Vol. 14, No. 3, Spring 2001

Planting Seeds For Future Generations

by Roberta Osuna

Plans for a Luiseno tribal community garden are about to take root on the Rincon Indian reservation, located in San Diego county, Southern California. With local Luiseno elders in the lead, there is no doubt that the one-acre tribal garden will produce a healthy crop.

This community effort will be modeled on the concept of a teaching garden. This will create a relaxed, natural environment for elders and children to work together. The garden will focus on introducing the youth to Luiseno language and traditional plant knowledge and usage. This educational emphasis will carry over into the area of nutrition. With the help of health professionals and local community members there is an excitement in the air. The elders bring with them the combined experience of 100 years of community gardening. It is no wonder that the project area will be known as "The Friendly Garden."

Numerous other cultural projects with the elder-child-parent focus have been introduced in the educational facilities. This traditional style combines a contemporary method of educating youth while preserving the old ways. Basic shared beliefs and understandings provide the foundation for educators to create culturally-based child and adult focused activities. This is the inspiration and drive for staff members at the Head Start program. The knowledge and gentle guidance of the elders is at the core of implementing successful cultural activities. This knowledge passes from one generation to the next in a simple manner. There is much to be learned and gathered from the past experience of the elders and this is recognized and appreciated

The image of the elders mirrors that of Old Man Coyote who is the infamous teacher of the culture. Old Man Coyote does not have an advanced degree from any college, has never sat on a national juvenile delinquency panel, nor has he been asked to give any position paper at a national Indian conference. Yet, he has been the primary teacher of Indian children. Just like Old Man Coyote, the elders remain the teachers and keepers of the culture. You will not find them attending the planning meeting but will find them quietly tending the soil, waiting for the next visitor to drop in and share a moment in time that will remain in the memories of the youth.

Local Indian educators recognize the value in introducing and reinforcing culture in its natural environment. A variety of activities are offered throughout the seasons. There are trips to pick acorns in the local mountains. Sewing circles bring mothers together to make and sew traditional clothing for the children, creating ribbon shirts and skirts to be worn during center celebrations. Introductions to the Luiseno language are made with an artistic flair. You can always find an activity in Luiseno territory – we need only to look in our own backyard. The tribal belief system is hundreds of years old and retains its value with the support and dedication of the local community.

Roberta Osuna is a tribal member of the Rincon San Luiseno Band of Mission Indians. She is the Family/Community Partnerships Specialist at Rincon Head Start and has been with the program since its inception in 1994.