7850 Pole Line Road, Watsonville CA 95077
Date: Sunday, April 28th
Time: 8a-6p
Location: 749 Story Road, San Jose CA
Join us for a car wash. All donations welcome! Proceeds will benefit the 28th Annual Honoring of the Elders Gathering, sponsored by the TENA Council, an intertribal Native American non-profit organization.
Questions/Info: Contact Andrea Vasquez 209-202-9444
7850 Pole Line Road, Watsonville CA 95077
Join us for our 28th Anniversary!!
2013 marks our 28th Anniversary of the Elders Gathering. This year's ceremony will be held between Friday, May 31st through Sunday, June 2nd.
The Honoring of the Elders Gathering is hosted by TENA Council of Santa Clara County. We are co hosted by Pajaro Indian Council of Watsonville.
What We Are About
The Honoring of the Elders Gathering is an intertribal California cultural exchange. The Honoring of the Elders is about family. We show the young ones that we honor and treasure our Grandparents, Aunties and Uncles who have taught us about family, our culture and our values.
Supporters
We are supported by our local Indian people, such as the Ohlone. Active participants include the American Indian Alliance, Patrick Orozco, Tribal Chairman and elder of the Pajaro Valley Ohlone Indian Council & Tony Cerda, Chairman of the Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Indian Tribe. Both Patrick and Tony have danced traditionally at the Gathering for almost as long as it has been in existence. They honor their ancestors, who have danced on the same land for centuries.
Dancers
Dancers come from miles around to dance for the Elders. They dance in traditional regalia. We do not have competition dancing.
General
The Gathering begins on Friday evening, ending on Sunday evening. Everyone is welcome, Indian and non-Indian people, alike. Everyone comes together to see old friends, or make new ones. People share traditional feasts, laugh and joke, or listen to the history and stories of the dance groups who come to share with the people. Guests are able to watch the little ones dance for the first time (also known as 'coming out'). This is a traditional way of dancers beginning their commitment to dance in the way of their ancestors. The exchange provides the opportunity for the community to understand the strength of sharing.
This is event is geared towards the family. People are welcome to come and camp.
We do not allow drinking or drugs.
Elders
The highlight of the Gathering is to honor our Elders. We have an innate respect for our elderly. They are the ones who teach us the ways of the ancestors. When we treat our elders with respect, we teach our children to treat others, including their elders, with respect. In this way, the cycle of tradition continues and the circle remains strong. On the third day of the Gathering, we call the Elders into the center of the arbor and honor them with songs and gifts.
Activities
The Arbor
The arbor is built special for this occasion by the TENA council and is removed once the Gathering is over. Please respect it. If you have questions about protocol, please ask the arena director.
Thank you for your support!
For information on how to donate to the Gathering, please contact Jody Pedro at tenacouncilinfo@gmail.com * 408-518-1699. We accept monetary, food, or donations of time volunteered for this event. In addition, we currently have a need for paper plates, bowls, hot/cold cups and silverware for this year.
The Honoring of Elders is done in the Native American spirit of acknowledging someone that has acted for the good of The People. When a gift is given to honor someone, we give the best we have. It may be a gift of time, talents or skills, or actual gifts that you feel an Elder can use. To offer a gift in the Native way is to give something that is of value to you, and because it is valuable, you want to share it with someone else. In this way you honor that person. The old traditional way included gifts of buckskins, jewelry, native baskets, and even ceremonial objects.
Today, one can give gifts of food items, blankets, clothing, or anything useful to the Elders. They need not be large or expensive items. The gifts given on Sunday to the Elders have been handmade or donated. The kitchen makes baskets of food for the Elders to take home.
An example of a giveaway for a traditional Elder may be a handmade quilt, craft, a turquoise necklace, bracelet, or other art item. It could also be fabric, a native beaded article, or something that could be used by a grandchild or someone else in the extended family.
This gift is given without attachment or expectation. It is a gift.
If you care to donate a gift for this honoring, please contact Jody Pando at 408-518-1699 or send a note to tenacouncilinfo@gmail.com