Haminat (hello) Teachers and Students:
It is with great joy and excitement that we invite you to attend the Sixth Annual California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference. Over the past five years, nearly 22,000 elementary school students have participated in this free and unique experience that immerses students in California Native American history and culture. We invite students and teachers to attend one day as a class.
This year’s activities will be held for San Bernardino City Schools from September 23 through 25 Non SB City and Private Schools on September 22 and 26 on the campus of California State University, San Bernardino. The conference created exclusively for teachers, Thursday September 20 will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities for students and teachers will run from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the remaining days of the conference.
Students will learn first hand from tribal members, elders, historians and academics from all over the state about the history, culture, traditions and experience of California’s Native American Tribes. Elementary school students will attend demonstrations and will partake in traditional California Indian song and dance; learn about basketry and pottery; listen to Indian storytelling; and discover and taste Native American foods.
By attending the event, students will be exposed to the culture and history of California Native Americans., which meet some of the criteria outlined in the History - Social Science Content Standards for California Public Schools. Students and teachers will also receive informational materials and resources on California Native Americans.
Thanks to the support of the San Manuel Tribal Unity and Cultural Awareness Committee, Cal State San Bernardino, the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, and the San Bernardino City Superintendent, this event is completely free. However, schools will need to provide transportation to and from the campus.
We encourage all students to bring a sack lunch. Water will be provided. While event staff members will be on hand to assist, schools will need to bring their own chaperones.
Due to the tremendous response we have received over the past five years, we strongly encourage you to register as soon as possible, as space is limited and reservations are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. The registration deadline is Friday, September 10.
To sign up please contact:
Daniel Seidman, district Title VII program coordinator, at 909-881-8220.
Tamara Holder, Santos Manuel Student Union CSUSB, at 909-537-7204
We hope you are able to share in the California Native American Day experience!
Respectfully,
James Ramos
Project Director
Haminat is the traditional way of saying hello in the Serrano language.