Tonkawa Elders minutes

http://www.tonkawa.americanindiansource.com/

TONKAWA San Diego Elders Club

TONKAWA MIGHTY MINUTES
June 8, 2014 1-3pm
Attending today was:  Jerry and his assistant Rachel, Jean, Roy and Juan del Rio. A small but mighty group!

This day our blessing was by Jerry Starnes. His prayer called upon the Creator and went out to benefit the members who could not make it today and their families. Also to those who could benefit from prayer especially those under stress or illness.

Pow wow news included: San Luis ‘Fathers Day’ pow wow and the August 2 & 3, 14 CV pow wow on the Bay. Tonkawa luncheon selections were most appropriate to the season and appetites. In fine San Diego sunny brisk weather, selections were all very tasty and healthy choices that added to the opportunity of community. There was a Chili with beans main dishes\. Many excellent salads and an outstanding fruit and berry salad. It is a fine day when we can again gather together few or many in fellowship and feast and enjoy each others’ life experiences in good company.

Everyone is welcome maybe we will see you next month!

Bayside Community Center (Corner of Linda Vista and Comstock)

2202 Comstock St. (Parking ½ blocks down Kelly frontage St.)

Bayside Community Center 2202 Comstock St.

San Diego, CA 92111
Get directions

 

Respectfully submitted: TONKAWA Secretary Roy Cook

Oh Say, Can You See?

Roy Cook: Warrior, US Army (Airborne)

Many American Indian Tribal Nations have their own ‘Flag’ song. These have been sung in honor and recognition for thousands of years. Every so often, this writer is offered an opportunity to open the baggage box of public opinion and examine our posturing and ‘marking’ of territory. There is a bit of clay on the origins of the tune we now use for our National Anthem. This is no detraction of the value and respect it is due and association with all our Military Veterans of the past, today and tomorrow. Open your eyes and minds and let us bring our Nation together with more than lip service.

Nuestro Himno Lyrics

United States of America

Spanish Version of National Anthem

Verso 1
¿Amenece, lo veis?, a la luz de la aurora?
Lo que tanto aclamamos la noche caer?
Sus estrellas sus franjas
flotaban ayer
En el fiero combate
en señal de victoria,
Fulgor de lucha, al paso de la libertada,
Por la noche decían: “!Se va defendiendo!”

Coro:
!Oh decid! ¿Despliega aún
Voz a su hermosura estrellada,
Sobre tierra de libres,
la bandera sagrada?

For those who don’t ‘habla’ this is the root-origin of the tune that is most famous for its use with Francis Scott Key’s The Star Spangled Banner (the national anthem of the United States.) The earlier political song Adams and Liberty also used the same tune.

The
                         ANACREONTIC SONG

as Sung at the Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand

the Words by
  RALPH TOMLINSON ESQ ^R, late President of that SOCIETY.

————————Price 6^d.————————

LONDON
Printed by Longman and Broderip. N ^o26, Cheapside and N ^o13, Hay Market

 

1
To ANACREON in Heav’n, where he sat in full Glee,
A few Sons of Harmony sent a Petition,
That He their Inspirer and Patron wou’d be;
When this Answer arriv’d from the JOLLY OLD GRECIAN
“Voice, Fiddle, and Flute,
“No longer be mute,
“I’ll lend you my Name and inspire you to boot,
“And, besides, I’ll instruct you like me, to intwine
“The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS’s Vine.

2
The news through OLYMPUS immediately flew;
When OLD THUNDER pretended to give himself Airs_
If these Mortals are suffer’d their Scheme to pursue,
The Devil a Goddess will stay above Stairs.
“Hark! already they cry,
“In Transports of Joy
“Away to the Sons of ANACREON we’ll fly,
“And there, with good Fellows, we’ll learn to intwine
“The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS’S Vine.

3
“The YELLOW-HAIR’D GOD and his nine fusty Maids
“From HELICON’S Banks will incontinent flee,
“IDALIA will boast but of tenantless Shades,
“And the bi-forked Hill a mere Desart will be
“My Thunder, no fear on’t,
“Shall soon do it’s Errand,
“And, dam’me! I’ll swinge the Ringleaders I warrant,
“I’ll trim the young Dogs, for thus daring to twine
“The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS’S Vine.

4
APOLLO rose up; and said, “Pr’ythee ne’er quarrel,
“Good King of the Gods with my Vot’ries below:
“Your Thunder is useless_then, shewing his Laurel,
Cry’d. “Sic evitabile fulmen, you know!
“Then over each Head
“My Laurels I’ll spread
“So my Sons from your Crackers no Mischief shall dread,
“Whilst snug in their Club-Room, they Jovially twine
“The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS’S Vine.

5
Next MOMUS got up, with his risible Phiz,
And swore with APOLLO he’d cheerfull join_
“The full Tide of Harmony still shall be his,
“But the Song, and the Catch, & the Laugh shall bemine
“Then, JOVE, be not jealous
Of these honest Fellows,
Cry’d JOVE, “We relent, since the Truth you now tell us;
“And swear, by OLD STYX, that they long shall entwine
“The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS’S Vine.

6
Ye Sons of ANACREON, then, join Hand in Hand;
Preserve Unanimity, Friendship, and Love!
‘Tis your’s to support what’s so happily plann’d;
You’ve the Sanction of Gods, and the FIAT of JOVE.
While thus we agree
Our Toast let it be.
May our Club flourish happy, united and free!
And long may the Sons of ANACREON intwine
The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS’S Vine.

 

sic evitabile fulmen roughly translates to “this repels thunderbolts” (It was a common
Roman belief that laurel provided protection from lightning.)

fusty = close or stuffy, old-fashioned, of stale wine
phiz = facial expression
risible = pertaining to laughter
swinge = beat, flog, or chastise

The Anacreontic Song was written for the Anacreontic Society. This London
gentlemen’s club was named after the Greek poet Anacreon (c. 570-485 BC),
who was known for his poems on love and wine. The words are credited to
Ralph Tomlinson (1744-1778), and the tune is commonly attributed to John
Stafford Smith (1750-1836). The tune is most famous for its use with Francis
Scott Key’s The Star Spangled Banner (the national anthem of the United
States.) The earlier political song Adams and Liberty also used the same tune.

 

D-day to Flag Day: Native America view

By Roy Cook

This USA nation holds this patriotic period of time very dear in the heartland of America. We often hear of the ‘greatest generation’ in reference to the WW II VE day and the military efforts from June 6, 1942 invasion of France in Normandy to Berlin. Also, Flag Day June 14 every year is often overshadowed by D day and the 4^th of July.

Even less notice is accorded the contributions of our Native Warriors courage and commitment in the many conflicts of this USA nation in the past 250 years. Why is this? Especially since the Native American has voluntarily participated in every military effort to establish and defend this land and people for all America. Native American courage and achievement examples from both theaters of WW II is well documented but too often historically ignored.

During World War II, the U.S. Marine Corps recruited Navajo Indians and used their language as a battlefield code that the Japanese never broke. The Navajo Code Talkers became the most celebrated and publicized of the radio units. All Marines are “elite” fighters and welcomed Indians because of their warrior reputation. The Navajo marines ended their ceremonial chants by singing the Marine Corps Hymn in Navajo. Their eloquence in songs comes naturally to Indians because of their long tradition of sings and ceremony in Dine culture. Navajos formed a series of special all-Navajo Marine Corps signal units that encoded messages in their native language. Taking advantage of the flexibility and range of the Navajo language, they worked out translations of military and naval terms so that orders and instructions could be transmitted by voice over the radio in a code the Japanese were never able to break. They were used first in late 1942 on Guadalcanal. Special Code Talker units were eventually assigned to each of the Marine Corps’ six Pacific divisions. By war’s end, over 400 Navajo had served as Code Talkers. Untold thousands of Marines owe their lives to the Navajo Code Talkers.

 

Thousands of our young relatives went into the armed forces or to work in the war production plants that abruptly emerged during military and industrial mobilization. A 1942 survey indicated that 40 percent more of our uncles and grandparents voluntarily enlisted than had been drafted.

American Indian recipients of WW II Congressional Medal of Honor.

http://www.va.gov/tribalgovernment/medal_of_honor_recipiants.asp

Lt. Ernest Childers (Creek), Lt. Jack Montgomery (Cherokee), and Lt. Van Barfoot (Choctaw) all of the famed 45th “Thunderbird” Infantry Division received the Congressional Medal of Honor in Europe. Childers had first distinguished himself in Sicily, where he received a battlefield commission. Later in Italy, unaided and despite severe wounds, he destroyed three German machine gun emplacements. During the Anzio Campaign in Italy, Montgomery attacked a German strongpoint single-handed, killing eleven of the enemy and taking thirty-three prisoners. During the breakout from Anzio to Rome, Barfoot knocked out two machine gun nests and captured seventeen prisoners. Subsequently, he defeated three German tanks and carried two wounded men to safety. All of these exploits reinforced the “warrior” image in the American mind. Maj. Gen. Clarence Tinker, an Osage and a career pilot, was the highest ranking Indian in the armed forces at the beginning of the war. He died leading a flight of bombers in the Pacific during the Battle of Midway. Joseph J. “Jocko” Clark, the first Indian (Cherokee) to graduate from Annapolis, participated in carrier battles in the Pacific and became an admiral. Brumett Echohawk (Pawnee), a renowned expert in hand-to-hand combat, trained commandos. Native Americans took to Special Forces commando training; after all, their ancestors invented it. Native Americans endured thirst and lack of food better than the average soldier. They had an acute sense of perception and excellent endurance, along with superior physical coordination.

From D-day till today we continue to take pride in our Native American Warriors and all military veterans who have been willing to pay the full price for all of us to enjoy the freedom we share. Thank you all for your service to our country and this great land.

The San Pasqual Ipai. will host Bird song and Peon contest on June 21, 2014

 

The San Pasqual Ipai at the base of Palomar Mt. will host an annual Bird song and Peon contest on June 21, 2014.

For Ipai and Kumeyaay Indians, who live in San Diego County and in Baja California, the perpetuation of traditional songs is extremely important to the maintenance of cultural identity. Traditionally, there was the oral tradition language and songs conveyed the telling of journeys, historical events, the creation, and valor were an integral part of traditional Kumeyaay life, conveying traditional knowledge, history and social values.

Today, the most commonly known song cycle is that of Tukuk Bird Songs, which are used for ceremonial and entertainment. These songs have allowed the Kumeyaay to maintain a connection with their cultural past despite the contact with and destructive influences of European intrusions. Other song cycles, which include wildcat and salt dances and perhaps 10 other regional variations are still sung. Specific rules govern the way in which they are sung and presented. Because of the quantity and length of these songs, it takes many years of practice and imitation to learn and master their presentation.

Jon Meza Cuero is possibly one a few Kumeyaay in the United States who knows the wildcat cycle of songs, one of the many cycles of songs sung by the Kumeyaay. Born in Potrero, California, he was raised by relatives on the Mexican side of the border after his mother’s death when he was two years old. He returned to the San Diego area when he was about 20 years old. He speaks four languages–two dialects of Kumeyaay, Spanish, and English. He is well known in Baja California, where he teaches youth in the language and songs of the Kumeyaay and where he sings regularly at Kumeyaay social events.

need to preserve my people’s culture has been very important to me and by learning these songs I will be able to pass this tradition on to others.

Everyone is invited.

Written by Roy Cook

 

Summer time-Pow wow time, it is all good!May 28, 2014

 

This past Wednesday the Sam Diego Inter-tribal singers are able to greet past singers: Terry Hinsley, Ben Nance, Richard Decrane, Roy Cook and Tyler. We welcome any new faces to the drum. Appropriate songs are sung to the benefit of the dancers and the requests of the dance instructors. It is a very nice experience to be at the drum again for the benefit of our American Indian children.

Grass dace, shawl dance, round dance, crow hop, more shawl dance, women traditional, more round dance and fun specialty songs are sung for the entertainment and instruction of the Soaring Eagles Dance Class dancers. Some are shy and reluctant but by the ending of the song, many are dancing! Wow, participation, that is the true measure of success. Everyone knows it is not easy but it is worth doing well and the satisfaction is in the achievement.

Soaring Eagles Dance Class is at the same location and in addition to the American Indian Dance and regalia instruction there is a tutoring and summer reading program.  Books are provided by the program to be checked out and reviews or stories to be submitted during the summer.

¨     Indicates dates are based on historical data from prior years and are subject to change.
* Indicates a recent update or new addition. I know you will let me know of any errors.

45th Annual Rocky Boy – <August 1-3, 2008> – Rocky Boy, MT
87th Annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial – August 8-10, 2008 – Gallup, NM
National Museum Pow wow – <August 8-10, 2008> – Washington, DC
Havasupai Peach Festival – <August 14-17, 2008> – Supai, AZ
* 91st Annual Crow Fair Celebration – August 14-18, 2008 – Crow Agency, MT
17th Annual Kaibab Paiute Sounds of Thunder Mountain – <August 16-17, 2008> – Pipe Springs, AZ
* Schemitzun – August 21-24, 2008 – North Stonington, CT
16th Annual Spirit of Wovoka Days – August 22-24, 2008, Yerrinton, NV
38th Annual Barona – August 29-31, 2008 – Lakeside, CA
White Mountain Apache Fair – <August 29-August 31, 2008> – Whiteriver, AZ
Totah Festival – <August 30-31, 2008> – Farmington, NM
White Mesa Bear Dance – <August 30-31, 2008> – White Mesa, UT
62nd Annual Navajo Nation Fair – September 1-7, 2008 – Window Rock, AZ
88th Annual Southern Ute Fair – September 5-7, 2008 – Ignacio, CO
19th Annual Sycuan – September 5-7, 2008 – El Cajon, CA
Southwest Gourd Society Gourd Dance and Social Powwow – <September 6, 2008> – Tucson, AZ

People often ask why do we go to so many Pow wows. Where else can you get tired and sore cheeks from dancing and smiling all the time!

Sincerely, we all appreciate the confidence and support of those who help keep us on track and in the circle of life. The Red Road is often hard but the Creator is compassionate and never gives us more than we can endure. All you can get from too much of a good time is a warm fuzzy feeling and a real goofy smile. We will look for you on the Pow wow trail!

Maybe we will see you and your younger relatives at these Soaring Eagles Dance Class free classes: Wednesday at 6pm-8:30pm, Normal Heights Community Center, 4649 Hawley Blvd. San Diego CA. They are coordinated by San Diego City School Indian Education Program (858) 627-7362 & Indian Human Resource Center (619) 281-5964.

Sycuan Pow wow 2014

By Roy Cook This gathering is right on the heels of the successful Barona pow wow last week. This annual Sycuan pow wow, September 5, 6, 7, 2014 summer weekend gathering, is the culmination for many other tribal cultural events in the San Diego County region. A major focus is the traditional occasion for the summer Tribal culture, art, music, games and the opportunity to meet new and lifelong friends. Around the dance arena international and local elders are respectfully accessible. This is national tribal self determination in action. It is a celebration promoting trial pride, hospitality and generosity. And is part of the continuing saga that is the local Kumeyaay Tribal custom and tradition. I was born in Southern Arizona and for a bit the mid-day weather made me nostalgic for home. The power of the Creator is most evident in the noonday arena Gourd dance. Even more so is the hint of the Arizona monsoon trying its best to make it over the Laguna Mountains to bless us all with the damp water of life. Much of this Sycuan celebration has a local Kumeyaay prominence. Throughout the weekend from Bird songs sung at the raising of the Veterans’ memorial flags, the drum singing and pow wow activities. Into the late night there are custom and tradition presentations of local Bird singing and opportunities for traditional gaming, the Peon competition. Viejas youth and adult teams swept the competition this year. Peon is a highly competitive game of complex strategy, skill and calculation. It is played with eight players – four on each side, with an additional man or woman to act as umpire (Koymi). The two sides are usually made up of male or female players from different tribes or bands. The game itself is played with eight “peon sticks”- four white, and four black (usually made of sheep bone or coyote bone). They are about three inches long and a quarter of an inch in diameter. The object of the game is for one side to win all the tally sticks. The Koymi, at the end awards tally sticks corresponding to the number of correct guesses from one side to the other. The game is won when one side wins all of the tally sticks. At the early grand entry, the Indian flag eagle staff was carried by Danny Tucker, Sycuan Tribal Chairman. He is followed by the Sycuan Color Guard and a massive, glorious group of 500 or more Native American pow wow participants in category regalia. Dance competing by category followed until the dinner break. The Sycuan hosted dinner was assisted and served by the Soaring Eagles /dance group. The evening continued with more contests and specials. May the Creator guide and protect you always. Have a safe journey home. Thank you for coming! The Creator’s blessing upon you all until we see each other again, Mehan.

Balboa Park Beckons Soaring Eagles

By Roy Cook

The late afternoon shaded, green grass with cooling breezes called the community to gather in the traditional circle. The Soaring Eagle youth program is always about the children. After an August 27, 2014 warm afternoon, the summer gathering held in the Pepper Tree Grove of Balboa Park for the last time this summer is most welcome.

Announcements and prayers for all our community were provided by Honored elder Randy Edmonds. After the bountiful and nutritious meal provided by the American Indian Health Clinic and served by the Garcia family. New Medical and community workers were introduced to the community.

 

We continue to enjoy quality singing by our volunteer tribal singers. Chuck Cadotte encouraged and instructed the dancers in the various popular styles of pow wow dance.

This evening is unique because we can see the seeds of our Indian music, dance, respect and spirituality being introduced to new sets of families and very young dancers. We are empowered by the reception and pow wow trails traveled by past youth and parents in the Soaring Eagle experience. The Jacome family daughter and former Soaring Eagle graduate Monica is attending USD and is to be crowned as the Barona Pow wow princess this year. We can all share in our children’s pride of culture and dancers achievements.

To finish off the workshop, a final set of the popular round dance songs brought out most of the parents and children into the dance circle to finish out the night. We will meet next in Old Town at the Ballard Center.

In the excitement we had almost forgotten the favorite donuts. They were held tightly in little fists and big smiles for the ride home tonight, Aho.

American Indian Warrior Association MONTHLY Minutes August 6, 2014

 

 

http://aiwa.americanindiansource.com

 

This evening AIWA President William Buchanan opened the meeting at 7 pm. There were plenty of pizza selections, peanut butter filled vanilla cookies and iced organic non carbonated pop.

One of the reasons we have incorporated a very casual ‘pot luck meal’ into our monthly meetings. I realize that many of us may be more familiar with non-Tribal social behaviors but even so, when we ‘sit down and break bread’ we set aside our daily stresses and differences and enter into the traditional warriors fellowship of military Veterans’ company and participate with a good heart and sprit de corp.

 

Now, in Indian tradition, you do not have to eat all that is offered. Nor should one be picky, just set it aside. Do not delude yourself with non-traditional or middle class values of deploring waste or that you ‘just ate and forgot’. For example in many Tribal communities, rural or urban, should a visitor arrive while a meal is being prepared or eaten, he will be invited to share the food. A failure to extend such an invitation is as deliberate an insult as is a refusal to accept that traditional Tribal hospitality.

 

Generosity is taken so much for granted that it must be thought of as a basic personality trait rather than as a form of etiquette. The American Indian people in general are historically and currently the most hospitable. One who is consistently the most generous is the most regarded in Tribal communities. The charge of stinginess is the most damning accusation that can be leveled at a person.

 

 

Attending this evening was: William Buchanan, Juan del Rio, Ozzie Monje, Joaquin Sandoval and Roy Cook.

 

Old Business:

1. Officer reports were received from Treasurer, Joaquin S.
2. William B. AIWA President:
3. Reported on the Chula Vista pow wow.
4. Ordered vests were delivered too small for use.
5. GSGS Steve Bohey spoke on gourd dance dress protocol history.
6. Secretary Roy Cook: Reported on the projected Balboa Park Centennial May pow wow. The AIVA reservation based group is gearing up for covering funerals and ceremonies with a full color guard and firing squad.

 

New Business:

The AIWA local participation. Discussion on higher positive profile AIWA image at community, Pow wows and topical issues regarding returning and past conflict veterans is a constant priority: What are the Native American networks of Veteran or Wounded Warrior organizations by regional and Tribal definition?

 

 

REMINDER: All are welcome to join in the potluck luncheon at the TONKAWA Seniors monthly meeting NOON. August 10, 2014. TONKAWA and AIWA share the same facility on different days of the month and this Bayside CC location will be the official address for both groups. C/o Bayside Community Center 2202 Comstock St.

San Diego, CA 92111
Get directions

 

The Round Robin continues to be a healthy venue to air and share veteran concerns with comrades in arms with a tribal flavor. Ozzie shared his trip to Arizona and Alaska and also the Oceanside VA clinic experience. Juan went to Rosarito Beach to deflate and reduce stress of his Amikas housing project. Joaquin spoke to our past November Veterans event and more. William spoke to the possibility of a mini pow wow in the VA.

Finally, AIWA welcomes our local and Tribal involvements and our mission to continue to be of service to the community and look forward to positive ideas for our future months’ meetings. (For more history and stories see link below.)

http://aiwa.americanindiansource.com/minutes.html

AIWA President William Buchanan closed the meeting at 8:30 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted: All life is a gift of the Creator and each and every day we need to acknowledge this unconditional generosity and love. I am not perfect but a work in progress. Spiritual reminder, traditionally, his time of year there are many who pledge to pray and offer themselves, for all our relations.

 

Roy Cook, AIWA Historian/secretary

“Duc, sequere, aut de via decede!

Latin (Lead, follow or get out of the way!)”

Tonkawa supports SE CVista pow wow

 

Tonkawa Supports Chula Vista Soaring Eagle Pow wow The August 2 & 3, 2014 South Bay front Artists, Soaring Eagle two day 3rd annual Native American pow wow will be a free event and celebration of life. This convenient Marina View Park (west on “J” street I-5) location is excellent. The Tonkawa Intertribal Council of Elders is the wisdom keepers of the San Diego Urban community. Tonkawa was founded in 1974 by a consortium of American Indian individuals. Many were Southern California Band tribal seniors. They were employed by the San Diego Indian Center. This was located downtown on Fifth and Cedar. The Tonkawa Council of Elders began with a number of core volunteers: Claude Devers, Virgil Oyos, Chris Soto, Myrtle Foley, Jane Dumas and other respected elders like John and Ruby Teton. TONKAWA’s core mission statement is to respectfully uphold all Tribal Native traditions, render services to our people, and carry on the responsibilities and heritage of the Traditional Elders who have gone before us. Our goal is to provide the forum or resources to assist all American Indian elders in a respectful, traditional manner. It is with mixed sadness and respectful recognition that the Tonkawa members honor past member Jane Dumas. For decades, Jane had been speaking in classrooms and at public events, sharing knowledge of Kumeyaay culture and medicine, and stressing the value of traditional language and history in today’s urban and American Indian societies. In 1981, Jane helped found the San Diego American Indian Health Center, and since 1986 she had been described as an “anchor, leader, peacemaker, and bridge between Indian and non-Indians in the areas of medicine and education.” She believed that “we can become healthier as both individuals and as a community by incorporating traditional knowledge and spirituality.” She attended events, pow wows and local Kumeyaay cultural with enthusiasm and joy. Tonkawa supports programs that focus on our next generation, our future like the Soaring Eagle Dance group.

The San Pasqual Ipai. will host Bird song and Peon contest on June 21, 2014

The San Pasqual Ipai at the base of Palomar Mt. will host an annual Bird song and Peon contest on June 21, 2014.

For Ipai and Kumeyaay Indians, who live in San Diego County and in Baja California, the perpetuation of traditional songs is extremely important to the maintenance of cultural identity. Traditionally, there was the oral tradition language and songs conveyed the telling of journeys, historical events, the creation, and valor were an integral part of traditional Kumeyaay life, conveying traditional knowledge, history and social values.

Today, the most commonly known song cycle is that of Tukuk Bird Songs, which are used for ceremonial and entertainment. These songs have allowed the Kumeyaay to maintain a connection with their cultural past despite the contact with and destructive influences of European intrusions. Other song cycles, which include wildcat and salt dances and perhaps 10 other regional variations are still sung. Specific rules govern the way in which they are sung and presented. Because of the quantity and length of these songs, it takes many years of practice and imitation to learn and master their presentation.

Jon Meza Cuero is possibly one a few Kumeyaay in the United States who knows the wildcat cycle of songs, one of the many cycles of songs sung by the Kumeyaay. Born in Potrero, California, he was raised by relatives on the Mexican side of the border after his mother’s death when he was two years old. He returned to the San Diego area when he was about 20 years old. He speaks four languages–two dialects of Kumeyaay, Spanish, and English. He is well known in Baja California, where he teaches youth in the language and songs of the Kumeyaay and where he sings regularly at Kumeyaay social events.

need to preserve my people’s culture has been very important to me and by learning these songs I will be able to pass this tradition on to others.

Everyone is invited.

Written by Roy Cook