Each year, students and staff at Noli Indian School collaborate to present a potluck lunch at their campus “Honoring Our Elders.” The afternoon of singing, dancing and delicious food brought out the best among the students as they tended to all aspects of the event on Nov. 24.
The school is located on the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians reservation and currently serves nearly 100 students in grades 6-12. Principal Donovan Post welcomed everyone and said he really liked seeing the student involvement that was evident throughout the event.
After a blessing from Damon Miranda, students lined up in the cafeteria to pick up plated lunches of turkey, ham, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls and a variety of tamales. Tanya Briones-Rivera and Camille Diaz stayed busy filling the plates that gloved students delivered to the Elders.
Seated under the shade-covered table area off the campus’ grassy quad, seniors visited with each other and enjoyed the performances. Marian Chacon said, “I think it’s great that the students show their appreciation that we came.” She added that it gives Elders the chance to meet with others if they wanted to do so but hadn’t been given the opportunity.
Monica Madrigal, from Cahuilla, was invited to attend the event. “I think it’s important to do this for the Elders; to share and preserve our culture,” she said.
Her husband, Bill Madrigal, used to teach culture and language at Noli. He shared stories about how bird songs came about, explaining that the bird songs come from the beginning. “These songs were given to us, and we carried them forward; we didn’t change them,” he said. “We will sing songs for the Elders who are present and those who are no longer with us.”
He added that the songs are powerful and are sung for a reason. “They give us strength and the power to care for each other,” Madrigal said. “I sing them at gatherings like this to tell the story from the beginning and carry them into the future. We have songs for everything to keep us strong and going forward.”
Romell Mojado was enjoying the afternoon with her cousins Connie Briones and Sharon Modesto and her friend Raina Maciel.
“I think it’s great that the kids are so involved,” Mojado said. “Even though they are coming from all different Tribes, they come together and respect each other’s cultures.”
Maciel has served on the Noli School Board in the past. Her granddaughter Elizabeth Lehuede now attends the school. “This is the first opportunity I’ve had to come to this event,” she said.
Briones enjoyed the bird singing and seeing the girls dancing. Modesto agreed and added that the food was good. English teacher Summer Herrera provided spare bird skirts for any students who had not brought their own that day.
Bill Madrigal’s Creation stories and songs continued as he said, “We’re all the same people, same culture; we have a lot in common. If you know one story, you can relate to others.”
