“As a California Native, how do you celebrate and express love?”
By Emily Clarke
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“It’s popular around this time to express love or to go all out to show those you care about a little extra love. What we should be doing as individuals is always leading with love, no matter what popular holiday is going around. As Native’s, people on the outside always want to highlight our hurtful past, but we have to correct that and lead with love. We know our history, we don’t need to consistently be reminded of the bad. Let’s ally ourselves behind love and change the narrative. I express my love for my community by being there, showing up, and helping in any way I can. I celebrate our traditions at home away from the crowd’s and always instill in my children to love one another.”
Anonymous (Cahuilla)
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“I express my love by helping my mom who struggles with her post back surgery nerve damage after six years since getting her surgery. I’m thankful that she’s still strong and in my life because celebrating love is always giving love. She’s my whole world and made me the person I am today, that’s love.”
Lanae (Cahuilla / Serrano)
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“I celebrate love by Bird Dancing with my sister.”
Lily Clarke (Cahuilla)
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“I show my love through food. Cooking for the people I love has always been my favorite and something I learned from my Grandma. Now I also share recipes and cooking tips through my Instagram so other people can express their love through food too.”
Emma Nevarez (Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians)
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“By telling my babies everyday that I love them in our language. (Etne’áyawa’a’).
Elizabeth Rios (Cahuilla)
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“I express love through gift giving. I love gifting beadwork, medicine, and significant gifts to my loved ones.”
Anonymous
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“I express my love through talking smack and making jokes.”
Ceclia ( Kupeño-Serrano-Yaqui)
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“I love by looking at a person in their past present and future self and creating a safe space for them to grow.”
Anonymous (Cahuilla)
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“When I think of Cahuilla Natives expressing love I think of giving. Gift giving, giving space, and mostly, giving food. We give food to celebrate and to grieve as an act of love.”
Whitney Liera Espinoza (Cahuilla Band of Indians)
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For my family, spending time and sharing knowledge. For friends, supporting their endeavors.”
Anonymous (Kumeyaay)
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“As an Indigenous mother, one way I express and receive love is through breastfeeding my daughter. Breastfeeding Kan Allashu (my baby) is a sacred reciprocal exchange of physical, spiritual and emotional nourishment. It’s an ancient practice and intimate bond we share, as mother and child. I love to cuddle and sing to her while she nurses. I take time to be intentional with my actions and words towards her, as well as towards myself to set the tone for self love and worth. We celebrate our love for who we are, and who we come from, through sharing laughter, singing, and dancing together with my community.
Amaya Rodriguez (Awaswas, Ramaytush and Chochenyo Ohlone)
“Raising my babies with love, respect, and culture. Giving back to my community and land.”
Denise Redfern (Iipai Kumeyaay)
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“Creating and making art or our things. Laughing! Hugging! Dancing!”
Alexis (Payómkawichum (Pechangayam))
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“Honoring our loved ones who have passed, looking at photos and videos, and cooking and eating.”
Anonymous
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“As a California Native I celebrate and express my love by being present and having an active role within my community and family. I love to be there for my people and help when asked, whether it be ceremony, cooking, volunteering, teaching, or speaking to the youth. I was taught by my elders, when asked to be there for the people the answer is always, yes. Doing things with a good heart and good mind is imperative. Nemíngkim Nè’áyawam.”
Victoria Chubb (Wanikik Cahuilla / Mohawk)
