Delmar Sensi Uqualla
Born into 4 Indigenous Nations ~
+Havaasu Baaja’ aka the Havasupai - Blue Green Water
+Ghioyeego aka the Kiowa
+Nʉmʉnʉʉ aka The Comanche
+Ipai Tipai aka The Kumeyaay
She is soft, present, persistent in her soul journey. She is a seer, a part of some ancient lineages that still have direct connection to the Earth remembered in DNA. She writes poetry for social justice, and better understanding of Indigenous culture and traditions. She calls out cultural appropriation. Mediums are fashion regalia, dance, ceremony, writing, and activism. Delmar now travels internationally teaching and learning. Delmar’s goal is to create authentic spaces in all that she offers, and to teach people how to connect with the roots of their ancestors and being by remembering the Elements and ritual.
My PATH
Delmar grew up between the Viejas Kumeyaay Reservation in California, and Wichita, Kansas.
I learn from the Tipi (Peyote) Meeting ways, aka the NAC Native American Church, and currently travel internationally designing clothing that in are direct connection with Indigenous styles of different lands, and teaching on Cultural Appropriation at women’s retreats. While sharing songs and stories that may bridge, add solutions or more ease to the Indigenous experience and her Ancestors. I currently study languages of my peoples, and midwifery/womb health. I am working on raising funds to create a place of gathering and sanctuary for ceremonies and classes.
I have traveled to multiple retreats, and held space in medicine ceremonies. I am not a road woman yet. I was raised by my Comanche great grandmother, and Kumeyaay and Kiowa-Comanche Grandmothers in our ceremonial ways, and nature based practices.
I come to the space with my Ancestors present, and to sometimes talk about cultural appropriation (if applicable), and Indigenous stories.
There are Indigenous roots around the world. I grew up in a culture where colonization was most fresh. My Havasupai peoples weren’t taking to boarding schools till the 1930s, and my dad was the last generation of boarding schools in the late 80s. So I am a big advocate for Intergenerational healing.
I’ve had my experience studying different theologies, ceremonies, and often speak upon cultural appropriation in different spiritual communities worldwide. I’m always studying how nature prayers and magic connect to her upbringing in tipi meetings and pow wow dances. I’ve also traveled and researched sustainable and traditional fashion techniques, and the power of clothing and attire as protective regalia in everyday life or in ceremony settings.
I have visited the UN Indigenous Forum to speak with elders, and continuously documents stories from elders and relatives to safeguard the stories or teach to the future generation.
In late 2018, I starred in a short documentary about some of her life on the Kumeyaay reservation, a small look at Delmar’s water bending and experiences.