Nearly 1,000 people gathered in the area to celebrate Indigenous pride and resilience. The parade began at 10 a.m. on the Capitol Mall, a major street and landscaped parkway in downtown Sacramento that connects West Sacramento to the California State Capitol. The iconic boulevard serves as a gateway to the downtown area and a popular venue for public events.

Five STTP youth spent three days in Sacramento and enjoyed being part of the parade. Agustin Salgado and Christopher Lagunas carried the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians flag. Nayeli Brittian, Aniyah Brittian, and Shania Guacheno joined many other Native women in bird dancing.

Agustin, 16, from Soboba, said he liked walking with the flag along the parade route filled with enthusiastic spectators. Nayeli, 12, also of Soboba, said what she enjoyed most was seeing everyone and their different cultures. She plans to spend time with family and friends for the remainder of Native American Heritage Month.

“I enjoyed seeing everyone coming out to celebrate,” said 15-year-old Christopher, from the Cahuilla Band of Indians. “This month, I’m taking part in more cultural events, learning more about Native American culture than mine, and supporting Native artists and creators.”

Soboba’s Aniyah and Shania, both 14, liked bird dancing with others along the parade route.

The annual parade is hosted by the California Legislative Native American Caucus to celebrate the contributions, achievements, cultural diversity and impact of California’s First People. Assemblymember James C. Ramo, a lifelong resident of the San Manuel Indian Reservation and member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe, became the first California Native American state lawmaker in 2018, and serves as Caucus Chair. Organizers say the annual event is more than a celebration, it’s also a time for reflection and education about injustices faced by Native communities throughout history.

At the end of the hour-long, half-mile parade route there were cultural performances and free food at the Capitol West steps. STTP Regional Prevention Manager Harold Arres said, “Our youth also had the opportunity to participate in cultural booths and explore the numerous resource tables.”

Along with Native American Heritage Month activities planned at the Soboba site, Arres said youth also attended the 82^nd annual NCAI (National Congress of American Indians) convention and marketplace in Seattle.

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Tony Soares offered a two-part pottery class, beginning on Nov. 5. About 50 eager learners watched his demonstration before creating their own pieces. The younger children were given Salton Sea peach ware to fashion pinch pots while older participants were using Pechanga brownware for making bowl forms.

“My grandmother taught me how to make a pinch pot when I was five or six years old, and that was 50 years ago,” Soares said. After rolling a hunk of clay into a golf-ball size, he used his thumbs to make an indentation in the center and pinch the clay against his fingers on the outside of the piece to thin it out to the desired thickness. Using a popsicle stick to smooth it out as they went along, it took a lot of repetition for the students to get the pot even and just right.

Chairs were placed on either side of long tables to make it easier for family members to assist each other throughout the lesson as Soares and STTP Regional Prevention Manager Harold Arres made their way around the multipurpose room to answer any questions and help as needed.

When five-year-old Paa’kal Vega-Castello finished her pinch pot, she noted that it resembled a turtle’s shell. Her twin brother Kut said, “I’m making a teacup” as he started to add a handle to his pinch pot.

Soares shared the different traditional tools that are used to shape the bowls, such as the paddle, anvil, and dogbane bark that is used as a type of scouring pad. Paddles and anvils are ancient hand-building tools used in the paddle-and-anvil method to shape, thin, and strengthen clay vessels by striking the exterior with a paddle while a smooth stone or fired clay anvil supports the interior. This technique is used to compress clay, eliminate coil seams, and create specific forms.

It is a lengthy process just to get the clay ready to use. After digging up the earth, Soares dissolves it in a large bin full of water, stirring it occasionally. Then it is poured through a mesh screen into another receptacle and whatever passes through is what makes the body of the clay. It takes about two weeks to get to that point at which time grog (crushed unglazed pottery) and sand is added. After it settles, and excess water is poured off, the clay is poured into plaster troughs to draw any additional moisture out of it. This step takes one to two weeks.

Although it is very labor intensive, Soares said, “It is something I love doing.”

Soares, of Joshua Tree, has been teaching since 1993, starting with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and all the River groups. He also shares his art, techniques and knowledge on Instagram @tonysoarespottery and on his YouTube channel @tonysoaresnativeclays1434. He regularly makes ollas for many different Native events. The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians has been pleased to present his ollas to students at its annual Academic Achievement Awards ceremony and various sporting events such as the recent N.I.A.A. fastpitch tournament it hosted in September.

He has an upcoming class at Oasis Elementary School in Twentynine Palms, where his wife Tyronza Soares teaches Transitional Kindergarten. All the TK classes will be involved, and he is expecting 40 students plus their parents to attend a class similar to the one he was teaching at Soboba.

The second part of the STTP pottery class includes a Pot Firing at The Oaks where the created pieces are fired over an open flame, as it was done by their ancestors. This is done after the pottery has had time to dry out. Soares will lead that class as well.

In between the two-part pottery series, Soares led a class on making leather pouches, where students also learned about the many uses of them. In the past, he has taught classes at Soboba on making bows and arrows and arrowheads. For 15-plus years he taught in the Native American Arts Program at Idyllwild Arts Academy. Soares is a much sought after instructor who is willing and eager to share what he has learned with others.

Carrie Garcia attended the Nov. 5 class with her three children: Clementine 10, Clover 8, and Cygnus Swan 6. She was invited to join her cousin Emma Nevarez and her three daughters.

“This is the first time I have attended one of Tony’s classes,” Garcia said. She found it interesting to learn about the hand work that it takes to mold and create the olla/pot. “Finding the right pressure to use but also seeing how if you use the different portions of your palm, it will help you mold the olla. I kept having to tell the kids to be gentle with their pots and it should smooth out.”

She had her two younger children start with the pinch pots before they moved onto the brownware. “I had them start with that so they could get used to working with the clays and using their hands to form their pots,” she said.

Garcia and her children are looking forward to the pot firing on Nov. 22. “I’m excited to see how everyone’s piece came out,” she said. “I guess it’s the anticipation to see if it survives the firing. I hope mine does. If not, I hope to get a chance to try again sooner rather than later.”

More than 60 participants enjoyed the Fry Bread Making class on Nov. 6. Frybread Kitchen cooks taught everyone how to make frybread, also known as Indian tacos, from scratch. Working with gourds was also a two-part series that began with painting and designing gourds. The second class, taught by Blossom Maciel, showed how to turn those gourds into beautiful centerpieces.

Families were invited to create a Thankful Tree to display for all to see. STTP Transportation Coordinator Nancy Gallegos said each family member is given a leaf on which to write what they are most thankful for and then all the leaves are added to the tree they have made and will take home. It serves as a reminder of the importance of sharing gratitude and thankfulness with—and for—others.

Other activities for families to share include a Family Movie Night and Fall Activity classes dedicated to the youngest members. On Nov. 25, children ages 3-11 will be making Pony Bead Ornaments while those 12 and older will be preparing for the holidays by doing Ornament Beading.

“We signed up for all of the TANF activities,” Garcia said. “It’s good for us to do things together. Plus, the kids like hanging out with their cousins.”

Ongoing TANF events, such as Fancy Shawl Dance with instructor Tekla Diaz and Bird Singing with Mike Mirelez teaching traditional birdsongs and the Cahuilla language, are offered throughout the year and continued to be taught during Native American Heritage Month.

For more information, please visit www.sobobatanf.org.

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The first two weeks emphasized Team Building as the 20+ young people got acquainted with each other and with the academy if they were newcomers. Leadership skills, how to dress for success and financial literacy were some of the covered topics during day-long sessions.

Another week offered a S.T.E.M. Activities Day and allowed the youth to practice Community Awareness. On July 3, they collaborated with Soboba Tribal Environmental Department staff to clean up a recreational area in Indian Canyon and take a nature walk to identify different bird species.

Environmental Administrative Assistant II Christine Rodriguez said the event went very well. “We cleaned up a majority of the litter from Four Corners,” she said. “We enticed them with gift cards for the two who collected the most.”

She said the bird walk was a lot of fun for all attendees. “I think the youth enjoyed just being outdoors the most,” Rodriguez said. “A few of them took interest in the various species found in the creek, including a small fish called the speckled dace.”

Offsite trips filled the week of July 8-11 as visits to the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum and Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park were taken. This turned out to be a favorite among many of the youth.

Health and Fitness were stressed during a full day at the beach on July 24. Several activities rounded out the final week, starting with making leather pouches through instruction from Tony Soares.

On July 29, the group spent the day at the Soboba Fire Department, learning all about the different functions it has. Fire Chief Glenn Patterson said the collaboration is a benefit for everyone.

“It gives our staff the opportunity to interact with community youth on a personal level and get a better understanding of the demographics of the customers we serve,” he said. “The youth get to see what our firefighters do on a daily basis and what they have to do to become a firefighter.”

Nancy Gallegos is the Transportation Coordinator for Soboba Tribal TANF and she said the morning was spent learning the purpose of all the equipment firefighters use, the function of all the things on each type of truck and touring the station. After a pizza lunch, they got to try their hand at using a fire hose, operating the aerial ladder and participating in a simulation scenario that gave them a taste of what it is like working in an area that is dark with smoke and what lifesaving equipment can help.

Agustin Salgado, 16, was there as a WE LEAD participant. The summer work program that is also managed by TANF, offers youth internships at different departments and Agustin has been working at the fire station. He said this is a career he might want to pursue, and he has enjoyed his time around the station, helping out where he could and helping to set up everything for the day’s SYA visit.

Before taking the youth up on Truck 1 to show them how to operate the 35-foot aerial ladder that can be extended to 100 feet, Fire Engineer Donald Beresford explained how the apparatus works and what it can do. He showed them how the outriggers are deployed to stabilize the truck before the ladder is moved or extended. He said constant communication is key in all aspects of their job.

“We practice every day, and we make sure all equipment is clean and presentable at all times,” he said.

Akwaalimay Resvaloso, a junior at San Jacinto High School, has enjoyed learning new things in the four years she has participated in the Summer Youth Academy. She said the team building activities have also helped her improve communication skills. At the fire station, she liked learning how to operate the controls to the ladder.

Amy Mendoza demonstrated how to use a fire hose, pointing out that a truck has the capacity to hold 500 gallons of water. The youth took turns trying the hose and learning the correct stance to offset its high pressure, how to aim it at specific targets and when to use the different sprays it produces.

“It’s always nice to provide ways to educate the youth and allow them to know the resources that are available in their community,” she said. “I also like being an example to show them there are all kinds of paths into a fire service career.”

Battalion Chief Howard Maxcy Jr. said having the SYA youth spend the day at the fire station makes them more receptive to learning more about what the department does.

“It’s always a good time when the group comes here,” he said. “The kids really want to be up to date and this is a great opportunity to share information with them.”

Firefighter Paramedic Blake Bryson was enthusiastic as he answered questions about the purpose and function of equipment that is used as they answer calls for everything from vegetation fires to medical aid.

“It’s always a great experience to have the community come out and see the capabilities of what we can do,” Fire Captain Jorge Partida said. “They get to see what we do, where we eat and sleep and just learn about the 24/7 nature of this industry. We are letting them get their hands on the equipment.”

On July 30, the youth spent the day with the Soboba Cultural Resource Department at their Cultural Garden, located at The Oaks, for a morning of hands-on learning, focused on food sovereignty and horticulture, rooted in tradition. Activities included harvesting and washing squash, as well as planting corn and onions. Participants were able to take home their harvested produce.

The second portion of the day-long event consisted of a traditional foods workshop, held at the MPR adjacent to the TANF program’s office. Cultural Resource Department staff facilitated a cultural presentation featuring native plants with an emphasis on the importance of incorporating native foods/traditional ingredients into a modern diet. Traditional foods have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects that are known to reduce the risk of chronic diseases that plague tribal communities, including but not limited to: diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure and heart failure.

During the workshop, Cultural Resource staff, including their two WE LEAD Summer Interns, Aimee Organ and Alayna Resvaloso Wood, demonstrated and guided participants in making three recipes, utilizing native plant ingredients – chia, agave, sunflower, and mesquite. In groups, using ingredients such as mesquite honey, agave syrup, and sunflower butter, they were able to make Chia Limeade, Chia Energy Bites, and Chia Strawberry Tarts.

Being able to provide for oneself, by growing your own food and through incorporation of traditional foods into one’s diet, promotes self-sustainability and is an expression of food sovereignty in itself. Thus, perpetuating the mission of Cultural Heritage Preservation, while securing the health and overall wellbeing of tribal members and communities for future generations.

The Cultural Resource Department staff said they were honored to spend the day with TANF Summer Youth Academy and are already looking forward to next year.

The final day of the Summer Youth Academy offered an activity with Cal State University, San Bernardino representatives, followed by an afternoon of crafts and a pool party.

This year’s academy offered all participants an opportunity to learn about new things or reinforce lessons and have fun while doing so. Rey Padilla, 16, said he enjoyed all the cultural activities offered as well as meeting new people.

Noah Nowaniiki, 14, has been part of the academy for more than three years and said it’s fun to learn many different things. He enjoyed going to the museum in Santa Barbara and is a freshman at San Jacinto High School this year.

Twelve-year-old No’aalawi Boniface is a first-year participant with SYA and she said a highlight was the field trip to Santa Barbara.

All Soboba Tribal TANF program youth were invited to a special back-to-school event on Aug. 10 where AT&T provided 150 laptops and backpacks to students and families. The Human-I-T team was thankful to the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians for their hospitality, warmth and dedication to the community that made the event truly special from start to finish.

Soboba Chairman Isaiah Vivanco opened the day with remarks and Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians Chairman Steven Estrada gave a blessing.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with AT&T to bring much-needed digital resources to our community, and others that are served through the TANF program,” Vivanco said. “We understand the importance of access to the digital world and this donation of laptops from AT&T will give our Tribal youth what they need to succeed in today’s digitally driven world. Being able to provide them with backpacks filled with back-to-school necessities, thanks to the generosity of AT&T, is an added level of support that we appreciate.”

 Soboba Tribal TANF Program Executive Director Maria Aguirre-Mendoza also shared inspiring words after dedicating much time to the event’s planning process.

“I am deeply grateful that our TANF children were provided with laptops and backpacks by AT&T and Human-I-T,” Aguirre-Mendoza said. “It helps ensure they have the proper tools and resources they need to thrive in the upcoming academic year.”

The backpacks included school supplies, earbuds, charging cables and detailed instructions for setup and resources for any technical support the youth may need.

The Human-I-T team gave a special shoutout to Julio Figeroa, AT&T’s Director of External and Legislative Affairs and Tribal Liaison, for introducing them to the Tribe and making the partnership possible. This event was part of AT&T’s initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability, and safe adoption.

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She said the conference shows Native youth the importance of being an activist and how important it is to not allow society to put you in a box or limit you to a certain category.

“Uniting together as one people is how we can achieve and create the change we all need,” she said, adding that she hopes the attendees learned the importance of speaking up for themselves and their people.

The United National Indian Tribal Youth’s mission is to foster the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native youth, and to help build a strong, unified, and self-reliant Native America through greater youth involvement. This year’s theme was Voice of H.O.P.E., which stands for Native youth engaging in Heartfelt conversations, Open dialogue, Promoting resources and Encouraging change.

A logo contest, inviting designs that reflect the richness of local Native cultures, was held and the winning concept came from 15-year-old Reese Mitchell of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, whose artwork helped inspire a final design that pays tribute to Kumeyaay culture and the conference theme. UNITY partnered with the Local Planning Committee and OXDX Clothing—a renowned Indigenous fashion label founded by Diné artist and UNITY alum Jared Kee Yazzie—to bring Reese’s vision to life.

The youth-led annual event drew more than 2,500 Native youth from around the country to participate in days filled with general sessions, regional caucuses, workshops, a career/education fair, and fun evening activities that provided hands-on leadership development activities.

Soboba Tribal TANF’s Andrew Salgado, 18, has attended the conference in the past and enjoyed joining several of the workshops that focused on physical, mental and social development.

“I learned that climate change is melting the ice and affecting different peoples’ reservations,” he said. “I learned how to communicate with other people with a better approach.”

A highlight of the conference for him was participating in the UNITY Intertribal Social Dance held on the final night, June 30.

The first full day of workshops focused on college and career readiness topics, such as “Against the Odds: Turning Struggles into Strength and Dreams into Reality” presented by Jason Amador. The workshop was designed to equip youth with the mindset, daily habits, and self-belief needed to overcome adversity and pursue their goals with purpose.

“My favorite part was meeting new people and building stronger connections with those around me,” said Christopher Lagunas, 14. I also really appreciated seeing the opportunities that the future holds for me through events like UNITY.”

Christopher was also pleased with all he gained from attending the national conference for the first time. “I learned how to communicate with others in a more appropriate way and with a better mindset,” he said. “I also learned that it’s important to embrace and accept others and their customs and traditions.

There were several workshops that were popular among many of the Soboba TANF youth. One of those that was well attended was “Girls Flag Football, 2028 Olympic Sport” presented by Keith Vasquez. His purpose was to introduce Native Americans/Indigenous youth to the fastest growing sport in the United States.

Zachary Guacheno, 18, enjoyed the workshops because of the learning opportunities. He also appreciated discovering the different ways of helping his tribe. “You can advocate for yourself and your community,” is something he said he will share with others.

A fun workshop that focused on health and wellness was the candy jar making session with Ashley Johnston. “You’ll decorate your own jar and fill it with your favorite sweets, because self-care should always be sweet and simple,” she said.

Mazie Countryman presented “Sagebrush & Bingo: Native Plants of Fort Hall” where youth learned as they played Native plant bingo and won prizes while deepening their connection to the land.

Hearing about culture games, such as “Creator’s Game: Building a Pathway to the Future” presented by Edison Red Nest III, were also enjoyed by the youth. The workshop was used to discuss the origins of Creator’s Game and how it can be used to better themselves. Also covered was how Lacrosse is being utilized to send Native youth to college.

The newly inducted class of Earth Ambassadors offered a workshop session covering various topics related to culture and environmental stewardship.

Nowaniiki Resvaloso, 14, attended UNITY for the second time with Soboba Tribal TANF. He said he learned the difference between Native cultures and how to communicate with others. He enjoyed all the workshops he attended and learned new things from each of them.

“The world is changing fast because the ozone layer is getting warmer so it’s causing the ice in Alaska to melt,” he said.

Nayeli Brittian, 12, was attending the UNITY conference for the first time and looks forward to sharing some important messages with family, friends and classmates. “I would tell them about every time you think you can’t do something, try anyway,” she said. “I learned that to pursue your dreams you need to actually try.”

The Talent Night on June 29 at 7 p.m. was a favorite and memorable event for her.

David Marquez also enjoyed the Talent Night show. The 17-year-old said he was interested to learn how climate change can be prevented or treated. “I also learned how to communicate ideas with others,” he said.

Agustin Salgado, 15, was also attending for the first time. “I learned about the importance of collaboration,” he said. “One important takeaway was the emphasis on community engagement and collaboration across diverse groups.”

Although the conference was filled with many valuable workshops and exciting activities, the group was able to venture off to Mission Bay beach and enjoy some beach time. “We also visited the San Diego Air & Space Museum as well as the San Diego Natural History Museum at Balboa Park,” Tucker said.

For more information, www.sobobatanf.org.

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The theme for the 2024 national conference was Rivers of Resilience: Sustaining Indigenous Innovation. The three-day event focused on educational, professional, and workforce development for Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers.

Accompanying the youth were Regional TANF Manager Harold Arres, Riverside Site Manager Angela Diaz and Soboba Tribal TANF Program Specialist Mayra Campos.

Campos said she reminds the TANF youth every chance she gets about how lucky they are to have the chance to attend so many different outreach events that are aimed at them and their futures. “I did not have these opportunities growing up and I am taking full advantage of them now,” she said.

As the Program Specialist, she visited the conference website to plan out their days based on the youth sessions provided. “I picked a couple different options based on topics such as leadership, college readiness and culture, anything that aligns with our program,” she said. “I then created a conference agenda alongside Harold to ensure we had enough time for our youth to attend sessions as well as get rest breaks and meals. On the days of the conference, we let the youth pick what sessions to attend based on the sessions we narrowed down.”

They also planned for educational activities the youth could enjoy in their spare time. The group was able to take a tour of the Alamo and ride a small boat around the San Antonio Riverwalk. They also visited the San Antonio Zoo as part of the conference.

High school junior David Marquez attended the annual conference for the first time. He participated in sessions on agriculture, coding and fashion. He most enjoyed visiting the resource booths that provided him with new career ideas as he has already planned to enter a STEM career field. “I learned there should be more Indigenous youth in STEM careers,” David said.

Agustin Salgado was also a first-time attendee. The high school sophomore enjoyed the seminar on “Hypersonics – How Fast is Fast?” but said his favorite part of the conference was the career fair. “I learned the importance of STEM and how it will help the future generations improve and learn valuable job skills.”

Reymoondo Padilla also enjoyed the career fair. “The career fair was my favorite because we got to talk to all different kinds of people and colleges,” the high school junior said. He learned a lot more about agriculture than he did before and was able to obtain some new career ideas. One of several sessions on the subject was “Converging Indigenous Knowledge and Agriculture Sciences.”

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Chairman Isaiah Vivanco is also serving his third year as Chairman of the Tribal Nations Advisory Council (TNAC) for AISES. He first met AISES representatives at a conference and learned all about them. “I was able to get the organization to come to Soboba and work with our preschool and Noli students on a robotics program,” he said. “After seeing the impact it had on our youth, and learning more about the organization, I thought there should be more Tribes working with them. They offer great experiences for our youth and they also provide tons of career opportunities. AISES has created partnerships with major tech companies worldwide. My role as TNAC Chair is to help get AISES into other Tribal communities. With all my travel comes a lot of networking with Tribal leaders from all over the country and that provides a perfect opportunity to make the introduction.”

The TNAC holds one of its quarterly meetings during the national conference, so Vivanco was able to attend the opening ceremonies in front of about 4,000 Native high school and college students from around the country who are eager to enter into the workforce at a very sophisticated level.

“Walking the trade show floor and seeing companies like Google, NASA, Apple, U.S. Forestry, and a ton of other major corporations trying to recruit our youth was great,” Vivanco said.

He said another highlight was being able to sit down and have dinner with the Soboba youth who were there to participate. “Hopefully trips like this can be encouraging or inspirational in their career paths,” he said.

Vivanco was presented with a Tribal Partner Service Award “in recognition of his commitment, service and dedication to AISES.” When he was contacted by AISES President Sarah EchoHawk telling him he was receiving the award, he was surprised. Past winners have gone to large Tribes (San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), so he was quite honored to be recognized for his efforts as an individual.

Although he was unable to accept the award on the final day of the conference due to previous travel plans and commitments, it was given to him at AISES’ 7^th annual Native Links Golf Classic that was held at Red Rock Country Club in Las Vegas on Oct. 7.

“It was good to be honored there at the golf tournament because there were many Tribal partners and business associates that I knew in attendance. As well as some of my Council,” Vivanco said. “Things like this mean a lot but none of it is possible without a great team of Council members; it’s because of their hard work that we even get the chance to sit on boards like this. So, I feel that when any of us gets recognized for something, we’re all winners!”

All proceeds from the fundraising event benefit AISES, specifically the RISE Fund powered by Aristocrat Gaming, which provides educational and career support to Indigenous students interested in Casino Gaming. Vivanco has co-chaired the tournament for three years.

“My role is to help get sponsors and participants in an effort to raise monies for the programs AISES offers to our communities,” said Vivanco, who has played in the tournament for about five years and has been on the committee for the past three.

For more information, https://conference.aises.org.

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The Soboba Tribal TANF Program hosted its annual Honoring Ceremony and Traditional Family Gathering at the Soboba Springs Golf Course on Dec. 15. A welcome and blessing was followed by a buffet dinner featuring many delicious options such as braised short ribs, roasted turkey and dressing and winter salad.

The Inter-Tribal Bird Singers performed a few well-received songs before keynote speaker Judge Sunshine Sykes addressed the audience with her inspiring and heartfelt words. With miniature Christmas trees as centerpieces, families from all TANF sites gathered at dinner tables to enjoy good food and great company. Along with members from the Soboba site, others from the Riverside, Cahuilla and Santa Rosa TANF sites were in attendance. Emcee William Ramirez introduced guests and oversaw the many raffle prizes available.

The youngest children were given an opportunity to spend time in an arts and crafts room during Sykes’ speech. They made last-minute gifts for their friends and family such as decorative frames to be used for holiday photos and more. TANF staff supervised while Christmas music played, and kids got to use all the glitter and stickers they wanted to create their crafts. Sykes, who is a United States District Court judge appointed by President Biden in 2022, is a member of the Navajo Nation and serves in Riverside. Prior to being a federal judge, she was a State Court judge, also in Riverside.

Between law school and becoming a judge, she worked with Tribes and Tribal Members on issues affecting Indian people and Natives. “It’s been great being here with you today and seeing all the happiness, love and joy that is within this room and all the successes from all of you here,” Sykes said. “As many of you know, California has the largest Native population in the country and a number of these Tribes are found right here in Riverside County, yet it took until 2013 to have a Native American judge on the State Court bench. It took until 2022 for the Federal Court to have a Native American judge in the entire state of California.

My appointments to both the state and the federal court were historic. I was the first in each of those spaces. The first Native seated at a table that had historically never welcomed nor invited a Native to sit. And I mention this to demonstrate how much further we need to go to have equal representation in these spaces. There are many of these spaces across the country in many careers and we can only achieve a seat at these tables through education, determination and resilience. All of these have been a large part of my journey to be able to stand here before you all.”

She shared that her maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather grew up on the Navajo reservation, each being the first in their family to speak English and attend any type of school. “My great-grandmother spoke no English and herded sheep, living in a small hogan with no electricity and no running water,” Sykes said. “They lived their lives traditionally until they were forced to attend Sherman Indian Institute which ironically was just a few miles away from my courthouse in Riverside.”

Her grandfather had told her how he was taken from his home, forced to cut his hair, forced to not speak his native language and forced to march to and from classes. But despite such trauma, she said her grandparents were able to make a life for themselves and for her mother. “My mother and father also grew up on the Navajo reservation and although they had me at quite a young age, they were both 17, they were still able to graduate high school and go onto college and get their bachelor’s and master’s degrees,” she said. “So it is possible to go to college and have children and make it through.”

Sykes had her first of four daughters while she was attending law school and admits it was a lot of work but doable. “Unfortunately, my parents divorced when I was six and my mother traveled with me to Washington, DC to begin a career at the Bureau of Indian Affairs,” she said. Her mother was relocated to Gallup, New Mexico, and Sykes said growing up there caused her to see many injustices. “Gallup is a border town to the Navajo reservation, which like many other reservations, does not allow alcohol,” she said. “Due to this, Gallup has a lot of bars, alcoholism, poverty and racism.” Sykes said it was those injustices that she saw and experienced that really drew her to the law and wanting to make a difference in the world, in her life and that of her family. “So I decided to dedicate myself to my schooling to do the best that I could to get good grades,” she said.

She worked hard and was able to attend Stanford University law school. She gave back to her community by working for legal services agencies before, during and after law school. “I wanted to help Native families and children, so I focused on the Indian Child Welfare Act and developed that expertise that I was then able to share with members of the legal community, not only in the Inland Empire but across the state, training social workers and judges to make sure they understood the importance of the Act and that they were following the law,” she said. It was all those experiences that led her to be appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to the State bench in 2013 and then last year to her appointment by Biden. Of the more than 800 federal judges in this country, Sykes is one of only five that are Native American. “During these experiences, I’ve always tried to stay grounded and remember who I am and where I come from,” she said. “I tell you my story so that you can hopefully see the ways in which your choices in life can have a direct impact on your family and all those around you.

By choosing to further your education, you will be bettering the lives of your family, your community, your Tribe and most importantly, yourself.” She told the parents to encourage their children to be the best that they can be and told all the students that just by being in school, many have overcome tremendous odds. She said there are many barriers in today’s society that Native people still face in pursuing education. “But those barriers can be broken,” Sykes said. “We see that all around us as Tribes and Tribal communities are controlling their own destinies through economic development, self-determination, traditions, ceremonies, language.

As I look around this space and I see all your faces, I see hope for our future. Through hard work, dedication and courage, I know we all can attain whatever goals that we set our sights on today.” She quoted Wilma Mankiller, the first woman elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, who was a community activist and organizer that helped establish education programs throughout Indian Country. Mankiller said the secret of the success of Native people is that “we never, never give up.” Sykes said, “Each of us carries strength, courage, determination, resilience and the power to adapt.

These are only some of the gifts given to us from our ancestors. The ability to rise above and never forget the sacrifices of our ancestors and all they had to endure for us to be here today. Remember that each and every one of us has power within us; don’t be afraid to stand in it.” The heart of the event was recognizing the accomplishments of those program participants who have worked hard toward reaching their goals in 2023. Several agencies and companies that partner with TANF gave out specific awards to deserving individuals. One of those was Sylvan Learning, which offers tutoring.

They gave out certificates of achievement to eight students that the tutors felt did an outstanding job this year with setting and meeting goals. Regional TANF Manager Angela Diaz and Case Worker Neysa Malvaez recognized adults from the Riverside, Cahuilla and Santa Rosa sites who have shown significant progress. From single mothers who are full time students to veterans and single fathers, all have shown great effort this past year. Others, who have chosen to return to school to further their education, were also singled out for their hard work and dedication. Regional Prevention Manager Harold Arres and Senior Program Specialist Annalisa Tucker from Soboba Tribal TANF presented Youth Leadership awards to Zachary Guacheno and Abigail Arres. Tucker said, “I’ve had the privilege of watching them both grow and mature during the years they’ve been with the program. I’ve been able to rely on them to help with younger members on trips and help bring up the younger generation.

They are so helpful to us and we are so grateful to have them in our program.” Advance Technical Institute, another service provider for TANF programs, acknowledged nearly 20 students who have excelled this past year. ATI Founder and Director George Cajas said, “We gather here tonight to celebrate your journey and to applaud you on this wonderful accomplishment you have done, not just for yourself but for your family. Embarking on the pursuit of education, particularly as adult learners, is a commendable and great choice. It’s a testament of your commitment to self-improvement and a clear indication of your belief and affirmation of the power of knowledge. Self-sufficiency, which is one of the TANF goals, is a quality you have developed and honed throughout your academic journey.

It’s not just about standing on your own two feet but about processing and possessing the strength and wisdom to navigate through life’s challenges with confidence and grace. You have demonstrated that learning knows no boundaries and that there’s always time to invest in yourself. Your family’s values have played a critical role. Your family’s support, love and encouragement have been your backbone, giving you the strength to persevere when times are tough.

Take the time to express your gratitude to those who have stood by you and are here with you tonight.” Cajas then introduced the 2023 TANF participants being recognized and receiving a $50 check “symbolizing our institute’s investment in your future success.” From those, three were chosen to receive the prestigious 2023 Student of the Year award. “This award is a testament to the institute’s commitment to recognizing and encouraging academic excellence and leadership qualities,” Cajas said. “This recognition not only serves to commend the current successes of these outstanding students but also aims to inspire and motivate all participants that are here tonight at this honoring event to strive for excellence in their academic pursuits and careers.

The Student of the Year awards are a foundation of our institute’s tradition, symbolizing its core values and commitment to fostering an environment where exceptional talent, hard work and ambition are recognized and celebrated.” The Student of the Year award is more than just a title. Each honoree received a check for $250 and a framed certificate to serve as a reminder of their hard work and dedication in making significant contributions to their communities. This year’s recipients included Chris Jorge and Marggie Vargas.

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This year, 21 youths have been assigned summer intern positions with the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, the Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians and the Cahuilla Band. Applications were accepted from March 20 through April 13. Harold Arres is the Regional Prevention Manager for Soboba Tribal TANF’s PRC and has been coordinating the work experience program since he began working there in 2012. Soboba’s TANF program started in 2006 and WE LEAD was introduced a few years later.

Arres said all participants go through the same hiring process as any Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians employee. The next step in the program was to attend a four-day training week where they learned valuable details. It began with a presentation by Human Resources and included a class in financial literacy led by William Ramirez, Life Skills, CPR & First Aid training and Food Handlers Certification for those employed in those service areas.

The interns received two full days of job skills training with consultant Mikela Jones. She covered expectations and norms, communication, conflict resolution and included some team building and goal setting activities. To help them realize their full potential, Jones worked with the interns to identify individual gifts and talents to utilize during their work experience. She also gave them guidance on how to take care of themselves to prevent “burn out” since for some, this is their first job.

On June 15, a Meet and Greet Luncheon was held for the new employees to sit with their managers to go over requirements and expectations and discuss schedules. Harold Arres welcomed everyone and made introductions of his staff who the youth and managers will be working with through the course of the program to insure accurate time sheets and other issues. Interns will be working about 25 hours a week from June 20 through July 31, for a total of 175 hours.

After providing a blessing for Creator to watch over the youth, Soboba Tribal Executive Officer Steven Estrada congratulated them and commended them for taking the steps to get involved. “Money is great, especially over the summertime, but more importantly, you’re gaining work experience within a Tribe and this is something that should really be thought about,” he said.

He recalled hearing his mother and other relatives talk about it being hard to be an Indian and “thinking about all the challenges we face, don’t take it for granted that the Tribe is always going to be here, providing all these services.”

“Today, the Supreme Court upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act and it wasn’t just about families and children; at the core of it was Tribal sovereignty,” Estrada said. “This is just a reminder of how we are still facing challenges that could undermine everything and could take it all away. So, it’s up to you kids to take on these future roles. Really reflect over the summer on what you’re learning and give thanks to what has been provided by the Tribe, your parents, grandparents and the team working hard to create wonderful organizations and programs such as this.”

Soboba Tribal Council Vice Chairwoman Geneva Mojado shared how she was part of a similar work experience program when she was about 14, doing secretarial work at the Old Tribal Hall. “Congratulations on your summer job. It’s truly a blessing to employ so many Tribal members,” she said after introducing fellow Tribal Council members Daniel Valdez, treasurer, and Monica Herrera, secretary. She noted that Chairman Isaiah Vivanco and Sergeant-at-arms Mike Bentiste are in Sacramento on Tribal business.

“Any job is going to teach you teamwork but be that team player and be able to communicate. Get to know who your co-worker is and enjoy what you do,” Mojado said. “Getting a job at your age is an accomplishment. You’re putting aside friends and some family to come to work part time. You are giving up 175 hours or your summer. But it’s 175 hours to learn something new, 175 hours to meet new people, 175 hours to learn a new skill and 175 hours to have purpose.”

She shared a quote from Michelle Obama: Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives. “And I think that’s what all of you are going to do,” she said. “Today you are making a positive impact on your community and your Tribe.”

Arres thanked the supervisors and managers for opening up their worksites for the youth this summer and for attending the meet and greet luncheon. He also thanked the young people who showed initiative by getting involved with the program. He said all youth interns are held to the same standards and same process as all Soboba employees. He said the program had 18 participants last year and it was budgeted for 20 this year but when 21 qualified candidates expressed interest, Arres said they were able to find money in their budget to include one more.

A hiring board of three people conducted an interview with each applicant. The potential employees had to submit three essays which were rated by each panelist. They also submitted a resume, which was part of the review process. An average score was assigned based on the individual panelist’s scores and everyone got a final rating. “We have refined the process over the years,” Arres said. “It gives these kids the experience of going through an interview process for any future job.

Parks and Recreation Activities Director Jennifer Garcia is supervising four Recreational Aides this summer. The Summer Youth Academy for ages 13-17 offers activities and outings throughout June and aides will be on hand to help out when and where needed.

Ashlyn Russell, 15, served as an aide last summer and said she likes working with kids. “The job is very hands-on and it’s fun to get to know all the kids individually,” she said.

Sisters Luisa and Shawna Rivera have also been aides in the past. Shawna, 15, said she likes chaperoning them on field trips. Luisa, 17, said she likes working with the children and doing something helpful. She plans to save her earnings for school clothes, Starbucks and the extra expenses she will incur entering her senior year of high school.

Akwaalimay Resvaloso, 14, is joining the work experience program for the first time and is excited to work with the kids at the Soboba Sports Complex. “I want to learn new things, get out of the house and save some money,” she said, adding that the most important thing she learned from the job skills training classes the prior week was to stay focused and always communicate.

Mkilawish Arres, 14, will be working alongside technicians at Soboba’s Information Technology department. She looks forward to learning more about how to help people with their computer issues. Chief Information Officer Steve Nino said this is the first time in a while that IT has been involved with the work experience program. “For what Mkilawish is coming into, she will be able to qualify for her technician’s certificate through Microsoft,” he said. “Technology is the basis for everything. She’ll be assisting with a lot of user end support and administration.”

Jocie Yepa, 17, will be spending her days working with Soboba Tribal Preschool Office Manager Amber Lopez. As an instructional aide, she will assist pre-kindergarten teacher Ana Garcia through June 29 while students are attending summer school. Then she will assist in setting things up for the next school year including registration packets and more. On her way to Cal State San Marcos in the fall to study Indigenous Anthropology, Jocie said she will be saving her earnings to help with college expenses.

Sandra Haro is a Registered Dental Assistant working at Soboba Dental and will have two interns learning about all the different duties and careers available in the dental field. “They can assist with suctioning, sterilization, getting trays ready for the doctor as well as being at the front desk to answer phones and take messages,” Haro said. April Haro, 17, said she wanted to work to be productive over the summer and to have the opportunity to gain experience in the field.

Alayna Resvaloso-Wood will be working with the Soboba Cultural Resource Department, dividing her time between the outdoor community garden with Eloyd Rodriguez and the office with Jessica Valdez. Alayna, 16, said she looks forward to working with the plants. She has her own tree and other plants in her home garden. She worked in the TANF office last year and wanted to explore other areas this time. Rodriguez said Alayna will have an opportunity to learn about soil testing and the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomato varieties, which are in season right now.

Arres said this program is a wonderful opportunity for the youth, providing them opportunities and goals they couldn’t find elsewhere. His own children have been part of the program in the past, and again this year, so he has seen the benefits firsthand. “Abigail was outgoing to begin with, but this program helped her achieve a higher level of maturity and confidence,” he said. Working with Soboba Fire, he said she has learned a lot about community service and that has carried over into her daily life.

“For kids that aren’t naturally outgoing, I’ve seen them come out of their shells and show leadership to their peers,” Arres said. “The barriers we’re breaking down for them is amazing. They learn how to interact with all ages in a workplace environment.”

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DTI’s purpose is to encourage Native youth to dream big, to dream of becoming anything they want to be, and to dream of greatness. As long as youth have a dream, they will always have something to strive for in life.

Sandra Sandoval, Regional Compliance Officer for the TANF program, served as one of the chaperones. She enjoyed the encouraging and motivating words that many of the speakers shared with the students.

“This annual event is important as it allows the youth to step out of their comfort zones through engagement and networking with other youths,” Sandoval said. “The function serves as a stepping stone for the youth; therefore, it’s crucial for a college campus to host the event. It gives the youth a glimpse of college life on campus.”

Soboba Tribal TANF Transportation Coordinator Angelica Crawford agreed that it was an advantage for the students to be on a college campus, sitting in classrooms for breakout sessions and learning how to read a campus map, giving them a feel for college life.

“A highlight for me was watching the youth make memories,” she said. “One of our students had the chance to be on the campus of her dream school.”

During the conference, the chaperones assisted the young participants by guiding them to the many breakout sessions and activities offered throughout the day. “It is important for youth to attend these conferences because they hear the stories of speakers that started in their shoes,” Crawford said. “It’s not an easy road, but it is possible for them to achieve their goals.”

Ten breakout sessions were interspersed with cultural activities and a lunch break that incorporated a Resource Fair featuring a variety of community organizations, colleges and trade schools sharing information about different resources and options available to Native youth and families. Each youth was given the choice of three workshops to attend that covered a variety of topics.

Aleksia Rosas, 13, attended the “Pathways to Medical School” presented by the Association of Native American Medical Students at UCSD, which exists to support Native American medical students in completing health sciences curricula. They discussed their journeys to medical school, barriers they overcame and how a career in medicine can make meaningful changes in their communities.

 She said she learned that not many Native Americans become doctors. “It makes me really think about my future and what I want to be. I really want to become a doctor,” Aleksia said.

Ariana Rosas, 16, learned that, “School is very important and there are many options to what you can do in college.”

Alayna Resvaloso-Wood, 16, said the conference experience taught her that “there’s often a lot of hardships before success.” She said she also learned that, “Just because your goals don’t happen instantly doesn’t mean that they won’t happen when you get older.”

A workshop Alayna particularly enjoyed was “Traditional Native Foods” presented by Blossom Maciel, who often hosts workshops at the Soboba Indian Reservation. Blossom taught how Native foods and plants can also be used as medicine and how to incorporate them into daily life.

Andrew Velazquez, 15, found the workshop subjects very interesting and really enjoyed the advice he got from the speakers at the “Native Youth Media/Vision Makers” session he attended, where he learned more about how movies are made.

Discussions included the ethics and responsibilities of storytelling. Participants were given hands-on video or photography experience into the creation of a story idea and structure, through writing a script, shooting, editing and sharing.

Andrew also attended “Native American College Life” where UCSD Native students explained the trials and triumphs of their college experience so far and college life in general. “Break Cycle Warriors” was his third session choice where he learned about the importance of physical, mental and spiritual health as presented by Bradley Guachino of the Pala Band of Mission Indians.

Ginger Velazquez, 14, also enjoyed the Native Youth Media session and said the most important thing she took home from the workshop is more confidence. “I heard someone say to never give up and that sometimes you have to get out of our comfort zone to do even better things,” she said.

Moyla Arviso, 14, was glad she was able to take home a lot of knowledge from attending the DTI conference for the first time. She chose to attend the “Anything is Possible” workshop with Destiny Ng, a Native Hawaiian from O’ahu. After graduating from the University of Redlands in 2020 with a degree in English Literature and a minor in Psychology, Destiny is now a full-time model. Utilizing a vision board, she taught participants how to find “your gifts and turn your dreams into a reality.”

Moyla chose this workshop because she enjoys doing these types of projects at school and she also likes to draw. The most important thing she learned at the conference is “how time is our most valuable resource.”

Su’la Arviso, 17, said the most important takeaway she had from attending this year’s conference is “to use your voice and stay dedicated to your goal; your future is everything.” One breakout session she chose to attend was “Indigenous Stories in AR, VR & Geolocation” but said all three of her choices represented the best fit for her and her current interests. She said the day-long experience taught her that, “We don’t really know how much time we have so why not live our life in a positive way and leave a positive impact on the world for future generations?”

Nowaniiki Resvaloso, 12, enjoyed the “Traditional Kumeyaay Games & Stories” session that gave participants the opportunity to join a fierce competition with their friends, playing traditional games while listening to Stan Rodriguez tell stories of Coyote the Trickster and other parts of the Creation story. Nowaniiki said one thing he heard at the conference that changed his way of thinking about his future was, “Try your best and keep going.”

Akwaalimay Resvaloso, 14, visited many of the different stations that were set up throughout the campus where flyers, brochures and other resource information was provided. She took home a lot of material for future reference.

There were also ongoing cultural activities that included beading by Gene Begay, a weaving circle by Blossom Maciel, information from the Sycuan Cultural Center, a Powwow dance by Mia Murillo and a presentation on Sustainable Farming Through Culture with Pauma Tribal Farms. Dodge ball and lawn games were offered, as well as campus tours.

The Dream the Impossible Youth Conference was started in 2007 by several Southern California Tribes and Tribal organizations. The dream began when local youth councils planned to organize a conference specifically for Southern California Native youth. After several planning meetings, the youth voted on a conference name and agreed to host the first ever Southern California Native Youth Conference on the Soboba Indian Reservation at Noli Indian High School and the Soboba Sports Complex.

The success of that first conference marked the beginning of the Dream the Impossible Native Youth Conference becoming an annual event. Today there are more than 35 Tribes, Tribal organizations and universities that contribute to the conference that is attended by approximately 500 Native youths each year.

Highlighting Dedication, Responsibility, Education, Attitude and Motivation, DTI’s message to youth is, “Don’t be afraid to DREAM!” For more information, www.dticonference.org.

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