A'AGA Something to be told or talked about

Submitted by
Billy Allen

A lesson learned; it’s better to have a cup of coffee before looking in the mirror in the morning. The suddenness of ‘fogey fatigue’ can be startling. GRICster elders learn to tough it out with the daily aches and pains of ‘fogey fatigue.’ At a tribal gathering about 10 years ago, a plate of food was placed before me. I asked, “What’s this about?” Reply was “Elders are served first.” I said in a huff, “Well, go find an elder!” I was not gruff. Sorry for beginning to ramble, but I do it so well.

Many just see my gray hair or wisdom highlights, as I like to call them. Many elders may be no longer able to get out and do things they enjoyed when younger. With limited experiences to talk about new things, it is easy to slip into the trap of talking about ourselves. My generational team is dwindling— not many players on the D5 bench. School expanded our worlds as we learned to play baseball, softball, and basketball.

Sometimes the games became heated skirmishes, but not for long. Boys/cecoj and girls/ cecia with better athletic skills and mental toughness emerged. Together we looked upon the same fields of alfalfa, cottonwood trees, watched the dust storms approach, rejoiced by running out into welcomed rain. We listened to doves, quail, horses, and cattle. We tasted the same foods, everyone smelled of “village,” O’otham smudging. We traveled the roads of every district countless times as our games became organized.

We took deep breaths as our faces dripped sweat. We heard the cheers, jeers, and laughter of the crowd. We were all modern-day warriors. (At least in our minds--some were water boys.) When I hear that someone who I remember as a “tough pitcher” or a “fast base runner” or had a “deadly corner shot” has transitioned onto another world, it’s a shock.

We rallied around them. Who is left? As the weather cools, my iron horse will run along the dirt roads. If I happen to see an old ball field or court, I’ll listen for the echoes of old team members, “Hey, batter, batter, batter!” As rez youth, we played hard! It helped us accept working hard for decades. But when we retire, finding a new role can be confusing.

Muhammad Ali said, “Sometimes the best part of your career is retirement.” I would not argue with Ali. I am “officially retired,” but as a former teacher, I can talk, and talk, and . . . I should slow down. Will I? That remains to be heard. Last year, Gila River Tribal Education asked if I could share with students at Skyline, Coolidge, and Casa Grande high schools.

I talked about GRIC history, using O’otham words and locations heard among the districts in my youth. I hope students gained some knowledge. I was also one of many presenters for the 20th Annual Reservation-Wide Teacher In-Service held on August 9th. The theme was “Reach for New Horizons.” Antonio Azul may have had the same idea over 150 years ago when he told the governor of Arizona that the O’otham and Piipaash wanted nothing from the government except schools. Reach for those new horizons. “In-Service conferences” help GRIC teachers, administrators, and support staff learn and use “best practices” (good methods, techniques) to help GRIC students become contributing citizens and scholars for our changing world. We are a part of this 21st century. We need to grow our own.

O’otham and Piipaash have never been isolationist, so hurry people or s-hottam O’otham! Assorted topics covered at the in-service were the education of young children, keeping students healthy and safe, adapting lessons for clarity, and developing a mindset for students to be successful. Becoming a good teacher takes time, and listening to individuals who are or were in the classroom arena is vital. Methods which worked 10 years ago, may not work with digital age students. In addition, various GRIC departments — Police, Environmental Quality, Gila River Healthcare, Genesis, and Head Start shared their expertise about how to better serve GRIC youth. It was an eventful summer.

It’s easy to slip into the trap of talking about ourselves and our experiences on GRIC. Our world was different. Talk to an elder next time the water or power goes out. “Old age is just a record of one's whole life.” Information was taken from; https://www.quora. com/Why-do-elderly-people-like-to-talk-aboutthemselves-a-lot; GRIC’s TED “Reach for New Horizons Program.