Click to Enlarge Anthony Pico Viejas Tribal Chairman with Shelly Minkley, Health Advisor for Indian Voices.

Anthony Pico brought to a close the May  Native American Lecture Series at the Viejas Tribal Hall with a powerful and thought provoking presentation that emphasized the critical issue of sovereignty and governmental authority in Indian territory.

The lecture series which was presented by the Viejas Education Center and Cross Cultural Studies Department of Grossmont college began with James Red Bear: San Diego chapter  President of AIM who spoke of the 70’s Day of Protest...AIM Today.

Fred Burrows: lectured on Native American spirituality and the Native American Church Virginia Christman, Viegas Tribal Council spoke of Women's Role e in tribal  Society and tribal Government.

Pico outlined the historical connection and necessity for tribes to pursue their sovereignty rights. He emphasized that he is looking forward to the day when students are taught the concept of state federal and tribal law.

A lively and animated question and answer period followed the discussion.Chairman Pico emphasized his desire to see the day that students are taught that there are three governments in this country, federal, state and tribal.

UCSD YOUNG NATIVE SCHOLARS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON  HEALTH, ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

Helping youngsters develop good diet and exercise habits early in life while exposing them to a wide range of academic pursuits – from Web page design to science career exploration – is the focus this summer of the Young Native Scholars Program at the University of California, San Diego.  The program is sponsoring a free two-week residential experience on the UCSD campus in August for 8th through 12th  grade

students  -- especially those of Native American heritage – from San Diego and Imperial Counties and across the state.

       Now in its third year at UCSD, the Young Native Scholars Program -- administered under the university’s Early Academic Outreach Program in Student Affairs with support from the Southern California Tribal Chairman’s Association -- is intended to provide Native American youths with information, skills and motivation necessary to pursue higher education, and to allow students to use knowledge learned through the program to enhance tribal life and culture at their Indian reservation locations.

      Applications are being accepted until June 20 for the program’s summer session which will be held August 10-23. The program has vacancies for 24 students. Students will earn up to 6 units of college credit for their participation, and must have at least a 2.5 grade point average to apply.

       Youngsters will live on campus at UCSD while participating in a host of health/wellness and academic enrichment activities, including: daily regimens of low impact yoga, karate, hiking, and kayaking/surfing on the ocean, in addition to classes in digital video production, radio broadcasting, website design, science career exploration at

         UCSD’s School of Medicine and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Also included will be special instruction in aspects of Native American culture, such as tribal law and sovereignty, insight into the traditional use of herbs for health maintenance among Native Americans, natural diet of Native ancestors, tribal values, and Native history.

       "In essence, this summer’s program will address a wide gamut of areas dealing with the physical, mental and spiritual well being of Native American students," says Marc Chavez, coordinator of the Native Scholars Program. Health and nutrition needs are especially top concerns among Native Americans today, he adds, with diabetes and obesity being particularly high among the Native population.  "Increasing awareness and interest among Native youth in developing good diet and exercise habits early is just as important as instilling in them the necessity of pursuing an education – both help create and sustain a sense well being and self-pride which serve students well throughout life."

       In addition, exposure to various health professions and practitioners this summer through the Young Native Scholars Program will offer students career insight into health and medical fields they can consider pursuing to assist their own communities, Chavez also emphasizes.

       "We are especially appreciative of the support we have gotten from Native American tribes in the area, including the Barona Tribe which was the first to offer financial assistance to our program," says Chavez.

       For more information on the Young Native Scholars Program and how to apply this summer, visit the program’s website:  www.NativeScholars.org.  You may also contact Shonta Chaloux at the Southern California Tribal Chairman’s Association, (760) 751-7676, ext. 101, or Marc Chavez, program coordinator, mchavez@ucsd.edu .

       The program’s summer schedule will conclude with a live satellite broadcast from UCSD which will link program participants with youths from other Native American reservations and communities from across the country, allowing them to discuss common issues and topics.