Funded by:
The Fund for Folk Culture Conferences and Gatherings Program, underwritten by the Pew Charitable Trusts California Arts Council California Council for the Humanities Tobacco Tax Health Protection Act of 1998 - Proposition 99
Photographs by Lauren Teixeira, graphics by T E I X E I R A
The gathering was held on a beautiful Spring weekend at Satwiwa in the Santa Monica National Recreation Area, beneath Boney Mountain (above). Featured storytellers included--Vivien Hailstone, Elder (Hupa/Yurok/Karuk), Jane Dumas (Kumeyaay), Georgiana Sanchez (Chumash/Tohono-O'odham), Ernest Siva (Serrano/Cahuilla), Darryl Babe Wilson (Achoma'wi/Atsegu'wi), Kathy Martinez (Achoma'wi), Tharon Weighill (Chumash), Mark Acuna (Tongva), Ron Goode (North Fork Mono), and performing artist, Abel Silvas (Acjachomem). The Master of Ceremonies was Paul Apodaca (Navajo). Panel discussions were lead by Malcolm Margolin and Hank Stevens (Osage). The Chumash Dolphin Dancers, the Tongva Nation Dancers, and the Cupa Singers and dancers filled the weekend with spectacular singing and dancing.
The, Ap, traditional Chumash tule house (above) stands before the firecircle (below) where the opening ceremony, the blessing and the dancing was held.
Following the opening blessing the Chumash Dolphin Dancers, lead by Mati Waiya (above/center), danced to begin the event. Tharon Weighill, Chumash Dolphin Dancer and Storyteller (below) with Mati Waiya.
Kathy Martinez, CISA Vice Chair and storyteller, told stories on the stage near the pond early Saturday.
Tharon told stories in the firecircle on Saturday afternoon, following the dancing.
Georgiana Sanchez, poet and storyteller, told stories on Saturday and Sunday. Here she is pictured late on Sunday, sharing the stories of her family, as well as her poetry.
Abel Silvas or Runion Grunion, mesmerized the audience around the firecircle with his storytelling in pantomine.
The Satwiwa Storytellers Gathering was orchestrated, from start to finish, by Kat High (Hupa), Guest Host Coordinator. Kat wrote the grants, organized the program, mowed the lawn, threw the hay bales, cooked the beans, (hardly heard a story) and put on a fantastic event. Thanks, Kat. We love you!
The Friends of Satwiwa is a non-profit Native American organization formed in 1986 to work in partnership with the National Park Service to provide programs, educational activities and workshops at the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center, a site in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
The FOS Board of Directors: Charlie Cooke (Chumash), President (pictured left); Mati Waiya (Chumash), Vice-President; Dennis Garcia (Chumash), Treasurer; Darlene Harr, Secretary; Kat High (Hupa), Guest Host Coordinator; Lorene Sisquoc (Cahuilla/Apache), Community Liaison; Nadiya Littlewarrior (Potowatomi), Newsletter Editor; and Marty Meeden (Paiute).
California Indian Storytelling Association
California Indian Storytelling Festival
For more Info, comments, etc., contact: Lauren Teixeira