From The Earth For The People

By: Vivian Johnson

Contributing Writer

Photo Courtesy of:

Joseph Patrick

Photo Description:

South Colton Diversity Chair Eugene Valdez, Assistant Tribal Educator Camille Wilson, Tribal Educator Adrienne Edmondson, Tribal Operations Specialist Jacobia Kirksey, Business Manager for Temalpakh Farms Lee Frankel standing next to Feather Sculptures created with used discarded tires on Farm
From the Earth, for the People is the Mission Statement for Temalpakh Farm. It is printed on every farm box that is used to hold produce that is grown on the farm and distributed to the communities in the Coachella Valley. This summer Valdez Development and The South Colton Diversity Committee have entered into a Wholesalers Agreement and partnered with Temalpakh Farm which is owned by the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians to bring fresh produce and other much needed items to South Colton. The New Tribal Farm Business Manager Lee Frankel says "This will be a great way to incorporate the tribe's farm with other organizations throughout the Inland Empire" Often times when we think of Native American Reservations we only think of Indian Gaming Casinos and Entertainment. The community engagment involving Temalpakh Farm and The South Colton Diversity Committee will not only help in the revitalization of South Colton, it will be a cornerstone in Coltons' Cultural Resources Update which is designed to shed light on under represented Native American Tribe members throughout the city. Coltons' recognition of The Black Seminoles in 2024 and now the contributions of the Augustine Band of Cahilla Indians owned Temalpakh Farm will make Colton the first city in California to have dedicated a space for Federally Recognized and Unrecognized Tribes some times negatively refered to as the (FU Tribes). "We do not inherit our land from our ancestors, we barrow it from our children and great grandchilderen" says South Colton Diversity Chair and Black Seminole leader Eugene Valdez. This philosophy is shared by many Native American tribes and can be instrumental in making South Colton a destination point with a historical ambiance similar to Los Angeles' Olvera Street. Valdez Development and The South Colton Diversity Committee are currently producing a mini series and "Market Nights" to help tell the story of the start of the Inland Empire. The series and "Market Nights" will be similar to Coltons' "Movieland Frontier Town" which was a re-enacted Western Theme destination that drew people from all over to the city in the early 2000's.