In honor of Native American Heritage Month, CSUN Newsroom is amplifying American Indian alumni voices.
As part of the alumni series, we spoke with Debbie Martinez-Rambeau ‘75 (Liberal Arts and Chicano Studies), M.A. ‘81 (Elementary Education), a retired Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) elementary school principal, artist, gourd (a traditional American Indian instrument that can be used as a drum or rattle) maker and participant of CSUN’s Annual Powwow.
As one of only 22 CSUN Native students in the ‘70s, Martinez-Rambeau helped organize the first American Indian powwow on campus which has since become a yearly event.
Martinez-Rambeau has served on the powwow’s committee since 2013 and enjoys bringing together different tribes to the event to share traditions and pass them on to future generations.
“It means community, family and honor,” Martinez-Rambeau said. “It means continuing our traditions, teaching that to our children, passing that on. It means sharing our love of the drum and dancing and celebrating. It means our language.”
Martinez-Rambeau speaks Yoeme, the language of the Yaqui tribe. Her family has been in California for several generations.
In addition to her work with LAUSD and CSUN’s powwow community, Martinez-Rambeau is an accomplished gourd maker and pyrography engraver. She has sold more than 1,700 gourds and was one of 45 American Indians invited to showcase and sell her art at former President Barack Obama’s second inaugural ball.
Martinez-Rambeau started her art journey during a class at the University of California, Los Angeles where she learned pyrography, the art of burning into wood or pottery with a heated iron poker.
“When I burned into [a gourd], I fell in love with it,” Martinez-Rambeau said. “It hit me profoundly because it reminded me of the times growing up and smelling the fires around campfires with my family.”
Martinez-Rambeau said that she thoroughly enjoyed her years at CSUN and was thankful for the wisdom passed on by her instructors.
“It was a big part of who I have become as a woman in the community,” Martinez-Rambeau said.
Martinez-Rambeau had some words of advice for current and prospective CSUN students.
“I encourage all students to take a look at what their interests are and to become active on their campuses,” Martinez-Rambeau said. “I know it’s difficult for many students who go to the Cal State level because many are working and or have families and are struggling to study on top of having a job. I did that. I went through working and getting myself through university. So I know it can be done.”
