Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
Special to Valley News
Several members of the Soboba Tribal TANF Program joined in the second annual Native American Heritage Month Parade in Sacramento, Nov. 8. The parade showcased floats, vehicles, horses, marchers, and cultural performers in celebration of Native American heritage and culture.
Nearly 1,000 people gathered in the area to celebrate Indigenous pride and resilience. The parade began at 10 a.m. on the Capitol Mall, a major street and landscaped parkway in downtown Sacramento that connects West Sacramento to the California State Capitol. The iconic boulevard serves as a gateway to the downtown area and a popular venue for public events.
Five STTP youth spent three days in Sacramento and enjoyed being part of the parade. Agustin Salgado and Christopher Lagunas carried the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians flag. Nayeli Brittian, Aniyah Brittian, and Shania Guacheno joined many other Native women in bird dancing.
Agustin, 16, from Soboba, said he liked walking with the flag along the parade route filled with enthusiastic spectators. Nayeli, 12, also of Soboba, said what she enjoyed most was seeing everyone and their different cultures. She plans to spend time with family and friends for the remainder of Native American Heritage Month.
“I enjoyed seeing everyone coming out to celebrate,” said 15-year-old Christopher, from the Cahuilla Band of Indians. “This month, I’m taking part in more cultural events, learning more about Native American culture than mine, and supporting Native artists and creators.”
Soboba’s Aniyah and Shania, both 14, liked bird dancing with others along the parade route.
The annual parade is hosted by the California Legislative Native American Caucus to celebrate the contributions, achievements, cultural diversity and impact of California’s First People. Assemblymember James C. Ramo, a lifelong resident of the San Manuel Indian Reservation and member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe, became the first California Native American state lawmaker in 2018, and serves as Caucus Chair. Organizers say the annual event is more than a celebration; it’s also a time for reflection and education about injustices faced by Native communities throughout history.
At the end of the hour-long, half-mile parade route, there were cultural performances and free food at the Capitol West steps. STTP Regional Prevention Manager Harold Arres said, “Our youth also had the opportunity to participate in cultural booths and explore the numerous resource tables.”
Along with Native American Heritage Month activities planned at the Soboba site, Arres said youth also attended the 82nd annual NCAI (National Congress of American Indians) convention and marketplace in Seattle.
