food?
Come to Dorothy Ramon Learning Center's Second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling Program from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, corner of Hays Street and San Gorgonio Ave., and find out.
The Madrigal Family will take us step-by-step through traditional acorn processing and preparation.
And you'll get to taste the results.
Free family fun. Crafts for kids.
Information: 951.849.7736

Katherine Siva Saubel, 1920-2011

2011-11-03T18:37:00.000-07:00

As Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin stated this week:

"Dr. Saubel was truly remarkable, both as a leader and as a fierce defender of Native American culture, from the preservation of the traditional Cahuilla language to the protection of sacred sites.

"As an author, a leader, an academic and an activist, she displayed astonishing skill, courage and compassion as she worked tirelessly to preserve Native American culture and reignite interest in our rich heritage among the public and our tribal youth.

"We will miss her wit and her wisdom, her ability to inspire others through hard work and laughter, and her enduring commitment to our cultural and spiritual beliefs."

Read about Mrs. Saubel's extraordinary life and her work to save and share Cahuilla culture and language HERE.

Please note: Dorothy Ramon Learning Center will not hold Serrano language and culture class on Monday, November 7.

Traveling Along the Bradshaw Trail

2011-10-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

Stagecoaches that rumbled through San Gorgonio Pass in the 1800s continue to spark local interest in the history and mysteries of the Old West.
Come travel along the road to gold, the Bradshaw Trail.

Join historian Richard Hanks as he tells true tales about the trail on Monday, Oct. 24 at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center’s Dragonfly Lecture.
The lecture starts at 6 p.m. at the Learning Center, 17 W. Hays, Banning.

A recommended donation of $5 at the door helps the nonprofit save and share Southern California’s Native American cultures, languages, history, and music and other traditional arts.

Information: 951.849.7736

October

2011-10-07T15:04:00.001-07:00

Come fall into fall this Saturday.

Discover autumn at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.

Our Second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling is all about October.

Free family fun!

Native American storytelling and songs with Ernest H. Siva (Cahuilla/Serrano).

Free crafts (sage sachets and leaf prints).

Details:

1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8

Corner of Hays St. and San Gorgonio Ave., Banning, CA

Information: 951.849.7736

Come back at 6 p.m. for our Native American flute class with members of the Inland Empire Flute Circle. Only $10.

Tortoises

2011-09-16T15:51:00.000-07:00

It was a fun Second Saturday with Barbara Drake (Tongva) and the California Turtle & Tortoise Club Inland Empire Chapter ... and a couple friends.

The Serrano Indian word for tortoise = Qerperc

The Cahuilla Indian word for tortoise = I'yeel

Our friends from the California Turtle & Tortoise Club

Barbara Drake uses a tortoise shell to tell about the 13 moons on a tortoise's back: a calendar.

Fun crafts for all ages ... a felt tortoise, and a pinhole drawing

Free family fun! Missed this second Saturday?

Come to the next. Or come again!

Second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling

OCTOBER! Oct. 8 1-4 p.m.

Fall is here, an important time for the First People. Come discover more with Ernest Siva (Cahuilla/Serrano). Crafts. Free family fun.

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, corner of San Gorgonio Ave. and Hays St., Banning, CA

We save and share Southern California Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Thirteen Moons on a Tortoise's Back

2011-09-04T16:32:00.001-07:00

We're celebrating turtles and tortoises ...

so, don't poke along, please hurry to join us.

We're having a special Second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling this coming Saturday, September 10.

Elder Barbara Drake (Tongva) will share traditional stories about turtles and tortoises, which are important to Native American cultures throughout Southern California.

A representative from the California Turtle & Tortoise Club and a desert tortoise also will be on hand to meet and greet you.

Come learn all about California's state reptile and other turtles and tortoises.

The club is looking for homes interested in adopting rescued desert tortoises and other turtle and tortoise rescues.

Could that be you?

Come learn about these interesting reptiles and fill out an adoption application.

Come for an afternoon of free family fun.

Enjoy crafts for kids!

DETAILS:

Saturday, September 10, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, corner of San Gorgonio Avenue and Hays Street

A grant for telling history

2011-08-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

Cowboy exhibit at 2009 Dragonfly Gala

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center has received a $1,000 mini-grant from the California Council for the Promotion of History.

Thank you to the council for funding our project on Indian cowboys!

Dragonfly Gala

2011-08-20T17:39:00.001-07:00

This year's Dragonfly Gala was a wonderful gathering of people devoted to saving and sharing Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

We thank all those who came, all those who volunteered, all those who helped us celebrate these cultures. We were honored to present our Dragonfly Award for high-soaring achievements to Dr. Lowell John Bean.

Stay tuned for gala photos!

Gala in the News

2011-08-09T15:58:00.000-07:00

Roman Catholic Church at Morongo Reservation,

Courtesy of Banning Public Library

Read about the Dragonfly Gala

and its theme of historic photos HERE.

DETAILS about the GALA HERE.

Not Silent About the Silent Auction

2011-08-07T15:58:00.001-07:00

A few items from our upcoming Aug. 13

Dragonfly Gala Silent Auction:

Hopi sterling silver dragonfly necklace

Dragonfly candle holder

Long Native American abalone, seed, and bead necklace

beaded belt buckle

Native American beaded necklace + earrings

Bolo ties galore

Mini gourd rattle (traditional music instrument) ... it works

Zuni-style dragonfly pottery

necklace + earrings, sterling silver inlaid with stone

Glass art tray by Blue Dog Arts

Collectible horse

Another view

Billy Soza Warsoldier painting

large oil by Warsoldier from the Wild Mustang Series

Large art glass bowl

Don't miss the Silent Auction.

Don't miss the Gala!

DETAILS HERE.

Join Us!

2011-08-03T18:34:00.000-07:00

It's time for the annual Dragonfly Gala.

Time to celebrate

our Southern California Native American cultures.

This year our gala theme is

Shadowcatchers: Old Photographs.

Native American images often are missing from institutions and from the history books.

This year our gala will feature photo displays and ways to save old photographs.

We're also encouraging participants to bring COPIES of photos to the gala.

Everyone will help us assemble a

Native American photo exhibit.

This will emphasize the importance of saving and sharing these photos, and how much they are needed to keep history accurate.

YES, your old family photos are important.

Along with the displays, we'll share memories and stories.

This year we are honoring anthropologist Dr. Lowell Bean with our Dragonfly Award for high-soaring achievements in saving and sharing Native American cultures.

We're really thrilled and hope you can join us.

We expect to see some grandchildren of Native people he worked with years ago, perhaps bringing their own grandchildren to help honor him.

Other gala events to look forward to:

FOOD. Eat a delicious BBQ dinner prepared by William Pink and family.

MUSIC. Traditional bird singing and dancing always add joy to our gala.

Flute music adds serenity and beauty.

GREAT STUFF in our SILENT AUCTION. Don't miss the eclectic and beautiful Native American and dragonfly-related items.

DETAILS:

4-8 p.m. Aug. 13, Morongo Community Center.

PLEASE RSVP: 951 849-4676 or siva@dishmail.net

TICKETS: $45 individual; Tables, $1,000, $2,000, $3,000.

All proceeds help our 501(c)(3) nonprofit keep growing.

Our gala is a way to help keep our families and communities healthy.

When you join us in saving the past and sharing cultural and traditional knowledge in the present, together we will keep our future strong.

In the News

2011-07-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

The Press-Enterprise reports on our new Gathering Hall. READ HERE

Summer: Season for Celebrating Native American Cultures

2011-07-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

Summertime brings family fun and learning at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.

People can learn how to make arrowheads, play a flute, sing in the Serrano Native American language, discover whether there’s help for diabetes in a snake’s venom, and much, much more.

Carlos Puma Photo for The Center

The Center, which saves and shares Southern California’s Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts, offers an array of programs, lectures, and other events during July and August:

Second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling: Arrowheads & Archaeology. Free family hands-on fun: Learn about flintknapping and making arrowheads. Learn about bows and arrows. Be an archaeologist — can you “dig it”? Crafts for kids. DETAILS: The Center, corner of Hays & San Gorgonio, July 9, 1-4 p.m. FREE!

(Pat Murkland Photo)

Native American Flute Class. Learn to play the flute from your heart. Performance-oriented class with flutists from Inland Empire Flute Circle, offered every second Saturday (the next is July 9) from 6-9 p.m., The Center, 17 W. Hays, Banning. Only $10.

Note: DO NOT try to touch or handle any rattlesnake as Dr. Hayes is doing here with the Mohave green rattler. Dr. Hayes is experienced and this snake is much more docile than one you might encounter in the wilds. (Pat Murkland Photo)

Dragonfly Lecture: Snakes Alive! 2. Dr. William Hayes of Loma Linda University returns to the Center with some of his venomous reptiles at 6 p.m. July 11, 17 W. Hays. This time, the biologist will share his research on how snakes and other local venomous animals may be helping the battle against diabetes, stroke, and cancers. Graduate students at the Laboratory of Behavorial Ecology and Conservation at Loma Linda University focus on research that includes how animals use their venom, as well as other conservation studies on species such as the California condor and desert tortoise. Donations at the door help the Center save and share Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Ernest Siva (Carlos Puma Photo for The Center)

Serrano Language & Culture Class. Learn Serrano language and songs and explore Serrano culture with Elder Ernest H. Siva, also president of the Center, every first and third Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the Center, 17 W. Hays, Banning. Free.

Carlos Puma Photo for The Center

Dragonfly Gala. Dorothy Ramon Learning Center’s premier event celebrates Southern California’s American Indian cultures with exhibits and demonstrations, traditional singing and dancing, highly acclaimed food, a silent auction of dragonfly-related and Native American art, the Dragonfly Award, and more, starting at 4 p.m. Aug. 13 at Morongo Community Center on Fields Road at the Morongo Reservation. This year’s theme is “Shadowcatchers: Old Photographs.” To reserve tickets, $45 each, or tables: Ernest and June Siva, (951) 849-4676 or siva@dishmail.net.

Preserve & Protect Your Photos

2011-06-27T13:01:00.001-07:00

Tonight we are honored to have Rose Ramirez as our Dragonfly Lecturer.

Come and learn how to save your old photos.

Save History!

All are welcome.

DETAILS:

6 p.m.

Corner of San Gorgonio Ave. and Hays St., Banning, CA

Donations at the door help us save and share Southern California's cultures, history, languages and music and other traditional arts.

Gathering at the Gathering Hall

2011-06-14T16:19:00.001-07:00

Painting the exterior

On Saturday, we're honored that several traditional Native American singing groups will come see, tour, and celebrate the Hall. They'll sing with us there.

They'll sing Native American songs of Southern California's mountains, deserts, and the Pass.

We're looking forward to everyone's ideas for exhibits and events that will save and share Southern California's cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Please join us. Come listen to Southern California's own music.

We'd like you to come see our new Gathering Hall.

But it's more than just seeing. We're looking for vision.

We also welcome your vision of Southern California Native American cultural events you'd like to see there.

BYOI: Bring Your Own Ideas.

We thank San Manuel Band of Serrano Indians for making the Hall possible.

We're looking forward to everyone's help in making our dreams come true.

We're honored that Morongo Cultural Resources is co-hosting this gathering with us.

Details: 3 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 127 N. San Gorgonio Ave., Banning.

Donations welcomed at the door.

Snakes Alive!

2011-05-26T17:33:00.000-07:00

It's snake season.

Teach snake safety to your kids.

Learn about rattlesnakes and other venomous animals.

Learn Native American stories about them, too.

It's all at the next Second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling event, from 1-4 p.m. June 11.

Come discover the Center at the corner of San Gorgonio Avenue and Hays Street in Banning.

Hopping Toward the Art Hop

2011-04-26T12:55:00.000-07:00

Storytelling, singing, and crafts will help create a Native American festival within Banning’s downtown Art Hop on May 7.

It will all add up to free family fun — and learning about American Indians — at the nonprofit Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.

The Banning Cultural Alliance leads the Art Hop, offering a day of free arts and culture annually to thousands of people.

The Center will be in the center of it all!

DETAILS: 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. MAY 7 ... The Center at the corner of San Gorgonio Avenue and Hays Street in Banning, CA.

A few of our planned activities:

Free flute-making. In his previous visits Antonio Flores has been surrounded by a large crowd of people of all ages who enjoy making and taking home their Pomo-style wooden flutes.

Demonstrations of pottery, basketry and other traditional arts. Children also can make their own small baskets in cultural arts workshops led by Jacque Nunez (Acjachemen).

Serrano Indian tools and toys. Tools to try, and toys to make and take home, with volunteers from San Bernardino County Museum. Learn how to work a prehistoric drill, for example, or make a toy that was once used to hone hunting skills.

Or play a fun guessing game!

There's much more:

Storytelling and singing with the California Indian Storytellers Association and tradition-keepers from throughout Southern California.

Presenters will include Center President Ernest Siva (Cahuilla/Serrano);

Ernest Siva Photo © Carlos Puma for the Center

Jacque Nunez (Acjachemen);

Other presenters are Barbara Drake (Tongva);

Barbara Drake Photo © Carlos Puma for The Center

Kim Marcus (Cahuilla/Serrano);

... And Kat High, director of Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center near Los Angeles.

Still MORE: A film, Songs of the Colorado. SEE A PREVIEW HERE.

Daniel Golding’s film explores Native American music traditions along both sides of the Colorado River. The songs have been passed down through generations and the film chronicles the culture bearers’ work to keep the songs alive. The film will be shown at 4 p.m. at the Center.

Native plant uses. Discover the many traditional uses of plants in the Pass and other Southern California landscapes as food, medicine, and tools. Presenters include culture bearers Barbara Drake and Kim Marcus. Learn, for example, how to make wewish, an acorn dish that once was a staple food of American Indians.

There also will be art for people of all ages to make and take home, including the Center’s popular dragonflies.

Come hopping at the Art Hop to The Center's Open House.

Come discover The Center and join the volunteers working to save and share Southern California’s Native American traditions and knowledge. Learn about plans for a native plant garden and expansion and renovation of the Center on the corner of San Gorgonio Avenue and Hays Street.

Work on the adjacent Gathering Hall continues and we hope it will be completed in time for the Art Hop.

Information: (951) 849-7736.

Marvin Yazzie

Meanwhile, the Center’s annual flute workshop with master flute-maker Marvin Yazzie (Navajo) and his wife, Jonette, will again be under way throughout the Art Hop. Participants in the three-day workshop from May 6-8 will make a six-holed wooden Plains-style flute with the Yazzies and learn the basics of playing with Ernest Siva, who will also share music of the First People of Southern California. Registration is still open, but the class will be limited to 10 people. The fee is $300. Information: (951) 849-4676. E-mail: siva AT dishmail DOT net

Flutes!

2011-04-13T15:35:00.001-07:00

It's nearly time for the annual flute-making workshop at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.

This is your opportunity to make a beautiful wooden six-holed Plains-Style Native American flute in a 3-day workshop with master flute-maker Marvin Yazzie, Navajo, and his wife, Jonette.

Also learn the basics of flute-playing from Ernest Siva. Discover the music of the First People of Southern California.

Enrollment is limited to 10 people. The price remains $300. Pre-register at the email siva@dishmail.net. Or call 951.849.4676.

The workshop will be held on three days, May 6, 7, and 8. May 7 is the annual downtown Art Hop in Banning, and we have storytelling, singing, crafts and much more free family fun planned at the Center as part of the overall event.

Hope you can join us, at the corner of San Gorgonio Ave. and Hays Street in Banning, for Art Hop fun! Stay tuned for more exciting news about the Art Hop.

Keeping the Songs Alive

2011-04-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

Cahuilla singer Will Madrigal Jr. (far right)

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.

Music, Music, & More Music

2011-04-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

Second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling has been a hit since our debut earlier this year.

It's all about learning and free family fun.

This coming weekend our event features MUSIC:

• Learn about our Southern California music from Ernest Siva, the Center's leader.

Photo © Carlos Puma for The Center

• Discover animals that are in songs.

• Find out why we have dragonflies on our doors at the Learning Center.

Photo © Pat Murkland

Learn the Dragonfly Song! Make your own dragonfly to take home.

• Discover musical instruments of Southern California.

Make your own instrument to take home.

• Learn about flutes, hear flute music,

and play a flute.

Photo © Pat Murkland

DETAILS:

Corner of Hays and San Gorgonio Ave., Banning

1-4 p.m. this Saturday, April 9

INFO: 951.849.7736

Spring is for music

2011-03-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

True Cowboy and Indian Tales of the Pass

2011-03-07T19:52:00.000-08:00

A few Morongo brands © Pat Murkland Photo

Welcome to the Old West. The real Old West.

San Gorgonio Pass has a rich history of cowboys and Indians.

For starters, the first cowboys WERE Indians.

And when it came to good guys and bad guys, there's a story of how Cahuilla leader Juan Antonio caught a whole gang of bad guys.

He and his men had no guns but the bad guys did.

Want to hear this story? Want to hear more stories?

Did you know Wyatt Earp was in the Pass?

Come to Dorothy Ramon Learning Center’s family sidewalk event this Saturday (March 12) for “True Cowboy and Indian Tales of the Pass.”

The event from 1 to 4 p.m. at the corner of San Gorgonio Avenue and Hays Street is part of the Learning Center’s Second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling series.

Here you'll find free family fun with hands-on activities for children, along with storytelling.

The first two events drew standing-room-only crowds of all ages to our nonprofit that saves and shares Southern California’s Native American cultures, history, languages, and traditional arts.

“True Cowboy and Indian Tales” will feature stories by Richard Hanks of Riverside.

Hanks has a background in journalism, public history, and archival work. We like to tell people he has an ear for listening to voices not usually found in the history books, and an eye for ferreting out telling details amid a library's vast holdings.

He can tell a good story or two or three, and on Saturday, that's just what he'll be doing. The true stories are much more interesting than the Hollywood clichés.

Hands-on activities will help teach children about real Pass cowboys and Indians — including American Indians who were and still are cowboys.

For example, try a lasso.

Family fun! And it's free!

All are welcome.

Information: (951) 849-7736.

Discover Photos of the Pass

2011-02-23T18:49:00.001-08:00

View of Banning, CA, downtown, 1901

(looking north on San Gorgonio Avenue from railroad tracks)

Courtesy of Banning Public Library District

Photos from the rich past of San Gorgonio Pass tell many stories.

On Monday, Bill Bell will share some.

From cowboys to apricot groves and other community commerce, from a World War I armistice parade to more modern Stagecoach Days events, Banning Public Library's photos comprise a wide range of the Pass past.

SCANNING HUNDREDS OF PHOTOS

Bell has been working on a state library grant project to digitize old photos in the library district archives.

He’ll share some of his discoveries at Monday’s Dragonfly Lecture at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center — and tell how he’s on the lookout for more.

The public is invited to the lecture starting at 6 p.m. at the Center at 17 W. Hays, Banning, CA. Donations at the door help the small nonprofit save and share Southern California’s Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

The Center celebrates a theme each year, and this year, it’s Shadowcatchers: Photographs. The Center is spotlighting work in documenting and preserving Native American-related historic photos. These photos are often not in major historic collections.

Thanks!

2011-02-17T19:37:00.000-08:00

Our local patch.com news named

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center as one of the region's top nonprofits. Thanks!

Werre' ... Haeh-hae'

2011-02-14T15:56:00.000-08:00

Today's February 14, so without further ado,

here's how to say it in two of our Southern California American Indian languages:

SERRANO:

Pihan'in emey.

CAHUILLA:

Ne'en a'aiyoqal.

Say what?

Say, I love you.

Werre'. (Serrano: Yes.)

Haeh-hae'. (Serrano and Cahuilla: Yes.)

Serrano Toys & Tools

2011-02-10T18:19:00.001-08:00

What tools did American Indians use?

What toys did American Indians play with?

Find out this coming Saturday, Feb. 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, corner of Hays and San Gorgonio, Banning.

You're invited to Serrano Toys and Tools. Try out some Indian tools for yourself. Make and take home a toy.

And learn and take home some accurate and interesting information about our region's Serrano culture, language, history, and traditional arts.

Each month we host the FREE Second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling event.

It's for families. For kids of all ages. It's for you.

And it's FREE.

This month, staff members and volunteers from the San Bernardino County Museum are going to bring lots of interesting and fun toys and tools. Don't miss this program!

Our Word of the Year

2011-01-20T13:41:00.000-08:00

Center Leaders Ernest and June Siva in the gathering-hall-to-be. © Pat Murkland Photo

The American Dialect Society, which has been celebrating and studying English language usage in North America since 1889, has chosen app, slang for computer application, as 2010 Word of the Year.

While app is the word for 2010, the Native American Serrano word ap has been around for countless years. Ap means there. Great word.

But we would have to say that our 2010 Word of the Year is ip.

Ip (pronounced eep) means here.

And 2010 was all about our ip, here

at the Center, Ahunika'.

Here's what happened in 2010:

• While we have a $2 million renovation plan for our building at the corner of San Gorgonio Avenue and Hays Street, we wanted to have a "meanwhile." So, we started sprucing up the building.

• The city had earmarked some facade grant money for us, and that helped fix the leaky roof and other problems.

Habitat for Humanity Hero © Pat Murkland Photo

• Habitat for Humanity volunteers worked hard, every week, to make the building ready for use. Four storefronts that were in disrepair are now connected and looking good! Restrooms are working! The Center really has a home ip.

Thank you, our hero volunteers!

• Leaders Ernest and June Siva also acquired the former Post Office building next door, for use as a gathering hall.

• Thanks to a $500,000 donation in 2010 from San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians the construction of the gathering hall has now begun. Once completed, it will be available for use by all community groups. We expect it will become an anchor in Banning's fledgling downtown Arts District.

• And we're already beginning to fill the spruced-up corner building with activities that save and share Southern California Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Volunteer Chuck Flanagan surrounded by flute-makers at the Second Saturday.

Our first Second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling Event was standing-room only. See you on Feb. 12 for Serrano Toys & Tools!

That's ip, here,

at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.

The Center at San Gorgonio Ave. and Hays St., Banning, CA © Pat Murkland Photo

Dragonfly Lecture: JP Harrington

2011-01-11T15:12:00.000-08:00

J.P. Harrington

Courtesy of National Anthropological Archives

Our first Dragonfly Lecture of 2011, on Jan. 17, will show how one man can make a difference in saving cultures and languages.

And it also will show how sometimes a little detective work is needed in research, too.

Our story starts nearly 100 years ago, with John Peabody Harrington, an ethnologist obsessed with collecting information about the First People.

For more than 40 years starting around 1915, he collected much information on cultures and languages of the Native Americans of California.

At that time, people still remembered many old traditions that have since faded away and spoke languages that are now endangered.

Harrington's fabled field notes and photos take up hundreds of feet in the Library of Congress. He also was among the first to record American Indian languages.

Much of Harrington's work remains unpublished. During his life he kept collecting and collecting, and even kept some of his collecting work secret from his Smithsonian colleagues.

(Read more about his life and work here.)

The UC Davis J.P. Harrington Database Project has worked in recent years to make his work more accessible. This has become crucial to tribal nations working on reviving cultural knowledge and languages.

More than half his work is on now-endangered languages, including the Inland Southern California language of Serrano.

Our lecturer, Carmen Jany, is an assistant professor of Spanish and Linguistics at California State University, San Bernardino.

She has co-taught a Serrano culture and language class at Cal State San Bernardino with our Learning Center president, Cahuilla-Serrano elder Ernest Siva.

Dr. Jany will offer a linguist's perspective on the treasures found in the often-coded, hand-scribbled notes in mixed Spanish and English of J.P. Harrington.

DETAILS:

WHEN: 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17

WHERE: Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 17 W. Hays, Banning, CA (corner of Hays St. and San Gorgonio Ave.)

WHAT: Donations at the door help the nonprofit save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Flutes At the Center

2011-01-10T17:33:00.000-08:00

We had a standing-room-only crowd at our new Second Saturdays event.

Participants weren't just standing, though ...

They were making flutes with Antonio Flores.

Thank you all for coming and helping save and share Southern California's American Indian cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Read about the flute-making event — and why it's important to Banning's downtown — here.

Fun With Flutes this Saturday!

2011-01-03T15:21:00.000-08:00

All Photos by Pat Murkland

He comes with a pile of sticks.

But once Antonio Flores sets up a table and tools, a crowd appears.

People of all ages transform the sticks into handmade flutes, each with its own melodic voice.

By popular request, flute-maker Antonio Flores will return to Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, at the corner of Hays Street and San Gorgonio Avenue, from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8, to teach people how to make and play their own Native American wooden flutes.

Flores, a volunteer, drives from his Oakland home to the nonprofit Center in downtown Banning.

Making and sharing the small, wooden Pomo-style flutes is his joy.

During his most recent visit at the downtown Phineas Festival in November, nearly 100 sticks of elder wood became flutes, custom made to fit each player’s hand.

Flores also teaches the flute-makers how to play their flutes, often adding stories or a little music from local Native American cultures.

Second Saturdays

His free flute-making session is part of “Fun With Flutes,” this month’s theme for a new family event called Second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling. Every second Saturday, the nonprofit Learning Center plans to host hands-on activities, storytelling and traditional singing that help save and share Southern California’s American Indian cultures, languages, history, and music and other traditional arts.

Along with free flute-making, “Fun With Flutes” will feature stories and songs from Learning Center leader Ernest Siva, a Cahuilla-Serrano culture bearer, and others.

Future Second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling events at the Learning Center include:

• Serrano Toys and Tools, Feb. 12, from 1-4 p.m. Families can learn about Serrano toys and tools and make some of their own to take home. Co-hosted by the San Bernardino County Museum. FREE.

* True Cowboy and Indian Tales, March 12, from 1-4 p.m. People will learn real stories from the Pass and can try their hands at some traditional cowboy and Indian skills. FREE.

What would you like to see at a second Saturday? Let us know.

Come join the fun. Share the stories. Sing the songs.

Greetings

2010-12-25T17:32:00.000-08:00

Aya Qaych (Gathering Mountain in Serrano)

Also known as Mt. San Jacinto

"This is where our people would go to gather and process food and medicine. People of spiritual power would also go there to learn their songs [from the mountain]."

— Ernest Siva, Voices of the Flute

(Ushkana Press, 2004)

There is so much to learn from the world.

There is so much for the Elders to teach us.

We thank the Elders for making our world a better place: for singing the songs, telling the stories, and for speaking in the voices of our Native American cultures — the Native languages.

As Dorothy Ramon Learning Center approaches 2011, we're ready to leap into that new year and continue to save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts with you.

Hope you can join us!

Merry, Merry

2010-12-22T15:44:00.000-08:00

Pat Murkland Photo

Our leader, Ernest H. Siva, has been visiting the new Morongo Reservation School and sharing culture, language, history, and traditional arts with the schoolchildren.

He received this beautiful thank-you giant card and framed artwork from the second-grade class of Mrs. Alaniz and Ms. Marsha.

It was his turn to say: Hakupa' ay! (Thank you!)

The card has references to the visits:

Maharch (The number five, from counting fun)

Respected

Serrano language

Indian day

Very kind

Aya Qaych (the Serrano name for Mt. San Jacinto)

And the artwork features illustrations of the visits, too:

Here he is, singing and playing his gourd rattle.

And here he is, playing the flute, with a little traditional music on the right, too.

What joy! These are our future cultural stewards.

Someday, someone may be doing artwork of them singing, saving and sharing these cultural stories and songs.

Lowell Bean on Monday

2010-12-02T17:53:00.000-08:00

We are honored to have Lowell Bean for our next Dragonfly Lecture on Monday, Dec. 6.

Dr. Bean is renowned as an eminent scholar.

He has been working with the Cahuilla people for more than 40 years.

He includes the voices of the people and their traditional knowledge.

Ethnography, anthropology, history, research: His pioneering work began when he was a graduate student; that work continues today for the now-retired university professor.

Dr. Bean plans to discuss unpublished animal stories that he began collecting in the 1960s.

DETAILS:

WHEN: 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6

WHERE: Dorothy Ramon Learning Center,

17 W. Hays, Banning, CA

Donations at the door help the nonprofit Dorothy Ramon Learning Center save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Flutes at the Festival

2010-11-28T14:53:00.001-08:00

© Pat Murkland
A beautiful day in Banning, views of the snow-covered mountaintops, and a downtown holiday festival with lots of free fun for families.

What could be more perfect?

Answer: Antonio Flores teaching people of all ages how to make and play flutes.

Antonio Flores left Oakland at midnight to come and volunteer all day at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center. Making and sharing flutes is his joy.

We thank Antonio Flores for creating joy for so many when he helps people discover Native American cultures and music.

He teaches how to make the small Pomo-style flutes of elder.

He also teaches how to play them.

While the future flutists are making their flutes, he often talks about local flutes and Southern California music. Often, an enthused crowd surrounds him.

When each person has made his or her flute, Antonio Flores often "tests" it, that is, he plays it, "to make sure it works."

What was only recently a stick from an elderberry bush bursts forth with beautiful music. Each flute has its own voice — two voices, really, since one can play it at both ends.

Antonio Flores came to the Phineas Festival with a bunch of long sticks and cut branches.

Nearly 100 people left the festival with their own handmade flutes.

See you Nov. 27

2010-11-20T14:03:00.000-08:00

We had big plans for the Phineas Festival of Lights in downtown Banning.

But the weather had bigger plans: Rain.

Organizers have postponed this event until Saturday, Nov. 27.

So come Discover the Center next weekend.

Here are some fun activities we're planning...

ALL FREE:

MAKE AND TAKE FLUTES.

Antonio Flores returns!

Larry Parks Photo

Our good friend from Oakland loves teaching people how to make Pomo-style flutes.

And how to play them.

The wood is elder.

Each flute has its own voice.

The one you make is fitted just for you.

Whenever Antonio Flores appears,

a crowd soon gathers.

Long after an event ends, there is often still a crowd of flute-makers.

Read about one of Antonio's previous visits HERE.

More ...

FLUTE MUSIC at our OPEN HOUSE

Discover the Center and join the excitement.

We'll have refreshments and flute music.

Still more ...

MEET THE DRAGONFLIES

Find out why we have dragonflies on our doors.

Make dragonflies.

Learn the Dragonfly Song.

See you on Nov. 27.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The festival will offer snow, arts and crafts, firetruck rides, and much more. Read about it here. (But remember the new date is Nov. 27.)

Waat Tonight

2010-11-19T14:26:00.000-08:00

Everyone is invited to Waat: A Celebration of California's First Cultures.

Native American singers and dancers from Northern and Southern California will join in a show of cultural unity to share the sights and sounds of their ancient traditions.

Pomo singers from Northern California will join Serrano, Cahuilla and Mohave traditional singers starting at 6 p.m. at Crafton Hills College Performing Arts Center, Yucaipa, CA.

Arts and crafts, displays and demonstrations also will be part of the event.

Jacque Nunez, a tribal descendant of the Acjachemen Nation and amazing storyteller, will moderate the event.

See a replica American Indian village at Waat.

What does Waat mean? That is the Serrano Indian name for the region where today we find the community college. Waat means juniper.

Address: 11711 Sand Canyon Rd., Yucaipa.

More information HERE.

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month

2010-11-04T15:39:00.000-07:00

Kiich means house in Serrano.

Pronounce: kii as in "turn the key" and ch as in "children"

Every month is Native American Heritage Month

at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.

But in November we especially take pride in the national celebration of our American Indian cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

November is a good time to discover Ahunika'.

Discover The Center at these activities and events:

Nov. 13

Native American Flute Class

This class starts on Nov. 13 and will be meeting every second Saturday.

Bring your flute, learn to play with your heart.

Performance-oriented class led by flutists from Inland Empire Flute Circle.

Only $10. Proceeds will go toward Dorothy Ramon Learning Center's nonprofit work.

Where: The Center, 17 W. Hays, Banning, CA.

When: 6-9 p.m.

Ernest Siva plays the flute

Nov. 15

Serrano Language and Culture Class

Every first and third Monday, learn Serrano language and songs, and explore Serrano culture with Elder Ernest H. Siva, president of the Center.

FREE

Where: The Center, 17 W. Hays, Banning, CA.

When: 6-8 p.m.

Nov. 18

14th annual Banning Unified School District

Cultural Celebration

Enjoy Native American storytelling, singing, dancing, arts, crafts, food.

Jacque Nunez tells a story.

See a replica Indian village.

Try Indian frybread.

Participants include Morongo Bird Singers and Dancers, Daughters of Morongo, Jacque Nunez, Ernest Siva.

Co-sponsored by Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, Banning High Indian Club, Banning Unified Indian Education, RSBCIHI Native Challenge Project.

FREE

Where: Banning High School, 100 W. Westward, Banning, CA.

When: 5:15 p.m.

Nov. 19

Waat: A Celebration of California's First Cultures

Bird singing, dancing, storytelling, cultural demonstrations and displays.

Replica Indian village.

Co-sponsored by San Manuel Tribal Cultural Awareness Program, Crafton Hills Community College, Yucaipa Valley Historical Society, Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.

FREE

Where: Crafton Hills College, Yucaipa, CA

When: 6 p.m.

Nov. 20

The Center at the Phineas Festival

Discover Ahunika' during Banning's downtown holiday festival.

Open house, music, arts, crafts, fun.

FREE

Where: The Center, 17 W.Hays, Banning, CA

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m

Discover the Center. Please join us.

Flutes, flutes, flutes

2010-10-12T13:44:00.001-07:00

We're going to the Inland Empire Flute Circle annual gathering this Saturday.

Hope to see you there!

DETAILS

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: 38766 Brookside Ave., Cherry Valley, CA

WHAT: NATIVE AMERICAN WOODEN FLUTES.

• Flute makers, flute music, flutes to buy, flutes to listen to, flutes to play, a flute-playing class, a flute concert, bags for your flutes, and more ...

• Crafts, carvers and more ...

Bring your own lunch. No alcoholic beverages.

INFORMATION: Chuck Flanagan 951. 769.0989

Serrano Stories & Songs

2010-10-03T19:23:00.000-07:00

Families are especially welcome to our next Dragonfly Lecture.

Kids, you are welcome to bring your favorite teddy bear.

Come learn a song and story about a little bear ... and much more.

Explore the wonders of Serrano culture with culture bearer Ernest Siva.

Details:

6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11

17 W. Hays, Banning, CA

Donations save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history, and arts.

Dragonfly Lectures Ahead!

2010-09-08T20:45:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: DUE TO MRS. MURILLO'S ILLNESS, WE REGRETFULLY HAVE CANCELED OUR NOVEMBER 8 LECTURE. PLEASE JOIN US IN WISHING HER A SPEEDY RECOVERY.

Our next Dragonfly Lectures feature:

• Ernest Siva, the Center's president, Serrano stories and songs, Oct. 11.

• Pauline Murillo, San Manuel elder, Stories, Nov. 8.

• Lowell Bean, ethnologist, Animals and the Cahuilla World View, Dec. 6.

• Carmen Jany, linguistics assistant professor, Adventures with J.P. Harrington, Jan. 17.

All lectures start at 6 p.m. at the Center, 17 W.Hays, Banning, and your donations help save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Dragonfly Gala 2010

2010-08-18T13:36:00.000-07:00

San Manuel Tribal Color Guard © Carlos Puma

More than 300 people honored American Indian military veterans at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center’s annual Dragonfly Gala.

The event at Morongo Community Center featured poignant thanks and displays remembering American Indians who served in the U.S. military, including those who died in service.

Soboba Reservation display © Carlos Puma

American Indians began serving in the U.S. military long before they officially were recognized as U.S. citizens in 1924 and have the highest number serving of any minority.

San Manuel Reservation’s Tribal Color Guard posted the colors to begin the Aug. 14 event at Morongo Community Center.

San Manuel Tribal Color Guard © Carlos Puma

Pedro “Pete” Molina, California assistant secretary for Native American Veterans Affairs, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Acting California Veterans Affairs Secretary Rocky Chavez thanked and honored American Indian military veterans. Displays included Soboba Reservation’s wall of photos, the faces of the many tribal members who served in the U.S. military, and Morongo Reservation’s more than 80 names of those on its veterans memorial.

Most military veterans present gathered for applause from the crowd.

Some military veterans at the Gala © Carlos Puma

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, a nonprofit that saves and shares Southern California American Indian cultures, gave this year’s Dragonfly Award to all military veterans.

Ernest Siva with Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin & Dragonfly Award © Carlos Puma

Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin accepted the award, which will be housed at Morongo. The Dragonfly Award will be available to travel to ceremonies or events honoring military veterans, Dorothy Ramon Learning Center President Ernest Siva said.

Author Marlowe Churchill signs history book © Carlos Puma

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center is renovating two buildings and two lots at the corner of San Gorgonio Avenue and Hays Street into a Center for saving and sharing American Indian cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Dancing to traditional bird songs at the Gala. © Carlos Puma

The Center supports tribal work to save and revive cultural knowledge and welcomes and teaches the general public about Southern California American Indians. All proceeds from the annual Dragonfly Gala go to the nonprofit’s work.

Getting ready to dance to traditional bird songs. © Carlos Puma

Good Food for a Good Cause

2010-08-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

William Pink is donating, cooking, and catering the feast at the Dragonfly Gala on Saturday.

Here's the menu:

BBQ beef, pork, turkey

tamales

handmade tortillas

frybread

beans

rice

salad

acorn (wewish)

yucca bread

and for dessert ... Ernest Siva is again donating delicious cobblers!

You can eat this delicious feast and help us save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, history, languages, and traditional arts.

Still seats available!

DETAILS

Saluting American Indian Military Veterans

2010-08-02T18:14:00.000-07:00

Artwork by Gerald Clarke, Jr. of Cahuilla Reservation for Dorothy Ramon Learning Center

They answered the call, and many didn’t return home to Southern California. At the Aug. 14 Dragonfly Gala, Dorothy Ramon Learning Center will honor the sacrifices and service of American Indian military veterans and their families.

American Indians have the highest percentage of any ethnic group serving in the U.S. military. The nonprofit Learning Center’s annual Dragonfly Gala will feature tribal displays and a tribal color guard, share military memories and present the annual Dragonfly Award for soaring achievements in saving and sharing Native American cultures and history. Gala participants are invited to share their photos and memories honoring American Indian military veterans.

WHAT'S SPECIAL

“The annual Dragonfly Gala serves us in a special way,” Learning Center President Ernest H. Siva said recently. “While, ostensibly it is a fund-raiser, it has also been a venue for education and what the Indians call a Doings (Waka'). This was a time for people to meet and experience food, singing and dancing, trade, visiting and meeting new people.

“In the old times, most of these activities took place outdoors,” Siva said. “Today, our venue is Morongo (Reservation) Community Center, which has been large enough to accommodate guests under one roof.”

Along with the military memories and tribal displays, the Dragonfly Gala will include:

FOOD

Photo by Carlos Puma, crowd enjoys delicious dinner at 2009 Gala.

• A barbecue dinner, this year prepared and served by William Pink and his family;

TRADITIONAL MUSIC

• bird singing and dancing and other traditional Southern California American Indian music;

Photo by Carlos Puma, Singing birds at the 2009 Gala

• and a silent auction with Native American and ecletic art.

Past galas have drawn crowds of more than 300 people from across California. All proceeds help Dorothy Ramon Learning Center Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, save and share Southern California’s American Indian cultures, languages, history and music and other traditional arts.

The Learning Center has been renovating buildings at the corner of Hays Street and San Gorgonio Avenue in Banning. The building will enable the Center to offer more cultural programs and hands-on workshops for people of all ages.

“Even though traditional culture has changed drastically, there are the remnants of important values and knowledge that have deep roots,” Siva said. “These reside in language and song and our memories, which may or may not have been documented in print or recording. It is our job and occupation to make these accessible to both young and old through our publications and instruction.”

DETAILS: PLEASE RSVP! Now is the time to reserve your seats or table. See e-mail and phone number below.

Dragonfly Lecture tonight

2010-07-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

"From Warriors to Soldiers," a look at the history of Native Americans and military service, starts at 6 at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 17 W. Hays, Banning.

Read more about Gary Robinson and watch a short award-winning video about Native Americans and military service here.

in the news

2010-07-14T15:26:00.001-07:00

News article about our Learning Center building getting spruced up to better serve you:

Read now

Not Silent about the Silent Auction

2010-07-06T20:54:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year when we feel special.

We are receiving some special donations for our Dragonfly Gala Silent Auction.

Take a look at a few donations:

Quilt by artist JoJo Martin of Morongo Reservation

(pictured here with her granddaughter)

Billy Soza Warsoldier Oil

Two views of gourd art of butterfly and flower,

Elizabeth Green, Creative Spirit

More gourd art by Elizabeth Green,

rattlesnake box inlaid with moonstones and other stones

Two views of spectacular collectible, Painted Pony

three views, collectible Painted Pony

dragonfly beaded purse

beaded baby moccasins

beaded purse

beaded, dichroic glass dragonfly card holder

by Marci Barnes of Blue Dog Arts

silk dragonfly scarf

Hawaii watercolor painting

Want to buy? Want to give?

Want to join us and help make a difference?

GALA DETAILS!

All proceeds go to save and share Southern California's American Indian cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is not affiliated with any one reservation or tribal government. We're in our seventh year of serving you.

Navajo Code Talkers Day

2010-06-28T15:07:00.000-07:00

According to the National Museum of the American Indian:

On July 28 in 1982, the U.S. President signed a measure officially making August 14th “National Navajo Code Talkers Day.”

Our Dragonfly Gala this year honors Native American Military Veterans ... on AUGUST 14.

Exciting!

Coming: Dragonfly Gala

2010-06-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

here's a postcard we just sent out to let everyone know ... Save the Date! Our annual Dragonfly Gala is planned for Aug. 14.

Answering the Call: From Warriors to Soldiers

2010-06-02T16:22:00.000-07:00

Our Dragonfly Lecture on July 26 continues exploring our theme, Answering the Call: Honoring American Indian military veterans.

We are honored that our Lecturer is Gary Robinson of Tribal Eye Productions.

Mr. Robinson, of Choctaw and Cherokee descent, is an author and film maker.

He is co-author of the 2008 book, From Warriors to Soldiers: A History of American Indian Service in the U.S. Military.

A talented and passionate film-maker, Mr. Robinson's bio says he has written, produced, directed, shot, and edited more than 100 video/television programs for and about American Indian people.

Mr. Robinson's moving short film, "I Am the Warrior," won third place in the 2009 national Veterans Day short film competition hosted by the National Museum of the American Indian.

His children's video storybook, "A Native American Night Before Christmas," was nominated for Best Animation at the 2007 American Indian Film Festival. (View sampling of the story, which includes a sleigh drawn by buffalo!)

Other works include "Those Who Defend Us," a film under contract for the Santa Ynez Chumash Elders Board. According to Mr. Robinson, this film honors Chumash veterans and active duty soldiers and is accompanied by a booklet that provides a more in-depth appreciation of those tribal veterans.

Please join us!

DETAILS:

From Warriors to Soldiers with Gary Robinson

6 p.m. Monday, July 26

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 17 West Hays, Banning, CA 92220

(the corner of Hays and San Gorgonio)

Donations at the door help our nonprofit save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Answering the Call

2010-05-10T13:39:00.000-07:00

Answering the Call: Native American Military Veterans

is our theme this year.

Our Dragonfly Lecture tonight honors the sacrifices of American Indian soldiers and their families.

Angelo Schunke served on the committee at Morongo Reservation that developed the veterans memorial and he spoke at the dedication ceremony last year.

DETAILS: TONIGHT MAY 10

6 p.m.

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center

17 W. Hays, Banning, CA 92220

Donations at the door help our nonprofit save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history and traditional arts.

Meet Your Neighbor on Monday

2010-04-15T16:16:00.001-07:00

Scores of people drive every day along Interstate 10 and see a reservation near Banning, but they don’t know much more about the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.

The next Dragonfly Lecture at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center on April 19 offers a chance to discover Morongo’s varied American Indian cultures and rich history.

In “Meet Your Neighbor: Morongo Cultures & History,” Michael Contreras Jr., Morongo Cultural Heritage Program coordinator, will discuss Morongo’s different American Indian cultures and the general history of Morongo and surrounding Indian communities.

Contreras said discussion topics also include: Cahuilla and Serrano Indian territories; the reservation system; detrimental policies in U.S. history; the assimilation era and loss of culture; tribal sovereignty and the struggle to maintain and revitalize.

Contreras, a member of the Torres-Martinez Band of Desert Cahuilla Indians, was born in Banning in 1975 and attended Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS.

As the Morongo Band of Mission Indians Cultural Heritage Program coordinator, Contreras is charged with caring for Morongo’s large collection of baskets, artifacts, photos, and library collections. Other duties include management of local sacred and archaeological sites, Tribal consultations, acquiring and archiving local tribal history, cultural educational involvement within Morongo’s preschool and elementary school, educational presentations throughout the surrounding communities.

DETAILS: WHEN 6 p.m. April 19

WHERE: Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 17 W.Hays, Banning.

A donation at the door helps the nonprofit Center save and share Southern California’s Native American cultures, languages, history and arts.

Information: (951) 849-4676.

Lecture co-sponsored by Morongo!

The nonprofit Center currently is raising money to renovate the building at the corner of San Gorgonio Avenue and Hays Street, and recently received a $500,000 donation for that renovation from San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

Major Donation to the Center

2010-04-07T12:10:00.000-07:00

San Manuel has donated $500,000 to Dorothy Ramon Learning Center's building renovation project.

Read about the donation and project here.

Art Hop Springing Into View

2010-03-16T15:48:00.000-07:00

Time to start thinking about the Art Hop, Banning's annual downtown cross-cultural arts event. This year it's May 1. But we're celebrating cultural arts the whole weekend!

A few of our planned activities:

American Indian Music Workshops

Flute-Making Workshop, April 30, May 1 & 2

Make a beautiful wooden six-holed Plains-style Native American flute in a 3-day workshop with master flute-maker Marvin Yazzie, Navajo, and his wife, Jonette. Learn the basics of playing with Ernest Siva. Discover the music of the First People of Southern California. Limited to 10. $300.

Pre-register siva@dishmail.net, 951.849.4676.

Art Hop Workshops, May 1

• Clappersticks

Chumash culture bearers Georgiana Sanchez and her family will teach how to make this ancient wooden musical instrument, then share and teach songs and stories important to the Chumash people. Decorate a clapperstick to take home. Sessions limited to 15 people. $20. Pre-register siva@dishmail.net, 951.849.4676

• Rattles for kids

Kids can learn how to make a tin-can rattle and about appropriate use. FREE as long as supplies last!

Discover The Center at Hays & San Gorgonio, Banning

OPEN HOUSE! Help Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit,

Save & Share Southern California’s cultures, history, languages, & traditional arts.

Rock Art Rolling In

2010-03-15T15:09:00.000-07:00

Our next Dragonfly Lecture is March 22.

Steve Freers, who drew a standing-room-only crowd last year with his lecture on prehistoric rock art, is returning for another fascinating journey into this world of ancient mystery and beauty.

At his last Dragonfly Lecture in 2009, Mr. Freers discussed the similar designs in rock art that repeat for miles around Mt. San Jacinto.

In the informal setting that encourages illuminating interchange at our Dragonfly Lectures, American Indian basketweavers discussed how prehistoric rock-art designs also appear in old baskets.

Freers also told about his research on the gender and age of the prehistoric people who left their handprints near rock artwork.

For a bit more about the sacred mountain, Ayaqaych (Mt. San Jacinto), read here.

Who is Steve Freers? Read here.

One person's review of a Steve Freers lecture here.

DETAILS on the next Dragonfly Lecture:

ROCK ART with Steve Freers

When: 6 p.m. March 22

Where: Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 17 W. Hays, Banning, CA

Donations at the door help the nonprofit Learning Center save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history, and music and other traditional arts.

Explaining a Native American rock art site:

Pinyon Pine Nuts, 2

2010-02-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

Pinyon pines are prolific in the San Bernardino Mountains, so it should be no surprise that their pine nuts also were prized by the Serrano people.

The single-leaf pinyon is also called the piñon pine as shown in our most recent post.

The Latin name is Pinus monophylla.

The Serrano name is tuvat.

(That's according to Ernest H. Siva, Cahuilla-Serrano elder and president of Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.)

John Peabody Harrington (1918) and Ruth Benedict (1924) were among those reporting the historical methods of collecting the pinyon pine nuts for food, and for use in ceremonial and ritual activities (Lerch 2005).

Our speaker on Feb. 22, Daniel McCarthy, tribal relations manager for San Bernardino National Forest, has found prehistoric roasting ovens that were used for pine nuts.

Come to the Dragonfly Lecture to learn more from Daniel McCarthy about this fascinating tree and its traditional uses.

DETAILS:

Feb. 22, 6 p.m.

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 17 W. Hays, Banning

Donations at the door help our nonprofit save and share Southern California American Indian cultures, languages, history, music and other traditional arts.

Piñon Pine Nuts

2010-02-08T15:46:00.000-08:00

Our first 2010 Dragonfly Lecture will take us back several thousand years or so.

Daniel McCarthy will speak about piñon pines.

The nuts inside the pine cones have been an important Native American food source for centuries.

People often focus on the importance of the oak acorn, but the pine nut also was important to Inland Southern California's First People.

Still is.

Learn more about San Manuel Reservation's 2009 harvests, part of the tribal cultural education program, here.

Come discover more.

Our lecturer, Daniel McCarthy, an archaeologist and tribal manager for San Bernardino National Forest, has done extensive research on the native uses of plants.

DETAILS:

6 p.m. Feb. 22

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center

17 West Hays, Banning, CA

Donations at the door will help the nonprofit Learning Center save and share Southern California's American Indian cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Visit with Ernest Siva

2010-01-05T16:21:00.000-08:00

A few photos of Ernest Siva online:

Flicker portrait.

Playing flute via blog.

Here, as Dr. Ernest Siva.

Singing a blessing (scroll down to see him) at an educator's conference, where he also was honored as Elder of the Year.

Always in the news of saving and sharing Southern California's American Indian cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts. (Here, in 2008).

Tonight, Tuesday, 1/5: At the Palm Springs Library. Come enjoy Ernest Siva telling stories and singing songs.

Stories & Songs at Palm Springs

2010-01-04T14:13:00.000-08:00

Serrano language and culture class starts today. That's at 6 p.m., Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 17 West Hays, Banning.

Ernest Siva, Cahuilla/Serrano elder and president of Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, is teacher.

Yes, it's free, every first and third Monday.

If it's Tuesday, it must be Palm Springs.

Ernest Siva will sing songs and tell stories focusing on the Cahuilla and Serrano cultures.

Details:

Palm Springs Public Library Learning Center

300 South Sunrise Way, Palm Springs

6:30 p.m. 1/5/2010

Free, but seating limited

Co-sponsors: Palm Springs Public Library and Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park.

More info

Starting 2010, Ringing in the Old

2010-01-03T15:47:00.000-08:00

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center's first Serrano language and culture class of 2010 is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 4, starting at 6 p.m. at 17 W.Hays, Banning, CA.

You never know what interesting phrase or word will trigger a story, memory, or song from our teacher, Elder Ernest Siva.

All are welcome. Hey, the best things in life ARE free!

Indian Cowboys: The Brush Poppers

2009-12-18T14:17:00.001-08:00

A COWBOY MEMORY
By HARRY M. QUINN

(reprinted from the latest issue

of Heritage Keepers newsletter,

Autumn 2009 V. 6 No. 3)

It was while interviewing my neighbor Clarence Contreras that I first learned of a group of cattlemen who called themselves,

"The Brush Poppers."

This group herded cattle in the Santa Rosa Mountains, including the Pinyon Flats, Pinyon Alto, and Palm Canyon areas. While many had their own cattle, they also all rode for Mr. Jim Wellman. As a kid I had the opportunity to meet many of these cowboys in the Pinyon Flats area where Jim Wellman had his 101 Ranch.

At that time the area was considered to be open range and if you did not like cattle in your yard, it was up to you to fence them out.

This area was covered in thick brush, yuccas, cactus, and pinyon pines and gave the cattle a lot of places to hide. It was up to "The Brush Poppers" to flush the cattle out of their hiding places and drive them to the corrals.

I can remember watching riders trying to flush cattle out of the redshank up on the slopes of Santa Rosa Mountain. Back then, Jim Wellman had a large barbed-wire corral back at the base of Asbestos Mountain where the cattle would often be driven, separated by brand, moved to a nearby wooden corral for shipment out of the area, or released back out to graze. I assume the cattle were also branded while in the large corral, but I never saw that taking place there. Jim also had a series of corrals over at the 101 Ranch and the branding may have taken place there.

While I do not know if I have a complete listing of the names of those cattlemen who made up "The Brush Poppers," I do have the following names: Mr. James "Jim" Wellman; Mr. Clearance Contreras; Mr. Hank Lichtwald; Mr. Calistro Tortes; Mr. Arthur Guanche; Mr. Ernest Arnaiz; Mr. Castro "Chihuahua" Tortes; and the last surviving member, Mr. George Tortes.

Mr. Harry Quinn shares his memory at the 2009 Dragonfly Gala. (Learning Center President

Honoring Indian Cowboys

2009-12-17T16:11:00.000-08:00

Each year Dorothy Ramon Learning Center celebrates a theme.

In 2009 we celebrated Indian cowboys.

Our annual Dragonfly Award, for high-soaring achievements in saving and sharing cultures, this year went each to Indian cowboys Rodney Mathews and George Tortes. The two cowboys received this honor in summertime at our Dragonfly Gala.

Rodney Mathews, center, with wife Eunice, receives Dragonfly Award from Learning Center President Ernest Siva. © Carlos Puma for the Learning Center.

Rodney Mathews, 74, of Morongo Reservation was born to Margaret and Henry Mathews, Jr. He had five sisters. Mr. Mathews and his wife, Eunice, have been married more than 52 years. They had three children. He worked for Cal-Trans for 38 years and was a Morongo Tribal Council member for more than three decades. He is a lifelong member of the Morongo Cattleman's Association.

Mr. Mathews was nominated for this award by Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin, himself a cowboy, for his leadership in the Cattleman's Association and for his cowboy skills.

George Tortes sent his regrets that he was unable to attend the Gala while recuperating from surgery. His message to all attendees was to live their lives fully.

Mr. Tortes was raised on Santa Rosa Reservation. His mother died when he was about six years old. He grew up riding, roping, and racing, and has lived a long cowboy life, branding his cattle with a G Bar T.

The exceptions were a brief stint at Sherman Indian School in Riverside, which ended when Mr. Tortes ran away and spent several days making his way home, and later in life, his proud service in the U.S. Navy.

Mr. Tortes is remembered fondly as the last surviving member of a group of Indian cowboys called the "Brush Poppers," for the ways they herded cattle in the steep and thick-brush-covered Santa Rosa Mountains.

Thank you

2009-12-15T14:06:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all who came to our Dragonfly Lectures in 2009!

And thank you to all who gave Lectures.

Our nonprofit mission is to save & share and "inspire discovery" of Southern California's American Indian cultures.

Our Lectures offer an opportunity for you and your family to connect with elders and others who both inspire and teach us.

Watch for 2010's schedule. Any requests?

Bighorn Sheep Songs

2009-12-04T17:01:00.001-08:00

Ernest H. Siva will sing Serrano bighorn sheep songs and tell their story (and the bighorns' story) at our last Dragonfly Lecture of the year.

These ancient songs are haunting and beautiful. Ernest Siva is believed to be the only person singing them in recent years.

In 2008 Ernest Siva received a grant from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts to teach the songs to an apprentice. The Fund for Folk Culture supported the songs' recording.

Culture Night, Culture Days

2009-11-17T16:01:00.001-08:00

Next! This Thursday we co-sponsor the 13th annual Native American Cultural Celebration at Banning High School.

A special presentation of Sean Owen's film, "Sing Birds" will highlight the family event.

We congratulate film maker Sean Owen. "Sing Birds" was just nominated for best documentary feature at the American Indian Film Institute in San Francisco.

If you haven't seen this powerful film yet, the Banning High event is your chance.

The event also will feature:

Morongo Bird Singers & Dancers.

Gourd Rattles and Other Crafts.

Delicious Frybread and Other Foods.

Demos, Displays, Cultural Activities.

Details: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 19

Banning High School, 100 Westward, Banning

Sponsors: Banning Unified School District, Banning Unified Indian Education Program, Banning High/Nicolet School Indian Club; RSBCIHI Native Challenge Project, Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.

On Nov. 19 and 20 Dorothy Ramon Learning Center also is participating in and co-sponsoring Waat: A Celebration of First Cultures, at Crafton Hills Community College. This excellent program offers fun, hands-on education programs for the region's elementary students and their teachers.

Art and Humor on Nov. 16

2009-11-09T16:54:00.000-08:00

By Gerald Clarke, Jr. for Dorothy Ramon Learning Center

Our next Dragonfly Lecture features Gerald Clarke Jr. of Cahuilla Reservation.

His art often explores what it means to be Cahuilla in the modern-day world.

Sometimes it's performance art, sometimes it's sculptures made from melted-down faucets, or paintings, or any medium you can think of (and some media you probably WON'T think of).

Gerald Clarke has been a practicing artist for close to 20 years. He has exhibited his art nationally and internationally.

In 1997, he was one of five Native artists chosen to exhibit at the Heard Museum's Seventh Invitational Exhibition.

In 2007, the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis awarded Gerald with a Native Artist Fellowship Award, and this year he was nominated for a Joan Mitchell Award. Gerald's work spans painting, sculpture, installation and performance.

In his own words he refers to his medium as "kitchen sink- anything and everything I can use to convey thoughts and feelings."

Gerald will discuss his development as an artist and his beliefs on how art can engage society.

Gerald also suggests that the audience be prepared for the unexpected!

DETAILS

6 p.m. Nov. 16

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center

17 W. Hays, Banning

Donations at the door help our Nonprofit save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Read more about Gerald Clarke's life here.

Eight-legged messenger

2009-10-30T18:08:00.000-07:00

For all those who partake in Oct. 31 tricks or treats,

And for all who appreciate large and intensely hairy-looking crawling beings,

here is Tecqwac.

That's Tarantula in Serrano.

This male was out and about, creeping around looking for Mrs. Right several weeks ago.

In our canyon in Inland Southern California, we have a species that comes out in early fall, and a different Tecqwac who comes out in spring.

Dorothy Ramon recalled in Serrano in her cultural biography Wayta' Yawa' (2000) that when the spring Tecqwac appeared, it was a messenger:

Time to go looking for yucca blossoms to harvest for food.

More Dragonfly Lectures

2009-10-20T19:54:00.000-07:00

The last two Dragonfly Lectures for 2009:

November 16, 6 p.m.

The Art of Gerald Clarke, Jr.

Gerald Clarke is a contemporary Cahuilla artist. There seems to be no limit on the media he explores, whether it's bronze or video or a combination of both.

We'll be posting more about Gerald Clarke's art.

BIO: He was born in Hemet in 1967 and is a tribal leader on the Cahuilla reservation near Anza.

He has a bachelor of arts degree in painting and sculpture from University of Central Arkansas along with an M.A. (1992) and MFA (1994) from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas.

He then spent about 10 years teaching at the community college and university levels, but he left his teaching job at East Central University in Oklahoma in 2003 and returned home to the reservation after his father's death.

He and his wife Stacy run cattle and own a storage business. Gerald teaches art classes at Idyllwild Arts.

Gerald has devoted his life to saving and sharing Cahuilla culture and songs.

Dec. 7, 6 p.m.

Ernest Siva: The bighorn sheep songs.

Our Dorothy Ramon Learning Center president's first Dragonfly Lecture at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center will be about the Serrano bighorn sheep songs.

Ernest Siva is believed to be the only person singing these songs recently. In 2008 he taught the songs to an apprentice and Dorothy Ramon Learning Center has been working to document and share these songs more.

Read more about the bighorn sheep songs here.

DETAILS: Lectures start at 6 p.m. at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 17 W. Hays, Banning.

Donations at the door help us save and share our Southern California cultures, languages, history, and music and other traditional arts.

Honk if You Love Native Plants

2009-10-20T19:33:00.000-07:00

We have had so much fun with our back-to-back Native American & Native Plant lectures.

They each drew a wonderful group of people intensely interested in the demos and discussions. If you missed these, we are going to share some info. in our upcoming blogs.

Stay tuned, because we surely will have more plant lectures.

Here is one of the videos shared by Deborah Small & Rosie Ramirez during their Dragonfly Lecture on Oct. 19, a planting song.

Native Uses of Plants, continued

2009-10-15T20:15:00.000-07:00

If ever there were a photo to illustrate contemporary Native American uses of native plants, this is it.

Thank Rosie Ramirez and Deborah Small, our next Dragonfly Lecturers.

Yes, they will be giving a multi-media presentation:

Edible, Medicinal, Material, Ceremonial

Contemporary Ethnobotany of Southern California Indians

Who is this beautiful elder?

What plant has she gathered?

What is she going to use it for?

How is she going to prepare the plant?

Find out at our Dragonfly Lecture on Oct. 19 ... and discover much more.

Deborah Small and Rosie Ramirez also will have copies of their 2010 calendar available. Check out sample pages and see other information about native plants here.

DETAILS: 6 p.m., Oct. 19, 17 W. Hays, Banning

Donations at the door will help the Learning Center save and share Southern California Indian cultures, languages, history and traditional arts.

Contemporary People & Plant Uses

2009-10-14T18:23:00.000-07:00

Our Dragonfly Lecture on Oct. 19 is our next exploration of modern Native American uses for native plants.

This time, Rose Ramirez and Deborah Small will give their well-received and informative multi-media presentation,

Edible, Medicinal, Material, Ceremonial, Contemporary Ethnobotany of Southern California Indians.

Their 2010 calendar also will be available.

About our Dragonfly Lecturers:

Rosie Ramirez (Chumash/Yaqui) is a contemporary basket weaver who works hard to help save and revitalize cultural traditions. She also works to protect culturally important native plants, their landscapes and habitats.

"Deborah Small is a writer, artist, and teacher and one of the cofounders of the Indian Rock Native Garden Project, an ongoing collaboration between art and anthropology students at California State University, San Marcos, and the San Luis Rey Band of Luiseño Indians. She documents the cultural revitalization of Native traditions in southern California, focusing on edible, medicinal, material, and ceremonial plants and their uses."

DETAILS:

Monday Oct. 19, 6 p.m.

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, Banning

Donations at the door will benefit the Learning Center's nonprofit mission to save and share Southern California American Indian cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Sweet Plant Tricks & Treats

2009-10-09T17:04:00.000-07:00

We have a pair of Dragonfly Lectures flying in.

Both are fun evenings devoted to the modern uses of traditional plants, with special treats and offerings for participants.

THIS MONDAY:

IN THE KITCHEN WITH LESLIE

We can think of no better way to mark Columbus Day than to come to a Dragonfly Lecture devoted to integrating use of traditional plant foods and medicines into our modern lives.

They're still here!

Leslie Mouriquand, Riverside County's archaeologist, plans to combine demo and lecture, a la Julia Childs.

She'll focus on mesquite, pinyon pine sap, and chia seeds.

Here's what to look for:

Info. on traditional uses and preparation.

Nutritional values.

Health benefits.

Recipes!

Here's where Leslie finds a source for soap:

She promises to bring mesquite seeds for gardeners and sweet mesquite cookies and chia seeds to sample (yum!). Some of her famed salves and even flour may be available for sale.

DETAILS

Monday, October 12, 7 p.m.

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center

17 W. Hays, Banning, CA

donations at the door help our nonprofit save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history, and music and other traditional arts.

About Leslie Mouriquand:

"I am very interested in sharing the modern ways of integrating traditional plants for better nutrition and health, while learning more about the associated history and traditions," she writes.

"I experiment and come up with recipes and techniques to try and accomplish this, such as the pinyon sap soap (and other types), mesquite cookies and brownies, lemon chia cake, etc.

"As I have time, I do the research to learn about the chemical/nutritional/health benefits of plants, and then get into my lab (kitchen) an d see what I come up with."

OCT. 19 LECTURE

CONTEMPORARY ETHNOBOTANY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INDIANS

Rose Ramirez and Deborah Small team up to present a multi-media presentation on some Southern California Indian edible, medicinal, material, and ceremonial plant uses.

We'll have more on this amazing duo and their work.

And yes, their long-awaited 2010 Ethnobotany Calendar will be available at the Lecture! If you haven't seen it yet, know that it is like a book inside a calendar, chock-full of information and grogeous images ... something you may want to keep past 2010.

DETAILS

Monday, October 19, 6 p.m.

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center

17 W. Hays, Banning, CA

donations at the door help our nonprofit save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history, and music and other traditional arts.

Dragonfly Lecture on Sept. 28

2009-09-21T18:06:00.001-07:00

Don't miss our upcoming Dragonfly Lecture on rock art by Steve Freers.

His presentation will focus on the drama of rock art in the Mt. San Jacinto region. Lots of amazing images!

He'll also discuss handprints and what they may tell us about the people who left them.

DETAILS: 6 p.m. Monday Sept. 28

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center,

17 W. Hays, Banning

Donations at the door help our nonprofit save and share Native American cultures, languages, history, and music and other traditional arts.

Inland Flute Society Presentation

2009-09-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

On August 30, I was a guest of the Inland Empire Valley Flute Society as a presenter of the Native American Flute. The members of the society who owned NA flutes were asked to bring them while others could borrow flutes from me or Jackie Aronowitz, the host and President of the Society.

As June and I approached Jackie’s home, we could hear strains of a flute choir in rehearsal. What a treat for us! They were preparing for next month’s Flute Festivaal special concert featuring internationally recognized contrabass flute artist Paige Dashner Long. (For further info: inlandempirevalleyflutesociety.com) We hope to attend this event, on October 10.

I figured this presentation would be mainly to introduce the flute (to the new members) and give them a few examples of the indigenous music of southern California. I think it went fairly well, after all, these are fine musicians with a new toy in their hands. I reminded them that some flutes are better to look at than to play while others are easier to play. I recommended the flutes made by Marvin and Jonette Yazzie, my friends and collaborators. The Yazzie’s are local and one can rely on their creations. (yazzieflutes.com for further info)

I explained that by my desire to play our traditional music led to the system I devised, which is employed and demonstrated in Voices of the Flute. (Ushkana Press, 2004)

We were treated to a wonderful potluck dinner which we enjoyed. Flutists are hardy eaters!

Ernest Siva

Little Eagle Free honors Ernest Siva, gives scholarships

2009-09-14T16:40:00.000-07:00

Little Eagle Free, Inc., a nonprofit corporation that raises money for college scholarships for Indian students, presented Ernest Siva with their 2009 Eagle Feather Award, which honors academic accomplishments and community service. The award was presented at the organizations annual scholarship award ceremony and fund-raiser at Knotts Berry Farm Hotel in Buena Park.

The award was presented by Frances Knott, President, Bruce Sunrise, Vice President, and Fred Curtis, Board Member. They cited Ernest’s academic accomplishments, Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education and Choral Music from USC, his teaching career in public schools and at UCLA, his contributions as Artistic Director of the Pass Chorale and Orchestra, and his role as founder and President of Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.

The organization presents this award annually to an American Indian who can serve as a role model to the students they serve.

The organization and their Scholarship Partners, Blue Sky Children’s Foundation, The Knott Family, Native American Institute, Wilson W. Phelps Foundation, Ray W. and Barbara Schumaker, and Kari Schumaker, raise funds strictly from private sources. At this event, they presented more than $54 thousand in scholarships to 31 students attending colleges in California. Both undergraduate and graduate students received scholarships. One recipient, Vince Whipple, now pursuing a doctorate, plans an academic career. He was a student in Ernest Siva’s UCLA class, and said that Ernest was a role model for him.

Student awardees were from Navajo and Hopi reservations in Arizona and several California reservations. All students gave short speeches expressing their thanks for the support provided bye Little Eagle Free, Inc.

More information about this wonderful organization, including how to apply for scholarships, can be found at www.littleeaglefree.org.

Art on Ayaqaych

2009-09-09T17:04:00.000-07:00

Ayaqaych or Mt. San Jacinto

Sacred Mountain

We know this peak today as Mt. San Jacinto, but it once was known as Ayaqaych.

Ayaqaych translates roughly from Serrano as Gathering Mountain, a place for the people of the First Cultures to gather plants for medicines, foods, and other uses.

The people also came here to learn their songs ...

from the mountain, according to Ernest Siva, Serrano/Cahuilla elder (and Dorothy Ramon Learning Center's leader).

The peak, one of the tallest in Southern California at 10,834 feet, was sacred to different Indian cultures for miles around.

Small wonder, then, that the region also features ancient rock art.

Rock Art in the Mountains

In our next Dragonfly Lecture on Sept. 28, rock art expert Steve Freers will explore this special region. He explains:

"I plan on sharing the distribution of various rock art motifs and styles within the Southern California region, with an emphasis of the Mt. San Jacinto region."

A New Look at Hand Prints

Prehistoric rock art often touches us with an emotional connection ... especially when we see hand prints left untold years ago on rock. Who were these artists?

Freers has some information to share:

"I will be showing some new research on hand prints that suggests the age and stature range of individuals who created the pictographs."

Freers will offer a lively and visual presentation.

Don't miss it!

Details:

6 p.m. Sept. 28

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center

17 W. Hays, Banning

Your donations at the door will help save and share Southern California cultures, languages, history, and music and other traditional arts.

Our Next Dragonfly Lecturer

2009-09-09T16:52:00.000-07:00

About our Sept. 28 Dragonfly Lecturer:

Steve Freers is a secondary chemistry teacher in Riverside County and a former sports and hand physical therapist. For 20 years he has been involved in rock-art research in Riverside and San Diego counties.

In 1994, he co-authored a book on Southern California rock art, Fading Images.

He served five years as a senior editor for the American Rock Art Research Association.

Using anthropometric data collected in the early 1900s by the famous anthropologist Franz Boas, he has been able to develop a rubric that often times is able to determine physical stature and gender of the makers of prehistoric hand impressions.

He currently teaches Native American Rock Art courses at the University of California, Riverside. Steve has also been recording rock art in the Grand Canyon National Park, BLM/Arizona Strip, and the Kaibab National Forest for the last 10 years.

Details:

Dragonfly Lecture: Art on Ayaqaych.

6 p.m. Sept. 28, 2009

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 17 W. Hays, Banning

Donations appreciated at the door.

His publications include:

Freers, Steven M.
1995 Shamanistic Pictograph Site in Northern San Diego County. In Rock
Art Papers, Volume 12, edited by Ken Hedges, pp. 59-74. San Diego Museum Papers 33.
1995 The Occurrence of Hand Prints in the San Luis Rey Style—Southern California. In Utah Rock Art, vol. XIV.
1997 Maybe I’m Amazed: Comparisons of Maze Imagery in Southern California and the Southwest United States. In Utah Rock Art, vol. XVI.
1998 Lending a “Hand” to San Luis Rey Style. In American Indian Rock Art, Volume 22, edited by Steven M. Freers, pp. 57-78. American Rock Art Research Association, Tucson, Arizona.
2001 The Hand Prints at CA-RIV-114: A Forensic and Anthropometric Study. Lending a “Hand” to San Luis Rey Style. In American Indian Rock Art, Volume 27, edited by Steven M. Freers and Alanah Woody, pp. 319-332. American Rock Art Research Association, Tucson, Arizona.
2003 A Race Against Time. Documentary film on the state of cultural resource preservation in southern California.

Freers, Steven M., editor
1997 American Indian Rock Art, Volume 23. American Rock Art Research Association, San Miguel, California.
1998 American Indian Rock Art, Volume 22. American Rock Art Research Association, Tucson, Arizona.
1999 American Indian Rock Art, Volume 25. American Rock Art Research Association, San Miguel, California.

Freers, Steven M., and Alanah Woody, editors
2001 American Indian Rock Art, Volume 27. American Rock Art Research Association, Tucson, Arizona.

Smith, Gerald A., and Steven M. Freers
1994 Fading Images: Indian Pictographs of Western Riverside County. Riverside Museum Press, Riverside, California.

Sing Birds Movie Trailer

2009-08-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

New movie trailer for Sing Birds

Courtesy of Film Maker Sean Owen
First on-reservation screening this Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Morongo Tribal Administration building
Morongo Reservation
FREE

Panel discussion and bird singing to follow screening
Co-sponsored by Morongo Cultural Heritage Program

& Dorothy Ramon Learning Center
Information: 951.755.5025

Come learn about Native American cultures,

Celebrate this joyful ancient music,

And honor all who saved and are saving the songs for new generations.

Visit Sean Owen's YouTube Channel.

Dragonfly Gala in the News

2009-08-15T16:40:00.000-07:00

For a gallery of Dragonfly Gala photos in the Banning Record-Gazette, click here.

For the news article, click here.