Pala Life Past and Present

Episode 38 Sam Reed Interview and the story of Kisily Pewick

In this episode, I introduce some Cupeno culture.  The story of Kisily Pewick is told by Rosenda Nolasquez in the beautiful Pa'enaxily language, the language of the People from Cupa.  My interview with Sam Reed, an elder from the Rincon Reservation.  He talks about going to school in the 30's at Sherman Institute in Riverside, California.  There is also a song "Chemesh Ataxem Kuupangax"  sung by Paul Miranda.  Sam Reed went to school with my father, so this show was a pleasure to put together!

Episode 13 Conversation with Donald Jameson

In this episode, I share a conversation that I had with Donald Jameson, an elder that lived on the Rincon Indian Reservation.  He talks about growing up on the Reservation.  I also shared some words in Pa'enaxily, the language of the people of Cupa.  The song is provided by the Inter-tribal bird singers.  It is a song that was recorded at the 99th birthday party for Bernyce Ponchetti.  Mr. Donald Jameson was a perfect interview. he loved to speak and he had a very interesting life.

Episode 39 Conversation with Ruben Silvas Jr and Family

In this show I had the opportunity to visit with the Silvas Family.  Ruben Silvas Jr received an Athletic scholarship to the University of Alaska, Fairbanks for basketball.  I played basketball, like a lot of us, on the reservation.  I played some with Ruben's grandfather and I have seen the athletic development of this young man.  In this show I speak with three generations of ball players.  However my first conversation is with my Comadre Lilly, Ruben's grandmother, followed by the ball players and Ruben's Coach from the University.  I finish the show with a song from the Inter Tribal Bird Singers.

Pala Life Past and Present Episode 38 with Billy Mills

In this episode there is a the story "Coyote and the Flood" as told by Rosenda Nolasques.  This story follows Coyote as he is escaping a flood and meets several animals on his escape.  There is also a song by the Inter Tribal Bird Singers that was recorded at the 99th birthday party of Bernyce Ponchetti.  This is followed by an interview with Billy Mills, the only American to win the 10,000 meter race in the Olympics he won in 1964.  He has been speaking to Native American youth for many years.  He spoke to our group back in 1981.  Now here I am asking him about the changes he has seen in the youth.  I also asked him about his new program "Dream Starter" which will be starting in November 2014.

Episode 37, "Reach Out and Read" with Dr. Daniel Calac and the Cupa Story, "The Fox and the Cat.

This episode of Pala Life Past and Present includes a conversation with Dr. Dan Calac and Tara Millbrand.  The program "Reach Out and Read" is discussed.  They talk about sharing the importance and joy of reading with children and why it is so important to the American Academy of Pediatrics.  I also include the Cupa story, "The Fox and the Cat" as told by Rosenda Nolasquez in Pa'enaxily(Cupeno Language).  This was recorded in 1962.  The Kupa song and Dance Group share the song "Kusaanem Chiip".

Episode 31, Coyote and the Flood

Welcome to Pala Life Past and Present, the story in this episode is called "Coyote and the Flood". This story is told by Rosenda Nolasquez in Pa'enaxily, the Traditional Language of the Kuupawicham (Cupeno People).  It is a story about the Coyote as he runs from the rising waters of a flood.  along the way he meets many animals Waxachily (frog), sisqengily (stinkbug), mulyak (lizard), waxachily ekuliy (little frog), waxachily ayanish, (big frog) and mukikmalim (birds).  It is a great story so check it out. 
I also had a conversation with the leader of the "Kupa Song and Dance Group" that would like to share in this episode. She tells stories of the songs and people that have been involved in the group.
I will share songs from Paul Miranda, Kupa Song and Dance Group and also the Inter-tribal Birdsingers.  I am very happy with this episode and I hope you enjoy this effort in bringing this to you.

Episode 30, a Creation Story, The Mission Riders Come to Pala

Miyaxwe (Hello), in this episode I have the opportunity to share one of the Creation Stories as told by Rosenda Nolasquez. This recording was made in the early 60's. That is 1960's.  So sit back and enjoy one of the creation stories as told in Pa'enaxily (Cupeno Language).  Then I would like to share a couple of songs from the "Kupa Song and Dance Group."  They will Sing Alwet Qe Qe Wash (Crow has a beak)  and Kusaanem Chiip (Juncoes). I will then finish it up by sharing a conversation with Leslie Downer, one of the founders of the Mission Riders. A Group that is on the verge of completing a 2 year endeavor of riding into all 21 original California Missions on horseback. I know you will enjoy this.

Episode 28, The Story of leaving warner's and conversation with Paul Miranda

Rosenda Nolasquez tells the first part of the stories about leaving Warner’s Hot Springs.  The recording is not the best.  It is one of the first recordings that she did.  You can follow along in the book “Mulu Wetam”.  It starts on page 42.  She tells of the journey to the Pala Indian Reservation.  She also talks about going by train to Sherman and then taking a second train that was different than the first train.  She says they called it a streetcar.  That is where she learned English. Listen to the story as she tells it in the beautiful language of Pa’enaxily (Cupeño Language). 

The show starts out with a song from the Inter-tribal Bird-singers.  I recorded this song at Bernyce Ponchetti’s 99^th Birthday Party.

The last part of the show is a conversation with Paul Miranda.  We discuss his journey into the Peon Game.  How he started out and how he ended up running the games the Cupa Days Fiesta and the Pala Pow Wow.

Episode 24, Coyote and the Wolf, Interview with Kurt Bros

Rosenda Nolasquez tells the story “Coyote and the Wolf”.  The story is appropriate for the interview that follows.  During the story, coyote goes hunting and meets several animals on the way.  If you have a copy of “Mulu Wetam”, the story is on page 136, in the section titled “We Tell Animal Stories”.  Inter-Tribal Birdsingers sing a song before the interview.  Kurt Bros from the Pala Tribal Environmental Protection Agency discusses his job as the Tribal Wildlife Biologist.  In his job he observes and monitors local wildlife as he does his part to establish a general wildlife plan.  So in both the story and Kurt Broz’ job they see several animals.  Enjoy the episode!

Episode 26, "The Story of Kisily Pewick" and "Interview with Skye McMicheal"

I have the honor of presenting the story of Kisily Pewick as told by Rosenda Nolasquez.  Kisily Pewick was born in Cupa. His mother took him away to another village after a war in which the entire Cupa village was killed.  He was just a baby.  At the other village he was bigger and stronger than the other kids.  He also proved to be a better hunter.  After several years his mother told him who he was and where he came from.  The clip that I picked from the story is where Kisily Pewick’s kids are named.  There is Kaval, Blacktooth(Pe’tama Tulnikish) and Norte. The story appears in the book “Mulu Wetam” and starts on page 35.  After the story, there is a Birdsong by the Inter-Tribal Bird-singers.  The show will conclude with the second part of a conversation with Skye McMicheal as he discusses the importance of the “Drum” at a Powwow.  He also speaks about the uniqueness of Pala’s Sixth Annual “Honoring Traditions” Powwow.