San Diego Soaring Eagle stories are brought to you by Southern California American Indian Resource, SCAIR.
Soaring Eagles: Summer Time in the Slow Lane
By Roy Cook
The Soaring Eagle dance workshop, Tuesday night August 16, 2011, under the stars. Some arrived early to select a favorite place to set up their chairs. Others trickled in from other competing summer activities. Tonight the Soaring Eagle organization gathered together slowly and as a result the summer weather was a bit cooler this evening. But in spite of fewer faces around the circle the joy of the gathering was evident in the younger dancers’ eyes. At full force this evening there were over 100 community members, families and children enjoying the Soaring Eagle Workshop in the park.
The Soaring Eagle dance singers’ voluntary personal satisfaction is to see our Indian Children dancing joyfully on the green grass of Mother Earth. We singers, of the Green River and San Diego Intertribal drums, can see that our Indian ways will continue to flourish and live as long as these songs of our Grandfathers live in their hearts.
These weekly immersions into traditional tribal culture and participation in public American Indian gatherings allow us to endure and remain a vital cultural, political, social, and moral presence in the San Diego region. We are fortunate to have volunteers to share their dance and song experience and truly blessed to have these children eager to have a good time doing Indian things.
Also tonight, SCAIR tutor, Jeannie Alvarado again brought skill level pamphlets on the life: In the sea for younger readers and Forensic scientists at work for advanced readers. I enjoyed the reference to Sherlock Holmes and his stories.
Our hosted fried chicken evening feast and the pot luck dishes made for a good, fulfilling and thankful meal. We sincerely appreciate our friends and families potluck support and encourage greater participation and goodies. Debbie Razo served up the SCAIR sponsored Soaring Eagle potluck feast for the hungry and happy attendees. Woody’s son, Charlie was the birthday boy tonight. Yummy cupcakes and frosted cake.
There were pow wow activity announcements by Jennifer Gastelum this evening and a reminder that next week the Soaring Eagles will meet, for an Inter-generational evening at Laurel and 6th Ave. 5:30pm, still in the Balboa Park. Chuck Cadotte also reminded us of recent losses of: family members and elders. Some that have passed were recalled by association and fewer by name.
Simply by looking around at the families, our views of the parents and children are constantly inspiring. What we see most clearly are the bright smiles and eager faces of the children attending this Soaring Eagle night in the park dance workshops.
Everyone is welcome to attend the ‘Balboa park’ Soaring Eagle (6-8:30pm) summer dance workshops from now to Sept. 14, 2011. We invite you to bring your children and family to learn by observation and participation, a traditional way, the pow wow dance, music and also enjoy the friendship of the gatherings.
Also, remember to bring a potluck item or side dish for the Soaring Eagles evening feast. Again, everyone is welcome to attend the ‘in the park’ dance workshops.
Soaring Eagle performance contact:
Abel Jacome – 619-454-4951
Email: bigabes64@yahoo.com
For general information call: Vickie Gambala — 619-306-7318
San Diego Region Pow wow and Cultural Events:
Aug 26, 27 & 28
Pala Pow wow and Peon Tournament
4th Annual Honoring Traditions Powwow
Pala, Ca
Click here for Flier
Aug 27
Viejas Traditional Gathering
Viejas Birdsingers Gathering and Peon Games
Alpine, CA
Click here for Flier
Sep 2 - 4
Barona Pow Wow
August 31-September 2,
Ball Field behind Rec. Center, Barona
Indian Reservation, Lakeside, Calif. (619) 443-6612
Click here for Flier