Update: Sad to report that ELDER Stella Guzman has moved on, passing away away, Tuesday November 13th, after a LONG life. May she find peace.
Oldest Gabrieleno Tongva turned 100 years old last week. Gabrieleno Tongva elder Stella Guzman celebrated her 100th birthday. Congratulations on a long life.
Mrs. Guzman is grandmother to our cousin Mark Lucero and she survives her first husband, Pechanga Elder and war hero Johnny Miller, who the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, led by Mark Macarro, completely disrespected by striking him posthumously from the Pechanga Membership Rolls.
It seems the Gabrieleno Tongva have a better way of treating their elders.
10 comments:
Congratulations, Stella!!! Have a very Happy Birthday!!!!
Happy birthday Stella hope you have many more!!!
The spirits have been with you! Your family is blessed to have you. Your tribe does right to honor their elders.
Happy Birthday Mrs. Stella. I have a friend who is a tribal council member of the Gabrieleno’s. They are from the pass area. From what I know they are a good people who deserve the same rights as all other tribes. They are currently seeking federal recognition. My grandfather’s family has Gabrieleno blood. I guess that makes me a mixed blood of Indian blood. I see it this way even though I may not look Indian because I am Albino, yet I have a strong blood line because of all of the different blood lines that are Indian. The point I am making is that having pure blood lines is snobbish; it reminds me of those so called “Aristocrats or Blue Bloods” who killed our brothers and sisters when they came to this land.
Happy birthday Elder Stella
Thank you for all the good wishes for my Nana Stella Miller-Guzman. She celebrated her birthday with over 100 of her descendants, sister,cousins,nieces,nephews, children,great-greatgrandchildren
and friends. It was a beautiful day in the park,the sun was out for Stella,she sang along with the Mariachis, she cried a little and smiled all day long.The City of Los Angeles presented her with a plaque commemorating her family as one of the first Angelenos.
lospbladores200.org filmed it all.
I love you Nana, we will do it again next birthday.
Mark
Thank you O.P. for posting this story on your blog. Yes the Gabrieleno-Tongva are treating their Elders with respect, unlike Pechanga who disrespects tradition and heritage.
meant to say..lospobladores200.org
Rest In Peace Nana, I love you always.
Mark.
My condolences to her family she will be remembered through her stories that you her family will share with one another. This has been our way since the turtle started to carry the world on its back. When you burn sage and tobacco for her our songs and prayers will mix with yours and be carried to that other place. May the spirit bring your family peace.
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