CLEARLAKE OAKS ? A beautiful place to learn and play was unveiled Saturday at the Elem Indian Colony in Clearlake Oaks. Tribal members and guests celebrated the grand opening of the new community building with a ribbon cutting and spiritual blessing followed by a social gathering that included a performance by Shakehead dancers.
“This is great. We need to have everybody”s help to make an event like this successful,” Geraldine Johnson, Elem tribal chairperson said. “It”s nice having all these people here supporting this endeavor and seeing all the positive changes were making here at Elem.”
Thomas Leon Brown, cultural specialist with the International Tribal Council and member of the Elem Colony, served as master of ceremony for the event. Requesting spiritual blessing, Brown recited a traditional Pomo prayer, which he then translated into English.
Guests enjoyed a Native heritage video in the computer lab while celebrating the grand opening of the new facility. The building also boasts a welcoming lobby, conference room, kitchen and offices for attending education, housing, social service and financial needs.
An impressive collection of Indian artifacts and memorabilia were on display by Tribal member Jim Brown. The collection featured obsidian arrowheads, Native jewelry, decorative pieces and an array of traditional tools and historical pictures.
Shakehead dancers entertained the crowd with traditional dancing rituals while guests enjoyed a warm, bright afternoon celebrating the grand opening. The building will be used for various Tribal functions, community events and conferences. The facility will also be extended to Tribal members for personal events and social gatherings.
Saturday”s event included representation by the Lake County Tribal Health Department, which offered program information as well as free blood sugar and blood pressure testing. Yuba College Clear Lake Campus was represented by student Becky Martin, who offered an array of information regarding financial aide, class opportunities and enrollment. Enrollment for the 2009-10 academic year is now open. “Now is the time to enroll for the fall semester,” Martin said.
Martin was also highlighting the Extended Opportunities Program and Services (EOP&S). The state-funded program is designed to help low income students who have an “educational disadvantage” in reading, English or math. The program provides eligible students with an array of support services to help them in meeting their educational goals. For more information contact the Clear Lake Campus at 995-7912.
Elem Indian Colony board members were present and honored to cut the ribbon on the new building. Board members include Johnson, Karen John, David A. Brown, Sarah Garcia and Chairman Batsulwin Brown, who used a traditional knife to slice through the ribbon.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
