UCSD Celebrates California
Native American Day Sept. 28, 29

September 20, 2006

By Pat JaCoby

 

Cultural workshops focusing on the history and heritage of local Kumeyaay Luiseño and Cupeño Indians, a health clinic to serve the Native American population, as well as traditional ceremonial songs of Native Americans will be featured at the inaugural California Native American Day Celebration at the University of California, San Diego.

The California Indian Day Kick-Off will be at noon Sept. 28 in the Sun God Lounge at the UCSD Price Center. UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox will welcome local tribal leaders who will offer a blessing for the event.

Jamul Tribal History will be presented by the Jamul Indian Village, A Kumeyaay Nation, at 1 p.m. in Gallery A of the UCSD Price Center. The Barona Band of Kumeyaay Indians will discuss the Barona Museum and Cultural Center at 1:30 p.m. in Gallery B at the UCSD Price Center.

On Sept. 29, the Culture Committee and Rincon Education Inc., Hi Rez Digital Solutions, will host the Luiseño Language Publishing Project at 11 a.m. in Gallery A of the UCSD Price Center. Luiseño tribal members will detail the process of selecting tribal stories collected in the early 20th century, editing and translating them, engaging youth in creating the illustrations, and finally, publication.

The Indian Health Information Table will offer details on the San Diego Indian Health Clinic at 11:30 a.m. in the UCSD Price Center Plaza. Information will include literature on the programs and initiatives of the clinic, including HIV testing and counseling, diabetes and nutrition, and alcohol and substance abuse. Emphasis is on the urban American Indian population, but the San Diego American Indian Health Center is open to all.

At noon, Sept. 29, Pala Bird Singers will perform in the UCSD Price Center Plaza. Men sing with gourd rattles and often men and women dance in accompaniment. Ceremonial songs, traditional songs, bird songs, and a style of social singing will be presented. Bird songs are shared from family to family, group to group, and tribe to tribe, covering the region from Santa Barbara to the Mojave Desert. The Pala Bird Singers sing in Cupeño and Luiseño, “Pala” style.

For California Indian Day 2006, UCSD is honoring tribal participants Barona, Jamul, Pala, Pauma, Rincon, and San Pasqual.

Sponsors for the event are the UCSD American Indian Faculty and Staff Association, California Cultures in Comparative Perspective, Cross-Cultural Center, Early Academic Outreach Program, Education Studies Program, Ethnic Studies Department, Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs, Rady School of Management, UCSD Staff Council, and Student Educational Advancement.

All events are free and open to the public. For further information call (858) 534-6862 or visit the website.

Media Contacts:
Jan Jennings (858) 822-1684
Pat JaCoby (858) 534-7404