Indian students learning to lead their reservations

By: ADRIENNE A. AGUIRRE - Staff Writer | Friday, July 22, 2005 11:23 PM PDT ∞

PALA INDIAN RESERVATION ---- American Indian students are being prepped this summer to be the next generation of reservation leaders.

Twenty-three high school and undergraduate students from throughout the Southwest have gathered in San Diego to participate in a tribal-run and supported project called Young Native Scholars. For the last five years, the academic program has exposed youths to college and careers in science, tribal government, anthropology, education and other professions needed on Indian reservations.

Less than 1 percent of American Indians are college-educated, leaving tribes reliant on outsiders to help manage their lands and natural resources, according to American Indian experts.

Over a two-week period that began July 16, the 23 students live on and study at partnering universities and reservations throughout the county.

On Friday, students toured the Pala Indian Reservation, which is home to more than 600 of the Luiseno, Diegueno and Cupeno people. The reservation is by Highway 76, six miles east of Interstate 15.

At the Cupa Cultural Center on the reservation, the students learned that in May 1903, a wealthy landlord forced the Cupeno people off their land in Warner Springs, 40 miles east to Pala.

The 1816 Mission San Antonio de Pala was a gathering place for the three groups and is now the only original California mission with a predominately Indian congregation.

Marc Chavez, program director, said at Pala the students can see the relationship between the reservation and the mission.

"They're visiting a real Indian cultural center," he said. "And of all the reservations we visited on our tour, this is the only one that has a mission."

Pala, which is Cupeno for water, was named after what was once the reservation's life source. At the mission, Franciscan Sister Barbara Jackson explained to the students that local governments diverted the San Luis Rey River to Escondido and Vista less than 50 years ago.

Jackson referred to a recent litigation to regain tribal water to illustrate the importance of gaining power.

"Get into leadership and run your tribe," she said. "That's what they need."

On the mission's grounds stands an old chapel with original Indian paintings, the original Luiseno and Cupeno cemeteries, a hand-carved 17th-century crucifix, bell tower and the first county jail.

After the foot tour of the mission, the students hopped on a small bus for a trip through Pala. In just a few minutes, the students could see the remnants of the beginning and the future of the 11,500-acre reservation.

The first two-room house, built in 1903, still stands among new multiroom modern homes. Pala anthropologist Shasta Gaughen said that unlike other reservations where homes are spread out, the cluster of homes on Pala is part of the village lifestyle carried on by the people there.

From the meager house, the students viewed development at the reservation as they passed a fire station, tennis courts, hotel and casino, Wells Fargo Bank and a future recreation center.

Letisha Yazzie, 15, is a Navajo Indian from New Mexico. She said she was surprised by the winding roads through the San Diego reservations and that other American Indians weren't wearing turquoise.

Letisha said where she comes from, everyone wears a piece of the gemstone as a bracelet, belt or necklace like she wore.

"It's interesting; I'm learning a lot about the California Indians," she said. "It's different than where I live. ... the land ... the people."

The students also learn about their commonalities.

"We both make baskets," Letisha said. "And we use feathers the same."

Brian Mackay, 15, is a Tohono O'odham Indian from southern Arizona. He lives in Long Beach now and said the program helps him reconnect with his culture and people.

"I'm really glad I did this because it's really got me in touch with the earth, my roots and reminds me of who I am," he said. "Everything in the U.S. was once all ours, but it was divided up to different tribes. (The camp) brings everybody back together."