YMCA Indian Program Fosters Appreciation

Re “Indian Guides: Promoting Recreation, or Racism?” on April 30:

I read with interest Daniel Yi’s story on the YMCA Indian Guide/Princess program. It’s a shame Vernon Bellecourt of the American Indian Movement took time to criticize the program without gathering all the information.

As a dad with four daughters and nine wonderful years in the program, I can honestly say that Bellecourt’s argument is totally without merit. I have served in numerous leadership roles in the Saddleback Valley Indian Princess program (the Saddleback Valley YMCA in Mission Viejo has one of the largest Guide/Princess programs in the country), and we have always strived to include Native Americans in numerous programsthroughout the year’s activities.

“Breeding grounds for racism”? Hardly. The YMCA Indian Guide/Princess program fosters relationships between parents and their children, builds friendships and strong bonds, and attempts to teach everyone involved the richness of a people who have been desperately wronged for generations.

Bruce Manning

Mission Viejo

As one who spent nine years in the same South County program, I can attest that the Y-Indian programs are meant to promote the strong traditions of family and community that the various Indian nations are recognized (by the YMCA) as exemplifying. It is a very positive experience for parent and child, and utilizing the Indian theme makes a strong statement (by the YMCA) that the Native American cultures have set a positive example for all of us in that regard.

Are there some stereotypes that need to be changed in the program? Undoubtedly. But you would be hard-pressed to find more respectful intent and positive regard for the Indian culture than that presented by the YMCA.

Nine-year-old Christina Bohmfalk may not completely understand what it means to be a “Shoshone,” but she will study and learn about the Shoshone tribe--and other Indian nations and their customs--and understand that they stand for something much more positive and complex than the Hollywood stereotype she is otherwise exposed to.

She obviously takes pride in being a “Shoshone” and, by extension, an Indian. Isn’t that a form of positive education? I believe it is--and presented much more positively than the “hatchet job” Yi presented on the YMCA.

Rick Donahue

Lake Forest

After reading the piece on the Indian Guide controversy, I asked my 16-year-old daughter (who was an Indian Princess for four-plus years) if she felt the experience contributed to her appreciation of American Indians and Mother Nature. She said, “Half was from Indian Princesses, and half was from me personally.” I explained to her that I got my respect for Native Americans 40 years ago with my dad at the YMCA Indian Guides.

Steve Behmerwohld

San Juan Capistrano