Waat Tonight

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

© Pat Murkland 2010

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.

© Pat Murkland 2010

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.

© Pat Murkland 2010

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

© Pat Murkland 2010

Discover the Center. Please join us.

Flutes, flutes, flutes

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

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!

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

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

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