REZ-A-PALOOZA brings fun, music and community together | News
Char-Koosta News
Shadow Devereaux, a.k.a. Foreshadow, uses rap to encourage and educate the kids. Later, the kids attempt to sing and rap as well.
PABLO — On July 27, Pablo West hosted the second of many upcoming summer REZ-A-PALOOZA block parties. REZ-A-PALOOZA will take place at various homesites across the reservation for the remainder of the summer. Several CSKT departments and volunteers work together to create a fun gathering place for residents and their families, while also promoting healthy lifestyles, strengthening families, and encouraging community participation.
Organizers and volunteers provide children with traditional and other fun games, as well as water activities and open mic competitions. The Good Fork’N food truck was on hand to provide the community with a free dinner. A variety of other food trucks will attend future block parties.
In front of the audience, a young boy raps a song dedicated to his mother, expressing his love and gratitude to her.
“I am hopeful that positive results will continue to emerge, including building trust between SKHA and our tenants, strengthen families, neighborhood comradery, promoting community pride, and encouraging healthy lifestyles,” said Salish Kootenai Housing Authority Director Jody Perez. “The COVID pandemic brought disconnection and isolation. These fun, healthy community events provide an opportunity for connection and engagement.”
Tribal Health Department Diabetes Prevention program manager Gina Flores encouraged the children to race and enjoy physical activity — she promotes a healthy lifestyle as a means of defeating diabetes. Aggie Incashola attended and encouraged children and adults to participate in the traditional game of shinny. Additional volunteers gathered with the event organizers to help promote the purpose of REZ-A-PALOOZA.
Families and children had a great time, received various prizes, ate ice cream and splashed water on each other. Derrick Lozeau brought a fire truck and allowed the kids to try on equipment and climb on it, which the kids loved.
Jody Perez, Executive Director of SKHA, runs for it as the children attempt to drench her.
Toward the end of the event, Shadow Devereaux, a.k.a. Forshadow, and Vincent Bird-Webster asked the kids to gather for entertainment and open mic competitions. Children were encouraged to sing or rap; some brave souls summoned the courage to perform.
All participants received a REZ-A-PALOOZA T-shirt designed by Antoine Sandoval.
REZ-A- PALOOZA is also an opportunity for SKHA to show their appreciation for the vast majority of tenants who adhere to SKHA’s rules. “Although the event activities are geared towards youth, I hope it brings joy to all our tenants,” said Perez.
Families, friends, residents, and neighbors gathered to eat good, thanks to Good Fork’N Food.
Event planners consist of Salish Kootenai Housing Authority Su-San Perez-Tenas, and Director Perez, Department of Human Resources Development Families First Pat Matt and Erik Anderson, Tribal Health Barbs Schott, Child Protective Services Nicole Callahan, Tribal Social Services Carmelita Matt, Three Chiefs Cultural Center Director Marie Torosian, Aggie Incashola, and DHRD Social Services Department Naomi Billedeaux and Jason Heavyrunner.
More block parties will be held throughout the residential areas of Flathead Reservation. For more information about the location and dates of the block party, see the ad on Char-Koosta News Facebook page or follow Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority on Facebook. The next REZ-A-PALOOZA will be for the Pache housing in Ronan. If interested in volunteering contact Jody Perez at (406) 675-4491 ext. 1543 or Pat Matt at (406)-675-2700 ext. 1361.
Children crowd onto the fire truck
Children crowd onto the fire truck, tried on the equipment, climbed on it, played in it, and played with the lights and horns.
Dressing as firefighters
The kids waited in line to try on the equipment and pose for photos.
The children have a great time drenching each other
The children have a great time drenching each other and the volunteers with water.
