Native American Heritage Month bannerNOTE: This article was originally published February 10, 2020

CSUSB’s public history program and English department were among the community groups that came together earlier this year to present the Native Voices Poetry Festival, an annual showcase and celebration of Native American poetry, music and art. 

The event took place on Feb. 8 at the Dorothy Ramon Learning Center in Banning, and featured writing and art workshops for all ages, as well as performances and cultural This year the festival celebrated San Jacinto Peak or Aya Kaich. 

The Native Voices Poetry Festival is organized by Juan Delgado (Cal State San Bernardino professor of English), Ernest and June Siva, and Carolyn Horsman. CSUSB’s Public History Program and the CSUSB Department of English is partnering with the Dorothy Ramon Learning Center to make the event possible. 

Juan Delgado (left) CSUSB professor of English, Pat Murkland and Ernest Siva, elder of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians at the annual Native Voices Poetry Festival at the Dorothy Ramon Learning Center in Banning in February.
Juan Delgado (left) CSUSB professor of English, Pat Murkland and Ernest Siva, elder of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians at the annual Native Voices Poetry Festival at the Dorothy Ramon Learning Center in Banning in February.

Along with Cal State San Bernardino, partners with the Dorothy Ramon Learning Center for the Native Voices Poetry Festival include the Malki Museum, Heyday Books and News From Native California, Morongo School, Morongo Cultural Heritage Department, Rivers and Lands Conservancy, Banning Unified School District Indian Education Program and the Dragonfly Wind Flute Ensemble. 

For more information, visit the Dorothy Ramon Learning Center blog.

Writers and their book at the Native Voices Poetry Festival
Writers and their book at the Native Voices Poetry Festival
Music was also featured at the Native Voices Poetry Festival.
Music was also featured at the Native Voices Poetry Festival
The Dorothy Ramon Learning Center in Banning.
The Dorothy Ramon Learning Center in Banning.