Thrive took place June 27-July1 at Portland State University's Native Center. Our class consisted of 30 students, some Veterans and some new students.. Our mentors, included Erica Brannon (E.Rocca), Slim Kid Tre (Pharcyde), J Ross Parrelli, Fish Martinez, Tony Ozier (Dookie), new mentor Keevan (Key2theCity), and Agyai Ptah Hotep. We had workshops from Solomon Starr in regards to identity, J Ross Parrelli on Goal Setting, special guest from My Voice, local Youth Music School, Kunu came to perform for us, E.Rocca gave us dance lessons, and Tony Ozier and Agyai recorded about 25 new songs.

Here are the tracks from the weeks conference. All of them written and recorded during the week. 

National Forum on Dropout Prevention: Serving Native Students and Tribal Communities.
​March  6-9 Oklahoma City, Ok.

This event opened up the discussion and need to understand the unique dropout rate represented on Reservations and native grounds. Placed forth were strategies that proved successful from all over the spectrum of curriculum. From anti-bullying programs, to "Healing the Wounded Student", presenters came together to offer authentic approaches to real problems.

Two presenters in particular stood out above my expectations. One being a close friend, Scott Shickler. His presentation, as many times as I have seen it, inspires me every time. "The Mindset Revolution: Proven Strategies To Boost Achievement and Graduation". After years of studying and  an immense amount of energy his team figured out the 7  mindsets that all successful individuals have in common. I feel it's a way we live our lives, however Mr Shickler and his team organize it in such a way that it makes it easy to understand, repeat, and encourage. I watched his presentation twice on Monday and found it equally as entertaining and educational both times.. 

I also heard for the first time Hotep of Make a Way Program. "Behavior is a Symptom Not a Problem".  He broke down how we treat symptoms such as acting out, aggressive behavior, bullying, lack of respect, as the problem and then reward that  problem by sending them to an exclusive place. In so many situations it makes sense to me. He broke down the problem from upbringing, to belief systems, Decisions, Behaviors and outcomes. Really you should grab "A Pain in the Class", a book written by Hotep, himself, founder of Hustle University. With a motto like "Scholars makes Dollars" it was easy to see how Make-a-way programs bring results to such an Entrepreneur like mind, like that of these students. 

​I got to speak on the "The Art of Communicating with the Millennial: Power of Technology and thinking on the same level of Techno-babies". Using the same technology our students use, we can empower our youth and teach them how to start movements through a smart phone. From recording music to taking pictures on snapchat, our Smart Phones are changing the way we learn. how do we as teachers/mentors use that to our advantage in and out of the classroom? I had a great time guiding discussions surrounding this topic. We even played 'Sweep the Tepee" and some drama games. Good times were shared by all. 

The entertainment was beautiful and inspirational and the speakers were full of insight, knowledge, encouragement, and passionate. MS Consuelo Kickbusch got my heart and my ear. Her tears of hope left my heart wanting to hear more. Compassionate and courageous she told her story of being a Lieutenant Colonel and her mother's wish for her to be the leader of her community that she envisioned her as. A heroic tale. I bought her book on the spot "Journey of the Future".
​Bill Mendoza who represents Native Rights at DC and Mr Albert Pooley who represents Native American Fatherhood and Families Association, also lit the floor with empowerment as they told of their purpose and fight for change. 
Overall it was an incredible experience. Very much looking forward to the next conference in October 2016, Detroit Michigan "NODO 16" National Dropout Prevention Network Conference. 

More information about this conference as well as the conference photos gallery visit here: http://dropoutprevention.org/conferen...

"Something Inside is Broken" is a courageous success story of the Nisenan Tribe of Northern California, through the frontier of Sutter's reign on the Sacramento Valley. 


This dynamic nonfictional musical is based on the survival of the once largest thriving California Tribe. It has become the beautiful romance on the tragic tale that pillaged 95% of it's population. The strong 5% has now branched out to the 7th generation of survivors ready to share their story with the world. Together, combining sources with local organizations, sponsors, and supporters, we are in the process of creating and finishing an artistic, story-telling, musical rock-opera of what happened (from the native perspective) during the years of 1838 to the Gold Rush. A moment in history that changed the lives of our descendants for years to come. We will showcase a story of resilience created by Alan Wallace, music composed by Goodshield Aguillar and Jack Kohler (On Native Ground), Musical Arrangement by Simon' Wilson, a script written by Jack Kohler, and support from Artists: Stan Padilla (Placer Arts), J Ross Parrelli (Universal Music Group Artist),  Auburn Hip Hop Congress, Beats Lyrics Leaders, and many other local artists and organizations. We are at a turning point where we need to call on the support and help of family and the community, the ones who are really affected by our history.
"It is an honor and blessing when we, as a people, can impact a community in such a way, that it brings us not only together as humans, but allows for an organic healing to take place. In this present moment we are scripted to make a decision where the impact of history can remain silenced and within our small group of older more sophisticated Indians and families, or it can be told to inspire growth, change, and most important - healing. Our next generation is at the forefront of loosing a part of history, unknown to the general population, about the effects and perspective of settlers and gold miners, death, slavery, and OUR untold story. We face the risk of loosing a native tongue that once held so dear to this community. We face a generation that would be disconnected to the very roots that made their genetic imprints. 
We also face a pivoting moment and hopeful dream to bare the knowledge, strength and spirituality wrapped in the tongue of  the Nisenan language, spoken by our grandparents, alive and moving, to remain at the forefront of our teachings and knowledge". 
OUR TEAM 
On Native Ground is an award winning successful collaboration of storytellers who share a common vision in creating documentaries, television shows, feature films and musicals of relevance to our current society.  We are a Hoopa tribal non-profit  corporation whose mission is to promote positive visibility to Native Americans and Indigenous filmmakers, artists and leaders in the community. On Native Ground provides opportunities in media, filmmaking, citizen journalism, social networking and development of tribal-media infrastructures.   www.onnativeground.org 
Alan Wallace is presenting at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in DC,  celebration of the Maiduan stories from Northern California through song, painted arts, storytelling, and interactive story learning. Sharing his in-depth knowledge in storytelling, tradition, medicine, love, and history.  Alan's passion is to tell the true story of survival and resilience  of his ancestors, that allowed him to be here today, to lead us on this musical journey.
 http://www.nmai.si.edu/calendar/?trumbaEmbed=date%3D20160227#/?i=1


Jack Kohler is an award winning film maker, actor and musician who graduated from Stanford University with an engineering degree, but followed his dream as a storyteller and media producer.  He is a Hoopa tribal member and his tribe was greatly impacted by the 1850's gold rush along the Trinity River. He teaches multi-media courses in film making and drama, and is the Director of "On Native Ground." Jack has been composing music since high school.  He has been mentoring native students for the past 15 years on film making and broadcast journalism. His first collaboration with Alan Wallace was "K'ina kil: The Slaver's Son," which has garnered many awards. Other films include: "River of Renewal" "Once We Had A River" "On Native Ground: Television Series" "Sovereign's Water" "Joseph's War Pony" "My Sunset Girl" and many others.  Jack has also won the Eagle Spirit Award from the American Indian Film Institute.  He portrayed 'Tecumseh' for 5 years in the Equity production of "Tecumseh, the Outdoor Drama" and 'Hump' in the World premiere of "Honor Song for Crazy Horse" for TheaterWorks Silicon Valley.




Stan Padila honors his Yaqui ancestors. He is immersed in traditional native learning and life ways. Stan is a multi-media artist, author, educator and social activist who’s disciplines include drawing, painting, and silversmithing.
J Ross Parrelli is BEATS LYRICS LEADERS Sultry songstress turned community cultivator. Parrelli has spoken and performed at youth leadership conferences all over the globe. Her interest in education-reform led her to co-found Beats, Lyrics, Leaders through which she is developing Hip Hop based curriculum now being piloted in schools, foster youth programs, and on native reservations. www.beatslyricsleaders.com

Simón Wilson is a young composer, producer, vocalist, and pianist currently residing in Santa Rosa, CA. He comes from a family of musicians and has been playing piano, guitar, and singing since age 9. He graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Music, an emphasis on Vocal Performance, and a minor in Economics. Since then, he has been actively collaborating with other artists to produce music for dance, film, poetry, musical theater, and video games. Simón is always trying to diversify his talents as a composer and enjoys working on many different kinds of projects.
Auburn Hip Hop Congress uses music, art and hip hop culture to bring a community of all ages and backgrounds together in positive and meaningful ways. This is done through the creation of youth programs, community outreach and service, artist development, cultural awareness and quality events. www.auburnhiphopcongress.com 
Timeline:
Production of  "Something Inside is Broken" begins in January, with a presentation by the end of Spring 2016, with a full running production by Fall of 2016 to tour from Los Angeles to Washington DC.  
Host auditions for actors and actresses beginning in January 2016 (TBD) 
Host auditions for musicians by mid February 2016
Begin rehearsals on the last weekend of January through to early March
Present the production in late March. 




Goals


We have the opportunity to teach an unheard perspective on California history,  and since this knowledge holds our faith and beliefs so deeply, we are asking for any and all support you can help with funding our program and ideas. Not only does it benefit all the individuals involved, whom will feel the direct healing from talking about such an epidemic, but it will also benefit everyone who gets to witness this musical performance and production. Our goal is to start by performing this production entitled "Something Inside is Broken" with our full cast at a local College and University, and ultimately spread this across the nation like a California Wildfire. 
Join us in celebrating, healing, and building a positive impact in the people and environment we call home.  Your donation will be a non-profit charitable donation to ‘On Native Ground’ whom administers the funding. All of 'On Native Ground's' staff are volunteers, so all of the funding goes towards the production.
For further questions contact:     Alan Wallace at alanwallace3@gmail.com / 530-852-2329 or Jack Kohler at jack@onnativeground.org / 707-592-9030

Who said What?
Thar's gold in them thar hills! so went the cry of the prospectors from Sutter's Mill in the Gold Rush of 1848, but in "Something Inside is Broken," you learn that the gold predated the prospectors, and the Nisenan and their stories had been there for millennia. Now is our chance to honor the true treasures. Language is the essence of being human -- it tells us who we are, allows us to meet the sky, pours words into the river that has no banks -- voila! What Alan Wallace and the team are doing for the Nisenan is the very model of how a language can survive. 
- Bob Holman, filmmaker and host of Language Matters (2015 Documentary of the Year, Berkeley Film Festival)