Months of involvement in required activities culminated in the Crowning event on Oct. 11 at the Soboba Sports Complex where the contestants were judged in front of a sold-out crowd that included family members, friends and many supporters.

The idea to bring back this program was proposed to Tribal Council by Iyana “Tot” Briones, a young Soboba Tribal member. Council Secretary Monica Herrera and Mojado worked closely with Briones, setting up the first meeting with the goal of establishing a committee. This took several months. All meetings were open to all Tribal members, who were notified via Korbyt.

Once the committee was established, bylaws were created, fundraising began and the Daughter of Soboba program received official Tribal recognition at a general council meeting. Members of the $ovóova Po’$wáamay Committee are Chair Geneva Mojado, Vice Chair Monica Herrera, Secretary Iyana “Tot” Briones, Treasurer Rhonda Valenzuella, Members at Large Andrea Relopez and Adona Salgado, Digital Media Officer Summer Helms, and Committee Members Carrie Garcia and Anthony “Bear” Vallez. Briones, Helms and Mojado took turns serving as emcees throughout the Oct. 11 event.

After delivering an introduction in their Native language, and sharing a little bit about themselves, Raya and Su’la were asked to provide a cultural demonstration and answer posed questions in a thoughtful way so judges could evaluate their poise, personality, intelligence, and knowledge of the topic being asked about. Earlier in the day, they performed a skill test of bow and arrow shooting which was filmed and played on big screens during the crowning event.

Selected through a lottery system, judges were Millie Arres, Mia Basquez, Lucille Briones, Stacia Maciel, Rosemary Morillo, Sherral Orosco and Becky Salgado with alternates Dwan Helms and Raina Maciel. Tabulators were Dione Kitchen, Julie Arrietta-Parcero and Andrew Vallejos.

Su’la Arviso is a proud Soboba tribal member from the Paa’ila and Soowut clans who comes from a long line of leaders and culture bearers. Inspired by her grandmother and other family mentors, she embraced leadership early, teaching Native traditions while attending Estudillo Elementary and founding the first Four Directions Native American Club there. Through middle and high school, Su’la served as vice president and president of Native clubs, maintained a 3.5 GPA, gave her school’s first land acknowledgement speech, and helped organize major cultural events including the “Gathering of the People.”

Beyond academics, Su’la has been a strong advocate for Native voices, working alongside Assemblymember James Ramos to advance accurate teaching of Native history. She has served as a youth intern for the Soboba Cultural Department, gained experience preserving and teaching traditions, and represented Soboba at major conferences such as UNITY and NCAI. Her journey reflects both academic excellence and a lifelong dedication to leadership, cultural preservation, and advocacy for California’s First People.

Raya Rain Salgado, from the Tuktum clan (Soboba) and the Nacutakiktum clan (Cahuilla), is a dedicated Soboba tribal member who also honors her Cahuilla heritage. Balancing academic excellence with community involvement, she maintains a 3.5-plus GPA, was named Student of the Year in 2024, and participated in Bill AB 1703, led by Assemblymember James Ramos.

Proud of her roots, Raya represents her people with gratitude and respect, strengthening her communication skills through volunteer work, cultural programs, and community service. She became a Soboba Fire Explorer at age 13, serves as Chairwoman of the Soboba Tribal Youth Council, and is Vice President of the Four Directions Native American Club at San Jacinto High School where she is a sophomore. Dedicated to preserving cultural traditions, arts, dance, and language while pursuing her education, Raya aims to inspire future generations and proudly represents Soboba, honoring her family and ancestors through unity and cultural pride.

Students from the Soboba Tribal Preschool took to the stage and sang three songs they had learned in the Luiseño language. Their performance was met with thunderous applause and a lot of smiles from the audience members.

The event’s keynote speaker was Tishmal Herrera, an enrolled member of the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians. She was honored as UCR’s Powwow Princess in 2023-2024 when she was a junior. Tishmal works for her Tribe’s Education Program as both an aide and a cultural coordinator, where she continues to serve and uplift her community through leadership, education, and cultural advocacy.

“You can literally do anything you set your mind to,” she told the contestants. “I encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and take healthy risks. Talk to others and don’t be shy—you will be the first person, voice and representative of your Tribe. You guys are amazing, and I know you’ll do great.”

As part of the competition, Su’la and Raya took part in bird dancing while the Torres Martinez Inter-tribal birdsingers took the stage. Later that evening, audience members were asked to join in when they returned to sing again.

Raya’s cultural demonstration included her reading the introduction from a book she is writing about the personal stories shared with her by Tribal members. She said the purpose of her book is “to honor those that have come before me and hopefully to inspire those who will come after me.” She then shared the Creation story and how to make yucca cordage that has many practical uses and is also used to play traditional Cat’s Cradle games.

Before she began her demonstration, Su’la served a plate of wewish to each of the judges that she had made earlier. She then proceeded to show the time-consuming process of preparing acorns after gathering them by cracking them, cleaning them, grinding them and then leaching out the tannins through boiling and soaking several times. The remaining “meal” can then be used in various dishes or spread on a tortilla with some beans. “It’s a lengthy process but in the end it’s worth it,” she told the audience.

Another portion of the competition involved questions that were chosen at random and presented to each contestant by committee member Summer Helms. When asked “What changes have you noticed in areas where you gather cultural materials and what steps would you suggest we take to preserve them?” Raya replied that she thought it would be good to do prescribed burns like it was done in the past. Su’la suggested that people stop littering. “We need to care for Mother Earth because she takes care of us,” she said.

When asked about their opinion on what they felt were the most important steps to cultural revitalization and how it could be incorporated at Soboba, Su’la stated, “I would start with the youth at the preschool; I believe identity does start with our youth and we need to implement those cultural practices at a young age.” Raya feels it can be done through learning Native languages and she has already begun sharing Native words on social media that has earned a large engagement.

Briones made the official announcement of Su’la Arviso as the 2025-2026 $ovóova Po’$wáamay. She was immediately congratulated by Virginia Duenaz, who was the final Soboba Fiesta Maiden in 1969-1970.

The unique crown that Su’la will wear at upcoming events such as the Tribe’s annual Trunk or Treat community event on Oct. 30, was made by Marizol Carrillo, a master Kumeyaay weaver. The committee helped design it and turned over their ideas to Carrillo’s cousin Eva Salazar a couple of years ago. She was able to draw it out for Carrillo, who then worked on it for eight months.

In addition to the crown and sash, Su’la received a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by California Tribal Fund. As an Early Childhood Education major at Mt. San Jacinto College, she hopes to work at the Soboba Tribal Preschool in the future. The committee intends to continue to fundraise on her behalf to help fully fund future travel expenses.

“We look forward to being able to honor our newly crowned $ovóova Po’$wáamay at all Native and non-Native events where she will represent the Tribe,” Mojado said. “A few winter powwows and gatherings are approaching.”

Herrera said the committee and volunteers have held numerous fundraisers and informational booths at Tribal events throughout the year, and the community has always shown great support.

“It is because of that love and support the committee was able to host this event since the majority of the expenses were covered with fundraised monies,” she said.

The committee’s mission is to support, empower and enhance the wellbeing of its Native Women through achieving emotional, social and economic self-sufficiency. Further, the committee intends “to create opportunities for women to connect, share, and learn from one another; to promote and preserve the culture and heritage of the Tribe in supporting Tribal and Community Cultural Educational programs and activities; to encourage our young women to utilize their voice to promote the needs of Native Indian Women. Our young women are the baskets of our community, who carry family and cultural tribal traditions, and are the strength of the community. $ovóova Po’$wáamay shall be an esteemed role model, honoring her Tribe and Native people.”

Mojado said the committee plans to start accepting applications for next year’s competition after the first of the year. “We hope to grow Daughter of Soboba into a group of gals and girls to connect and share from one another,” she said. “My favorite part of being involved with this program has been the opportunity to mentor these girls. It was also great to see our community get involved and show so much support for them.”

Herrera said the experience thus far has been great and that despite its slow start, everyone remains committed to the program. “One of the goals was to bring all our tribal women together; elders to infants, bridging gaps and building friendships through culture. This group of women has tirelessly contributed their time, in an effort to lay a positive solid foundation. I hope the young ladies feel appreciated and supported in this group.  We are constantly mentoring and learning.”

A men’s Peon tournament began after a final honor song was performed by the Inter-tribal birdsingers and that stretched into the night.

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The popular homemade salsa and tortilla contests had a total of 10 participants with many eager judges casting votes for their favorites. Tyler Macias said it was hard to choose because they were so good. Red, green and brown varieties of salsas identified only by bowls marked A-H were spooned onto provided tortilla chip rounds for the taste testing.

“I liked A,” said Arthur Lopez Jr. “It was a little bit hot but not real hot – it was just right. It also had a fire-roasted chiles taste.”

That is the salsa that went on to win the contest for Ruby Arrietta with the most votes. Adonna Salgado won the tortilla contest.

“This is the first time I entered,” Salgado said. “I always say I’m going to do it but this year I put in the effort to make sure I did.”

There were several vendors on site selling clothing and specialty food items. This was in addition to the free lunch enjoyed by all inside the Sports Complex. Shredded turkey, beef and chicken were served with tortillas along with rice, beans and several salads. Leftover salsa was available alongside other condiments.

A highlight of the Fiesta was the introduction of the two candidates who are vying for the title of $ovóova Po’$wáamay (Daughter of Soboba). They are Su’la Arviso and Raya Salgado. Both young women will be participating in many cultural activities during the next few months that will culminate in a crowning in October, the month when the Soboba Fiestas were originally held.

Geneva Mojado, Chairwoman of the DoS Committee and Vice Chairwoman for Tribal Council, said the last time the event was held was in 1969 when Virginia Duenas was crowned Fiesta Maiden. Also serving on the committee are Vice Chairwoman Monica Herrera, Secretary Iyana Briones, Treasurer Rhonda Valenzuella, and members Tatiana Diaz, Carrie Garcia, Summer Helms, Andrea Relopez, Adona Salgado, and Anthony Vallez.

At a booth, the Committee offered information and a sneak peek at the crown and sash that will be worn by the chosen Daughter of Soboba. They also held a 50/50 drawing to help fund travelling expenses once a maiden is crowned.

Mojado said the committee was formed in October 2021 with a mission statement that says the committee intends to support, empower and enhance the well-being of Native women through achieving emotional, social and economic self-sufficiency. “Our young women are the baskets of the community. $ovóova Po’$wáamay shall be an esteemed role model honoring her tribe and Native people,” she read.

 As the last crowned Fiesta Maiden, Duenas shared what it meant to her to hold that title. She said back in 1969 the competition included being able to shoot an arrow into a bullseye to show they could be successful hunters, sew a button on a piece of cloth to show they could take care of themselves and others, and make and roll a tortilla teaching young women how to cook for themselves and their families. “Today there are other requirements,” Duenas said. “I appreciate all the things I learned.”

Raya said some of her proudest accomplishments didn’t come with awards or recognition. “They came at moments that reminded me of why I started and looking back and seeing all my progress,” she said. “That’s the kind of impact I want to see in the little ones around me because representation does matter.”

Raya Salgado, 15, is the daughter of Daniel Salgado (Cahuilla) and Rhonda Valenzuella (Soboba). Virginia Duenas is her aunt.

“As Native youth, it’s important that we stay engaged and take an active role in our community,” she said. Raya has been a member of Soboba Youth Council, a Soboba Fire Explorer for the past several years, and part of her school’s Native American club. “Those experiences have shown me what it means to serve others, to be disciplined, and to keep going even when things get tough. They tell me that resilience isn’t just about being strong in tough moments; it’s about standing up for what you believe it, it’s about showing up day after day with the intention of making a difference.”

Su’la Arviso is the daughter of Nate and Melissa Arviso and said, “From a young age, I always wanted to represent and bring awareness to our people. Coming from a family of leaders like my grandmother Mary Mojado, godmother Geneva Mojado and great-grandfather Anthony Mojado, I too aspire to carry the leadership skills.”

She helped create the first Four Directions Club while in elementary school and continued with it at San Jacinto High School, where is still thrives. She got involved with Native Challenge and TANF while attending North Mountain Middle School. Su’la has supported Assemblymember James Ramos in his efforts to champion Native American rights. She is pursuing her college degree in Early Childhood Education with the goal of working at the Soboba Tribal Preschool to help educate the youth. She hopes to eventually serve her people on Tribal Council.

“I strongly believe it’s important to help guide our youth not just with education but traditional values,” Su’la said. “We must help prepare the next seven generations and make sure each and every single one of these kids feel pride within themselves to be Native, to be from Soboba. We must pave the way for our kids in a traditional manner because without our culture, we are lost.”

There was bird singing throughout the event as well as recorded music provided by DJ Mike Nevarez. Emcee Joseph Ontiveros from Soboba’s Cultural Resource Department kept the crowd informed with announcements throughout the event. A special one, which he believes to be a first for the Fiesta, was the public marriage proposal to Christina Logan by her boyfriend of 14 months, Jose Carrera. She said yes.

An appearance by the Zuni Olla Maidens was well received by the crowd. The Zuni Olla Maidens are a well-respected dance troupe from Zuni Pueblo in western New Mexico, known for singing, drumming and their trademark dance while balancing pottery on their heads. The Zuni Olla Maidens are also unique in that their group has always consisted of related women, making it a family affair for more than 70 years.

Rounding out the day were softball games, a three-legged race, watermelon eating contest and a tug-of-war. Peon games began at dusk and continued well past midnight.

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