CINC’s 1st Fire Gala
By Emily Clarke
Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending California Indian Nations College’s first ever Fire Gala, which was hosted at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, California. The goal of this event was to raise money for CINC’s continued mission of providing culturally-conscious education to all their students, but especially those that identify as Native or Indigenous. California Indian Nations College is on its way to being the first California tribal college to be federally accredited and has made significant strides towards receiving the vital recognition for their mission over the past year. Many of CINC’s supporters, students, and community members were in attendance at the Fire Gala and it was clear that CINC’s work to support Native students has not gone unnoticed.
There were multiple speakers throughout the night including CINC President, Celeste Townsend (Paiute / Shoshone) and various student spotlights. Perhaps the most memorable though was a speech from Judge Sunshine Sykes of the Navajo Nation who in 2022, became the first Native American to serve as a federal judge in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Judge Sykes addressed the room with respect and reminded current CINC students how fortunate they are to attend an institution that honors who they are and where they come from.
“We talk a lot about historical trauma,” Judge Sykes said, “but we need to also talk about historical strength.”
Within education, Native students can find strength and pride for who they are culturally as well as for their people’s tradition of transferring knowledge from generation to generation. California Indian Nations College’s dedication to providing Native students with an education that celebrates who they are and honors traditions is a huge step towards re-centering a Nation-wide education system that has practiced the historical exclusion of Native people.
Throughout the night, guests were encouraged to browse the silent auction, which included donated items from Native artists, local casinos and spas, and even local restaurants. All proceeds from these items were donated to CINC. Guests were also treated to a three course meal including fresh salad, chicken, and decadent chocolate cake. After the speakers had finished sharing their stories, a band performed a few songs and guests were encouraged to dance, mingle, and take pictures. The night seemed to be a monumental success, and many of the guests stayed in the event space even after the Gala had ended to catch up with old friends and make new memories. It’s no secret that CINC is doing great things, but what became even more apparent was that the Native community is proud to support their mission and their students are grateful to call CINC a home.
