JeffCO Indian Education Speaks! Vol. 2 Cafe Cultura Community Speaks Project #49 Youth in Telling Our Stories Program
JeffCO Indian Education Speaks! Vol. 2 Copyright Š 2017 by Youth in Telling Our Stories Program All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author.
To the incredibly creative and caring students in our Spoken Word after-school program: You have the power to change the world! #CafeCultura #XpressYourself #TellingOurStories
Acknowledgments Thank you to the JeffCO Indian Education program staff for another opportunity work together in guiding students to find their voices. Special thank you to the young poets for inspiring us. Remember: “It is our responsibility and choice to express ourselves and lift our voice, together building unity, leaders in our community. This is how we tell our stooorrrryyyy!�
Foreword It was a privilege for Café Cultura to continue our partnership with JeffCO Indian Education at Edgewater Elementary. We used our “Telling Our Stories” curriculum to teach a poetry afterschool class. We enjoyed the uplifting energy students showed while they wrote and shared their stories. They created powerful poems that show a glimpse into their world. We look forward to staying connected, as they develop into the leaders we need. Enjoy and share their words! For those who do not know about our organization: Café Cultura is an award-winning arts, culture, and youth development organization in Denver that promotes unity and healing among Indigenous peoples through creative expression while empowering youth to find their voice, reclaim oral and written traditions, and become leaders in their communities. Café Cultura has been providing positive, creative, and engaging community spaces for the Denver metropolitan area for more than ten years. After the passing of respected elder and veteran poet Abelardo “Lalo” Delgado, we accepted responsibility to continue using our oral and written traditions to provide opportunities for creative expression often not offered in schools or in the larger community. Café Cultura also drew inspiration from the movement connecting Indigenous people from throughout the Americas. We use creative expression to unify people representing southern Indigenous nations, known by terms such as “Chicana/o” and “Latina/o,” with those Natives of northern nations, referred to as “American Indian” or “Native American.” Café Cultura hosts one of the best open mic venues in the Denver metropolitan area, and the only space focused on family and youth. We also conduct highly engaging and culturally relevant spoken word/poetry workshops for underserved youth through-
out Colorado. CafĂŠ Cultura partners with select organizations and schools to facilitate an intensive workshop series, publish youth poetry, and organize participant showcases. In an effort to develop young leaders within our community, we also coordinate a youth leadership program for Indigenous youth. If you or your organization is interested in collaborating, feel free to contact us. For more information about our open mic events, workshops, youth leadership program, and other programs: www.cafecultura.org info@cafecultura.org 720-460-9203
Table of Contents My Ancestors by Mariana .....................................................................1 Swim by Rinoa ........................................................................................4 My Power, My Culture by Metztli .......................................................5 Soccer by Teodoro .................................................................................7 Love and Energy by Elena....................................................................8 Draw My Future by Manola .................................................................9 My Power by Julia ............................................................................... 10 Just Try by Saiya .................................................................................. 13 My Warmth by Kayen ........................................................................ 14 Love, Do Not Hate by Raine ............................................................ 15 Life by Karina ...................................................................................... 17 Strength by Amelie.............................................................................. 18 Power and Success by Kamron ......................................................... 19 Pride and Strength by Laney ............................................................. 20 Our Power by Zachariah.................................................................... 22 Riding a Bike by Mariana ................................................................... 23 My Past, My Future by Rinoa ............................................................ 24 The Race in My Life by Metztli......................................................... 26 My Name, My Culture by Teodoro .................................................. 27 Life is a Challenge by Elena ............................................................... 28 I Come From by Manola ................................................................... 29 Karate by Julia ..................................................................................... 30 Memories and Love by Saiya ............................................................. 31
Life Is by Kayen ................................................................................... 32 Fall, But Still Try by Raine ................................................................. 33 Caring by Karina .................................................................................. 34
My Ancestors by Mariana I am spicy and steamy tamales. I come from my abuelita’s love and warmth. It makes me feel joyful and powerful. They connect me with my ancestors. I will always remember my ancestors, especially my abuelita. I will never forget the tamales’ journey. I am a tortilla my abuelita makes with love. Sometimes my abuelita burns me. It hurts but I make it. I love how she cooks with hope. I will always remember the generations of women in my family that made me. I will never forget how my abuelita cooked me with care. My abuelito made a lot of sacrifices. I come from his love and spirit. I will always remember how he cradled me in his arms with love. His grey hair shows his wisdom. I will never forget how I grew up with him telling me to never give up.
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I am the mountains. I come from my loving and caring people in Denver, Colorado. Sometimes I am super cold, but I am happy. I will always remember the people that came camping. I will never forget my tall and strong base. I am powerful and come from hope. I look in the mirror and see a strong, hopeful person. In my dreams, I imagine a person changing the world. I am amazing. I cry when somebody is hurt, but my friends makes me laugh. My love for my family and friends feels like hope. I am courageous. It is unfair that some people can be very mean. I feel angry when people hurt my friends. If I could change one thing, it would be that we all welcome everybody. I am caring. Yo soy interesante,
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y vengo de mi familia. En el espejo, veo una persona que va a cambiar el mundo. En mis sueĂąos, imagino todas las personas felices. Yo soy curiosa. Lloro cuando unas personas son malas con mi familia. Pero mis amigas me hace reir. Mi amor para mi familia y mis amigas sienten como el amor. Yo soy carinosa. Es injusto que algunas personas son malas. Me siento enojada cuando personas quieren daĂąar. Si pudiera cambiar una cosa, seria que todos esten feliz. Yo soy Mariana.
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Swim by Rinoa Dive and do not be afraid. It is kind of like life. As you swim deeper in the depths, you may need a breath of air. But do not worry, it will not keep you from your goal. As you keep going back to the pool, you get better and better. Each time you dive deeper and deeper into the depths, that need for breath will disappear. Each time a person pushes your head underwater, that need for breath will disappear. They are just jealous that you are getting closer to your goal. Just keep trying.
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My Power, My Culture by Metztli I am corn. I come from the beautiful plants planted by many people. I will always remember my ancestors back in the times of peace, when wild animals were still there. I will never forget the people who planted me, when they make soup and other foods. They respectfully make me with squash and beans, my sisters. I am a prodigy and come from the land of make believe. I look in the mirror and see fireworks and colors. In my dreams, I imagine being the ocean. I am someone who stands for my people. I cry when harm comes to my family and disrespects to my culture. But happiness makes me laugh. My love for friends feels like a hurricane. I am powerful. It is unfair to say I am invisible and when you say I do not exist. I feel angry when people do not respect me or my family. If I could change one thing,
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it would be the way people respect my culture. I come from a mother who is as beautiful as a rose in a prairie field. She is as strong as an ocean wave. I will always remember her warm and powerful hugs she gives me when I am sad. I will never forget her voice when she sings out her culture. Sometimes I follow along with the voice of my mother.
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Soccer by Teodoro Soccer is so special for men and countries, People will try to tackle you. You have to train to be fast. If enemies attack your goal in life, you have to defend it. Then, you can win the game.
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Love and Energy by Elena I am hot cocoa. I come from my grandma’s love. I will always remember that it is art. It represents my family. I will always carry my story in my tradition. I will always remember him tickling me with love and laughter. His arms will hold your spirit. I will never forget my abuelo’s white hair and his mustache. I come from a long way. Warm hugs fill me with happiness. I feel my blood flowing with energy. I get excited about my way of becoming an adult. My mama will always support me.
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Draw My Future by Manola Trying new things is hard, like drawing unicorns. When I make a mistake, I try again. I do not give up even when it is hard. I will draw my future and make my family happy.
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My Power by Julia I am Julia and come from the Apache and Comanche tribes. I look in the mirror and see my face. In my dreams, I imagine the love of my mom and dad. I am powerful. My love for my family feels like a hug. It is unfair that we cannot live together. I feel angry when I do not get my way. If I could change one thing, it would be that the lakes could be cleaned. Yo soy una princesa. En el espejo, veo una niña querida y amable. En mis sueños, imagino ayudar a otras personas y mis niños. Yo soy una princessa amable. Mi amor para mi pueblo siente como una familia grande. Es injusto que los malos tienen todo lo que quieren. Si pudiera cambiar una cosa, sería hacer canastas con comida buena
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paras los pobres. I am my abuelo, cuddly and joyful. His glasses make him see. His black hair connects to my mom. He hunted animals. My spirit is him. I am my abuelo. I am the soft soup made by mama Melissa. It fills children with joy. I come from my mama’s love and kisses. She makes it on cold days. When I eat it, I feel confident and brave. The salt makes me strong. The peas make me beautiful. The carrots make me healthy. I am soft soup. I come from mama. She has a picture so she always remembers the good time. When I was born, she took the picture of me and her. It reminded me of my young self.
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It makes my heart beat. I come from my mama.
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Just Try by Saiya Life is like tetherball, trying and trying. I fail sometimes, but practicing more to get better and better. I fall over, getting hit, getting called out, but still trying again.
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My Warmth by Kayen I come from the best spicy tamales my grandma makes. They give off the heavenly smell of family. When I eat them, it makes me think of my home and where I come from. They make me feel a warmth inside.
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Love, Do Not Hate by Raine I am from the heavenly smell of nachos! I will always remember the yummy cheese that spreads across my chips. My parents make nachos with chips, cheese, beans, salsa, avocado, and jalapeno. There is a secret ingredient that makes it taste good. No one knows it, but I will tell you with delight. The secret ingredient is love. I come from a loving father who makes me feel happy. I have empathy for him because he is the love of my mom. My dad taught me to love, not hate. He makes coffee at Starbucks, and fills it with love and joy for everyone to have. He has black hair. He is shorter and older than my mom, with beautiful, hazel eyes. I am a woman in a cap and gown
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gaining a higher education. I walk down the halls of elementary schools, smiling at people while they stand by the wall. Lots of positive energy flows through me. I will me graduate from college, soon. I come from Kansas. It represents love and happiness. It grows lovely flowers and trees. It is made of memories and love. When we do not visit, it makes me feel sad. It makes us feel happy remembering memories. So love, do not hate.
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Life by Karina Life is like a bird flying from the bottom of the pacific ocean to a coral reef. You see a person scuba diving to find life that is sometimes doubted by people. Life is like being an astronaut, floating away, falling to somewhere. Gravity is not alive. A dream starts becoming your life. Life will never doubt you, because you can explore what you become. What you do in life is one big successful dream. You just need to struggle to overcome your fear.
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Strength by Amelie I come from the mac and cheese my mom makes with cheese, noodles, and love. It smells like a bundle of joy, making my whole family happy. I will always remember how much I love it. It reminds me to always be strong.
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Power and Success by Kamron I come from a beautiful and kind woman who gave me life. She is the superhero of my world. I always remember her face, smiling when I make her laugh. Superman cannot compare to her power. I am a successful image showing that I am going through life well. I feel that it is normal to be successful and hold onto my culture. Most of my family has done well in school and life, reminding to do my best. I come from the positivity and pride of my people, representing the intelligence within my culture.
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Pride and Strength by Laney I am strong. I am brave. Our power is not gone. I have a huge love wave. I am proud of my home. I am happy with my work. I enjoy my love-filled dome. I love my home That is made of birch. My great grandpa is nice and gentle. He shows me strength and love. He is brave and happy He never shows fear. He lives a good life. Pasta is love, made from water and dough. It is rough like a glove and makes me feel loved. It comes from a store like all the other ones. You never get bored because there are tons. I am happy I am the energy of strength. I am not misjudged, I am not weak. I am STRONG!
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I stand up for myself. I stand up for my friends. I am stronger than a shelf. holding 2,000 books and do not even bend.
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Our Power by Zachariah I come from the grandma’s burger made with meat, fry bread, tomatoes, onion, chile, and love. My grandma makes them for family gatherings. They remind me of our power and happiness. I come from my grandma's love. I look in the mirror and see a strong person. In my dreams, I imagine being happy with a dog. I am caring. I cry when I see my grandma crying. My love for a dog feels like a smile. It is unfair that some kids bully others. I feel angry when my mom gets hurt. If I could change one thing, it would be to be funny. I am powerful.
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Riding a Bike by Mariana Life is like riding a bike. There will be plenty of obstacles. I fall plenty, but I get back up. Life sometimes feels like the obstacles never end, but my dad will help me through. I love riding my bike, but lots of times it is hard. Sometimes my friends go ahead of me and they tell me, “keep up.� But I will always go at my own pace.
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My Past, My Future by Rinoa I will never forget the sizzle of the pan when the soft dough hits the heat. When I tasted the taco, the beef was savory and the onions were sweet. I will never forget grandma cooking for the family. You can fry them and make nachos You can also spice them and make them into chips. You can stuff it and roll it. You can stuff it and fold it. I gasp when I see you, lovely tortilla. I lift the rice to my mouth, the smell passed down so spices dance around my nose. There is no mistaking what is in those tiny little grains. Every time I taste those grains, it tastes like oats without sugar, but there is no rain. I will always remember the soft light from the fire, as we sit near the burning fireplace. It was the home I have always known,
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with the imaginary electric duck, my dog, my cat, and my 7 kittens. We all knew the day was coming, the day we had to move from the flat plains of Kansas to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. I come from a mother who makes coffee for a job. She does a lot of art, paintings that are yet to be loved. My mother and father work for our own house, new car, and so pets can be loved.
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The Race in My Life by Metztli Life is like a race that goes on forever. In my life, I go through a variety of obstacles. My race is like a universe that holds the whole world. I rotate around my family and friends to reach my dreams.
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My Name, My Culture by Teodoro I try my best to represent my name. My name means God. My name is powerful like my ancestors. My culture from is Argentina. It is very a beautiful place. It is so awesome because it has a beach. It represents my family and my culture.
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Life is a Challenge by Elena Life is like dribbling a soccer ball fast. Kicking really far is an obstacle, but you can go far in soccer and life. Keep thinking you will make it. Grow. There is still life coming. Grow until you die, There will be obstacles everywhere. You have to overcome them to live your life.
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I Come From by Manola I come from Denver and a strong family. I will never forget when my brother, Teo, taught me how to do a handstand. I love him with all my heart. He is athletic and kind. I am the tamales my family makes. I am made of corn and meat. I come from my parents. I will always remember my dad’s graduation. I come from the happy Red Rocks of Colorado. I will never forget my abuelito is there.
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Karate by Julia You start out amazing, but fists punch harder than a hammer. You try to keep going, but a fist comes and punches you in the guts. It hurts. You get back up and defeat the punches. You’re a champion. I, I am karate.
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Memories and Love by Saiya I come from nachos made of chips, beans, meat, cheese, and avocado. They smell and taste like heaven. They make me feel amazing, and my family happy. I come from Kansas, made of memories and love. I come from my mom who has blonde hair. She is good at art. She teaches me things that I forgot from Math at school. She makes me feel loved. I look forward to my graduation, holding my degree, happiness in my future. The thought makes me feel like I want to graduate sooner.
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Life Is by Kayen Life is living. Living is having fun. Fun is being adventurous. Adventurous is trying new things.
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Fall, But Still Try by Raine Life is like gymnastics, because I am always motivated inside. I fall sometimes, and it hurts, but I keep going. I want to get better. I know it is hard, but I will still try. I want to make my community proud of me, but I will have to try.
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Caring by Karina I am chai tea my mom makes. I come from the spiciness. I will always remember it because I like the mix of milk and chai. I will always remember the love she gave to people who need hope and love. I will never forget the great spirit and caring she gave as a gift. I come from the strength of a pond holding love and care. I am courageous and come from the dream of my friend. I look in the mirror and see the thing that helps me be strong. I am powerful and respectful. I cry when I am happy or sad, but playing with my friends makes me laugh. My love for my mom and dad feels like having a dream about being courageous.
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I am a friend to everyone. It is unfair that people make fun of me. I feel angry when people call me names. If I could change one thing, it would be making a lot of new friends. I am a friend to the ocean.
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