November Nights SE Dance Workshop
By John Hood/Roy Cook
We hope you enjoy the images of the emerging transformation of our enthusiastic
Soaring Eagle dancers from the November 12th Soaring Eagle Dance workshop
at the SDUSD Ballard center in Old Town San Diego. We recognize and thank
John Hood for his observations and written account of this past Soaring
Eagle workshop.
The American Indian "Soaring Eagles Dance Troupe" gathered sparingly but cohesively for the dance session. Our singers and the drum staged songs for the dancers. Jennifer Garcia and family provided pasta dinner for Eagles' families, their second dinner, for those that needed additional servings. Dinner, food and company is the ensemble for gatherings where pleasantries and friendship is devoured for laughter or concerns. Our small community is compelled to engage in cultural traditions with songs and dances for the children, very therapeutic stroking for their academics and social disposition. The younger the children…patience is applied to distill conformity and process; community nurturing is their gift as they progress toward understanding and purpose. Yet young to grasp acculturation but their visual acuity becomes a learned habit and protocols established to have respect and tolerance.
The beauty is when
they enter the Pow Wow arenas and a joy to watch; they've embellish our
guidances and pride soars for our children. The dance sessions does produce
effective and positive visibility for our culture as they preform in various
venues; notably during a renowned Spiritual Leader visit to San Diego,
our Eagles preformed for the Dali Lama a few years back.
This
week we remembered our Veterans; their sacrificial commitment to defend
the Homeland; freedom is never free, a thousands lives took pride and
honor so we can walk this beauty land. Our veterans are the essence of
our culture; American Indians implemented songs and dances to shelter
their warriors for their utmost devotion to protect and preserve their
land and culture. They given the honor to start the Pow Wows with Gourd
Dancing in all our Pow Wows; a powerful vision of patriotism and acknowledgement
of their presence.
The
flight of our Soaring Eagles will someday follow the paths of of our warriors;
have leadership values in all avenues of society, corporate industries,
businesses, science and technology, etc. They will look back and remember
the past; gather wisdom and knowledge as they continue their journey;
in the Circle of Life. The songs and dances will be in the wind as the
sun light pours down; on every door for acceptance.
Mr. Randy Edmonds graced us with his presence and his wife Bonnie, Vickie Gambala in lighter spirit, John Hood anointed for the invocation, "TheDrum" had visitors coming in from the hallway with interest while the dance sessions proceeded with intense desires.
The Ballard Center location is in Old Town: San Diego Unified School District, SDUSD at Ballard Parent Center 2375 Congress St. San Diego, CA 92110.
For more information regarding the SOARING EAGLES please contact:
Vickie Gambala 619-266-2887 vickiegambala@gmail.com
Jennifer Garcia 619-540-4688 mariposa2172@yahoo.com
Carla Tourville 619-743-9847 carlatourville@yahoo.com
This Soaring Eagle
dance workshop continues to encourage the continuity of our tribal cultures
and is bound up in the wisdom lessons of traditional life. This month
of November is the National recognition of Native American month. It is
also a good time to review dance regalia and adjust for growth or wear
in anticipation of the next pow wow season. All my relations, aho.