Our Poetry Festival a First for the Region

First Native Voices Poetry Festival Celebrates Richness of Native Cultures and Region

Storytelling, songs, and poems at the first Native Voices Poetry Festival will explore the richness of Southern California Native cultures and the beauty, vitality, and uniqueness of the region. The family-friendly festival from 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 17,  at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 127 N. San Gorgonio Avenue, Banning, celebrates the human voice in all the arts. And it’s all free. Children, young adults, and adults also can create their own poetry, stories, and zines in free workshops led by teachers and poets.

Festival participants are invited to:

• Discover the wonder and beauty of Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts from the songs and stories of Culture Bearers, including Ernest Siva (Cahuilla/Serrano), president of the nonprofit Dorothy Ramon Learning Center; Barbara Drake (Tongva); and Kim Marcus (Serrano/Cahuilla). 

• Be inspired by Native writers Casandra Lopez and Gordon Johnson, who will be joined by many talented poets from throughout the region, along with musicians such as Bill Bell and Don Strandberg, and the Dragonfly Wind Flute Ensemble. Sessions include readings fused with the music of Native American flutes.
• Create poems, stories, and zines in four engaging workshops led by talented performers and teachers.  The workshops are designed for children, young adults and adults, but space is limited, so please check out our online schedule (www.dorothyramon.blogspot.com) for additional information.

Juan Delgado, the Poet Laureate of Inlandia Institute and co-director of Native Voices Poetry Festival, said, “We hope families, students, and community members are inspired by the cultural richness and unique literary expression they will be exposed to in this one-day festival that is free to public.” The festival’s many sponsors with the nonprofit Dorothy Ramon Learning Center include California State University, San Bernardino; College of the Desert; Inlandia Institute; Poets & Writers, Inc.; SCIPP (Students, Coyotes, Instruction in Poetry and Prose); PoetrIE; AS/US; and Super Subs restaurant. The Learning Center saves and shares Southern California’s Native American cultures, languages, and traditional arts, part of our national heritage.

For more information, please call 951. 849.7736, email info@dorothyramon.org, or visit www.dorothyramon.blogspot.com and Dorothy Ramon Learning Center on Facebook.