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Honoring of the Elders Gathering Canceled

by Santa Cruz News
The organizers of the Honoring of the Elders Gathering, which has been held annually for over 30 years, announced that this year's gathering at Mt. Madonna park has been canceled due to a lack of support from the Santa Clara County Park system. The Honoring of the Elders Gathering is an intertribal California cultural exchange; Indigenous dancers come from miles around to dance for the Elders in traditional regalia.
honoring_of_the_elders_gathering.jpg
The following message was left on the Honoring of the Elders Facebook page:


Good morning Relatives, we have some saddening news for our Gathering this year- please read the following from our Chairman- Jody Pando:

Dear Gathering Family,

I am writing to let you know that we, the TENA Council have decided to cancel this year’s gathering. This has been a very difficult decision, as it was several year’s back. Lack of commitment and support continues to hinder our efforts.

A prime example of this is the Santa Clara County Park. Last year we lost our biggest advocate in the park system to retirement. Senior Ranger John Heenan was always supportive in our efforts to continue the Honoring of the Elders Gathering there at Mt. Madonna Park. Now that he is gone, the clear message from the Santa Clara County Park system is that they don’t value our Native event or what it stands for. The annual permit that I am required to have before the event is a good example. The online reservation system states it takes 2- 4 weeks to process. After 9 months, and numerous calls and emails to the park, I have not received the reservation confirmation.

I decided to contact another awesome supporter, Rose Amador LeBeau who wanted to help, and introduced our concern to Santa Clara Supervisor Dave Cortese. Mr. Cortese promised to help and did offer to waive our fees. I was then instructed to send a fee waiver request letter to another county park official, which I did over two months ago and I still have not received our permit. Last year, it was not until the day of the Gathering that I was granted the permit.

After much prayer, I feel that my efforts are better spent focusing on taking this issue to a higher level. For the past few years I have been asking the Santa Clara County to make a resolution, stating that our Gathering has a “home” in Mt. Madonna Park annually, and that we would not have to follow the regular annual permit process, but be given “special event” status since we have been there for over 30 years.

I would like to thank those of you that have always shown your support and love for the Gathering.

Jody Pando
TENA Council Chairman


https://www.facebook.com/honoringoftheelders/posts/1340248932787389
§Update
by Honoring of the Elders
Dear Relatives,

We’d like to thank Rose Amador LeBeau, she again has contacted Supervisor Cortese who has made it so that as of this morning (March 19th 2018), we now have the permit and fees waived. We have been guaranteed waived fees for the next 3 years but we still are trying to get our gathering a permanent status there at Mt. Madonna so that we don’t have to go though this permit process again. Our hearts are happy to know that people understand how important this event is and are willing to do something about it. Thank you for that! Because of the overwhelming response to our post, we feel with your support we will be able to continue this year’s Gathering. However, this all depends on you.

The TENA Council volunteers to do traffic control and camp security at Stanford for Mother’s Day weekend in order to raise money for the Gathering and we certainly need volunteers. Volunteering at the largest pow-wow in Northern California, would entail standing for long periods of time to monitor parking and guiding people to open spaces as well as greeting guests who enter. There is also camp security which ensures the safety of the people by making sure there is no drinking or drugs during the event. If we have more volunteers, we can give people breaks as well as shorter shifts*. Volunteering with Stanford helps us by getting donations but even this isn’t enough.

We need to raise $2800 for the porta potties at the Gathering, including 16 porta potties, 4 handicapped bathrooms and at least 6 wash basins. We also accept food donations for the Elder, Dancer and Volunteer feed which is for breakfast and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. We try to do healthy meals but all is based on what is donated*. The other items we need are gifts for the 20 elders we will be honoring. Sandra Casares and Lubia Sanchez work on this throughout the year but cannot do it on their own. When you think of a gift to give, we ask that you think of what you would want to give your own grandma and grandpa*. Lastly, we need people to build the arbor and people to take it down on Sunday after the event. These needed items are the heart of what makes the Gathering function. Our wonderful council has been bringing in these things but as the years pass, it’s been difficult getting the help as we understand times are getting rough.

I know this Gathering has touched many lives and made wonderful memories throughout the years. Each and every one of us has contributed in some way; may it be helping someone put a tent, offering a cup of coffee, or helping the elders take their gifts after the honoring. We still need your help- this time we’re asking for a bit more. We wouldn’t be here without your support so if you can please sign up and give a donation or your time. We are forever grateful.

To all our relations, thank you.

*Details will come shortly with a sign-up sheet if interested- the deadline to respond will be April 15th, 2018.
§Event Listing and Gofundme Page
by Annual Honoring of the Elders Gathering
Event Listing

Annual Honoring of the Elders Gathering
June 1 – June 3
Mt. Madonna County Park
7850 Pole Line Rd, Gilroy, California 93401
https://www.facebook.com/events/209254466472072/


Gofundme

Honor Our Elders in 2018!
https://www.gofundme.com/HonorTheElders

The Honoring of the Elders Gathering is hosted by TENA Council of Santa Clara County. We are co hosted by Pajaro Indian Council of Watsonville.

What We Are About
The Honoring of the Elders Gathering is an intertribal California cultural exchange. The Honoring of the Elders is about family. We show the young ones that we honor and treasure our Grandparents, Aunties and Uncles who have taught us about family, our culture and our values.

Supporters
We are supported by our local Indian people, such as the Ohlone. Active participants include the American Indian Alliance, Patrick Orozco, Tribal Chairman and elder of the Pajaro Valley Ohlone Indian Council & Tony Cerda, Chairman of the Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Indian Tribe. Both Patrick and Tony have danced traditionally at the Gathering for almost as long as it has been in existence. They honor their ancestors, who have danced on the same land for centuries.

Dancers
Dancers come from miles around to dance for the Elders. They dance in traditional regalia. We do not have competition dancing.

General
The Gathering begins on Friday evening, ending on Sunday evening. Everyone is welcome, Indian and non-Indian people, alike. Everyone comes together to see old friends, or make new ones. People share traditional feasts, laugh and joke, or listen to the history and stories of the dance groups who come to share with the people. Guests are able to watch the little ones dance for the first time (also known as 'coming out'). This is a traditional way of dancers beginning their commitment to dance in the way of their ancestors. The exchange provides the opportunity for the community to understand the strength of sharing.

This is event is geared towards the family. People are welcome to come and camp.

We do not allow drinking or drugs.

Elders
The highlight of the Gathering is to honor our Elders. We have an innate respect for our elderly. They are the ones who teach us the ways of the ancestors. When we treat our elders with respect, we teach our children to treat others, including their elders, with respect. In this way, the cycle of tradition continues and the circle remains strong. On the third day of the Gathering, we call the Elders into the center of the arbor and honor them with songs and gifts.

Activities
Traditional Dancing
Indian Tacos
Craft Booths: Leather Crafts, Beadwork, Original Drawings/Paintings, Jewelry, Pottery and more
Native songs and dancing

Thank you for your support!
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