TONKAWA Talking Leaf notes Meeting: July 10, 2005

Tonkawa secretary, Roy Cook got there early along with Jerry Starns and had a chance to talk over the past weeks activities and events as they were setting up the room for the gathering.

TONKAWA Vice President Jane Dumas provided the blessing in her Native Kumeyaay language and joined hands in a prayer circle for all our Indian Nations peoples. We were able to discuss the annual TONKAWA picnic for most of the potluck meeting

Very tasty, tender ham in a cherry sauce, garden fresh green beans, and macaroni salad added to the generous buffet. Chips, dip, rolls and butter for the wheat buns filled out the extra spaces. Choices of hot coffee and many choices of soda pop lubricated the great fun, traditional tribal teasing and good fellowship that makes this one of the most satisfying meetings of the month. Ben Nance shared the bounty of his home garden with what I labeled, ‘homicide squash’ they are real yellow and green killers!

The members actively participated in the final definition of the TONKAWA picnic. Tonkawa treasurer, Vicky Gambala assigned tasks and shared the responsibility of the logistics with reliable members. The consensus is to NOT HAVE AN AUGUST MEETING. We will focus our energy to inviting guests and making this year’s event a safe and healthy American Indian traditional community experience. We all left with thoughtful opinions, big smiles and memories of a different meeting and some with a nice snack for later too!

Maybe we will see you and a friend (We are recruiting interested members!) at the next TONKAWA meetings at the Many Nations: Chet Hunt Community room, 3928 Illinois St. San Diego, CA. 92104.