Article and photos provided by Kris Stanley, Project Coordinator at Vision Maker Media
Sycuan is only one of many bands of Native communities we were visiting grouped under the name Kumeyaay, but who originally identify as Ipai, Tipai and Kamia. We also ventured north into some southern Luiseño (Payómkawichum) lands. It was an ambitious schedule, visiting multiple communities each day. I was struck by the beauty of the area, with its rolling hills riddled everywhere with large stones, fertile with cactus, white sage, and orchards of orange and lemon and avocado trees.
Vision Maker Media’s Projects Team was visiting Southern California both to coincide with the Tribal Child Care Association of California’s quarterly conference, and to introduce ourselves to tribal communities in the area to inform them about our organization and let them know about the educational resources and programs we have available at VMM. Beyond our desire to connect tribal education and cultural centers to our existing resources, we wanted to listen and hear what the community needs and concerns were with connecting and positively engaging Native youth within their community. Some of the conversations we had were brief, some wanted to schedule a more formal follow-up with their tribal council, and some were ready to hit the ground running with collaborations surrounding our Native Youth Media Project.
The trip culminated with a lovely reception dinner for the closing of the TCCAC quarterly meeting where we were invited to more formally present our vision for collaboration and support of Native youth by strengthening storytelling skills through media making. By the end of the evening, we had been able to connect with many people, witness some beautiful singing and dance, and even leave with a few stunning pieces from the silent auction. A successful trip by all accounts, and we’re looking forward to our future collaborations with Southern California Native communities.
Walt is Oglala Lakota and created the logo for Urban Rez. He is Creative Director, owner of Nakota Designs Advertising Designs and Graphics. Executive Director of the Stronghold Society nonprofit dedicated to instilling hope and supporting youth movements through Live Life Call To Action Campaigns.
Lynn Palmanteer-Holder, an Indigenous plateau woman of North Central Washington and member of eight of twelve Tribes of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Lynn recently retired as inaugural Director of Tribal Government Affairs for Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, the state’s oversight agency of 34 CTCs. She is a highly accomplished professional that spans over 40 years. She is an experienced educator that has a demonstrated history across K12, post-secondary & higher education as a teacher, school counselor, superintendent, researcher, and professor. Also, she has diverse experience as an entrepreneur, Tribal leader and administrator. She is skilled in curriculum and program development, facilitating government to government relationships that led to formal partnerships between state institutions and Tribes developing custom programs. Lynn has served on many boards and has been recognized for various statewide, and national awards. She has several scholarly publications and has done various conference presentations and speaking engagements, at the local, national and international level. Lynn holds a Ph.C. (ABD) in Social Welfare Policy from University of Washington. She earned her M.Ed., with a concentration in counseling psychology from Washington State University and B.Ed., in K12 Education from Eastern Washington University. Lynn is a wife of 49 years, a mother of three adult professional children, granny of 10 and great granny to two. Lynn and her husband are high school sweethearts, and together enjoy time with their 15+ two-legged blessings.
