San Diego American
Indian Holiday Dinner Delights
By Roy Cook
Red
suit Santa and his one eyed sleigh circled like the traditional
eagle over the Holiday Dinner December 17, 2005. Inside the hall the festive
cheer and round dance songs had everyone thinking it felt a lot like Jingle
bell Rez-Christmas! Our good friend Randy Edmonds opened the afternoon
with insightful words of welcome. He and his wife Bonnie are faithful
supporters of these community gatherings and for twenty-five years he
was at the helm of the Indian Human Resource Center (IHRC).
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There
are food and gifts galore for the small and not so small. There are generous
selections of new gifts for all the Indian Children. There are thoughtful
gifts for all the beautiful Indian ladies attending the afternoon event.
There are also guy gifts from the American Indian Chamber of Commerce
and The Pala Indian Band. Additionally there is Inter-Tribal entertainment
for everyone and songs to bring pride to the hearts of those far away
from home in these holiday times.
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I cannot praise the kitchen staff enough for the bountiful tables of delightful
side dishes and generous quantities of baked turkeys and hams. I missed
the traditional cheese and peanut butter not being on the tables but there
were other exotic choices to enjoy. Thanks also to those who cooked turkeys
and hams at home and prepared the side dishes for the feast.
How about the elders and the kids? They are the main focus of many of
our traditional Indian gatherings. Each age group, old and young, represents
the Wisdom and the Future of our Indian world. All those that volunteer
to make these gatherings a success realize we do this from a motivation
of respect and hope. It does take a lot of work and effort and too often
things do not come together until the last minute. But when we see the
smiles and satisfaction across the room, well, it is all-worthwhile. The
Council of American Indian Organizations of San Diego County sponsors
this event. Paula Brim, Esther Abrahano, Juan Castellanos and Vickie Gambala
were key contact people and their efforts were rewarded by the large turn
out and mostly happy responses.
Many
of the volunteers participate in more than one Indian service club or
organization. Esther Abrahano is the President of the TONKAWA Indian Senior
club and the Gatherer for the American Indian element of this Methodist
Church. Don Vigneault and Jerry Starnes work in the kitchen each year.
They are members and office holders in the American Indian Warriors Association,
AIWA, along with this author. Joe Renteria and his wife along with John
Hood and his family served on the board of the IHRC, Richard Parker Van
Dyke and his family, Clay Two bears and Anita, Ron Murphy, newly elected
AIWA President and his wife and it was good to see old friends again like:
Gwen Durbin and her youngest son, Marie Swenson and her granddaughter,
Ilene and Arnold George.
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Special
Tribal entertainment added to the culturally rich afternoon. Featured
are: Kathy and Steve Garcia Family Dance group, Rob Anderson and David
Solomon flute and drum performance, Red Warriors Singers, lead by Tim
Redbird, kept the heartbeat of the Indian Nations pulsating the entire
afternoon. Additionally, the ever-popular Vickie Gambalas Kids Corner
produced artistic creations and great fun under the supervision of the
San Diego Indian Education Title VII program. The Red Warriors sang dozens
of special songs and provided the appropriate songs for the Garcia family
dance group. The Garcia troupe led out the round dance and everyone had
a chance to stretch their legs and work up a little appetite for another
slice of pie or cookies
This afternoon was
defiantly a dandy time for one and all. Remember to pray for those who
are unable to attend due to health or legal circumstances. Add a special
prayer for our military on the line and in harms way. Thank you for being
there and maybe we will see you at the next American Indian community
event. Mehan, Aho.
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