The tribe has kickoff an education and leadership program called “TAMIT” which stand for Teaching and Mentoring Indian Tarahat. Tarahat is the Tataviam word for the people. Tamit is the Tataviam word for the Sun. TAMIT refers to our youth being as important as the sun. Their future sheds light on the world.

WIN A $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE.

The following three “Points” need to be communicated in the design:

• People
• Sun
• Youth

The contest will start from December 12th, 2011 and will end at 11:59pm on January 20th, 2012. The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians are dedicated to help kids show their artistic talent by entering our drawing contest. Enter your design by either sending a colored Hardcopy to:

Tataviam “TAMIT” Logo Contest, 601 S. Brand Blvd. Suite 102, San Fernando, CA 91340 OR an electronic form to TAMIT@tataviam-nsn.usin one of the following formats: jpeg, gif, tiff, png or pdf.

Seventh Annual Scholarship
Gala2011

Thursday, November 3, 2011, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Sportmen’s Lodge, 12833 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA

Honoree

Sandra Franks, better known as “Sandy” (Cayuga/Cherokee), was born in Ventura, California. In her profession Ms. Franks is an expert in cultural education through the American Indian Education Program, Title VII of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).

After losing both of her parents at an early age, Ms. Franks moved to Nebraska, Oklahoma to be raised by relatives. Ms. Franks soon returned to California at age of thirteen to live with her aunt and uncle where she attended middle and high schools. After her marriage to Don Franks (Creek), Ms. Franks furthered her education, receiving an Associate of Arts Degree from Pierce College in the San Fernando Valley.

Passionate for better cultural education of American Indian students in Los Angeles, Ms. Franks began her devotion of implementing all cultural aspects with the LAUSD in 1970. Ms. Franks was appointed the Native American community representative on the court order mandated desegregation of the Los Angeles School District.  In 1972 the American Indian Education Program was passed through congress and signed by President Nixon. It established a program for retaining the cultural identities of American Indian students, who were relocated to urban locations. Donald and Sandra Franks were the two parents who signed the proposal for the program to be implemented in the LAUSD. Continuing to the build the American Indian Program, Ms. Franks became one of the founding members of LAUSD American Indian Education Commission in 1975.

Ms. Franks continued her involvement with the American Indian Education Program in the early 80’s to establish and maintain multi-tribal cultural programs. Her responsibilities were to create lesson plans on American Indian Cultures for twenty-seven K-6 schools in the San Fernando Valley.

Ms. Franks belongs to many American Indian Organizations such as the American Indian Community Council, American Indian Families Partnership, and Tsa-La-Gi LA Cherokee Group for community members who live away from the Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Ms. Franks married Don Franks (Creek) in 1964 and has two children Donald R.  Franks (deceased), Laura R. Franks. Laura married Felipe Flores and grandson Stone Flores was born.

Performing Stars

Purchase your tickets/sponsor level online or down form to deliver by fax or mail.

Seating

Individual ticket $50.00   Table $500.00

 

Sponsorship

Tomiar Title Sponosr $8,000.00   Tarahat Diamond Sponsor $5,000.00   Hunar Platinum Sponsor $4,000.00   Tamit Gold Sponsor $2,500.00   Diamond Page $1,500.00   Platinum Page $750.00   Gold Page $500.00   Patron Page $250.00

 

On February 5, 2011 our Fatherhood Journey Program  took a trip up to Haramonkngna Cultural Center at Wilson-Red Box Rd. in the Angeles Forrest

Peter Cano playing in the snow at Haramonkngna

Ruth Arviso, Monique Allison, Nina Diaz, Cathy Diaz, Fathood Journey staff and voulunteers

Jasmine Garcia participates in the youth group in the Fatherhood Journey Program

Beautiful view from Haramonkngna

]]> http://www.pukuu.org/news/fatherhood-journey-snow-day/feed 0 http://www.pukuu.org/general/music-la-classes http://www.pukuu.org/general/music-la-classes#comments Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:00:09 +0000 admin http://www.pukuu.org/?p=1165

Pukúu Cultural Community Services was funded the American Indian Heritage Month grant by the Los Angeles City Department of Cultural Affairs (“DCA”) to offer Music LA classes at Rudy Ortega Sr. Park in San Fernando.

Pukúu partner with California Simunu Drummers & Singers to provide two sessions of music and dance of two regional Southern California Tribes, Chumash and Tataviam. Students will learn three Chumash traditional songs and dances and two traditional Tataviam songs. The students also participated in the unique experience of making their own musical instruments; clapsticks and gourd shakers.

For more information please contact Cathy Diaz cdiaz@pukuu.org

This year, during The Los Angeles Native Youth Leadership Journey to Yuma, Arizona, Pukúu had four players nominated to go on the trip. The boys were invited to play against the Quechan Nation and Cocopah Nation in a kid’s tournament.

Though our boys had never played a game before, they were excited to play in their first game and represent Pukúu and the Tataviam Tribe. The game was rough but our boys were able to win a few games. They were happy to be able to play against other teams and made new friends on their trip.

Our Waw’kish Team Needs:

• Snacks & Water
• Practice Location
• Transportation
• Practice Jersey / Team Shirts

Would you help us fill our Waw’kish team’s needs?

Pukúu is thankful to the foundations in attendance that had a genuine interest in learning more about our people: The California Wellness Foundation, The California Endowment, First 5 Los Angeles and the Eisner Foundation.

We are particularly thankful to Julio Marcial, Program Director at TCWF, who made this meeting possible.

Through the joint efforts of several Native American community-based organizations, we feel we were able to clearly advocate the plight of our people and our need for greater funding and awareness.

THE FATHERHOOD JOURNEY is a sacred circle where fathers are given an opportunity to be more engaged in the lives of their children and serve as better role models. The Fatherhood Journey’s sole concern is geared towards the betterment of the future: our children.

Through support, fathers learn to be more loving, responsible and active participants in their children’s lives. The Fatherhood Journey has been holding weekly circles at the Rudy Ortega Sr. Park since May 2010. The program is open ended and intended to provide consistent opportunities for fathers to empower and improve themselves.

Our weekly circles keep the strength of our tradition. We prepare our hearts to receive, our ears to listen and our minds to learn from each other with a prayer to the “Creator”. We cleanse ourselves with sage. In our circle, we have laughed, we have cried, and we are learning just how impactful our moods, our words, our actions and inaction are to our children. We have learned that our children are like trees. Some are very young and are just beginning to form branches, while others are big and strong; already bearing fruit. Regardless of how big or how small these trees are, one thing remains the same: they still need someone to cultivate them. As fathers, we are those cultivators. We are growers of our children. The water that we use is wisdom and the sun they receive is our unconditional love in action. Yes, we still have our challenges with the soil, and the weather, but ultimately we know that our trees are our responsibility, our honor. It is our trees that make us cultivators. It is our children that make us real men.

Here is what some of the dads have to say about the Fatherhood Journey:

“In this present day, I feel that technology has replaced face to face interaction. Lately in my personal journey, I was beginning to feel like I was alone as a single parent. Fatherhood journey has brought a renewed “spirit” that I am not alone. I have met new people to share things with and get a new perspective. The spirit in our circle is like a camp near a river, where at the end of the day we can sit by the fire, eat, share and sing. To me, that is what is missing in the present… But above all else, let’s celebrate life together, for our children.” — JG

“Being a dad is one of the greatest privileges a man can have. Fatherhood Journey helps me remember this and constantly challenges me to be better for my kid.” — PJC

Even mom has something good to say:

“It is a really good program that nurtures a dad’s ability to be a good dad. My husband realizes just how important the time he spends with his son is and just how important the father-son relationship is.” — RC

The mission of Fatherhood Journey is to empower fathers to be more engaged in their children’s lives and serve as better role models. In doing so, we hope to eliminate the social woes in our community that stem from fatherlessness.

Upcoming Sessions

How you can help

Pukúu would like your support of the Fatherhood Journey Program!

What can you give? As a dedicated community supporter, you can help keep this program alive.

Gift Cards: $50 grocery store gift card will provide session refreshments for an entire month.

Money: $250 will provide gas or public transportation assistance for participants who are unable to attend sessions due to transportation issues.

ON JUNE 9TH to June 13th, Pukúu along with AICC, SCIC , UAII, and the Tataviam Tribe sent nominated youth to a Leadership Journey to visit the Quechan Nation and the Cocopah Nation. Pukuu and the Tataviam Tribe had 6 youth that participated: Sabrina Ortega, Ruben Ortega, Adriane Rodriguez, Bruce Ortega, Aaron Ponce and Andrew Ponce. During their five day trip they learned five values: respect, tradition, sovereignty, balance and wellness.

Wednesday, the value learned was respect; Quechan hosted a welcoming ceremony for our youth that was usually only done to welcome royalty.

Thursday, our youth learned the importance of sovereignty, meeting Mike Jackson, the Quechan President, and the Council of the Quechan Nation; our youth also got a tour of the Tribal Office and Education Departments. The youth had lunch with the seniors at the Senior Center, where the youth shared Tataviam bird songs with the elders.

Friday, tradition was taught to the youth by visiting the Cocopah museum. They met the Cocopah Chair Dale Philips, played shinny, watched peon, and sang and danced with the bird singers and dancers on the reservation at a traditional housing site.

Saturday, wellness was taught as the youth sat in a Cocopah tribal meeting and a border patrol presentation. In the evening, they went bowling and played laser tag.

Sunday, balance was taught; the youth reflected on their trip and how they would balance their culture with issues of everyday life. A photo of Pukúu’s youth group was published in the Yuma Sun, Cocopah Nation, and Quechan Nation Tribal Newspaper.

Waw’Kish Team!

Boys Team & Men’s Team!

Pukúu Cultural Community Services is reviving an original California Indian Game “Waw’Kish” to Los Angeles!

Pukúu(1)-Wehi(2)-Pahi(3)

Game History-Elder’s recall the Waw’kish (shinny/stickball) game being played among the Mission Indians of Southern California in the late 1800’s. It is played by two teams who hit a small wooden ball, about two inches in diameter, with long sticks curved at one end. Points are scored when the ball is successfully hit beyond the goal lines drawn at each end of the playing field.

Instructed By

Richard Bugbee(Luiseño)

Your Participation will Unite

Native boy’s and Men in

Los Angeles!

Practice Tuesday’s 6pm-8pm

SIBL Baseball Fields-

12700 Gridley St. Sylmar, Ca. 91342

From the 210 freeway, exit at Maclay St., and head east (from 210 West, turn right. From 210 East, turn left) heading into the hills. Stay on Maclay St. until it merges, and becomes Harding St. Immediately after it merges, the entrance to S.I.B.L. will be on the left. Take the dirt road until you hit the fields.

For more info contact

Cathy Diaz

(818)336-6105

cdiaz@pukuu.org