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November 2, 2009

Traditional California Native approaches to wellness is topic of event Nov. 14

By Lucio Ramirez, (831) 459-2881, lramirez@ucsc.edu

The Amah Mutsun Speaker Series kicks off with its fall presentation on "Restoring Balance: Traditional California Native Approaches to Wellness" on Saturday, November 14, from 1 - 4 p.m. at the Merrill College Cultural Center.

This event continues exploration on the impact of historical trauma and genocide discussed in the spring 2009 talk by Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart. "Restoring Balance" will focus on ways in which traditional medicine can be applied as an effective intervention in daily life.

Speakers include three elders who come from California Native American traditions:

• Ron Alec: Spiritual leader and cultural expert from the Mono Tribe of California. Ron has over 25 years of community involvement and leadership in the American Indian Community in California. He is the chair of the Haslett Basin Traditional Committee and is also a Vietnam War veteran. Ron has been a guest of the Pope in support of indigenous issues of the United States.

• Caleen Sisk-Franco: An educator for over 25 years, Caleen Sisk-Franco, Winnemem Wintu, is the great-niece and appointed successor of Florence Jones, spiritual doctor and leader of the Winnemem Wintu Tribe. Caleen is deeply involved in maintaining the Winnemem Wintu culture and ceremonies and is the focal point for the Winnemem's tribal recognition efforts. She concentrates her time on managing the task of resolving the recognition issue for the Winnemem Wintu as well as directing the Winnemem's charter school, Lubeles Academy. Caleen is deeply rooted in her spirituality, her family, and her devotion to her tribal people.

• Ron Christman: Iipay Ipai of the Santa Ysabel Band of Diegueno Indians, aka Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel. Christman, is an elder and spirtitual adviser to his tribe and a keeper of the cultural traditions. Ron is a teacher of traditional bird singing.

Each speaker will be addressing the issues of wellness and their own experiences and perspectives based on their work within Native American communities. They will provide tangible advice for students and community members on various traditional practices that can be integrated into everyday living.

The speaker series is sponsored by the American Indian Resource Center and the Amah Mutsun Speaker Series Board and cosponsored by Merrill College, the Student Union Assembly (SUA), Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley, and the Native TANF Program of Santa Cruz County.

The Amah Musun Speaker Series Board was founded by members of the UC Santa Cruz community and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band to coordinate speakers and groups from all over the Nation focused on mental health wellness issues. This group fosters educational efforts that further the understanding of the history, practices, and mental health of the American Indian community.

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