UKIAH, CA., 12/14/2016 — The Native American heritage celebration on November 30 at the Lowery Student Center on the Ukiah campus of Mendocino College focused on healing and traditional practices. Martin Martinez, a long time Native American spiritual advisor who offers traditional ceremonies to inmates and who is the director of the social services department at Redwood Valley Rancheria, opened the event with a nuanced blessing.
“Say thank you to something negative in your life,” he advised the dozens of people who gathered for games, dancing, and the tribal history. Presenters included keynote speaker Clayton Duncan, Mendocino College President Arturo Reyes, and Paul Murguia III, a substance abuse counselor who graduated from Mendocino College. “Let those who mess with you be your spirit helpers,” Martinez went on. “To show you what you shouldn’t do in life.” As he spoke, one of the ping-pong players in the next room put down his racket and came in to hear the rest of the blessing. “Grab this ugliness and bless it,” Martinez instructed. “Tell it, the next time you show up, I’m going to bless you again.”
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