Music, Food, And Tradition Highlights Of Morongo's Earth Day Bash

MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION, CA – Hundreds of Morongo tribal members and Morongo School students learned about protecting the environment and their strong cultural ties to nature at Morongo’s Earth Day 2018 Celebration, held last Friday.

The free event held at the Morongo Indian Reservation brought together local tribes, government agencies, and environmental groups to share the importance of nature conservation and help attendees learn how to best protect their environment. The celebration kicked off with a traditional opening prayer and native songs, and continued with music, food, games, activities, and helpful information.

Environmental experts from several local tribes across southern California were on-hand to provide information on a wide array of topics from water quality and conservation to waste reduction and recycling. Participating tribes included the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, and the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians.

“Tribes throughout our region have a shared belief that we are connected to nature and that we all have an obligation to protect our environment,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “Earth Day provides us with the perfect opportunity to celebrate this tradition and pass down the lessons we have learned over many generations.”

Students from the Morongo School played an important part in the Earth Day festivities. Students ranging from grades 5th through 9th hosted their own booths highlighting native flowers, edible aquifers, and vermicomposting – the practice of using worms to break down organic material. The event also featured performances by the Morongo School Glee Club and Sound, Rhythm, & Stomp Team.

“Our staff works directly with the Morongo students to reinforce environmental stewardship as part of their school curriculum,” said Morongo Environmental Manager Dana Morey. “It was great seeing them take the lessons they’ve learned in the classroom and share their knowledge with the attendees here at Earth Day.”

To help highlight the traditional and cultural ties to conservation, the Malki Museum provided information sheets on local flora and created a scavenger hunt for students to learn how to identify native plants out in the wild. The Sand to Snow National Monument also hosted a bingo game and spinning wheel, which taught the names of local plants in the Cahuilla language.

Attendees were also able to see several native species up-close and personal, including a desert tortoise and various native species of lizards and snakes courtesy of “Gil’s Critters.” In addition to live animals, pelts of several different mammals were available to help students understand what these creature look and feel like out in the wild.

Other participating agencies at Morongo’s Earth Day 2018 Celebration included the United State Fish and Wildlife Service, Riverside County Department of Waste Resources, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, San Gorgonio Wilderness Association, Sierra Club San Gorgonio Chapter, University of California Riverside Master Gardeners, and The Wildlands Conservancy.

The Morongo Environmental Protection Department has hosted the annual Earth Day Celebration at Morongo since 2009. The department is tasked with the administration of numerous environmental programs on the Morongo Indian Reservation including air and water quality monitoring, pollution prevention, and resource conservation.

— TEXT AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION ON BEHALF OF: Morongo Band of Mission Indians

Photo 1: Morongo School student Karma Norvell sings as part of the May 4th Earth Day Celebration at the Morongo Indian Reservation

Photo 2: Morongo School students learned about snakes and others animals at the May 4th Earth Day Celebration at the Morongo Indian Reservation