CAMP CRIER: - Colorado Springs Indian Center

CAMP CRIER:
NEWSLETTER OF THE COLORADO SPRINGS INDIAN CENTER
Vol III, No. 6
June 2010
701 N. 20th Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904 719-599-8630 www.coloradospringsindiancenter.com
CSIC Welcomes Marva Black Elk (Teton)
When you visit, or call the
Colorado Springs Indian
Center, or you send an email
from the website, Marva is
the person who takes your
request or gives you instructions! She is the CSIC Office
Volunteer. Marva has been
with us a couple of months
now and has settled into her
computer chores, becoming
very comfortable in the “front
office” role that she plays at
the CS Indian Center.
And yes, Marva is related
to Black Elk. Wallace
Black Elk was her father.
Marva is also the coordinator for the Community
Dinners. If you plan to
come to the Community
Dinner on June 26, give
her a call and she will let
you know what kind of
side dish is still needed
for the chicken fettucini
that is the main dish that
day.
Colorado Springs Indian Center Celebrates Native
Americans who Graduated this spring.
Board of Directors
James Ramirez (So. Ute) ,
Chairman of the Board
Don Coyhis (Mohican )
Marguerite Cantu (So. Ute/Cherokee)
Karen Medville, Ph.D. (Cherokee)
Lorenzo Tsosie (Navajo)
Newsletter contact:
newsletter@coloradospringsindiancenter.com
Publisher:
Colorado Springs Indian Center
info@coloradospringsindiancenter.com
The Colorado Springs Indian Center
is sponsored by White Bison Inc.
College Graduates:
Amber Jaquez (Navaho) Colorado College
Tina Marie Rivera (Jicarilla/Ute) Colorado State University—
Pueblo , Bachelor of Arts
Angela Saunkeah (Kiowa) CU-Denver, Bachelor of Arts, Communication
Dr. Shirl Smith (Delaware-Cree) Colorado Technical University, Doctor of Management
Dora Speigel (Comanche), Everest College, Medical Administration Assistant
Robert Chad Wood (Hopi/Hulapai) Pikes Peak Community
College, Associate of Arts
High School Graduates:
May 22, 2010 was a very busy day for members of the CSIC and their
families! It was the day we celebrated the graduation of 32 Native
American students from kindergarten through doctorate level in college. The event began at 1pm with a pot luck dinner at Trinity United
Methodist Church. The dining room was full and the buffet table was
filled with salads, pork, ham, buffalo tongue soup, vegetables, and a
variety of breads (a gift from Panera Bread).
Following the dinner, over 100 graduates and family members arrived
at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs to participate in the
ceremony honoring the graduates. Speakers for this event included
Anthony Cordova, Director of MOSAIC (Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness and Community. He emphasized the importance of asking for help along the educational path. Don Coyhis
(Mohican), president and founder of White Bison, Inc., reminded
graduates that they were among those of the new generation of educated Native Americans — our future engineers, social workers, legislators, business owners, inventors and teachers. Many thanks to Doug
Goodfeather (Lakota) who led the drum, and all the volunteers and
donors whose efforts made this event a so memorable! (See p. 2)
Derek Carter II (San Jose Mission), Pink Creek High School
Qullan Fay (Tlinget), Palmer High School
Josiah Fredrick (Mandan Hidatsa), Tesla
Gabriella Hernandez (Southern Ute), Life Skills High School
Ja’ryl Mack (Choctaw/Chickasaw/Lakota), Pine Creek High
School
Meghan Mahoney (Salish), Rampart High School
Alexander Pope (Cherokee), Pine Creek High School
Ariel Silva (Narragansett/Pequot), Pine Creek High School
Brandon Tsosie (Navajo), Doherty High School
Michael Vialpando, Pine Creek High School
Virgil E. Weil (Odawa/Navajo), Wasson High School
(Elementary and Middle School continued on page 2)
In This Issue:
Page 1
Feature articles
Page 2-4 Community Events
Page 5
Native American
Community Members
Page 6
Resources
CAMP CRIER: NEWSLETTER OF THE COLORADO SPRINGS INDIAN CENTER
Thank You!!
Thanks to the many who helped
make the Graduation Celebration a success!
2
(Graduates Continued from page 1)
Elementary and Middle School:
We would also like to recognize those community organizations that
assisted us with donations, resources and support:
Kayla Boyd (Delaware), Challenger Middle
School, 8th grade
Michelle Jackson (Navajo), North Middle School,
8th grade
Tommy Lovern (Navajo), Ft. Carson Middle
School, 8th grade
Julie Roberts (Dine), Cheyenne Mountain Jr. High,
9th grade
Kassie Scott (Leni Lenape), Jenkins middle
School, 8th grade
Lorenzo Snowbird (Ojibwe), North middle School,
8th grade
Sadie Vigil (Southern Ute), West Middle School,
8th grade
White Bison, Inc.
Panera Bread
AlterNative Voices
Devin Brock (Cherokee) Grant Elementary, Kindergarten
Marva Black Elk
Camryn Merrill
Marty Waters
Caroline Mose
Marguerite Cantu
Don Coyhis
Jim Ramirez
Sandra Mokine
Kateri Vergez
Tim Warner
Dr. Lynda Rogerson
Phil Johnston
Shirl Smith
Doug Goodfeather
Sandy Turcott
Eva Leonard
Carolena Jackson
Eulala Pegram
James Cantu
Grace Good Eagle
Sebrena Forrest
Susie Aikman
Christine Almaraz
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Trinity United Methodist Church
Tecumseh Center
Title VII School District Eleven
We have to educate ourselves to know who we are. That’s what I mean when I
say, “Teach the children.” Eddie Benton-Banai, Ojibwe
Isabella Snowbird (Ojibwe/Comanche) Stratton Elementary, Kindergarten
Brandon Kane Salaz (Southern Ute), Wilson
Elementary, Kindergarten Michaela Tracy
(Navajo), Wilson Elementary, 5th grade
Summer MorningStar Cook (Dakota Sioux),
Trail Blazer Elementary, 5th grade
Kashoni Almaraz (Cahuilla), Rudy Elementary, 5th grade
Alyssa Bravo (Comanche), McAuliffe Elementary, 5th grade
Gabrielle Widerman (Southern Ute), King
Elementary, 5th grade
Anjelina Archuleta (Apache/Cherokee), Mark
Twain Elementary, 5th grade
Tri Lakes Native American
Inter-Tribal Festival
Saturday, June 5,
Palmer Lake, Colorado
This Festival is a celebration of Native history
and culture and will include storytellers, demonstrations of Native drums and dancers, Native art and artisans, an exhibit of birds of prey
by HawkQuest, and plenty of Native vendors
and food. Music will be by Arvel Bird &
friends.
701 N. 20th Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904 719-599-8630 www.coloradospringsindiancenter.com
CAMP CRIER: NEWSLETTER OF THE COLORADO SPRINGS INDIAN CENTER
Territory Days
Old Colorado City
May 29-31
Eugene Red Hawk (Mohawk); Jim Ramirez (S.
Ute), Chairman of the CSIC; A. Ron Wright (Osage)
Board President of Living History Association for
Rockledge Ranch.
Dave and Nancy Shovall (Nancy is the President
of the Historical District Merchants Association,
sponsor for Territory Days.)
Mitchelene F. BigMan (Crow), Iraqui
Freedom Veteran; currently working
at Army Community Services, Ft CarMitchelene F. BigMan (Crow)
Demonstrating the Jingle Dance;
R.J. and Shotea Tvetor dancing in the
background
Mary Chee Drake ( Navajo ) ,
Weaver and Interpretive Artist
Rock Ledge Ranch
701 N. 20th Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904 719-599-8630 www.coloradospringsindiancenter.com
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CAMP CRIER: NEWSLETTER OF THE COLORADO SPRINGS INDIAN CENTER
Territory Days
Old Colorado City
May 29-31
R. J. Trevter (above)
demonstrated the
Grass Dance. Older
brother Shotae (below)
illustrated the intricate
footwork of the Fancy
Dance. RaeVen Trevter
(right) and Mitchelene
BigMan dazzled the audience with their jingle
dance. The Trevter
youth are MandanHidatsa from Ft. Berthold.
Jim Ramirez (So. Ute)
and Steve Howell
(Pawnee) visit before
the dancers begin.
Steve was the emcee
and provided the drum
and songs for the dancers. He also explained
the purpose of each of
the dances.
The community friendship dance below
brought many people
from the audience into
the circle.
701 N. 20th Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904 719-599-8630 www.coloradospringsindiancenter.com
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CAMP CRIER: NEWSLETTER OF THE COLORADO SPRINGS INDIAN CENTER
5
Native People in
Our Community
By Christine Almaraz, (Cahuilla)
Coaching is an essential gift that
we give our children, whether it
Willis Odom (Cahuilla) Prime
is life coaching, coaching them
Time Girls Basketball Coach
on making healthy and productive decisions or coaching them
It is important to be an example
on the field. Willis believes
for our young people these days.
coaching consists of three valuBeing a positive influence ,
able traits. “The ability to motiwhether it is in the arts, science,
vate, teach and mentor. It is also
a necessity to communicate in a
mathematics or sports is important.
concise and simple manner in
We can make a difference in our
which everyone understands.”
children’s perspective on the
When asked how he felt about
world. One such person is making
Native children participating in
that impression on a group of girls.
sports he says, “It is very imporWillis Odom (Cahuilla) is a local
tant for Native American kids to
girl’s basketball coach. His team
participate in sports because
“PRIME TIME”
there are very few of us that re“Prime Time” was formed in 2009.
Champions of Southern Colorado
ceive the opportunity to particiThere are a total of ten players, one
Basketball League — 5th grade division
pate in sports programs due to
being Willis’ daughter Jade Odom
lack of interest, lack of funds.
(Cahuilla), 11. Willis is married to
and lack of support from parents.”
Robin Odom and also has a son Josh Odom (Cahuilla) 13, who is
an avid sportsman in his own right. He just finished with track and Willis is a survivor of colon cancer and has been in remission
is starting his football season.
for four years. He is also an Army veteran. If anyone would
The team has only played together for one year. But through a lot
of hard work and determination Prime Time Basketball Team won
the Champions of Southern Colorado Basketball League for the 5 th
grade division. They played against The Fireballs, the final score
being Prime Time 28-The Fireballs 17. Willis says as a testament
to their hard work, “During the regular season we lost our first two
games, (getting) off to a slow start. The chemistry and the tempo
of the girls was way off playing against teams that have been playing together for a year and a half.” He explained how those struggles made the girls focus on their strengths and weaknesses. “We
were a new team and had no experience playing together in a
game situation, leaving us handicapped.”
So just how a does a team with little experience playing together
end up winning the Southern Colorado championship?
Willis believes it all lies within the girls’ confidence, parents support and a coach’s belief in the team. “I believe in the unity of the
parents as well as the girls or boys that I am coaching. I have witnessed parents believing in the program and the player doesn’t or
the player believing in the program and the parents don’t. The
mixed messages of the two will cause adverse tension among the
team and the parents, making it harmful for the team to reach its
potential.” Willis explains that his coaching method is a key to his
team’s success. “The biggest difference between me and other
know about overcoming challenges and coming out stronger,
who better than he! Having a strong family structure and support can heal all wounds, even the heavy ones.
Willis Odom is changing the way we see Native Americans
and sports in a positive and productive way. Participation, support from other Natives and their families, government or city
funding should all be issues that should concern us. Sports
keeps our kids healthy, clear minded, doing better in school. It
teaches the fundamentals of life; learning how to get along with
each other, having a healthy confidence in ourselves and
maybe most importantly, believing in ourselves. We should not
limit our ability to see within ourselves or the potential that our
children possess. We need to continue to realize that the confidence and belief in our own abilities is what keeps us a strong
and lasting people.
“My philosophy is a belief that teaching the basic fundamentals of sport is as important as making sure that
the ego of each individual is checked at the door, all
the while, allowing each one to contribute in their own
way.” Willis Odom (Cahuilla)
701 N. 20th Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904 719-599-8630 www.coloradospringsindiancenter.com
CAMP CRIER: NEWSLETTER OF THE COLORADO SPRINGS INDIAN CENTER
Education Opportunities
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CSIC WEBSITE
www.coloradospringsindiancenter.com
Harvard University Announcement
No tuition and no student loans
Harvard University announced over the weekend that from
now on undergraduate students from low-income families
will pay no tuition. In making the announcement, Harvard's
president Lawrence H. Summers said, "When only ten percent of the students in elite higher education come from
families in the lower half of the income distribution, we are
not doing enough. We are not doing enough in bringing elite
higher education to the lower half of the income distribution."
If you know of a family earning less than $60,000 a year with
an honor student graduating from high school soon, Harvard
University wants to pay the tuition. The prestigious university recently announced that from now on undergraduate
students from low-income families can go to Harvard for
free... no tuition and no student loans!
To find out more about Harvard offering free tuition for
families making less than $60,000 a year, visit Harvard's financial aid website at: http://
www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/or call the school's financial aid
office at (617) 495-1581.
Be sure that you visit the website often. We are continuously
updating events, resources, and information about people. We
also welcome your ideas. You can post a comment in any of
the postings on the website to let us know if you have additional resources and ideas.
You can “navigate” the website by using the labels that are at
the top of the page, by clicking on the name of a story. You
can also scroll to the bottom of the page where there is a list of
recent posts and a set of category topics. If you click on a
category topic (for instance, Events), then you will see that all
of the posts that have to do with events will appear in the story
section. If you want to see who has received Awards or special recognition, you can click on Awards and it will bring up
only those posts. You can also click any of the labels that are
in the column on the right hand side of the page to bring up the
information in those pages.
There is also a calendar on the website that shows the events
that are scheduled. If you “hover” your mouse over the title of
the event, it will give you the details. If you have an event that
you want to post, please send the “who, what, where, when,
what time, and contact information” to the Colorado Springs
Indian Center email: info@coloradospringsindiancenter.com ,
or you can call Marva at 599-86430 with your request.
Archive of Previous Camp Crier Issues
All of the newsletters are archived on the website inside the Camp Crier post.
The website link for this resource is:
http://www.coloradospringsindiancenter.com/2010/05/campcrier-newsletter-headline/
Events You Should Know About
Community Talking Circles: 7pm Thursday nights
beginning June 3 in the Trinity UMC Dining Room
and continuing weekly.
Monthly Community Dinners: Join us June 26
from 1-3pm Trinity UMC Dining Room
Youth Group: Youth and parents meet monthly to
coordinate activities and learning opportunities just
before the Monthly Community Dinner.
How You Can Help Create the
Colorado Springs Indian Center
Do you have an idea for an activity for youth, or a
program you would like to see the CSIC offer? The
Colorado Springs Indian Center Board of Directors
invites you to propose and to lead activities and
events. On the Website in the post with the CSIC
logo, there is the VISION book, and the Action
Team Planning Packet. Come to the Community Dinner to have a Board
Member assist you in developing your idea, and in filling out the packet.
Or send us a request at info@coloradospringsindiancenter.com.
701 N. 20th Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904 719-599-8630 www.coloradospringsindiancenter.com