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Urban Native Americans heal and share traditions at youth center in San Diego

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Urban Native Americans heal and share traditions at youth center in San Diego


The San Diego American Indian Health Center is easy to see from the street in Bankers Hill, with beautiful Native American artwork on the face of the building.

But right next door is another part of the organization that’s harder to find — their youth outreach center.

A sign and building artwork welcome guest to the San Diego American Indian Community Health Center, April 14, 2023.

It’s been providing critical programming for decades and bridging the gap between generations in San Diego’s native community.

“We are considered ‘urban Indians’ because we all live in the urban area of San Diego. There are 18 reservations that surround San Diego but they are Kumeyaay,” said 89-year-old Randy Edmonds.

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The elder said the youth center is a space for Native Americans of all nations to connect with their roots.

He and his family belong to the Kiowa tribe of Oklahoma. His son Larry helps lead some of the youth programs.

“(We’re) having them learn their language. We get them involved in art. We have some classes in beading, moccasins, talking circles,” Larry said. “A lot of Natives will come in and get involved in a circle and talk about the things that they go through, and how we can help them in their lives.”

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A young boy works on arts and crafts with a mentor at the San Diego American Indian Youth Center, April 14, 2023.

Larry’s daughter, and Randy’s granddaughter, Melanie Edmonds, works at the American Indian Health Center just across the street.

“It’s nice when people come in and say ‘I didn’t even know you were here.’ And we were like ‘we’ve been here for a while!’” Melanie said. “I think that it’s unfortunate that a lot of people just don’t know what we’re here, and don’t know that we have the resources that they can really use.”

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The three generations of Edmonds said the youth center programs are often fun, but some take a more serious tone.

Those activities look to address intergenerational trauma in Native American communities.

“I had a boarding school experience. What they actually wanted us to do was to be cleansed of our ‘Indianness,’” elder Randy said.

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The Edmonds family and employees gather around a table at the San Diego American Indian Youth Center, April 14, 2023.

After his boarding school experience, he was part of a relocation program, which is what brought him to Southern California.

Randy said many urban Native Americans in the U.S. have similar family histories.

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“The intent of that relocation program was to assimilate the Native American into mainstream society. And that was basically to make him white,” he said.

Their work at the youth center includes passing down stories like Randy’s and upholding traditions.

They also team up with their health center to provide specially tailored mental and behavioral health services.

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Randy Edmonds speaks with his family at the San Diego American Indian Youth Center, April 14, 2023.

“Maybe when I was growing up I was afraid to show who I was, because you don’t know if you’re going to get made fun of, you just don’t know the outcome of it,” Melanie said.

The 28-year-old said being around other people like herself, and sharing their stories, helped her to grow.

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“Working in Native communities has really helped me become a little more confident in being Native American,” Melanie said. “I do feel like there needs to be a lot more awareness to people who are Native and want to get to know their culture.”

The youth center programs also connect people more deeply to a higher power.

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Melanie Edmonds speaks with her family at the San Diego American Indian Youth Center, April 14, 2023.

“It’s really a connection of community – to me through prayer – and just having services for them and just having a place for them to go that they feel safe,” Larry said.

One thing all the programs at the youth center have in common: They are sharing traditions with younger generations, despite the odds in an ever evolving world.

“We’re still alive, we haven’t gone anywhere. Our language is strong, our culture is strong, our spirituality is strong,” Randy said. “And we want to pass that on to make sure that we’re not remembered in the history books like so many people are.”

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The organization is hosting their 35th annual “gathering of the people”’ at a Balboa Park pow wow Mother’s Day weekend.

Like at their youth center, they invite all people – whether native or non-native, or living on a reservation or in a city – to join.



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San Diego, CA

San Diego FC could secure a major boost with the potential signing of Hirving Lozano from PSV

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San Diego FC could secure a major boost with the potential signing of Hirving Lozano from PSV


This time, attention turns to San Diego FC, which seems poised to secure a significant reinforcement: Hirving Lozano, the talented Mexican winger from PSV. Advanced negotiations between the parties indicate that the player, known as “Chucky,” may be on his way to the United States for an estimated fee of around $12 million. If confirmed, this signing could represent a major boost not only for San Diego FC but also for MLS as a whole.

At 28 years old, Lozano has already made his mark in European soccer. His technical ability, speed, and finishing prowess have made him a key player for both PSV and the Mexican national team. With 6 goals and 3 assists this season in the Eredivisie, along with 70 appearances for his country, Lozano not only brings a vast array of skills but also valuable experience in high-level competitions.

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The potential transfer of Lozano to San Diego FC would not only add quality to the American club’s squad but would also be a significant milestone for MLS. The league has been consistently striving to enhance its reputation and attractiveness, both domestically and internationally. The arrival of a player of Lozano’s caliber would not only raise the technical level of the competition but also attract more attention to MLS.

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Furthermore, Lozano’s signing by San Diego FC could pave the way for more Mexican players in MLS. Mexican soccer boasts a fervent fan base and a rich tradition in the sport, and the presence of Mexican players in the American league could further strengthen ties between the two nations and increase interest in soccer in the United States.

It’s important to consider the challenges that a move to MLS may pose for Lozano. Adapting to a new country, style of play, and culture can take time, and not all players manage to shine immediately in a different environment. Additionally, the level of competition in MLS, while continually evolving, may still not be as high as that of European leagues like the Eredivisie. Lozano would need to adjust to this difference and continue to develop his game to succeed in the new league.

MLS has been increasingly competitive and attractive to players from around the world. With growing investments in infrastructure, youth academies, and high-profile signings, the league is solidifying itself as a viable option for players at different stages of their careers. Lozano’s arrival could be an important step in this journey of growth and ambition for MLS.





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Cincinnati Reds Fall to San Diego Padres 6-2

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Cincinnati Reds Fall to San Diego Padres 6-2


The Cincinnati Reds lost to the San Diego Padres 6-2 on Wednesday evening.

Jake Cornenworth hit a grand slam off of Fernando Cruz in the seventh to help the Padres win the game and the series. The game was tied 2-2 when Cornenworth hit the grand slam.

Graham Ashcraft got the start for the Reds, allowing two runs and five hits in six innings. He finished with four strikeouts and issued two walks.

Spencer Steer hit a lead-off home run for the Reds in the first inning. Jeimer Candelario’s RBI single in the fifth inning was the only other run Cincinnati would score.

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The Reds fall to 16-15 on the season. They’re in third place in the National League Central Division.

The Reds’ next game will be against the Orioles on Friday night at Great American Ballpark.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Reds for the latest news, exclusive interviews, and daily coverage of the Cincinnati Reds!

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San Diego, CA

Organized Labor Rallies Around Cindy Chavez as Next San Diego County CAO | San Jose Inside

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Organized Labor Rallies Around Cindy Chavez as Next San Diego County CAO | San Jose Inside


Sources say Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez has re-applied for the position of Chief Administrative Officer in San Diego County, where organized labor is turning up the heat to pressure the county board of supervisors to include her among finalists for the $400,000-a-year post.

Members of SEIU Local 221 and the local United Domestic Workers union, supported by the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, held a public rally outside the county administration building on Tuesday, pushing for Chavez’ appointment as the supervisors met behind closed doors to discuss the hiring process for CAO, the county’s top staff position.

A flier and poster for  the “Rally for Transparent CAO Process” that was posted on Instagram, called on union members to “Tell the board to interview Cindy Chavez, a champion for working families, as a finalist for Chief Administrative Officer.”

Chavez, former director of the South Bay Labor Council in San Jose and a two-time unsuccessful candidate for mayor of San Jose, was considered the top candidate for the San Diego CAO early last year.

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Her San Diego appointment was scuttled at the last minute, when a sexual harassment scandal forced the resignation of Supervisor Nathan Fletcher – husband of Chavez friend and political ally, state labor leader Lorena Gonzales Fletcher – and the postponement of the CAO search until after the November election. When another Democrat was elected to fill Fletcher’s seat, supervisors re-advertised the position and told prior applicants they would need to re-apply if they were still interested.

In mid-April, the influential online news outlet, the Voice of San Diego, reported that Chavez “is once again interested in the role.” Chavez has consistently not responded to requests for comment, and county officials have not identified any of the current applicants.

At Tuesday’s rally, the focus was on new board chair Nora Vargas to support “a transparent process that will include candidates supported by the community.”

The union leaders claimed that the supervisors last spring actually voted “to hire a pro-worker, Latina candidate [Chavez] to become the next Chief Administrative Officer, but the board suddenly changed its mind and rescinded the offer.” The board never revealed any details of its private deliberations.

The union leaders called the board’s action to change its mind on the Chavez appointment a “flip-flop [that] is unacceptable and could seriously harm the future of care in the county for years to come.”

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In the Instagram post, the union leaders called on the county “to create a public, transparent process where the public can meet the finalists.”

The Voice of San Diego reported that the county apparently responded, and is expected to name semi-finalists this month. Each county supervisor will be able to nominate two constituents to interview them before finalists are put forward by the end of the month.

Also, in mid-April the executive committee of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council approved a resolution in support of Chavez’ application to be the new county CAO.

The proposed resolution will now go to the full group of delegates that represent all the unions within the Labor Council. It follows a similar resolution by the San Diego County Democratic Party. 

Crystal Irving, president of SEIU 221, which represents over 10,000 San Diego County employees, told the Voice of San Diego last month: “We are at a crossroads. We can either cling to the conservative ‘financial experience’ that prioritizes old fiscal policies, or we can embrace a bold, progressive future that truly serves all community members. Our coalition of Democrats, union members and progressives feel Cindy Chavez embodies this much needed change and will deliver on the board’s pro-worker vision for the future.”

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Three decades of journalism experience, as a writer and editor with Gannett, Knight-Ridder and Lee newspapers, as a business journal editor and publisher and as a weekly newspaper editor in Scotts Valley and Gilroy; with the Weeklys group since 2017. Recipient of several first-place writing and editing awards, California News Publishers Association.



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