'iipall time!

Haawka Everyone!
Memeyu temewa? How is everyone doing?
All of you have been doing such a 'ehan (great) job at TACKLE and with responding to this blog! We have done a lot these past couple of months and Shulluw Shuuluk is so proud of everyone for all your hard and creative trravaah (work)! With this being your last session before 'iipall (summer) starts, I would like you all tell me what has been your favorite activity that you have done so far at TACKLE.

"ehan trravaah !!

Blog Activity:
For Part 1:
1. Tell me what has been your favorite activity at TACKLE.
- Was it the ice breaker games such as Indian Taco or working on the computers?
2. Why has it been your favorite activity?
3. What have you learn from the activity?
4. What activity would you like to do more for next time?


Summer is a time for you to relax and take a break from school but as well as a time for you to enjoy the 'enyaa (sun) and have achewkwirr (fun)!



For Part 2:
1. Tell me what 'iipall (summer) means to you?
2. What do you like to do during summer vacation?
3. What do you enjoy the most during summer?
4. Look for a picture online, draw a picture or write a poem about what summer means to you.


I hope everyone has a wonderful summer and don't forget all about Shuuluw Shuuluk, I am always here so remember to keep in touch! Have fun with this week's activity, I can't wait to read all your comments!
-Shuulluw Shuuluk

Tu cuk Story

"This is our homeland. This is the land of the Kumeyyay people. These songs were given to us because in an earlier time people were running around willy-nilly and not really paying attention to each other. They were not respecting each other. The creator took notice of this behavior and saw a need for a process to change the situation. He created a series of variation and sets of songs. Telling us, by example, different stories about different animals and different beings that are on this earth with us.

So, the Creator sent these songs with a very, very colorful beautiful bird. This bird, which is to bring the songs and also the dance that goes with it, is not quite what it appears to be. As it happened this bird messenger, with the gift from the Creator, is kind of a jealous person. He wanted to keep the songs and dances to himself.

Then, the Creator came down and told him that he has to give these gifts up. These gifts were not for him but for the people. The Creator told him, "You were sent here only to sing these songs and to show the people the dances. You will pass them out to all the people so the people could know what the correct way to behave like a true human being and not just run around treating each other with great indifference."So bird says, "OK. Fine, I'll do that." Creator went back home to his island just a short ways off the coast here. So, lo and behold this bird did the same thing again. He arrogantly said," I live here, Creator don't live here so I'm going to do what I want to do. I have no need to depend on anyone else and said "Well I'm going to keep these songs and if they want them than they're going to have to pay dearly for them."

So the Creator being what the Creator is, he knew about these ideas and plans and he came back and took away those beautiful colors and the beautiful plumage and the beautiful voice that this bird had.So, what came to be, is the bird we now recognize as the California crow. That is why today this bird can only squawk and why he is now only one color, dark. In today's society, we now come to another little bird. This little bird is humble, unassuming and very, very beautiful to this day. We call him Tu cuk in my language. Ashaw tu cuk. The Creator said to Tu cuk "You bring these songs to the people. I'll see that you will always be remembered."So, that bird immediately went to see the people and brought us these songs."

This is a 'aaknach (story) that shows the importance of Kumeyaay culture and how 'ashaa (birds) came to be the way they are today. The California crow was once greedy and did not respect others and lost his color and the ability to sing while the humming bird is one that brings people together with 'echaayaaw (songs). These songs are different stories about different animals and different beings that are on this earth with us. Telling us how to interact with each other in a way that is beneficial to ourselves as human beings but also telling us how to be beneficial to all living things. In Kumeyaay as I mentioned in last week's blog, nyechehaat (animals) are part of nature and are viewed to be very sacred and should be respected.

Here are a list of a few animals and what they symbolize in Kumeyaay culture.
'aashaa (Humming Bird) = something is going to happen and it is usually something good
hattepa (Coyote) = Seen as a trickster and can only be a bad sign if they are walking away from you and look at you over it's shoulder.
'u'uu (Owl) = messenger of the night and is a bad sign if it hoots four times only
nemully (Bear ) = gives strength and healing
'ihpaa (Eagle ) = give off spirituality because it flies close to the Creator
'ewii (Rattle Snake) = Guardian of the Earth, if you're good then the snakes won't bother you


As an activity for today's blog. I would like you to tell me:
1. What is your favorite kind of nyechehaat (animal)?
2. Why is this your favorite?
3. Describe what it looks and sounds like.
4. Would you ever want to be like this animal?
5. Search a picture online for the animal or draw a picture of it.

Last of all..remember to have fun with it! =)

Weekend Adventure

Haawka !!

Memeyu temewa? How is everyone doing? I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! This past weekend I got to go camping and do a lot of fun outdoor activities. I got to go hiking on a matetay (mountain) and fishing at a lake. I also got a chance to watch the sunset on the lake, it was so beautiful. I had so much fun on my mini adventure and it gave me a chance to enjoy nature. It made me think about how in today's modern world we often take for granted the simple things in life and don't really take the time to do more outdoor activities and to enjoy our natural environment. In Kumeyaay culture, nature which is everything from the nywchehaat (animals), chekwaa (plants) to the tuuhaat (trees) are viewed to be very important and is something that everyone should be connected to and respect.



Here's a picture of what I saw on my adventure!

I want to hear what everyone did this past weekend and if you all did anything that was really interesting. What do you like about nature? I also want to know what is you dream adventure and why? You can describe it to me, google or search an image online of it or draw a picture by hand and remember to have fun with it!

-Shuulluw Shuulluk

Mother's Day

Haawka Everyone!
I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day! Mother's Day is a special day that honors mothers across the world and looks at the great contributions that they make to society and how they greatly impact their children lives and those around them. I like to give my mother flowers, bake her a cake and give her a thoughtful card to show her how much she means to me.

As a blog activity for this week, I want you all to tell Shuulluw Shuuluk what did you do for your mother or someone who you very much consider as a mom for Mother's Day? You can draw a picture to show me what you did, write a poem or just comment me letting me know how everything went. You can also let me know why you view your mom as an important figure in your life and what she has done that has impacted it greatly. You can list an important memory that you have had with her and what makes her so special to you! I can't wait to hear all about everyone's weekend and what everyone did for their moms! =)

Shuulluw Shuuluk Origin Myth

In the beginning, after Maayehaa made the world and the Earth was the woman and the Sky was a man. Earth and Sky had a child that they named Shuulluw Shuuluk meaning thunder and lightening. Shuulluw Shuuluk was a very playful child, who liked to grab the clouds and push them together making a great big noise that shook the ground where the Kumeyaay people lived. The child’s joy was so immense that the Kumeyaay could see and hear Shuulluw Shuuluk while he/she was playing with the clouds that created big flashes of light. As Shuulluw Shulluk grew older he/she began to travel the world, never forgetting his game of pushing the clouds together. One day Shuulluw Shulluk mother, Earth, said to him/her, “You must watch over the Kumeyaay children as they grow, so they can speak to us and learn of our importance.” His/her father, Sky, agreed and said to Shuulluw Shuuluk, “You must answer their questions, even if you are off playing in different parts of the world.” Shuulluw Shuuluk agreed and now keeps both eyes and two ears open for letters from the Indian children.


Activity:
Shuulluw Shuuluk wants to get to know you. In your very first blog activity, you can write a letter by hand, draw a picture, or use the computer to mix a drawing with your letter to introduce yourself to Shuulluw Shuuluk. Ask him/her anything you would like to know about language or culture or the importance of the earth we live on. When you are finished, let the coordinators or one of the UG’s know so they can show you how to post it to Shuulluw Shuuluk. You can write to Shuulluw Shuuluk anytime you want to, even if you are at home, and you can talk to Shuulluw Shuuluk about anything you want. Shuulluw Shuuluk will respond to you as soon as he/she returns from his/her wanderings.