9th Annual Governor’s Education Summit held at CBCS

Velia Moncada

Gila River Indian News

On March 9, the Gila River Indian Community’s (GRIC’s) Tribal Education Department (TED) hosted the 9th Annual Governor’s Education Summit at the Casa Blanca Community School (CBCS) in District 5. The theme was ‘Education Through Culture’ with an emphasis in language learning, preservation, and orthography. 

“The purpose of the summit is to really profile and highlight the role and value, the language, and the culture, of our Community,” said TED Director, Sherilyn Analla, District 6, GRIC member and Pueblo Laguna.

Approximately 200 registered for the summit including Community members, other tribal groups and tribal educators who participated in the foundational activities and perspectives covering the language and culture throughout GRIC. Some of the panels featured a discussion on the O’otham language by elders, health and wellness activities by Gila River Health Care (GRHC), traditional food demonstrations, a GRIC orthography overview provided by the Huhugam Heritage Center (HHC), among others.

“A lot of knowledge being passed out here at the Summit,” said Gov. Lewis.

“It shows a sense of inspiration…for the work ahead, on protecting and preserving our O’otham/Pee Posh culture/language. To really motivate us to take part in revitalizing our language and culture.”

Lt. Gov. Regina Antone said there was a lot of interest in cultural presentations and valuable learning through workshops, which is among the administration’s goals to preserve the language and culture of the Community through technology.

“I believe this is kick starting our interest into the future,” Lt. Gov. Antone said.

“What I want to change here is, I want to actually see and later in the future, to have people start using the language,” expressed Community youth, Amelia James, District 5, granddaughter of Maria Garcia, D5 (Panelist in the Elder’s Panel at the Summit).

Attendees of the Summit enjoyed breakfast and lunch, a free GRIC Jansport Backpack, and a raffle entry for an Apple iPad for their participation. The summit ended following a cultural performance by the St. Peter Indian Mission School basket dancers and gourd singers.