Shumup Ko Hup (Dream come true.)
San Diego Historic Old Town
By Roy Cook
A special place to be at and an amazing time to experience. This June 21-22, 2003 is the third annual marketplace and gathering of California Tribal Art and Culture. Hosted by the Artist Cooperative at Shumup Ko Hup, 27201/2 Calhoun St. San Diego Old Town Historic State Park. International and interstate California Tribal artists and entertainers gathered together this weekend. The coop committee and Shumup Ko Hup hosted lodging and meals. Victor Curran, Quechan from Ft. Yuma, had the food booth and fed all the artists and entertainers this year, many thanks to you and all your hard workers, your tacos and stew is very tasty! I attended the previous gathering and was honored to be the announcer this year.
The
opportunity to address each other in more than one language is stimulating.
This is an Intertribal Nation and nothing unusual in Indian country. We
are taught to be respectful of others and make every effort to communicate
in whatever comfortable means is possible. Many dialects of the Yuman
language were spoken these two days along with Mexican/Spanish and some
American dialect of English. We sincerely appreciate the heartfelt efforts
to share culture and language. In parts of Native America this is still
a controversial issue. It is with much experience, mostly bitter, that
other people have come into the tribal communities with smiles and sweetness
then later much of what has been freely shared is published under the
same others names elsewhere. This is not a political statement but an
admiration of the courage of the storytellers, like Barbara Levy, to continue
to encourage the pride and richness of her Quechan culture.
 |
Many Artists, performers
and entertainers were here this weekend to be a part of the Birthday celebration
for Jane Dumas, Jamul band of the Kumeyaay. Organized by her daughter
Daleane Adams, Kumeyaay, and encouraged by the entire Artist Cooperative
at Shumup Ko Hup. Saturday showcased participation by: Campo Young Bird
Singers, Lead singer Paul Cuero, Kumeyaay, Evaristo Adams and Eduardo
Nunez Tipai singers, Ron Christman Tukuk Bird singer, Brandon Wallace
Luiseno flautist, Lupe ‘Dancing Bear’ Rivera Northern plains singer, and
the irrepressible Barbara Levy, Quechan storyteller and singer.
The quality and richness of the entertainment underscores the commitment of the Shumup Ko Hup Artist coop Members: Daleane ‘Dee’ Adams, Gabriel Diaz, Joe Ortiz, Barbara Levy, Gwen Murphy, Aronio Wilson, Luanda Quitiquit, Eva Salazar, JB Kingerley, Arlene Kingerly and her family.
The best part of public events is the unpredictability of which friends
one will see. It is always a surprise and most times a very pleasant meeting
of friends we see every day and some whom we haven’t crossed trails for
months! Delightfully noted are: Anna Sandoval, Kenny Meza, David Belardes,
Acjachemen as is Joyce Perry, Lorena Dixon, American Indian Warriors Association
(AIWA) Ron and Lesie Hawkins, Don and Jean Vigneault, Patty Dixon, Senior
Park Ranger Henry and Pam Mendibles, Rose Davis of Indian Voices,
Chet Barfield and defiantly not least Mara Peters. I was talking to my
colleague, Richard Bugbee, Payomkawichum/Luiseno, at the event and he
was pointing out where his home used to be and the things they used to
grow and use in the restaurant his Mother operated. Also where Mara Peters
relatives home was and Don Vigneault’s home also. As I was enjoying the
Shawii prepared by Rose Kitchen, Cauilla- she would call it Wiwish, I
know it is all-good! The moment is striking, in as much, that time as
we know it seemed to ripple and flex. Undoubtedly much is due to the proximity
of the village of Cosoy and the context of the continuity of culture being
demonstrated. This is truly a very marvelous afternoon for all attending.
Sunday
is bright with the promise of sunny skies and many visitors to the second
day of the Shumup Ko Hup marketplace event. Evaristo Adams and Eduardo
Nunez Tipai singers opened the entertainment presentation and casual onlookers
were drawn to the activity. The Artists were available for questions and
many were demonstrating their unique accomplishments. One of the most
popular is Robert Freeman, Luiseno/Dakota. He is our premier working Artist
in the Southland. Robert is the Artist in residence at University San
Diego. He is the winner of the competition to design the State of California
Indian seal in the state capitol. Bob and his wife Edwina have lived in
the North county community of San Marcos for the past fifty years. Both
were answering questions as Bob was working on a painting in progress.
I was totally impressed by the vitality of the dialogue and recalled our
experience teaching art history on east county reservations, he is still
a good teacher.
Dale
Phillips, Cocopah vice-Chairperson, sang a short set of bird songs and
promised to return later. Barbara Levy introduced her plush furry friends
and described them to the onlookers. She delivers a multi-level message
to children and adults. Entertaining and instructive lessons are interwoven
in the traditional stories of eagle, coyote and the sisters. Stories that
have nourished the culture of the Quechan as steadily as the Colorado
River brings life to the land along the river.
Dale Phillips, Philosophy
and Oral literature instructor at DQ Sycuan, returned to delight the dancers
and the birthday girl herself, Jane Dumas. Kalim Smith, Creek and Cocopah
captive, joined Dale along with Evaristo Adams and former DQ Syquan students:
Ben Nance and Roy Cook for the last session of Cocopah Bird songs. Dale
pulled out all the stops. He sang: double step, triple step, stutter step,
spins, pops and hops! Everyone that is dancing and singing was smiling
and having a wonderful time in the moment. Dale sang a lot of songs, well
over an hour or more.
Finally, there
were hundreds of ‘out of town’ visitors, state park rangers, concession
employees and tired children but then these are a constant part of the
San Diego historic Old Town experience. Maybe we will see you at the next
gathering.
Mehan.