FROM THE DIRECTOR
By Museum Director/Chief Curator Cheryl Hinton

Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Barona Indian Reservation

‘Ekur ‘Emaayaayp “We’ve been together a long time.” Coming together was the theme for the celebration of the 75th Anniversary. And, Community Gatherings were the focus for Barona Cultural Center & Museum during the summer months into late September. In so many of the Barona History interviews for the 75th Anniversary of the Reservation, Tribal members remembered a time where they came together more often as a community. Between the Mandy Curo Photography opening, the Tribal Exhibit opening, the Public Exhibit opening, and the Gathering, we have had about 1,000 participants celebrate this historic event on the reservation. We are happy to say that the community relived some important feelings and times and with the opening of the 75th Anniversary exhibit, ‘Ekur ‘Emaayaayp, Barona Indian Reservation: A Story of 75 Years of Unity and the 75th Anniversary Traditional Gathering, August 16-18. A special thank you is given to Bobbie Turner for making her delicious homemade beans and shawii for the Tribal exhibit opening. Tribal members representing all of the families attended the events and so many had similar comments as: ‘This is how I remember it.’

We would like to thank the Barona Community, including many Barona Tribal members, their spouses, their families and friends, the Tribal Office staff, the Fire Department and Security staffs, Recreation staff, the Resort staff, and the Museum staff for the many ways in which they supported these historic events. In particular, I thank Curator Alexandra Harris for her assistance in the exhibit and gathering photography and graphics, and to Ginger McClernon and her staff at Visual Design for their beautifully creative exhibit design. Rich Rodriguez is appreciated for his tireless work with the traditional classes and Diane Tells His Name for her collections work. Thanks to all of the Tribal members who gave me so much of their time in interviews and reviews for the content of the anniversary exhibit and the Barona history. And my appreciation goes to the Barona Tribal Council and Museum committee for their support and oversight— especially Vice Chairman Charles ‘Beaver’ Curo and Museum Chairwoman Phyllis VanWanseele. We appreciate all of the positive feedback and delight expressed by Tribal members and other guests as they visited the Barona History exhibits. We also would like to thank those who worked so hard to bring back an event that had not happened at Barona for about 40 years—the Traditional Gathering, remembered fondly by some as the ‘Fiesta.’

For the Gathering: sincere thank you’s for the leadership of Vice Chairman ‘Beaver’ Curo, Steve Banegas, and past and present members of the Museum Committee: Sister Romero, Caroline Mendoza, Candy Christman, Brenda Ray, Vicky Matheny, Linda LaChappa, Shirley Ruis, Beverly Means, Toddy Yeats, and Phyllis VanWanseele. The Gathering Committee included the committee above and had several people contribute time and resources including Treasurer Amanda Banegas, Larry Banegas, Melissa Means, Kyle Mendoza, Brian VanWanseele, Brandon Banegas, Montie Perez, Summer Richardson, Larri Ann Padilla, Carol Banegas, Rose Osuna, and Daniel Murphy. It was an honor for Richard Rodriguez and myself to assist Tribal members in coordinating the event. We had so much fun at all the games from watermelon eating, raffles, to softball and horseshoes, and of course, Peon. Thank you to all the food booth ramadas, including the Banegas Family, the Native Sisters (the Curos), Caroline Mendoza (the LaChappas), Brandon Banegas, Darla Romero, and Diane Tells His Name and Jim Buchanan (and children). We are so grateful to the Tribal members from all over the region (including Arizona) for joining us; our appreciation to Campo Chairman Paul Cuero for opening remarks and singing at the blessing. Thank you to the many traditional singers, dancers, and peon players and to the rock and roll band, Barona Gems: Larry Banegas, Robert Banegas, Harold Hill, Ken Frissell, Brandon Banegas, Beaver Curo and other musical guests who entertained us—you all made us dance! Many of us wish to thank our family members and the Museum interns for their assistance from building the structures to manning the booths and cleaning the grounds. Please have a look at the photo montage and the article by Richard Rodriguez for more Gathering memories. I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone—if so, we thank you unsung heroes too.

In particular we are grateful for the following donations to the Gathering:

• In honor of Richard Curo, a Koymeii, from the family for Peon: $1,000
• Don and Kelly Speer to help provide food: $1,00
• Beverly Means to the Fastpitch Tournament meals: $1,000
• Lakeside Equipment Rental, contacted by Tom Parli, who donated the use of three light poles
• Montie Perez’s efforts in assembling the prizes and running the Raffle resulting in $853 benefiting the event

Thank You to our Generous Raffle Prize Donors:

Adam Reyes, Banegas Racing, Barona Fire Department, Bobbie Turner, Caroline Mendoza, Cheryl Prieto, Cody Perez, Cookie Holsbo, Costco, Featherstone Drywall, Jan Pinto, JR Pinto, Jules Rodriguez, Latisha, Leon Banegas, Linda LaChappa, Montie Perez, Roberta Rodriguez, Shirley Ruis, Summer Richardson, Thorpe Romero, Toby Brown, Toddy Yeats, Walmart, Barona Museum.

A special thank you to the Barona Fire Department, the Barona Tribal Enforcement, and the Barona Valley Ranch Security Department.

Fastpitch Softball Tournament Winners:
Women’s 1st Morongo, 2nd Native Chaos
(Southern California tribes/ M. Means)
Men's 1st Rincon, 2nd Baad Medicine
(Pala)