CAMP CRIER - Colorado Springs Indian Center CRIER: NEWSLETTER OF THE ... Panera Bread Trinity United...

CAMP CRIER: NEWSLETTER OF THE COLORADO SPRINGS INDIAN CENTER

701 N. 20th Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904 719-599-8630 www.coloradospringsindiancenter.com

Board of Directors

James Ramirez (So. Ute) ,

Chairman of the Board

Don Coyhis (Mohican )

Marguerite Cantu (So. Ute/Cherokee)

Karen Medville, Ph.D. (Cherokee)

Lorenzo Tsosie (Navajo)

Newsletter contact: [email protected]

Publisher:

Colorado Springs Indian Center [email protected]

The Colorado Springs Indian Center

is sponsored by White Bison Inc.

CSIC Welcomes Marva Black Elk (Teton)

When you visit, or call the

Colorado Springs Indian

Center, or you send an email

from the website, Marva is

the person who takes your

request or gives you instruc-

tions! She is the CSIC Office

Volunteer. Marva has been

with us a couple of months

now and has settled into her

computer chores, becoming

very comfortable in the “front

office” role that she plays at

the CS Indian Center.

And yes, Marva is related

to Black Elk. Wallace

Black Elk was her father.

Marva is also the coordi-

nator for the Community

Dinners. If you plan to

come to the Community

Dinner on June 26, give

her a call and she will let

you know what kind of

side dish is still needed

for the chicken fettucini

that is the main dish that

day.

Colorado Springs Indian Center Celebrates Native Americans who Graduated this spring.

May 22, 2010 was a very busy day for members of the CSIC and their

families! It was the day we celebrated the graduation of 32 Native

American students from kindergarten through doctorate level in col-

lege. The event began at 1pm with a pot luck dinner at Trinity United

Methodist Church. The dining room was full and the buffet table was

filled with salads, pork, ham, buffalo tongue soup, vegetables, and a

variety of breads (a gift from Panera Bread).

Following the dinner, over 100 graduates and family members arrived

at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs to participate in the

ceremony honoring the graduates. Speakers for this event included

Anthony Cordova, Director of MOSAIC (Multicultural Office for Stu-

dent Access, Inclusiveness and Community. He emphasized the im-

portance of asking for help along the educational path. Don Coyhis

(Mohican), president and founder of White Bison, Inc., reminded

graduates that they were among those of the new generation of edu-

cated Native Americans — our future engineers, social workers, legis-

lators, business owners, inventors and teachers. Many thanks to Doug

Goodfeather (Lakota) who led the drum, and all the volunteers and

donors whose efforts made this event a so memorable! (See p. 2)

College Graduates: Amber Jaquez (Navaho) Colorado College

Tina Marie Rivera (Jicarilla/Ute) Colorado State University—

Pueblo , Bachelor of Arts

Angela Saunkeah (Kiowa) CU-Denver, Bachelor of Arts, Com-

munication

Dr. Shirl Smith (Delaware-Cree) Colorado Technical Univer-

sity, Doctor of Management

Dora Speigel (Comanche), Everest College, Medical Admini-

stration Assistant

Robert Chad Wood (Hopi/Hulapai) Pikes Peak Community

College, Associate of Arts

High School Graduates: Derek Carter II (San Jose Mission), Pink Creek High School

Qullan Fay (Tlinget), Palmer High School

Josiah Fredrick (Mandan Hidatsa), Tesla

Gabriella Hernandez (Southern Ute), Life Skills High School

Ja’ryl Mack (Choctaw/Chickasaw/Lakota), Pine Creek High

School

Meghan Mahoney (Salish), Rampart High School

Alexander Pope (Cherokee), Pine Creek High School

Ariel Silva (Narragansett/Pequot), Pine Creek High School

Brandon Tsosie (Navajo), Doherty High School

Michael Vialpando, Pine Creek High School

Virgil E. Weil (Odawa/Navajo), Wasson High School (Elementary and Middle School continued on page 2)

Vol III, No. 6

In This Issue:

Feature articles Page 2-4 Community Events Page 5 Native American Community Members Page 6 Resources

June 2010

2



Thank You!! Thanks to the many who helped

make the Graduation Celebration a success!

We would also like to recognize those community organizations that

assisted us with donations, resources and support:

White Bison, Inc. University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Panera Bread Trinity United Methodist Church

AlterNative Voices Tecumseh Center

Title VII School District Eleven

Kateri Vergez

Tim Warner

Dr. Lynda Rogerson

Phil Johnston

Shirl Smith

Doug Goodfeather

Sandy Turcott

Eva Leonard

Carolena Jackson

Eulala Pegram

James Cantu

Grace Good Eagle

Sebrena Forrest

Susie Aikman

Christine Almaraz

Marva Black Elk

Camryn Merrill

Marty Waters

Caroline Mose

Marguerite Cantu

Don Coyhis

Jim Ramirez

Sandra Mokine

(Graduates Continued from page 1)

Elementary and Middle School: Kayla Boyd (Delaware), Challenger Middle

School, 8th grade

Michelle Jackson (Navajo), North Middle School,

8th grade

Tommy Lovern (Navajo), Ft. Carson Middle

School, 8th grade

Julie Roberts (Dine), Cheyenne Mountain Jr. High,

9th grade

Kassie Scott (Leni Lenape), Jenkins middle

School, 8th grade

Lorenzo Snowbird (Ojibwe), North middle School,

8th grade

Sadie Vigil (Southern Ute), West Middle School,

8th grade

Isabella Snowbird (Ojibwe/Comanche) Strat-

ton Elementary, Kindergarten Devin Brock (Cherokee) Grant Elementary, Kin-

dergarten

Brandon Kane Salaz (Southern Ute), Wilson

Elementary, Kindergarten Michaela Tracy

(Navajo), Wilson Elementary, 5th grade

Summer MorningStar Cook (Dakota Sioux),

Trail Blazer Elementary, 5th grade

Kashoni Almaraz (Cahuilla), Rudy Elemen-

tary, 5th grade

Alyssa Bravo (Comanche), McAuliffe Ele-

mentary, 5th grade

Gabrielle Widerman (Southern Ute), King

Elementary, 5th grade

Anjelina Archuleta (Apache/Cherokee), Mark

Twain Elementary, 5th grade

Tri Lakes Native American Inter-Tribal Festival Saturday, June 5,

Palmer Lake, Colorado

This Festival is a celebration of Native history

and culture and will include storytellers, dem-

onstrations of Native drums and dancers, Na-

tive art and artisans, an exhibit of birds of prey

by HawkQuest, and plenty of Native vendors

and food. Music will be by Arvel Bird &

friends.

We have to educate ourselves to know who we are. That’s what I mean when I say, “Teach the children.” Eddie Benton-Banai, Ojibwe

3



Eugene Red Hawk (Mohawk); Jim Ramirez (S. Ute), Chairman of the CSIC; A. Ron Wright (Osage) Board President of Living History Association for Rockledge Ranch.

Mitchelene F. BigMan (Crow), Iraqui Freedom Veteran; currently working at Army Community Services, Ft Car-

Mary Chee Drake ( Navajo ) , Weaver and Interpretive Artist

Rock Ledge Ranch

Dave and Nancy Shovall (Nancy is the President of the Historical District Merchants Association, sponsor for Territory Days.)

Territory Days Old Colorado City

May 29-31

Mitchelene F. BigMan (Crow) Demonstrating the Jingle Dance;

R.J. and Shotea Tvetor dancing in the background

4



Territory Days Old Colorado City

May 29-31

R. J. Trevter (above) demonstrated the Grass Dance. Older brother Shotae (below) illustrated the intricate footwork of the Fancy Dance. RaeVen Trevter (right) and Mitchelene BigMan dazzled the au-dience with their jingle dance. The Trevter youth are Mandan-Hidatsa from Ft. Ber-thold.

Jim Ramirez (So. Ute) and Steve Howell (Pawnee) visit before the dancers begin. Steve was the emcee and provided the drum and songs for the danc-ers. He also explained the purpose of each of the dances. The community friend-ship dance below brought many people from the audience into the circle.

5



Native People in Our Community

By Christine Almaraz, (Cahuilla)

Willis Odom (Cahuilla) Prime

Time Girls Basketball Coach

It is important to be an example

for our young people these days.

Being a positive influence ,

whether it is in the arts, science,

mathematics or sports is important.

We can make a difference in our

children’s perspective on the

world. One such person is making

that impression on a group of girls.

Willis Odom (Cahuilla) is a local

girl’s basketball coach. His team

“Prime Time” was formed in 2009.

There are a total of ten players, one

being Willis’ daughter Jade Odom

(Cahuilla), 11. Willis is married to

Robin Odom and also has a son Josh Odom (Cahuilla) 13, who is

an avid sportsman in his own right. He just finished with track and

is starting his football season.

The team has only played together for one year. But through a lot

of hard work and determination Prime Time Basketball Team won

the Champions of Southern Colorado Basketball League for the 5th

grade division. They played against The Fireballs, the final score

being Prime Time 28-The Fireballs 17. Willis says as a testament

to their hard work, “During the regular season we lost our first two

games, (getting) off to a slow start. The chemistry and the tempo

of the girls was way off playing against teams that have been play-

ing together for a year and a half.” He explained how those strug-

gles made the girls focus on their strengths and weaknesses. “We

were a new team and had no experience playing together in a

game situation, leaving us handicapped.”

So just how a does a team with little experience playing together

end up winning the Southern Colorado championship?

Willis believes it all lies within the girls’ confidence, parents sup-

port and a coach’s belief in the team. “I believe in the unity of the

parents as well as the girls or boys that I am coaching. I have wit-

nessed parents believing in the program and the player doesn’t or

the player believing in the program and the parents don’t. The

mixed messages of the two will cause adverse tension among the

team and the parents, making it harmful for the team to reach its

potential.” Willis explains that his coaching method is a key to his

team’s success. “The biggest difference between me and other

Coaching is an essential gift that

we give our children, whether it

is life coaching, coaching them

on making healthy and produc-

tive decisions or coaching them

on the field. Willis believes

coaching consists of three valu-

able traits. “The ability to moti-

vate, teach and mentor. It is also

a necessity to communicate in a

concise and simple manner in

which everyone understands.”

When asked how he felt about

Native children participating in

sports he says, “It is very impor-

tant for Native American kids to

participate in sports because

there are very few of us that re-

ceive the opportunity to partici-

pate in sports programs due to

lack of interest, lack of funds.

and lack of support from parents.”

Willis is a survivor of colon cancer and has been in remission

for four years. He is also an Army veteran. If anyone would

know about overcoming challenges and coming out stronger,

who better than he! Having a strong family structure and sup-

port can heal all wounds, even the heavy ones.

Willis Odom is changing the way we see Native Americans

and sports in a positive and productive way. Participation, sup-

port from other Natives and their families, government or city

funding should all be issues that should concern us. Sports

keeps our kids healthy, clear minded, doing better in school. It

teaches the fundamentals of life; learning how to get along with

each other, having a healthy confidence in ourselves and

maybe most importantly, believing in ourselves. We should not

limit our ability to see within ourselves or the potential that our

children possess. We need to continue to realize that the confi-

dence and belief in our own abilities is what keeps us a strong

and lasting people.

“PRIME TIME”

Champions of Southern Colorado

Basketball League — 5th grade division

“My philosophy is a belief that teaching the basic fun-

damentals of sport is as important as making sure that

the ego of each individual is checked at the door, all

the while, allowing each one to contribute in their own

way.” Willis Odom (Cahuilla)

6



Archive of Previous Camp Crier Issues All of the newsletters are archived on the website inside the Camp Crier post.

The website link for this resource is: http://www.coloradospringsindiancenter.com/2010/05/campcrier-newsletter-headline/

Education Opportunities

Harvard University Announcement No tuition and no student loans

Harvard University announced over the weekend that from

now on undergraduate students from low-income families

will pay no tuition. In making the announcement, Harvard's

president Lawrence H. Summers said, "When only ten per-

cent of the students in elite higher education come from

families in the lower half of the income distribution, we are

not doing enough. We are not doing enough in bringing elite

higher education to the lower half of the income distribution."

If you know of a family earning less than $60,000 a year with

an honor student graduating from high school soon, Harvard

University wants to pay the tuition. The prestigious univer-

sity recently announced that from now on undergraduate

students from low-income families can go to Harvard for

free... no tuition and no student loans!

To find out more about Harvard offering free tuition for

families making less than $60,000 a year, visit Har-

vard's financial aid website at: http://

www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/or call the school's financial aid

office at (617) 495-1581.

CSIC WEBSITE www.coloradospringsindiancenter.com

Be sure that you visit the website often. We are continuously

updating events, resources, and information about people. We

also welcome your ideas. You can post a comment in any of

the postings on the website to let us know if you have addi-

tional resources and ideas.

You can “navigate” the website by using the labels that are at

the top of the page, by clicking on the name of a story. You

can also scroll to the bottom of the page where there is a list of

recent posts and a set of category topics. If you click on a

category topic (for instance, Events), then you will see that all

of the posts that have to do with events will appear in the story

section. If you want to see who has received Awards or spe-

cial recognition, you can click on Awards and it will bring up

only those posts. You can also click any of the labels that are

in the column on the right hand side of the page to bring up the

information in those pages.

There is also a calendar on the website that shows the events

that are scheduled. If you “hover” your mouse over the title of

the event, it will give you the details. If you have an event that

you want to post, please send the “who, what, where, when,

what time, and contact information” to the Colorado Springs

Indian Center email: [email protected] ,

or you can call Marva at 599-86430 with your request.

Events You Should Know About

Community Talking Circles: 7pm Thursday nights

beginning June 3 in the Trinity UMC Dining Room

and continuing weekly.

Monthly Community Dinners: Join us June 26

from 1-3pm Trinity UMC Dining Room

Youth Group: Youth and parents meet monthly to

coordinate activities and learning opportunities just

before the Monthly Community Dinner.

Do you have an idea for an activity for youth, or a

program you would like to see the CSIC offer? The

Colorado Springs Indian Center Board of Directors

invites you to propose and to lead activities and

events. On the Website in the post with the CSIC

logo, there is the VISION book, and the Action

Team Planning Packet. Come to the Community Dinner to have a Board

Member assist you in developing your idea, and in filling out the packet.

Or send us a request at [email protected].

How You Can Help Create the Colorado Springs Indian Center

http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/

http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/

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