Post by Okwes on Dec 9, 2005 10:25:14 GMT -5
American Indian Alliance hosts cultural celebration
By LAURA CLARK/The Daily Journal
Wednesday, November 30, 2005 -
Pomo dancers, clad in feather skirts and headdresses, graced the stage
inside the Little Theater at Mendocino College Tuesday in celebration of
Native American Heritage month.
Stick games, hoop dancers, drumming and demonstrations on how to make
shawls, baby rattles, and bead work were also featured during the event
hosted by The American Indian Alliance.
Prior to these festivities, however, Martin Martinez, of Redwood Valley
Rancheria, spoke to his audience about "Red Road to Recovery," a
substance abuse program for Native Americans.
"What has it done for you?" the Red Road coordinator asked the 20 or so
people in the room.
"It saved my life -- made me wake up to reality," Laytonville resident
Jason Carrera answered from his chair.
"The spiritual part of Red Road gives the Native Americans back their
traditions ... who they are. ... We were stripped of who we are in the
past, but not the present, because our elders fought to keep our
traditions alive today. When you come back for who you are -- that's
your red road," Martinez said.
The Red Road is about restoring culture, he said. It's also a substance
abuse program.
"Ninety percent of Native Americans have some connection to drug and
alcohol abuse, or maybe it might be all of us," he said.
"There are some really bad drugs out there now because of how they are
made. The people who are making them don't really care how they make
them, they just want to make money. That is what Red Road is up
against," Martinez said, noting he has started four programs so far: in
Laytonville, Sherwood Valley, Hopland and Coyote Valley. He also works
with Native American men in prison.
"That stuff will eat your brain up," Martinez said of crystal
methamphetamine. "When things get hard for you in life that's when you
go to your traditions and dance and sing and talk to your elders to
learn more."
Red Road has been in existence about 11 years. The purpose of the
program is to educate and restore family values, and to help people get
away from drugs and alcohol, Martinez said.
"We have to do our part as a community to help people start the healing
process, but that has to be done together, with all of us, not just the
Native American community, but the whole community," he said.
The American Indian Alliance club has been at the college for several
years to heighten awareness of the local Native American culture and
promote Native American student activities.
Laura Clark can be reached at udjlc@pacific.net .
By LAURA CLARK/The Daily Journal
Wednesday, November 30, 2005 -
Pomo dancers, clad in feather skirts and headdresses, graced the stage
inside the Little Theater at Mendocino College Tuesday in celebration of
Native American Heritage month.
Stick games, hoop dancers, drumming and demonstrations on how to make
shawls, baby rattles, and bead work were also featured during the event
hosted by The American Indian Alliance.
Prior to these festivities, however, Martin Martinez, of Redwood Valley
Rancheria, spoke to his audience about "Red Road to Recovery," a
substance abuse program for Native Americans.
"What has it done for you?" the Red Road coordinator asked the 20 or so
people in the room.
"It saved my life -- made me wake up to reality," Laytonville resident
Jason Carrera answered from his chair.
"The spiritual part of Red Road gives the Native Americans back their
traditions ... who they are. ... We were stripped of who we are in the
past, but not the present, because our elders fought to keep our
traditions alive today. When you come back for who you are -- that's
your red road," Martinez said.
The Red Road is about restoring culture, he said. It's also a substance
abuse program.
"Ninety percent of Native Americans have some connection to drug and
alcohol abuse, or maybe it might be all of us," he said.
"There are some really bad drugs out there now because of how they are
made. The people who are making them don't really care how they make
them, they just want to make money. That is what Red Road is up
against," Martinez said, noting he has started four programs so far: in
Laytonville, Sherwood Valley, Hopland and Coyote Valley. He also works
with Native American men in prison.
"That stuff will eat your brain up," Martinez said of crystal
methamphetamine. "When things get hard for you in life that's when you
go to your traditions and dance and sing and talk to your elders to
learn more."
Red Road has been in existence about 11 years. The purpose of the
program is to educate and restore family values, and to help people get
away from drugs and alcohol, Martinez said.
"We have to do our part as a community to help people start the healing
process, but that has to be done together, with all of us, not just the
Native American community, but the whole community," he said.
The American Indian Alliance club has been at the college for several
years to heighten awareness of the local Native American culture and
promote Native American student activities.
Laura Clark can be reached at udjlc@pacific.net .