Sunset Exhibitions: Ways of Singing

Louie Robles

Louis Paul John Epifano Valenzuela Robles prefers to be called Louie. With over 10 generations of recorded family history in Southern California, his roots run deep in this area. As an enrolled member of The Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation, he can trace his ancestors as being present at the founding of Mission San Juan Capistrano on November 1, 1776. Through his maternal grandmother, Hermina Vasquez Valenzuela’s lineage, he is direct descendant of two of the original Pobladores or Settlers who founded El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora, La Reina de Los Angeles on September 4, 1781. 

Photo courtesy of the artist

Virginia Carmelo and Toveema

Virginia Carmelo was born in Orange County, California and raised in Fullerton, California. Her paternal side is California Native American: Gabrielino/Tongva (Pronounced Toong–vey) and Digueno/Kumeyaay tribes. In 1974, Virginia received her BA from CSU, Fullerton in Ethnic Studies. During that time, being influenced by and involved in the social movements of the sixties, she began dance studies that led her to study Indigenous dance with two prominent masters in the Los Angeles area. Virginia was teacher to 5 of her 6 children for a 5-year stint of home schooling. Currently, they take part in preserving and sharing the Tongva culture. The family endeavors to revitalize Tongva tribal song, dance, story, and regalia. Today, the group Toveema can be seen performing both ancient and modern tribal song and dance at many prominent venues throughout Southern California. They take pride in the making of all regalia and instruments, using natural indigenous materials. In 2004, Virginia was led to research the Tongva language. A portion of the tribal language was recorded during the early 1900’s and last spoken around 1930. Thanks to linguist Pam Munro and language programs, this California Indian language is being spoken again after 80 years being silent. From 2001 to 2012, Virginia served as a Tribal Council Member of the Gabrielino/Tongva Nation, the tribe indigenous to the entire Los Angeles Basin. From 2005 to 2010, she served as Tribal Chairperson. Currently, Virginia is a consultant and Cultural Educator, also dedicating time to activism and Indigenous dance. 

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Jessa Calderon

Singer, Song Writer, Emcee (rapper), Poet, Published Author, as well as the Director of Land, Water and Climate Justice for Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples, Jessa Calderon is of the Chumash and Tongva Nations of Southern California. Jessa also identifies with her Yoeme and Mexican roots. Jessa is a natural born singer who truly found her voice in hip-hop. As an emcee, poet and published author, Jessa is able to share parts of herself in a way that keeps the crowds intrigued. Not only does Jessa bring pictures to life through the mind’s eye with her writing, she also brings her listeners enlightenment which can offer them the means to encounter self-healing. Since 2019 Jessa has joined the Dream Warriors collective. Together and separately they share music, culture, stories, poems, seminars, workshops, and webinars which equate to different means of wellness as individuals and community. Aside from writing and music, Jessa has also been a Massage Therapist & Energy worker for over 20 years. She is passionate in offering Massage, Energy work, Past Life Regressions, Hypnotherapy and Intuitive practices. 

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The Chumash Cultural Collective

For this performance: Deborah Sanchez, Diana Soto, Judi Aparcana, Joanna Sanchez, and Isabel Ayala

 The Chumash Cultural Collective was formed five years ago. Founded by Deborah Sanchez and 12 of her Šmuwič language students, the Chumash Dance Sisters are housed within the Chumash Cultural Collective. These sisters are also the directors of the collective. Each of these women have been studying the Šmuwič language, which is one of six Chumash languages. Some sisters have been in language classes and studying for more than 10 years. Others more recent. These women are all culture bearers in different capacities, such as song keepers; some have expertise in plants, as food and medicine; regalia and jewelry making; basketry; and song and dance. The overall mission of the collective is to provide cultural sharing and love and support to Indigenous communities, vulnerable populations, and communities living in diaspora. They focus on educating themselves and educating others through presentations in cultural venues, schools, and as invited guests in other spaces. 

The Chumash Dance Sisters have appeared in documentaries discussing language revitalization and reclamation, and climate chaos. Their founder Deborah Sanchez is a retired Los Angeles Superior Court judge and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Linguistics at CSULB. She has been a faculty member for the American Indian Studies program since 2013 and teaches American Indians and the Law. 

Deborah Sanchez is the Founder of the Chumash Cultural Collective, Retired Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, and Faculty Member, American Indian Studies, California State University, Long Beach since 2013. 

Photo courtesy of the artist

Cahuilla Bird

Cahuilla Bird is a Native American singing and dancing group comprised of Cahuilla men, women and youth representing four out of the 10 Cahuilla Bands located in Southern California. Cahuilla Bird is a highly sought after group throughout Native America's traditional gatherings and pow wow circuit, as well as schools and museums. Traveling anywhere they are invited, Cahuilla Bird shares its social song and dance known as "Bird." This song and dance tells the story of the world’s creation and how life began. The tradition of Bird connects and unifies People through the beauty of the songs and dance.

 Photo courtesy of the artist

Jeffrey Gibson

Born in Colorado in 1972, interdisciplinary artist Jeffrey Gibson is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and of Cherokee descent. Gibson received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1995 and his Master of Arts in painting from the Royal College of Art, London, in 1998. Throughout his career, Gibson has centered Indigenous and LGBTQ+ perspectives, exploring cultural authenticity, stereotypes of Native people, and how aesthetics circulate amongst different groups. Vibrant colors, geometric patterns and found objects are common throughout his art, resulting in a distinct visual language that celebrates interconnectedness and assemblage. 

Photo by Brian Barlow