The courtyard between classrooms at Noli Indian School on the Soboba Reservation was encircled with students, staff, Tribal and community members on April 3 as the school hosted its 18th annual Gathering of the People.
Principal Donovan Post welcomed everyone and thanked the elders and community members who were in attendance. “Thank you for allowing us to serve you for one day,” he said. “This will be the last Gathering for our seniors—thank you for making it through high school.”
He thanked the Placencia family for allowing the school to host the event in light of the recent passing of their family member, Gary. “I considered him and all his family as friends, so we’d like to host this day in his honor and thank everyone that makes this event amazing,” Post said.
Cultural Teacher Tashina Miranda Ornelas, who has been at the school for more than 20 years, was introduced to explain the schedule for the day. “I want to take a moment to say thank you to all those who contributed to the process of putting together today’s event,” she said. This included Noli administration, students and staff, maintenance department and Booster Club, along with Soboba Cultural Department and Soboba Public Works. “Thank you all for your hard work and dedication. I also want to thank our Soboba Elders, Frybread Kitchen, Soboba cooking staff, Noli kitchen staff and other community members who will be feeding us today. We know it’s going to be good,” Ornelas said.
She said each individual within these departments or groups plays a key role in shaping the vision of the Noli community gathering. “Every year we push ourselves and motivate each other to create a space where community, family and friends can come together, share in storytelling through song and dance, share in food, share in gift-giving, share in laughs and share in memory,” she said. “This sharing keeps us all connected and it keeps us strong and blessed.”
Raymond Basquez with the Pechanga Band of Indians said it was a great honor to be invited to open up the celebration. He recalled attending this Gathering of the People when he was in high school himself. “Everything that is happening in this school is important for our people,” he said. “In our lifetimes, we never stop learning together and elders help us. Regardless of age, we continue to help each other.” A blessing was then given by Jacob Ibanez who said this type of sharing keeps everyone connected.
Before starting the games that were overseen by the ASB, Ornelas made a special announcement. “Today, I wanted to take the time to honor a special individual on our Noli team,” Ornelas said before presenting Attendance Clerk Amelia “Millie” Arres with a beautiful, beaded medallion.
“Struggling in a department of one, I seek support and guidance on ways I can improve; we all need that,” Ornelas said. “Millie is always open and willing to talk to me and is such a great support to all staff and students. It’s an honor to have elders on our campus. They have all this life experience they are willing to share and encourage others.”
Sophomore Nevaeh Ochoa, from the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, served as emcee for the various games which included a watermelon eating contest won by eighth-grader Kenneth Razon and a water balloon toss with the winning team of Damien Moreno and James Masiel.
Throughout the day, many groups brought their special talents to the courtyard for bird singing and dancing. They were Rob Villalobos and Nuukwanish Singers and Dancers from Pechanga Band of Indians, the Blue Eagle Singers and Dancers from Viejas, the Painiktem Singers from Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and Wayne Nelson and Inter-tribal Singers and Dancers.
There were also a few vendors near the horseshoe pit, including colleges sharing the programs they have for Native American students. Elizabeth Shulterbrandt, Assistant Director for Outreach & Access at the University of Redlands, shared information about the upcoming Tribal Educators Day on May 30 where participants can learn about programs and opportunities they have for Native students. Anthony Contreras, a current student there, is a Noli Indian School alum.
Rachell Enriquez, Program Coordinator for Native American Student Programs at UCR shared information about the free residential program they offer for youth that provides eight days of workshops, presentations and opportunities for personal development and growth.
Cal State San Bernardino’s Department of Outreach and Retention has had representatives attend events at Noli in the past and has been able to host some of its students to their campus as a result. Alex “Panda” Armendariz and his team shared information about how they help Native students transition to higher education.
Joaquin Tarango, Advisor to the President in the Tribal Relations & Native Student Success program at Sacramento State, was eager to share what his school offers. The Native American College is the first of its kind on a California State University Campus a “It’s a college within a college,” he said. Native American students attend classes under a cohort model, so they stay together throughout their time of earning general education credits. “We are looking to have 30 students for our inaugural year in the fall,” he said.
Inside Noli’s cafeteria there was an array of sweet treats and pots of coffee to be enjoyed before and after a lunch of grilled pork chops and marinated chicken. Sides of frybread, tortillas, chili meat, rice and beans were prepared by Frybread Kitchen. Teachers, ASB students and other staff members served the food that was offered in a buffet style. As is customary, elders and guest singers were first in line, followed by students and all other guests.
The pork was provided by the two pigs raised by the students who are part of the agricultural department overseen by science teacher Jay Dagostino. Principal Post said the organically grown pigs were of market size, at about 250 to 280 pound each.
“Noli’s 18th Annual ‘Gathering of the People’ was a powerful one, filled with so much good medicine,” Ornelas said. “To see the local Tribal communities come together for the youth, sharing song and dance from all regions of Southern California and encouraging students to participate in their cultural traditions, is so empowering. I am overwhelmed by the support of our local Tribal families and surrounding communities. I can’t wait to see everyone next year.”
