Native Americans of coastal Southern California

Xochitl, Ashley Wells, Wisdom Quarterly; Chumash Life (March 2014), SantaYnezChumash

(santaynezchumash.org)

The Tongva lived in Los Angeles foothills and basin, but the coast from Malibu to Paso Robles (SLO County) was the domain of the Chumash. Who were they?

• A look into the life of a modern grape juice-maker: a tribal member who's breaking down barriers for women and for Native Americans.
• Learn about the fight to reclaim land that was home to Chumash ancestors and could be home to the tribe's future generations.
• See spectacular treasures and historical artifacts that will be part of the tribe's museum and cultural center.
• Meet some extraordinary canines who travel the world to save human lives during this profile of one of the tribe's valued community partners: the Search Dog Foundation.

• Obama approved oil drilling in Alaska: No protests, only Native Americans notice (Investigator Greg Palast)
• "We're all some kind of Native now" (Greg Palast)
• Overturn McCutcheon (Public Citizen)

Inter Tribal Powwows

Buddhism among Pueblo Indians

This weekend, April 12-13, was the 16th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Inter Tribal Gathering in Malibu at Malibu Bluffs Park, 24250 Pacific Coast Highway. All drums and dancers were welcomed with Head Gourd Saginaw Grant, MC Bobby Whitebird, Arena Director Victor Chavez, Northern Host Drum Blue Star, Southern Host Drum Big Medicine, Head Man Dennis Garcia, Head Woman Sarita McGowana. Powwows continue in other cities. 

The earliest Native Americans were Buddhists from the Tibetan Autonomous Region, China, seen here in Mahavairocana purifying ritual 2014 (Ven. Janyang Zangpo/flickr.com)

  

Powwow (UCDavis.edu)

Next weekend, April 19-20, is the 4th Annual Cal State University Dominguez Hills Pow Wow honoring the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas (11am-8pm) with Spiritual Laeader: Jimi Castillo (Tongva/Acjachemen), Head Gourd Dancer: Earl Steen (Muscogee Creek), Master of Ceremonies: John Dawson (San Carlos Apache), Arena Director: Victor Chavez (Dine), Host Southern Drum: Sooner Nation, Host Northern Drum: Changing Spirits. All Drums and Dancers welcome! SEE VIDEOS. Open to the public, FREE admission (parking $4 on Saturday, free on Sunday). Location: Cal State University Dominguez Hills Sculpture Garden, 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson, California 90807, Steve Rosales (Yaqui/Cora-Huichol) 310.872.7515. More
 

Behind Malibu Beach is a forested canyon (Santa Monica Mountains) that opens into the SF Valley at Topanga, which hosts Earth Day 2014. Come "Back to the Garden" 10am-sunset.