Kumiai Camp 2021 for Children of Juntas de Neji
Donativo protegido
Dear Friends,
Auka, may the light be with you, is the customary greeting of the Kumiai people.
Every spring and summer for the last four years the Kumiai children of Juntas de Neji in Baja, California, have gathered at the ranch of grandmother Yolanda Meza to learn their language and traditions. Yolanda is one of the few remaining Kumiai speakers. With the support of her elder sister and Kumiai poet Emilia Meza she is passing on the language, customs, and identity to the next generation.
During the week the children have learned the names of animals, foods, colors, local plants, and more—as well as listened to and acted out traditional stories around the campfire, learned songs, and learned to make willow baskets. All these activities have been part of Kumiai life for centuries. In between planned activities they play under the beautiful oaks and on the giant rocks, a freedom few children have the privilege to enjoy. Volunteers have supported the camp with mini workshops in pottery, mathematics, art and even astronomy.
Until now, this week-long Kumiai camp has been supported by grants from generous doctoral students interested in the preservation of the language and culture. However this year these funding sources are no longer available. The plans for this year’s July camp are well underway, but we need your support. We are planning to bring traditional singers and traditional games from a nearby community this year and will need funds for transportation. This and the cost of nutritious food for children and volunteers, including cooking gas, ice, and miscellaneous kitchen and school supplies is about $50 per child. We are expecting at least 16 children but there are more that would like to come.
Please help to make this year’s camp a reality. These children are the true heirs of the land where we live. The Kumiai have lived on and protected it for thousands of years. The families do not have the resources to provide this experience for the children themselves but all agree it is important to the healthy development of their children. For all of us the preservation of this beautiful language is important to the richness and diversity of our lives.
Contributions can be earmarked “Kumiai Camp” and sent to Cathie DeWeese Parkinson, 710 E San Ysidro Blvd, #836, San Ysidro, CA 92173.
Ojaii—gracias—thank you,
Cathie DeWeese-Parkinson, Assistant to Yolanda Meza
Auka, may the light be with you, is the customary greeting of the Kumiai people.
Every spring and summer for the last four years the Kumiai children of Juntas de Neji in Baja, California, have gathered at the ranch of grandmother Yolanda Meza to learn their language and traditions. Yolanda is one of the few remaining Kumiai speakers. With the support of her elder sister and Kumiai poet Emilia Meza she is passing on the language, customs, and identity to the next generation.
During the week the children have learned the names of animals, foods, colors, local plants, and more—as well as listened to and acted out traditional stories around the campfire, learned songs, and learned to make willow baskets. All these activities have been part of Kumiai life for centuries. In between planned activities they play under the beautiful oaks and on the giant rocks, a freedom few children have the privilege to enjoy. Volunteers have supported the camp with mini workshops in pottery, mathematics, art and even astronomy.
Until now, this week-long Kumiai camp has been supported by grants from generous doctoral students interested in the preservation of the language and culture. However this year these funding sources are no longer available. The plans for this year’s July camp are well underway, but we need your support. We are planning to bring traditional singers and traditional games from a nearby community this year and will need funds for transportation. This and the cost of nutritious food for children and volunteers, including cooking gas, ice, and miscellaneous kitchen and school supplies is about $50 per child. We are expecting at least 16 children but there are more that would like to come.
Please help to make this year’s camp a reality. These children are the true heirs of the land where we live. The Kumiai have lived on and protected it for thousands of years. The families do not have the resources to provide this experience for the children themselves but all agree it is important to the healthy development of their children. For all of us the preservation of this beautiful language is important to the richness and diversity of our lives.
Contributions can be earmarked “Kumiai Camp” and sent to Cathie DeWeese Parkinson, 710 E San Ysidro Blvd, #836, San Ysidro, CA 92173.
Ojaii—gracias—thank you,
Cathie DeWeese-Parkinson, Assistant to Yolanda Meza
Organizador y beneficiario
Kumiai Campamento
Organizador
Chula Vista, CA
Catherine S DeWeese Parkinson
Beneficiario