TONKAWA Community
Family Picnic: 2005
Such a glorious day
in the park! It seems so simple to be there and just feel as if we naturally
belong to this American Indian group even though we may be far away from
where we may come from. Down home goodness wrapped with respect and appreciation.
Smiles upon smiles carried the day into the activities and feasting. Spiced
with laughter, the cooks labored pleasantly over the hot grills. Henry Mendibles brought cases upon cases of brand name soda for the event. Mara Peters brought cases of bottled water to be chilled. Juan Castellanos brought bags and bags of ice to keep all the: salads, side dishes, water, soda, salsa and anything else that needed to be cold.
Jerry
Starns fired up the grill and started the hamburgers, hot dogs and brats.
Later in
the day Jonathan York would put on his beribboned apron and spell Jerry
at the grill.
Further, following the opening blessing by TONKAWA President Esther Abrahano, The AIWA Color Guard presented the Nation and service flags in a military fashion. We had a fine representation of American Indian combat veterans who have served honorably to defend this Indian land from tyranny.
Vicky Gambalas famous crazy hat and now, for those wondering minds, crazy shoe contest was outrageously successful. Yona Welch was recruited to be the judge. In fine Cherokee fashion he kept announcing he could be bribed by watermelon or cake but he was just kidding. Many of the entries did display hours of work and a serious determination to be one of the winners.
The Bingo games and the excellent prizes were the main adult activity other than eating cake and cupcakes and many other healthy delights that were brought in as potluck side dishes. Our youthful Bingo callers: Melissa Aleman and Rene Estrada made every effort to make sure all heard the numbers. They even had a designated runner to take the call to the last tables. Ramona Colton and
Kristen Tulkki organized the children games and held them in the later
afternoon. It is always very important for Indian children to realize
that fun is happy experiences and should not be hurtful or belittling
to any one else By and large that was the way the day went. Eat a little. Laugh a lot, come back and eat a little more, do a craft project come back and eat a little more and have an ice cold soda pop or two, laugh a lot more. Meet old friends and visit with new people to the San Diego American Indian community. One thing about our Indian families, we are the bench mark for diversity in action. That has been our traditional custom and practice and it will continue to be, as will our Indian ways as long as we come together in camp circles and get together like this TONKAWA Community Family picnic. Our sincere thanks to our supporting Tribal Community Committee: Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians. Hope to see you and your family at the next event. Mehan, Aho, thank you. |