UC San Diego Extends California
Native American Day Celebration
with 10 Events Throughout Fall

Events feature free activities open to the public that celebrate San Diego’s tribal communities

September 21, 2010

By Christine Clark

California Native American Day was established as an official state holiday in 1998. The theme for UC San Diego's fifth annual celebration is "Storytelling: Traditional and Contemporary Voices."

California Native American Day is recognized on the fourth Friday of every month; however the University of California, San Diego will celebrate the official state holiday with 10 diverse activities over three months. The series of events are part of the university’s ongoing commitment to educate the campus and community about California’s rich and dynamic history and culture during UC San Diego’s 50th Anniversary.

The theme for the fifth annual celebration is “Storytelling: Traditional and Contemporary Voices.” The activities, beginning Sept. 24, range from a social justice reading circle workshop to Kumeyaay bird singing and a comedic performance from a prominent historian, mime, actor and educator.

“UC San Diego’s Native American Day celebrations are part of our university’s ongoing dedication to celebrate our neighbors and embrace diversity on our campus and in the community,” said Chancellor Marye Anne Fox.  “I invite everyone to join us as we honor and recognize the heritage, culture and traditions of our Native American tribes while we mark the 50th Anniversary.”

The various events and activities at UC San Diego are designed to promote and enhance the relationship between local tribal communities and UC San Diego students, staff and faculty. The events below are free and open to the public. More information about UC San Diego’s celebration of Native American Day can be accessed at: http://blink.ucsd.edu/HR/policies/diversity/NA-celebration.html

• Celebration Kickoff: “Traditional and Contemporary Voices” 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 24–– Internationally recognized linguist, educator, community elder and storyteller Stan Rodriguez (Kumeyaay, Santa Ysabel Band of Diegueño Indians), will speak about the various Kumeyaay modes of telling stories at the International Center. After the keynote, aa'alvivuktum, Rincon Indian education storytellers will present a program titled “Dance of the Spirits: Tóowchum Pompéllax.” In addition, Rodriguez will present a workshop on bird singing and Kumeyaay storytelling . 
• “Running Grunion,” 9 to 10:30 a.m., Sept. 28 – Abel Silvas will combine comedy, storytelling and mime, offering an interpretation of Native American history and culture from past to present at UC San Diego’s Early Childhood Education Center.
• Partnership Funding, Applications, Oct. 15 deadline – Grants of $1,000 will be offered to provide funding for innovative educational activities proposed by departments, programs or student organizations related to Native American perspectives at UC San Diego.
• “Native Community Welcome Dinner,” 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 14 – Welcome dinner for Native American alumni and students.
• Essay and Picture Contest, Oct. 15  deadline – Students are invited to think of a story that they have learned from their family or community and tell the story through pictures, with a written explanation of the images. Open to all students from 9th to 12th grade.
• Native American Storytelling Exhibit, Oct. 18 to Oct. 29 – The Price Center display will showcase sand painting artwork of animals represented in the fables and stories from Abel Silvas “Running Grunion,” created by children at the Early Childhood Education Center.
• “Reel Injun,” Film Screening and Discussion, Noon, Oct. 21 – The film screening at the Cross Cultural Center takes an entertaining and insightful look at the “Hollywood Indian,” exploring the portrayal of North American Natives through the history of cinema.
• “[Re]Claiming Alcatraz” Art  Exhibit, 4 p.m., Oct. 27 – The open art space at the Cross Cultural Center will feature pictures taken during the Alcatraz Island take-over by different tribal nations. Pictures are from Ilka Hartman, Michelle Vignes and the California National Park Services.
• Campus Community Center’s Social Justice Reading Circle, Noon, Oct. 27 – The reading circle at the Cross Cultural Center will focus on Native American identity, gender, sexuality and other intersecting identities.
• Gordon Johnson Talk (author of Fast Cars and Frybread: Reports from the Rez), 6 to 8 p.m., Nov.  19 – Gordon Johnson is a Cahuilla/Cupeño author from the Pala Reservation former feature writer and columnist for the Riverside Press-Enterprise. He will discussFast Cars and Frybread: Reports from the Rez a collection of essays on the spirit of reservation life.  

Media Contact: Christine Clark, 858-534-7618, ceclark@ucsd.edu