Four Directions of Wellness for Native American Heritage Month

Traditional Native American music filled the halls of the Orton Center at the University of Redlands on Nov. 13, as community members gathered in honor of November being Native American Heritage Month . The Department of Behavioral Health’s Native American Awareness Committee, in collaboration with the Native American Resource Center and the University of Redlands Native Student Program, hosted the fifth annual Native American celebration. Behavioral Health Director Casonya Thomas welcomed the crowd and explained the significance of this year’s celebration. “The theme for this year’s event is 'Four Directions of Wellness' and it was selected to focus on emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health when working with Native American and Alaskan native community members in recovery from mental illness and substance abuse disorders,” said Thomas. Shortly after the welcoming ceremony, Ernest Siva, tribal historian and cultural advisor for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, took the stage as keynote speaker. Siva discussed the diverse traditions and cultures of Southern California Indian tribes, such as the Serrano and the Cahuilla. According to San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor James Ramos, Redlands and some of its surrounding cities, such as Grand Terrace, are located on traditional Serrano territory. Shortly after Siva’s keynote speech, visitors were invited to attend various workshops on-site, intended to improve mental, physical, spiritual or emotional wellness through education and demonstration. At an emotional wellness workshop, for example, attendees participated in an arts and crafts activity where they designed a medicine wheel necklace. According to Valerie Dobesh of the Native American Resource Center, the medicine wheel represents the four seasons and the four points of direction. Furthermore, Dobesh explained that this particular workshop intended to guide participants to find balance in their emotional health through artistic creativity. As the workshops came to an end, lunch was served. Throughout the lunch, members of the Native American Resource Center performed and explained the meaning behind various traditional Native American songs and dances. After lunch, attendees were invited to participate in remaining workshops before the event came to a close. [END] Native American Heritage Month Celebration Wednesday, November 13, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. University of Redlands — Orton Center, 1200 Colton Ave., Redlands, CA 92373 Press Release: NEWS For more information, contact Imo Momoh, Cultural Competency Officer Department of Behavioral Health 909-252-4047 imomoh@dbh.sbcounty.gov Native American Heritage Month Celebration WHO: All county departments, community and faith based organizations, and community members interested in celebrating National Native American Heritage Month. Native American Heritage Month is celebrated Nov. 1-30. WHAT: The Department of Behavioral Health, Office of Cultural Competence and Ethnic Services-Native American Awareness Committee, in partnership with the Native American Resource Center and the Riverside San Bernardino County Indian Health, Inc., invite you to attend the Native American Heritage Month Celebration. The event will include an informational presentation from Ernest Siva - Morongo Band of Mission Indians Tribal Historian and Cultural Advisor. The event will also include cultural dancing, craft activities, entertainment and food. WHY: The purpose of the celebration is to further our understanding of different cultures through education and collaboration and to promote mental health awareness, as well as to remember and recognize the many accomplishments and contributions of Native Americans to our Nation. When: Nov. 13, 2013 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Where: University of Redlands — Orton Center, 1200 Colton Ave., Redlands, CA 92373 Contact: For additional information, questions, or interpretation/translation needs, contact Jaime Gonzalez at (909) 252-4003 or 711 for TTY users. ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Traditional Native American music filled the halls of the Orton Center as community members gathered in honor of Native American Heritage month. On November thirteenth, The Department of Behavioral Health’s Native American Awareness Committee in collaboration with the Native American Resource Center and the University of Redlands Native Student Program hosted the fifth annual Native American celebration at the University of Redlands. Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Casonya Thomas welcomed the crowd and explained the significance of this year’s celebration. “The theme for this year’s event is “Four Directions of Wellness” and it was selected to focus on emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health when working with Native American and Alaskan native community members in recovery from mental illness and substance abuse disorders,” said Thomas. Shortly after the welcoming ceremony, tribal historian and cultural advisor for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians Ernest Siva took the stage as keynote speaker. Siva discussed the diverse traditions and cultures of Southern California Indian tribes such as the Serrano and the Cahuilla. According to Third District Supervisor of the County Government Center James Ramos, Redlands and some of its surrounding cities such as Grand Terrace are located on traditional Serrano territory. Shortly after Siva’s keynote speech, attendees were invited to attend various workshops scattered throughout the Orton Center. These workshops were intended to improve mental, physical, spiritual or emotional wellness through education and demonstration. For example, during the emotional wellness workshop attendees participated in an arts and crafts activity and designed their own medicine wheel necklace. According to Valerie Dobesh of the Native American Resource Center, the medicine wheel represents the four seasons and the four points of direction. Furthermore, Dobesh explained that this particular workshop intended to guide participants to find balance in their emotional health through artistic creativity. As the workshops came to an end Lunch was served. Throughout the lunch, members of the Native American Resource Center performed and explained the meaning behind various traditional Native American songs and dances. After lunch Attendees were allowed to participate in any remaining workshops before leaving.