Native American Heritage Month Closing Ceremony

Publish Date: Jan. 11, 2022

On November 29,Assemblymember James Ramos, a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, hosted a virtual closing ceremony in celebration of Native American History Month at Crafton Hills College.

Ramos began the event with traditional songs he learned as a child from tribal elders Ernest Siva and Robert Levi. Ramos shared with the group that California’s first people did not use drums, as most people mistakenly believe, but gourd rattles.

Ramos spoke of the importance in handing down traditional songs and stories. “What sets us apart is our culture,” declared Ramos. He conveyed that it is the voices of his ancestors that help him tell the true story of their contributions. “It’s important for our community to know that the tribes dug the ditches that brought water to the area. That water was used for agriculture,” Ramos recalls.

Teaching American Indian culture is always on the forefront of Ramos’ agenda as he explained a bill he recently introduced in the California Assembly (AB 1554) calling for the teaching of Native American history and culture in K-12 education to increase knowledge about the state’s tribes and their impacts on California. This passion is not new. In fact, for the past fifteen years, Ramos has partnered with Crafton Hills College to host the Wa‘at event, where third and fourth-graders from the local school districts come to the college to see the native dress and hear the songs of Native American Heritage Month Closing Ceremony Native Americans.

He shared the beliefs his grandmother instilled in him throughout his life, stating that there are“three components they can’t take away from you – culture, spirituality, education.” Ramos is dedicated to breaking down stereotypes and misconceptions and instead focusing on the true impact of the Native American people in our history. Ramos spoke of barriers to success stemming from poverty and inadequate education. These topics are especially important in our area as California has more tribes and the highest number of Native Americans of any other state.

Ramos spoke about his other priorities as an elected official which include mental health resources, services for veterans, repatriation, and addressing Native American unsolved crimes. Ramos ended his presentation reminding Crafton attendees that it is important that we speak up for everyone and become ambassadors for California’s first people.