California State Indian Museum

Happy Birthday to Deborah A. Miranda, Ohlone-Costanoan Esselen poet, writer, and professor. We encourage you to take some time to read "Tuolumne", a moving portrait of knowledge passed from father to child across generations.

Congratulations to Brittani R Orona, who has been named this year's Incomindios-Lippuner Scholar. We had the pleasure of employing her at the State Indian Museum several years ago.

October 12th was Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Indigenous Peoples’ Day was officially recognized by the State of California in 2019, and was established to celebrate the vibrant, diverse, and still-present cultures of California’s Native People. California is home to hundreds of Native American tribes, bands, and communities, each with their own unique and magnificent arts and traditions. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is meant to highlight Native cultures and history, and the California State Indian Museum has the privilege of displaying images and items important to these traditions. We strive to acknowledge and honor the indigenous people of California, and their vast contributions to the past, present, and future of our state, not just today but every day.

It's finally happening! Our All About Acorns program is ready to book at https://www.ports-ca.us/ports-on-demand/state-indian-museum. Spots are available as early as next Friday!

Continuing over one hundred years of friendship and solidarity between Irish and Native American people, Ireland Lacrosse gave up their spot in the 2022 World Games competition so that the Iroquois Nationals will be able to compete. The Nationals represent the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, who were the original creators of lacrosse, which they call the medicine game. https://www.npr.org//ireland-lacrosse-bows-out-of-2022-wor

Check out the great work our friends on the north coast have been doing!

California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot, State Parks Director Armando Quintero and Department of Transportation Director Toks Omishakin today announced a series of actions to identify and redress discriminatory names of features attached to the State Parks and transportation systems. Agencies also will expand representation and increase transparency around a state committee tasked with recommending changes to geographic names in California. Read full press release here: https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/976

Native American Day (September 25): Today marks the 53rd observance of California Native American Day, the fourth Friday of September. How are you observing today? In 1939, then Governor Culbert Olson started Indian Day which evolved into California Native American Day in 1968 through Governor Ronald Reagan and the California Tribal Chairpersons Association. ... This year, California Native American Day has gone virtual with the theme: Healing Nations: Protecting Elders, Women and Children. We encourage you to tune in to the live programming on the California Native American Day page. Videos will include songs and dance, comedy performances, cooking demonstrations, and legislative updates from Northern, Central, and Southern California’s tribal nations all with the focused on the purpose behind the fightto heal, to grow, and to preserve the future of California’s tribal cultures. For more information visit: https://californianativeamericanday.com/

Tomorrow Patrick's Point State Park is planning a webinar for California Native American Day! Join interpreters Maiya Rainer, Princess Colegrove, and Skip Lowry as they share stories of their indigenous heritage and tour the recreated Yurok village of Sumeg! Begins at 1pm, 9/25. Register beforehand and interact live. https://ports-ca.zoom.us//regist/WN_Mpzq6lwETICvZ5jh27gSbA

Send us a message here on Facebook or email [email protected] to be contacted when booking begins, or if you have any questions.

Another all-digital event on October 17th: The Auburn Big Time Pow Wow!

What-is-it Wednesday? What is it, what does your family use it for, do you have pictures of it or things made from parts of it?

This is a rare opportunity for people across the state to experience this event! "This virtual celebration will feature traditional cultural crafts, storytelling, educational programs, live demonstrations, music, and dance celebrating California’s indigenous maritime cultures, including Tongva, Chumash, Acjachemen, Costanoan, Luiseno, and Kumeyaay."