An adventure with Ernest and June Siva, leaders of Dorothy Ramon Learning Center:
Cahuilla Gathering, June 2022
By JUNE SIVA
We were invited to the Cahuilla Gathering and Earth Day Celebration on Cahuilla Reservation, near Anza, California. It took some time to find the right dirt road (a very nice dirt road — we who live on dirt roads notice these things).
It led to a broad open space at the foot of Cahuilla Mountain. It was already full of cars, with more arriving all the time.
Bill Madrigal greeted us and took us to a shaded space where the program would open.
There was a baseball game going on already, but everything stopped when Bill got the mic and announced that the program was about to start.
Cahuilla Elder and Singer Bill Madrigal with Ernest Siva on left and Michael Madrigal to his right. (June Siva Photo)
A Blessing
He welcomed everyone and did a Cahuilla blessing with tobacco, honoring the directions and remembering the ancestors. It was wonderful to hear the Cahuilla language.
Elder Bill Madrigal leads the blessing. (June Siva Photo)
Song of the Directions
Ernest Siva then sang a Serrano song of the seven directions (North, South, East, West, the Sky, the Earth, and the Center). It ends with the Center [Ahunika'], where the people are gathered, and blesses that place.
Ernest Siva singing a Serrano song of the seven directions. (June Siva Photo)
And Birds …
Then, of course, there were Bird Songs.
Through the day several groups participated. It was especially meaningful to see so many singers, since these songs were nearly lost. A few singers such as Robert Levi Sr., Alvino Siva, Anthony Andreas, took it on themselves to save them. Now many know and love them.
There were booths for vendors and exhibits by basket makers, pottery makers, textile makers and more. Other reservations had tables, too. The most important thing for all participants we talked to was the gathering, being together to share stories and songs, to play baseball, to eat together (Cahuilla Reservation has great fry-bread cooks, Indian Tacos were wonderful!).
We thank the Madrigals for inviting us to participate in this gathering, a wonderful way to save and share!
[Editor’s Note: When reading this, your News from Dorothy Ramon Learning Center editor said, “Yikes! Ernest and June got lost?” They hadn’t mentioned that! And they were on a mountainous dirt road where cell phones and map apps didn’t work. Yikes! Thankfully, they said later, they soon met up with a helpful person who sent them to the “right dirt road.” Hurray for all the people in the world who help us find the road we seek!]
Calling in the Dragonflies!
No matter what, the dragonflies always can find Elder Ernest Siva. They always know where he is.
He teaches people of all ages how to call a dragonfly.
Teacher Monica Parsons shared her class dragonfly adventure: “Here are some of the Dragonflies made by our students. We listened to the Dragonfly Lullaby and read about Calling Dragonflies.”
Here’s what the class enjoyed, from our May 5, 2021, News from Dorothy Ramon Learning Center:
Yes, You Can Call a Dragonfly
In many Native American stories, dragonflies, believed to be one of the oldest insects in the world, emphasize the power of communication. Our pandemic lockdown was in full force last year [2020] when we reached out to everyone with our first online issue of News from Dorothy Ramon Learning Center and shared the Serrano and Cahuilla lullaby, the Dragonfly Song.
The Dragonfly Song offers a medicine of mindfulness, and a bit of natural wonder. You can call a dragonfly to come to you with this song.
After hearing the Dragonfly Song, lots of great dragonflies were made in class!
“The ages in our class range from 5 to 11 years old,” Monica Parsons said. “We are a Summer Academy held through Title 6 Indian Education and Hemet Unified School District. We hold the class at Hamilton Elementary School every summer.”
Nazario Rodriguez of the Cahuilla Band with dragonflies. (Courtesy of Monica Parsons, with thanks to his mom for giving permission for us to share.)
“The boy pictured with the Dragonflies is named Nazario Rodriguez, a member of the Cahuilla Band of Cahuilla Indians,” she said. “His mother gave us permission to share this photo with you. Most of our class participants are from Cahuilla or Santa Rosa.”
(Looks like some singing might be going on, on one wing, here? :-) )
Thanks so much, Monica Parsons and class!
These dragonflies look like they’re fun to make and share.
Dragonfly Exchange
And speaking of making dragonflies … At Dorothy Ramon Learning Center’s Aug. 13, 2022, Dragonfly Gala, Morongo (Reservation) School will again lead this year’s Dragonfly Exchange.
Bring a dragonfly (art, handmade, be creative) to the Dragonfly Gala, and take home someone else’s, celebrating the kind and peaceful heart that brings Dragonfly to all of us.
At the Gala, celebrate Native American cultures. Eat a delicious BBQ dinner. Enjoy cultural exhibits, and more, and join us to honor the 2022 Dragonfly Award winner, artist Gerald Clarke of Cahuilla Reservation.
Please RSVP, and reserve your seat or table, space is limited!
And Explore Art on July 11 with Gerald Clarke!
“While my work may not appear ‘traditional,’ it is part of the ongoing creative responses to the world that the Cahuilla have exercised since ancient times.”
— Gerald Clarke, Cahuilla artist. Read more about his art HERE.
Thank you! The 501(c)3 nonprofit Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, led by Elder Ernest Siva (Cahuilla-Serrano), saves and shares Southern California Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.
News from Dorothy Ramon Learning Center welcomes your EMAIL. It helps us when you subscribe, read, and share this newsletter. Thank you from Editor Pat Murkland, June 29, 2022.