SCAIR hosts GONA
at Santee Lakes
By Roy Cook
This year the SCAIR, Gathering of Native Americans-GONA, was held at the Santee lakes Recreation Preserve on March 28, 2013 from 9:30am-3pm. It was attended by Southern California American Indian Resource and Tribal temporary Assistance for Needy families, SCAIR-TANF, Indian children and their parents. Early on SCAIR Board President Bill Johnson and the SCAIR staff were busily setting up the entertainment areas and under the large shade for the GONA event, Wanda Michaelis, SCAIR Executive Director was greeting and seating the early and late arrivals to this annual GONA Spring event. Warm
smiles of greeting along with hot coffee or juice and bottled water with
toothsome varieties of fruits and sweet rolls fill this mid-morning until
the formal opening of the event. Springing into action is SCAIR Project
co-coordinator, Frank Pancucci. He sketched out the schedule for the GONA
event at Santee lakes. Frank then called upon Steve Garcia to say a few
words. Steve acknowledged the wisdom and lessons taught by Randy Edmonds
over the years. Steve also spoke to the spirituality of the SCAIR facility
services and staff. Frank introduced Wanda Michaelis and SCAIR Board President,
Bill Johnson. Bill then called upon Randy Edmonds for the events blessing.
Randy delivered a Kiowa Tribal blessing for all at this time of new growth
and pointed out our American Indian tradition of gathering together and
generosity will continue with this new generation. This location is available
in large part to the support and generosity of Bill Pomnering, President
of the Padre Dam Water Board. He also provided the nutritional experience
selections. He was accompanied at the opening by Bill Pommering also:
Mr. Johnathan Skinner, Parks & Recreation Director, Santee Lakes Recreation
Preserve and Mr. Allen Carlisle, CEO and General Manager of Padre Dam
Municipal Water District. A sunny, breezy day
greeted the children, families and friends as they moved about enjoying
the planned events and entertainments. There were many creative designs
from the face painting area and the photo booth was popular too. Along
with a playground gym there were: Hula hoops, jump rope, volleyball, paint
palettes and crayons for the younger or inclined creative youth. Additionally
there are jump ropes, football tarp, craft tables, tug of war egg spoon
race, potato sack race, parachute and bill rainbow ball fun; the splash
area had a water snake for bubbles and a chance to get soaked! The days
finale is an egg hunt to fill the individual baskets. Late afternoon saw
tired but happy smiles full of goodies and excitement filing back on the
bus to return to the El Cajon SCAIR office. Others whom drive themselves
collected their family and gave a last look to the beautiful surroundings
of the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. See you at the next event. |