Indian Voices • June 2009
7
A Native American Voice: Julian Mendoza
An Open Letter to
by Bobby Glanton Smith
America – the debilitating affects of low land, brown people can then apply the
the Community from
self-esteem that is rooted in cultural principles of the responsibility of self-
While awaiting clearance to enter the
ignorance.
determination to their everyday lives.
Jane Dumas
Afflerbaugh Juvenile Detention Center in
For nearly 17 years Julian has taught
Also, it is important to speak about the
La Verne, California (Los Angeles
the Amer-I-Can Life Management Skills
real problems, not the imagined ones; To all of my dear friends and sup-
County), Julian Mendoza, also known as
curriculum to wayward youngsters at
that is, we have a much greater problem
porters. I would like to reach out to
‘Xocoyotzin,’ exchanged pleasantries
various juvenile camps in Los Angeles
with self-esteem than we do with race.
each and every one of you to express
with a fellow ‘Mexica’ (which emanates
County. Increasingly, the faces are more
Once we deal with low self-esteem by
my deep appreciation and gratitude
from the Native American dialect of Na-
brown than black or white. Sadly, the
embracing our real ancestry, we can
Wat). Both men were at the facility to brown faces have little, if any, historical
solve many of our social and economic
provide social services to incarcerated perspective and thusly behave in a man-
problems by applying the Amer-I-Can
youth ages 16 to 18. Julian is a ner that is consistent with the tendencies
Facilitator of the Amer-I-Can Program
Life Management Skills methodology.”
of a people mired in a self-esteem
(founded in 1988 by legendary NFL Hall
The Amer-I-Can Life Management
malaise.
of Fame football player, Jim Brown) and “One of the enduring lesions I’ve
Skills curriculum is a 15 Chapter, 60-90
the other gentleman worked for the learned from the Amer-I-Can curriculum
hour course of instruction that is taught
County of Los Angeles. In the span of is the relationship between the decision-
in colleges, high schools, middle
their conversation the subject of ancestry making process and self-esteem. If a
schools, correctional facilities and com-
and language was discussed; the social person has low self-esteem it is most
munity facilities. The curriculum
worker from the county learned from likely they make poor decisions,” Julian
addresses 9 critical areas: 1) motivation,
Julian that speaking Spanish and having proclaims. “Once brown people discov-
habits and attitudes; 2) goal setting; 3)
Spanish surnames conflicted with the er their true identity as Native
effective communication; 4) problem
ancestral facts. More importantly, the Americans, it is much easier to introduce
solving and decision making; 5) emo-
social worker left the exchange with a them to life management skills; once tional control; 6) family relationships; 7)
newfound appreciation of the real prob- they learn that they are not second class job search and retention; 8) financial sta-
lem facing brown people in North citizens, that America is their ancestral bility; 9) drug and alcohol abuse.
for the outpouring of prayers, kind-
ness and support that I recently
One Man’s Journey
Seminole Tribe.
This was the key to Phil Fixico’s per-
received from you.
Although time has allowed for
sonal journey.
healing the recent path through life
Born in Central Los Angeles, Phil to his inner self. He learned that he is a Seminole
without my daughter, Daleane has
Fixico moved with his family to Watts, It was this thirst for self actualization Maroon Descendant.
not been easy.
where he grew up during times of social that turned him toward the study of the
The Smithsonian Institute has
I deeply appreciate all of the kind
unrest and turbulence in history of slavery. Ultimately
arranged with Dr. Kevin Mulroy and Phil
thoughts and prayers that have guid-
that city. the knowledge that he
Fixico a traveling exhibit entitled:
ed and continue to guide me through
Phil had a restless spirit acquired led him to form an
“Indivisible”, contemporary example
a tough journey, filled with dreams,
that longed to find answers alliance with Kevin Mulroy,
of Seminole Maroonage
tears and memories.
to his heritage which fami- PhD., the world’s leading
The show discusses African-Native More than ever I am drawn to the
ly legend told him was expert on Seminole Maroons
Americans and what happened when life view that lived through my
Seminole. and a Smithsonian Institute
Africans came into contact with indige- daughter ... the Spirit considers all
He sought to find the Researcher.
things sacred, we are all One, all con-
connection to his place in He learned that after the
nous people in the Americas. The
nected to each other.
the world. Revolutionary War and the
Africans were mostly enslaved and the
Your prayers have accompanied
He found escape in formation of the United
Aborigines were definitely oppressed.
me on this passage and I have drawn
music and tried jazz States, Florida remained
This combination has aptly been
strength and comfort from your
singing. He became a Spanish territory. Since Spain
described as: “The First and the Forced”.
hearts.
member of the Watts could only commit token
The exhibit will be placed on panels and
I look forward to tomorrow to
Community Choir. This occupational forces to protect
shipped from venue to venue over the
walk with you in strength in our-
led him to more artistic disciplines, tak- her interests due to the Napoleonic wars next few years. It will explore a variety of
selves, our relationships with our
ing up acting classes at the Inner City at home, she offered freedom to blacks ethnic pairings throughout the
families, communities, nations and
Cultural Institute. fleeing their northern captors and land to Caribbean, Central America, Northern
the Earth itself.
Although he found these outlets to be indigenous people fleeing oppressive
South America and the United States.
With deep appreciation,
momentarily fulfilling he continued to tribal afflictions in the west. These two
More about Phil Wilkes Fixico in the
Aunt Jane
experience an emotional void in relation people came together to form the
next issue of Indian Voices.
Protecting Our Gift raffles, RAFFLES. Donations for the raf-
Continued from page 6 fle were provided by; A-1 Irrigation,
Carla Tourville
Harrah’s Casino, Pala Casino, Valley
shared information about rebate and View Casino, Santa Ysabel Casino and
Native Regalia
incentive programs for renewable energy. Resort, Janet Weeks, Warner’s Golf and
There was a coloring contest for the chil- Resort, Tierra20Miguel, Wild Animal
Custom Design
dren and prizes were awarded to all con- Park, Julian Pie Company, Valley Center
(Yokat Nation)
testants. Florist, NAEPC, Fresh and Easy, Ralph’s
Lunch was served by the La Jolla Grocery, and Juice It Up.
Volunteer Fire Department’s Ladies Those attending the La Jolla event
Auxiliary. Lunch was free, but many came away with an increased knowledge
858-279-4816
made donations to the hardworking La about protecting the environment and
Jolla Volunteer Fire Department. The our Mother Earth.
Kearny Mesa
good food was appreciated by all. Thank you everyone who helped
The highlight of the day was raffles, make this a great day!
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