A First Gathering, A Long Time Coming.
A First Gathering, A Long Time Coming.
By Terria Smith
We drove up the mountain from our many homes – Pala, Barona, Morongo, Santa Rosa, Torres Martinez, Santa Ysabel, Agua Caliente and others – our destination was the Cahuilla Band of Indians Reservation. The journey up through the winding roads of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains offers sights of tall trees, wide open spaces and fresh air that’s often 20 degrees cooler than the desert flatlands.
Traveling to the Anza Valley is something our Native people in Southern California have been doing for at least several thousands of years. But on this particular Saturday, we came to celebrate the community’s 1st Annual Cahuilla Gathering.
We spent the crisp, sunny day with our treasured friends and relatives. We gushed over oodles of adorable toddlers that scattered the grounds of the tribal headquarters. Men tossed horseshoes. Ladies sold jewelry, quilts, tamales and frybread. There was a basketball tournament. The children played tug-o-war, walked for cakes and climbed flag poles for $100 prizes. There were birdsongs and dancing throughout the day, of course. Before nightfall, men in their flannel t-shirts, heavy boots and big sharp hats gathered for peon games.
With having such wonderful community people in such a beautiful place it’s a little surprising that the Cahuilla community hasn’t put on a cultural gathering before. Nevertheless, I am glad it’s gotten started and I am already looking forward to making the journey gathering again next year.
