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.