By Antonia Gonzales and Sarah Gustavus
Native parents in Los Angeles County are turning to the Southern California Indian Center for support. Families face a number of challenges living in a large urban area, and some parents may not have access to services and help with necessities or raising their children with their extended family members or their tribe.
Through a fellowship with the USC Annenberg-Center for Health Journalism and the Dennis A. Hunt Health Journalism Fund, National Native News and New Mexico In Focus traveled to LA and looked at a program, which is helping ensure babies and parents are safe and healthy while also connecting them to other Native Americans in the big city.
Minimum wage in Los Angeles was raised this summer from $10.50 an hour to $12.00, while the average cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment is nearly $2,000.00.
April Cardenas, David Jr. and David McGeisey Diaz. (Photo-Antonia Gonzales)
“Living in the city, in LA especially, it gets expensive,” said David McGeisey Diaz.
David McGeisey Diaz, who is Seminole Creek and Pima, grew up in the LA-area. He has an infant son with April Cardenas, who is also Seminole Creek.
The parents take part in programs at the Southern California Indian Center, which are offered to Native Americans in Los Angeles County. Cardenas believes the support she receives there is worth traveling the distance.
“I still don’t have my license so it’s really complicated I have to take an Uber,” explained Cardenas. “What would it be would be a ride from and over from my house to the train station and then the 20 to 30-minute ride over here,” she added.
The couple initially came to the Indian center for help with baby items including diapers, but also found a place where they felt comfortable talking about other issues.
“A lot of people think that we’re like from over the border, (there is) a lot of racism that goes on and a lot of misconceptions of our heritage,” said McGeisey Diaz.
Parents like David and April are taking part in the American Indian Family Partnership program, which has been at the center for eight years.
“It’s all about family and that kind of makes me feel at home,” said Cardenas. “I’ve never really had a family and this is really cool.”
Many parents are in crisis when they first arrive, according Raymond Estrella an outreach counselor.
“They’re on emergency mode right now, they’re not thinking about tomorrow or they’re hungry, and they need stuff right now,” said Estrella.
After those immediate needs are met, families can focus on healthy living including helping high risk moms who have experienced abuse or need mental health services.
Vivian Garcia is Cherokee Nation and came to the center for support after her daughter was born. Transportation, jobs and housing are among the many challenges facing Native people in LA, Garcia said she yearned to connect with other Native people.
“Taking the classes and knowing that I just wasn’t alone in this journey was really the biggest blessing for me because it did kind of restore that fact, you know, I can do this,” said Garcia.
Parents are encouraged to go through training that covers health, safety and how to create a nurturing environment. Cultural activities, such as beading and cradleboard making, are included side-by-side with services.
“We have families, grandmas and you know uncles and everybody would come in and work with the cradle board,” said Pamela Smith, who is Navajo and works with families at the Indian center. “When that baby is in that cradleboard everybody has a hand on that cradleboard, the whole family is there constructing this carrier for the baby for them to be safe and it’s nothing but good thoughts and laughter.”
One of the biggest challenges for the Southern California Indian Center is funding cuts, but the organization is working to adapt programs with current finances. Families benefiting from services at the center maintain it helps them reconnect to their Native culture while providing a support system.
