Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
Special to Valley News
The annual Soboba Fiesta is always a popular place for friends and families to gather and enjoy a day of fun for all ages. It is also a time when traditions are at the forefront of the day. With constructed ramadas that provide shade to various bird singers and dancers from different Tribal communities, visitors can relax in a family-friendly environment. Games enjoyed for generations remain popular among all age groups.
The horseshoe tournament attracted 20 players, who were randomly paired off into teams of two with a winner-take-all prize of $1,500 during the bracketed tournament. Alyssa Soza has been playing the sport for about six years. She is one of the few women to compete in the male-dominated sport, along with her sister-in-law and her mother-in-law. She said practice is the best way to do well in the sport.
Proud parents and extended family members gathered to watch their children perform as Soboba Tribal Preschool students sang three Luiseño language songs they have learned. A Cake Walk for the youngest guests saw pies, cupcakes, and cookies being awarded to many happy children.
The popular homemade salsa and tortilla contests had a total of 10 participants with many eager judges casting votes for their favorites. Tyler Macias said it was hard to choose because they were so good. Red, green, and brown varieties of salsas identified only by bowls marked A-H were spooned onto provided tortilla chip rounds for the taste testing.
“I liked A,” said Arthur Lopez Jr. “It was a little bit hot but not real hot – it was just right. It also had a fire-roasted chile taste.”
That is the salsa that went on to win the contest for Ruby Arrietta with the most votes. Adonna Salgado won the tortilla contest.
“This is the first time I entered,” Salgado said. “I always say I’m going to do it but this year I put in the effort to make sure I did.”
There were several vendors on site selling clothing and specialty food items. This was in addition to the free lunch enjoyed by all inside the Sports Complex. Shredded turkey, beef, and chicken were served with tortillas along with rice, beans, and several salads. Leftover salsa was available alongside other condiments.
A highlight of the Fiesta was the introduction of the two candidates who are vying for the title of $ovóova Po’$wáamay (Daughter of Soboba). They are Su’la Arviso and Raya Salgado. Both young women will be participating in many cultural activities during the next few months that will culminate in a crowning in October, the month when the Soboba Fiestas were originally held.
Geneva Mojado, Chairwoman of the DoS Committee and Vice Chairwoman for Tribal Council, said the last time the event was held was in 1969 when Virginia Duenas was crowned Fiesta Maiden. Also serving on the committee are Vice Chairwoman Monica Herrera, Secretary Iyana Briones, Treasurer Rhonda Valenzuella, and members Tatiana Diaz, Carrie Garcia, Summer Helms, Andrea Relopez, Adona Salgado, and Anthony Vallez.
At a booth, the Committee offered information and a sneak peek at the crown and sash that will be worn by the chosen Daughter of Soboba. They also held a 50/50 drawing to help fund traveling expenses once a maiden is crowned.
Mojado said the committee was formed in October 2021 with a mission statement that says the committee intends to support, empower and enhance the well-being of Native women through achieving emotional, social and economic self-sufficiency. “Our young women are the backbone of the community. $ovóova Po’$wáamay shall be an esteemed role model honoring her tribe and Native people,” she read.
As the last crowned Fiesta Maiden, Duenas shared what it meant to her to hold that title. She said back in 1969 the competition included being able to shoot an arrow into a bullseye to show they could be successful hunters, sew a button on a piece of cloth to show they could take care of themselves and others, and make and roll a tortilla teaching young women how to cook for themselves and their families. “Today, there are other requirements,” Duenas said. “I appreciate all the things I learned.”
Raya Salgado, 15, is the daughter of Daniel Salgado (Cahuilla) and Rhonda Valenzuela (Soboba). Virginia Duenas is her aunt.
“As Native youth, it’s important that we stay engaged and take an active role in our community,” she said. Raya has been a member of the Soboba Youth Council, a Soboba Fire Explorer for the past several years, and part of her school’s Native American club. “Those experiences have shown me what it means to serve others, to be disciplined, and to keep going even when things get tough. They tell me that resilience isn’t just about being strong in tough moments; it’s about standing up for what you believe it, it’s about showing up day after day with the intention of making a difference.”
Raya said some of her proudest accomplishments didn’t come with awards or recognition. “They came at moments that reminded me of why I started, and looking back and seeing all my progress,” she said. “That’s the kind of impact I want to see in the little ones around me because representation does matter.”
Su’la Arviso is the daughter of Nate and Melissa Arviso and said, “From a young age, I always wanted to represent and bring awareness to our people. Coming from a family of leaders like my grandmother Mary Mojado, godmother Geneva Mojado and great-grandfather Anthony Mojado, I too aspire to carry the leadership skills.”
She helped create the first Four Directions Club while in elementary school and continued with it at San Jacinto High School, where is still thrives. She got involved with Native Challenge and TANF while attending North Mountain Middle School. Su’la has supported Assemblymember James Ramos in his efforts to champion Native American rights. She is pursuing her college degree in Early Childhood Education to work at the Soboba Tribal Preschool to help educate the youth. She hopes to eventually serve her people on the Tribal Council.
“I strongly believe it’s important to help guide our youth not just with education but traditional values,” Su’la said. “We must help prepare the next seven generations and make sure each and every single one of these kids feels pride within themselves to be Native, to be from Soboba. We must pave the way for our kids traditionally because without our culture, we are lost.”
There was bird singing throughout the event as well as recorded music provided by DJ Mike Nevarez. Emcee Joseph Ontiveros from Soboba’s Cultural Resource Department kept the crowd informed with announcements throughout the event. A special one, which he believes to be a first for the Fiesta, was the public marriage proposal to Christina Logan by her boyfriend of 14 months, Jose Carrera. She said yes.
An appearance by the Zuni Olla Maidens was well received by the crowd. The Zuni Olla Maidens are a well-respected dance troupe from Zuni Pueblo in western New Mexico, known for singing, drumming and their trademark dance while balancing pottery on their heads. The Zuni Olla Maidens are also unique in that their group has always consisted of related women, making it a family affair for more than 70 years.
Rounding out the day were softball games, a three-legged race, a watermelon eating contest and a tug-of-war. Peon games began at dusk and continued well past midnight.
