Roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty at the Robert C. Kirkwood Entrance at Castle Rock State Park!

Join Sempervirens Fund in tending the garden and learning about the native plants. Volunteers will remove invasive plants and maintenance cages used to protect the plants from browsing deer. Work will be moderately strenuous and may take place on sloped and uneven terrain. Tools and gloves will be provided, but if you have your own equipment, we suggest bringing it along. We recommend wearing a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and durable shoes. Some snacks will be provided, but please bring your own lunch and water.

Meeting Address: Castle Rock State Park, Robert C. Kirkwood Entrance 15451 Skyline Blvd, Los Gatos, CA 95033  

Date: Sunday, March 20, 2022

Time: 9am-1pm

Register here

Difficulty: Moderate

Age: Recommended for 13+

Capacity: 30-40 ppl

Covid Policy: Mask is optional while outdoors but required for carpooling 

Volunteer Expectations: Volunteers should expect to hike on and off trail, remove invasive weeds, and maintain existing restoration zones. Volunteers will also be able to have the opportunity to interact with Sempervirens staff and learn about local flora and fauna. Please be aware of weekend crowds due to this being a state park.  

Accessibility:  

• Parking is free for volunteers

• Restrooms are available

Registration and Event Information: https://secure.sempervirens.org/a/spring-equinox-volunteer-workday

Please join the Amah Mutsun Land Trust for a day of tending to the Amah Mutsun garden at the Pie Ranch!

Volunteer work days at Pie Ranch (website) are on the third Saturday of each month, from 1:00-4:00.

To RSVP for this work day please follow this link to the Eventbrite sign up.

Pie Ranch acknowledges the interconnection of land, history, people, and food, and as an educational farm, committed to social justice they felt it was imperative that all tours and programs begin with an acknowledgement of the history of the land and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Designed by tribal member, Matthew Lopez, the Native Garden is shaped like a pie with pathways representing the four directions. Each "pie slice" represents different ethnobotanical native plants featuring grassland foods, fibers and basketry plants, nuts and berries, and personal care. The garden offers the perfect place to teach about the culture, ethnobotany, traditional ecological knowledge, history, and contemporary stewardship efforts of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Funding from The Christensen Fund enables the Amah Mutsun Land Trust to keep this garden flourishing.

For any questions please contact volunteers@amahmutsun.org

Please join the Amah Mutsun Land Trust for a day of tending to the Amah Mutsun garden at the San Juan Bautista Historic Park!

Volunteer work days at San Juan Bautista Historic State Park are regularly scheduled on the second Saturday of each month, from 12:30 am to 3:30 pm. 

Please RSVP at the Eventbrite link here

AMLT developed the Mutsun Garden at the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park in 2016, with funding from California State Parks Foundation, and plant donations from many local nurseries. The Mutsun Garden is one section of the State Park’s ‘Heritage Garden’, which is visited by approximately 100,000 people per year, including 44,000 school children who come on field-trips to tour the San Juan Bautista Mission. The Heritage Garden has been used to interpret historic structures and the life of early immigrants, but until recently it had little value as a tool for interpreting the lifeways of the original inhabitants of the area. Now, with native plants selected and planted by the descendants of the Mutsun people who first called this land home, Park visitors have a tangible opportunity to learn about local Native people, past and present, when visiting the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park Heritage Garden.

For all of our work days, tools will be provided. Be sure to bring a lunch or snacks, plenty of water, sun protection, and wear appropriate clothing for light-moderate garden work. Work will proceed in light to moderate rain, but a steady downpour will cancel. Please bring your own face covering, unless you are fully vaccinated (meaning two weeks since your last shot) and can show us your card. If you have not been vaccinated you will be required to wear a face mask that covers nose and mouth throughout the event and to maintain social distancing to the extent possible.

For any questions please contact volunteers@amahmutsun.org

Please join the Amah Mutsun Land Trust for a day of tending to the Amah Mutsun garden at the Pie Ranch!

Volunteer work days at Pie Ranch (website) are on the third Saturday of each month, from 1:00-4:00.

To RSVP for this work day please follow this link to the Eventbrite sign up.

Pie Ranch acknowledges the interconnection of land, history, people, and food, and as an educational farm, committed to social justice they felt it was imperative that all tours and programs begin with an acknowledgement of the history of the land and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Designed by tribal member, Matthew Lopez, the Native Garden is shaped like a pie with pathways representing the four directions. Each "pie slice" represents different ethnobotanical native plants featuring grassland foods, fibers and basketry plants, nuts and berries, and personal care. The garden offers the perfect place to teach about the culture, ethnobotany, traditional ecological knowledge, history, and contemporary stewardship efforts of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Funding from The Christensen Fund enables the Amah Mutsun Land Trust to keep this garden flourishing.

For any questions please contact aarganbright@amahmutsun.org

Please join the Amah Mutsun Land Trust for a day of tending to the Amah Mutsun garden at the San Juan Bautista Historic Park!

Volunteer work days at San Juan Bautista Historic State Park are regularly scheduled on the second Saturday of each month, from 12:30 am to 3:30 pm. 

Please RSVP at the Eventbrite link here

AMLT developed the Mutsun Garden at the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park in 2016, with funding from California State Parks Foundation, and plant donations from many local nurseries. The Mutsun Garden is one section of the State Park’s ‘Heritage Garden’, which is visited by approximately 100,000 people per year, including 44,000 school children who come on fieldtrips to tour the San Juan Bautista Mission. The Heritage Garden has been used to interpret historic structures and the life of early immigrants, but until recently it had little value as a tool for interpreting the lifeways of the original inhabitants of the area. Now, with native plants selected and planted by the descendants of the Mutsun people who first called this land home, Park visitors have a tangible opportunity to learn about local Native people, past and present, when visiting the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park Heritage Garden.

For all of our work days, tools will be provided. Be sure to bring a lunch or snacks, plenty of water, sun protection, and wear appropriate clothing for light-moderate garden work. Work will proceed in light to moderate rain, but a steady downpour will cancel. Please bring your own face covering, unless you are fully vaccinated (meaning two weeks since your last shot) and can show us your card. If you have not been vaccinated you will be required to wear a face mask that covers nose and mouth throughout the event and to maintain social distancing to the extent possible.

For any questions please contact aarganbright@amahmutsun.org

Please join the Amah Mutsun Land Trust for a day of tending to the Amah Mutsun garden at the Pie Ranch!

Volunteer work days at Pie Ranch (website) are on the third Saturday of each month, from 1:00-4:00.

To RSVP for this work day please follow this link to the Eventbrite sign up.

Pie Ranch acknowledges the interconnection of land, history, people, and food, and as an educational farm, committed to social justice they felt it was imperative that all tours and programs begin with an acknowledgement of the history of the land and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Designed by tribal member, Matthew Lopez, the Native Garden is shaped like a pie with pathways representing the four directions. Each "pie slice" represents different ethnobotanical native plants featuring grassland foods, fibers and basketry plants, nuts and berries, and personal care. The garden offers the perfect place to teach about the culture, ethnobotany, traditional ecological knowledge, history, and contemporary stewardship efforts of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Funding from The Christensen Fund enables the Amah Mutsun Land Trust to keep this garden flourishing.

For any questions please contact aarganbright@amahmutsun.org

AMLT Native Plant Weeding Blitz at Cascade Ranch

Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022

9:00 AM - 12:30 PM (morning) and 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM (afternoon)

To Register:

Option 1: 9:00am - 12:30 pm (morning) event registration 

Option 2: 1:00pm - 4:30 pm (afternoon) event registration 


Description:

At the beginning of this year, AMLT started working on a new project to restore and steward threatened coastal prairie habitats at Quiroste Valley Cultural Preserve. As part of this project, AMLT volunteers and members of the Native Stewardship Corps planted over 90,000 native plant seedlings in beds at Cascade Ranch on Año Nuevo Point. These plants will be used for seed production, with seeds collected from them being used to establish new stands of native plants at Quiroste Valley in the years to come.

Since the fall and winter rains have started, the beds of native plants have become heavily invaded by weeds, particularly sourgrass / Oxalis, and AMLT is seeking additional help from volunteers to pull these weeds so they don't choke out the native plants.

Volunteers at this event will be given an introduction to this project and the work of AMLT, and then will spend approximately three hours pulling weeds from the native plant beds at Cascade.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Due to the current high prevalence of COVID, all volunteers who participate in this event must be fully vaccinated (however we are not requiring volunteers to be boosted at this time). Volunteers will need to show proof of vaccination at the event - either a vaccination card or electronic proof.

Pets are not allowed at the event.

Minors must be at least 16 years of age and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

This event involves kneeling, bending, sitting on the ground, and physical labor to pull weeds. This event may not be appropriate for those with mobility issues.

Light / intermittent rain will not cancel the event, but heavy rain will.

We will follow up with additional detailed information about the event to those who successfully register. 

Please join the Amah Mutsun Land Trust for a day of tending to the Amah Mutsun garden at the San Juan Bautista Historic Park!

Volunteer work days at San Juan Bautista Historic State Park are regularly scheduled on the second Saturday of each month, from 12:30 am to 3:30 pm. 

Please RSVP at the Eventbrite link here

AMLT developed the Mutsun Garden at the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park in 2016, with funding from California State Parks Foundation, and plant donations from many local nurseries. The Mutsun Garden is one section of the State Park’s ‘Heritage Garden’, which is visited by approximately 100,000 people per year, including 44,000 school children who come on fieldtrips to tour the San Juan Bautista Mission. The Heritage Garden has been used to interpret historic structures and the life of early immigrants, but until recently it had little value as a tool for interpreting the lifeways of the original inhabitants of the area. Now, with native plants selected and planted by the descendants of the Mutsun people who first called this land home, Park visitors have a tangible opportunity to learn about local Native people, past and present, when visiting the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park Heritage Garden.

For all of our work days, tools will be provided. Be sure to bring a lunch or snacks, plenty of water, sun protection, and wear appropriate clothing for light-moderate garden work. Work will proceed in light to moderate rain, but a steady downpour will cancel. Please bring your own face covering, unless you are fully vaccinated (meaning two weeks since your last shot) and can show us your card. If you have not been vaccinated you will be required to wear a face mask that covers nose and mouth throughout the event and to maintain social distancing to the extent possible.

For any questions please contact aarganbright@amahmutsun.org

Please join the Amah Mutsun Land Trust for a day of tending to the Amah Mutsun garden at the Pie Ranch!

Volunteer work days at Pie Ranch (website) are on the third Saturday of each month, from 1:00-4:00.

To RSVP for this work day please follow this link to the Eventbrite sign up.

Pie Ranch acknowledges the interconnection of land, history, people, and food, and as an educational farm, committed to social justice they felt it was imperative that all tours and programs begin with an acknowledgement of the history of the land and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Designed by tribal member, Matthew Lopez, the Native Garden is shaped like a pie with pathways representing the four directions. Each "pie slice" represents different ethnobotanical native plants featuring grassland foods, fibers and basketry plants, nuts and berries, and personal care. The garden offers the perfect place to teach about the culture, ethnobotany, traditional ecological knowledge, history, and contemporary stewardship efforts of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Funding from The Christensen Fund enables the Amah Mutsun Land Trust to keep this garden flourishing.

For any questions please contact aarganbright@amahmutsun.org

All is One: Building a Decolonized Future Together

Register here

In this virtual event we will highlight our regional native communities' anticolonial environmental justice movements. And we will join together in celebration of the relationships we have built this year, in antiracism education, healing and training, and climate justice organizer training.

Learn and engage with two native voices in conversation, Chairman Valentin Lopez of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy, Department Chair, Native American Studies at Humboldt State University. Dr. Baldy is Hupa, Yurok and Karuk and an enrolled member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe in Northern California. We will delve into the cultural reality and presence of the indigenous voices at the intersection of feminism, revitalization, decolonization and leading environmental justice movements to explore what connects us all.

Valentin Lopez, President and Chair of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band.

Valentin Lopez has been the Chairman of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band since 2003, one of three historic tribes that are recognized as Ohlone. Valentin is Mutsun, Awaswas, Chumash and Yokuts. Valentin Lopez is a Native American Advisor to the University of California, Office of the President on issues related to repatriation. He is a Native American Advisor to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology. Valentin is working to restore the Mutsun Language, and is a traditional Mutsun singer and dancer. As Chairman, Valentin is a standing member on all Tribal committees and Boards.

Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy

Is an Associate Professor and Department Chair of Native American Studies at Humboldt State University, and author "We Are Dancing for You: Native Feminisms and the Revitalization of Women's Coming-of-Age Ceremonies." Dr. Risling Baldy is Hupa, Yurok and Karuk, and an enrolled member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe in Northern California. See her popular blog that explores issues of social justice, history and California Indian politics and culture. https://www.cutcharislingbaldy.com/blog.

Musical Performance by Tammi Brown

Tammi Brown is the fresh and new voice of the award-winning Lost American JazzBook that recently WON the Best Jazz with Vocals album in the 18th IMA (Independent Music Awards). Brown has performed with some of the most notable Music Industry Icons known to the world including renowned Music Producer, Quincy Jones, Alan Parsons, Bobby McFerrin, Stanley Jordan, Dr. Maya Angelou, Joan Baez, Spyro Gyra, and Eric Bibb to name a few. She is currently a vocalist in the two-time Grammy Award nominated Vocal Ensemble, The Cultural Heritage Choir led by the Legendary, Musicologist, Linda Tillery. Tammi’s music journey has placed her on several stages in more than ten countries worldwide including the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, The Monterey Jazz and Blues Festivals, and various prestigious venues throughout Europe and abroad.

In order for the Resource Center for Nonviolence to continue to promote the conscious practice of nonviolence and antiracism, your support of RCNV and its fantastic programs is more vital than ever. As you know, Covid 19 has made it difficult for most nonprofits to thrive in the current climate and we are no different. The reduced rental of our facility has made it impossible to raise the usual funds that we depend on. Please consider making a tax deductible donation today. RCNV’s reliance on individual donors like you enables us to provide critical and timely programming, pay our small staff, and maintain our infrastructure and facilities.

In the coming year we will launch a holistic, innovative, and body-centered approach to healing from the trauma brought upon by violence and racism through the expansion of our book circle offerings, specific healing practices, affinity groups, and skills trainings.

RCNV and Save Our Shores will launch the California Ocean & Climate Justice Summit Truth+Justice=Hope 2.0 in January. We will continue to amplify the stories of emerging local and state BIPOC environmental justice leaders. They inspire Santa Cruz County and California to recognize how its diverse population, cultural influence, vast wealth, and startup mindset can be essential collective forces to regenerate our ocean and lands and launch a just, sustainable global future.

This online fundraiser event is FREE and we welcome everyone to attend. If it is within your means we hope you will consider a donation. We are offering several donation based ticket options for this event. More info here

Please join the Amah Mutsun Land Trust for a day of tending to the Amah Mutsun garden at the San Juan Bautista Historic Park!

Volunteer work days at San Juan Bautista Historic State Park are regularly scheduled on the second Saturday of each month, from 12:30 am to 3:30 pm. 

Please RSVP at the Eventbrite link here

AMLT developed the Mutsun Garden at the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park in 2016, with funding from California State Parks Foundation, and plant donations from many local nurseries. The Mutsun Garden is one section of the State Park’s ‘Heritage Garden’, which is visited by approximately 100,000 people per year, including 44,000 school children who come on fieldtrips to tour the San Juan Bautista Mission. The Heritage Garden has been used to interpret historic structures and the life of early immigrants, but until recently it had little value as a tool for interpreting the lifeways of the original inhabitants of the area. Now, with native plants selected and planted by the descendants of the Mutsun people who first called this land home, Park visitors have a tangible opportunity to learn about local Native people, past and present, when visiting the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park Heritage Garden.

For all of our work days, tools will be provided. Be sure to bring a lunch or snacks, plenty of water, sun protection, and wear appropriate clothing for light-moderate garden work. Work will proceed in light to moderate rain, but a steady downpour will cancel. Please bring your own face covering, unless you are fully vaccinated (meaning two weeks since your last shot) and can show us your card. If you have not been vaccinated you will be required to wear a face mask that covers nose and mouth throughout the event and to maintain social distancing to the extent possible.

For any questions please contact aarganbright@amahmutsun.org

Please join the Amah Mutsun Land Trust for a day of tending to the Amah Mutsun garden at the Pie Ranch!

Volunteer work days at Pie Ranch (MAP) are on the third Saturday of each month, from 1:00-4:00.

To RSVP for this work day please follow this link to the Pie Ranch volunteer sign up.

Pie Ranch acknowledges the interconnection of land, history, people, and food, and as an educational farm, committed to social justice they felt it was imperative that all tours and programs begin with an acknowledgement of the history of the land and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Designed by tribal member, Matthew Lopez, the Native Garden is shaped like a pie with pathways representing the four directions. Each "pie slice" represents different ethnobotanical native plants featuring grassland foods, fibers and basketry plants, nuts and berries, and personal care. The garden offers the perfect place to teach about the culture, ethnobotany, traditional ecological knowledge, history, and contemporary stewardship efforts of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Funding from The Christensen Fund enables the Amah Mutsun Land Trust to keep this garden flourishing.

For any questions please contact aarganbright@amahmutsun.org

Please join the Amah Mutsun Land Trust for a day of tending to the Amah Mutsun garden at the Pie Ranch!

Volunteer work days at Pie Ranch (MAP) are on the third Saturday of each month, from 1:00-4:00.

To RSVP for this work day please follow this link to the Pie Ranch volunteer sign up.

Pie Ranch acknowledges the interconnection of land, history, people, and food, and as an educational farm, committed to social justice they felt it was imperative that all tours and programs begin with an acknowledgement of the history of the land and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Designed by tribal member, Matthew Lopez, the Native Garden is shaped like a pie with pathways representing the four directions. Each "pie slice" represents different ethnobotanical native plants featuring grassland foods, fibers and basketry plants, nuts and berries, and personal care. The garden offers the perfect place to teach about the culture, ethnobotany, traditional ecological knowledge, history, and contemporary stewardship efforts of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Funding from The Christensen Fund enables the Amah Mutsun Land Trust to keep this garden flourishing.

For any questions please contact aarganbright@amahmutsun.org

Please join the Amah Mutsun Land Trust for a day of tending to the Amah Mutsun garden at the San Juan Bautista Historic Park!

Volunteer work days at San Juan Bautista Historic State Park are regularly scheduled on the second Saturday of each month, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. 

Please RSVP at the Evenbrite link here.

Volunteer work days at San Juan Bautista Historic State Park are regularly scheduled on the second Saturday of each month, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. 

For all of our work days, tools will be provided. Be sure to bring a lunch or snacks, plenty of water, sun protection, and wear appropriate clothing for light-moderate garden work. Work will proceed in light to moderate rain, but a steady downpour will cancel. Please bring your own face covering, unless you are fully vaccinated (meaning two weeks since your last shot) and can show us your card. If you have not been vaccinated you will be required to wear a face mask that covers nose and mouth throughout the event and to maintain social distancing to the extent possible.

For any questions please contact aarganbright@amahmutsun.org

Please join the Amah Mutsun Land Trust for a day of tending to the Amah Mutsun garden at the Pie Ranch!

Volunteer work days at Pie Ranch (MAP) are on the third Saturday of each month, from 1:00-4:00.

To RSVP for this work day please follow this link to the Pie Ranch volunteer sign up.

Pie Ranch acknowledges the interconnection of land, history, people, and food, and as an educational farm, committed to social justice they felt it was imperative that all tours and programs begin with an acknowledgement of the history of the land and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Designed by tribal member, Matthew Lopez, the Native Garden is shaped like a pie with pathways representing the four directions. Each "pie slice" represents different ethnobotanical native plants featuring grassland foods, fibers and basketry plants, nuts and berries, and personal care. The garden offers the perfect place to teach about the culture, ethnobotany, traditional ecological knowledge, history, and contemporary stewardship efforts of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Funding from The Christensen Fund enables the Amah Mutsun Land Trust to keep this garden flourishing.

For any questions please contact aarganbright@amahmutsun.org

Please join the Amah Mutsun Land Trust for a day of tending to the Amah Mutsun garden at the San Juan Bautista Historic Park!

Volunteer work days at San Juan Bautista Historic State Park are regularly scheduled on the second Saturday of each month, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. 

Please RSVP at the Eventbrite link here

AMLT developed the Mutsun Garden at the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park in 2016, with funding from California State Parks Foundation, and plant donations from many local nurseries. The Mutsun Garden is one section of the State Park’s ‘Heritage Garden’, which is visited by approximately 100,000 people per year, including 44,000 school children who come on fieldtrips to tour the San Juan Bautista Mission. The Heritage Garden has been used to interpret historic structures and the life of early immigrants, but until recently it had little value as a tool for interpreting the lifeways of the original inhabitants of the area. Now, with native plants selected and planted by the descendants of the Mutsun people who first called this land home, Park visitors have a tangible opportunity to learn about local Native people, past and present, when visiting the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park Heritage Garden.

For all of our work days, tools will be provided. Be sure to bring a lunch or snacks, plenty of water, sun protection, and wear appropriate clothing for light-moderate garden work. Work will proceed in light to moderate rain, but a steady downpour will cancel. Please bring your own face covering, unless you are fully vaccinated (meaning two weeks since your last shot) and can show us your card. If you have not been vaccinated you will be required to wear a face mask that covers nose and mouth throughout the event and to maintain social distancing to the extent possible.

For any questions please contact aarganbright@amahmutsun.org

You are invited to our first Amah Mutsun Land Trust Fire Symposium, an online event that will bring together tribal leaders, fire researchers, archaeologists, and others for a discussion on coastal Central California’s fire history, prescribed burning, and Indigenous fire stewardship.

Register now for this Zoom-based event

(This event will be recorded and posted on the “Videos” section of our website. You can also sign up for our email list to receive the recording via email).

This year, we have seen catastrophic wildfires throughout California, including in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Diablo Range within Amah Mutsun Tribal Band territory. These fires are a symptom of an unhealthy relationship between people and the land. 

For countless generations, Native peoples of California used cultural burning/prescribed burning to maintain healthy and productive landscapes. Today, a long history of fire suppression in concert with climate change has resulted in an unsustainable relationship with wildfire, increasing risks to our lives and homes as time goes on. 

In this symposium, we will share traditional knowledge and results of research about how Native people used fire to steward landscapes and discuss how Tribes are working to revitalize cultural/prescribed burning as a land management tool. 

Speakers & topics:

• Amah Mutsun Tribal Band’s Land Stewardship Traditions
  Valentin Lopez, Chair, Amah Mutsun Tribal Band

• Eco-Archaeological Research on Indigenous Cultural Burning
  Kent G. Lightfoot, Ph.D., Professor, Anthropology Dept., UC Berkeley
  Rob Q. Cuthrell, Ph.D., Director of Archaeological Resource Management, Amah Mutsun Land Trust

• Long-term Fire History and New Research in the Santa Cruz Mountains
  Scott Stephens, Ph.D., Professor, Environmental Science, Policy, and Management Dept., UC Berkeley

• Indigenous Fire Stewardship in Central California
  Don Hankins, Ph.D., Professor, Geography & Planning Dept., CSU Chico 

• Amah Mutsun Land Trust’s Work to Revitalize Indigenous Fire Stewardship
  Sara French, Interim Executive Director, Amah Mutsun Land Trust

Event Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g1S0DSTMT4eJhFI4tUlF9g 

Register now for this online free event! 

Presentation Topics will include:

Facilitating change in K-12 classrooms incorporating an Indigenous perspective, revitalizing Amah Mutsun community narratives for an Indigenous History of Mission San Bautista, and "We Are Not Animals" Indigenous History of Santa Cruz County

Speakers include: 

• Opening by Chairman Lopez.

• Renya Ramirez (Ho-Chunk and Ojibwe), Professor, UCSC Anthropology Department

• Judith A. Scott (Cherokee/Tsalagi, ᏣᎳᎩ), Professor, UCSC Education Department

• Daisy Martin, Ph.D., Director of the History and Civics Project at UC Santa Cruz

• Rob Q. Cuthrell, Ph.D.; Director of Archaeological Resource Management, Amah Mutsun Land Trust

Topics details:

Facilitating Change in K-12 Classrooms: Incorporating an Indigenous perspective

In fourth grade, many of us received a lop-sided perspective of the California Mission Period that focused on architecture (remember building sugar cube Missions?) rather than people, particularly Indigenous people. This project, funded by Critical Mission Studies (CMS) through the UC Office of the President, is a collaborative effort with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and the UCSC History and Civics Project to challenge the dominant view of mission life in our region. Our goal is to expand current practice in teaching about the California mission period in elementary classrooms through professional development, resources, oral histories, and an on-line repository.

Revitalizing Amah Mutsun Community Narratives for an Indigenous History of Mission San Juan Bautista

In the 1920s-30s, members of the Amah Mutsun community worked with Smithsonian ethnologist John P. Harrington to record an immense amount of indigenous knowledge pertaining to the Mutsun language, cultural traditions, and Tribal history. Due to difficulties in accessing and interpreting the archive, the information it contained remained mostly dormant through the 20th century. A recent collaborative project between Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and UC Berkeley has made narrative portions of this material more accessible, and now the Tribe is using the information to create an indigenous history of Tribal experiences at Mission San Juan Bautista.

Dr. Martin Rizzo, CA State Park Historian for the Santa Cruz District will present his lecture titled "We are not Animals": Indigenous history of Santa Cruz County. In the 1800s, as a result of Spanish colonial violence and disruption, Santa Cruz became home to Indigenous people from nearly thirty five different tribes. While the mission was a place of great loss and trauma, it was also a place of steady resistance and rebellion, and Dr. Rizzo will be sharing these stories from his research and forthcoming book.

Event Registration: bit.ly/AMSS20 

More background information: 
https://airc.ucsc.edu/ 
http://amahmutsun.org/ 

Dear friends and community members,

The Amah Mutsun Tribal Band would like to invite you to join them to witness a special Wellness Meeting, which will take place on October 3rd from 10am-3pm via Zoom. This meeting will be different from the Tribal Wellness Meetings they have held for their members over the past 12 years, because this meeting will include non-tribal members as listeners. 

The intention for this meeting is to deepen a community understanding of the impacts of the trauma associated with colonization. They will share Tribal history and key insights into what they have learned about what is required for both Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous peoples to heal.

The soul wounds of colonization and genocide affect all people involved, not only Indigenous communities. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart, who spoke at our first Amah Mutsun Speaker Series event focused on tribal wellness 12 years ago, described that “Historical trauma has a layering effect and is the cumulative emotional and psychological wounding over the life span and across generations, emanating from massive group trauma.”

Healing begins with telling the truth and allowing people to tell their stories. This is an open invitation to anyone living on Mutsun or Awaswas territory (in San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey or Santa Clara County) and any others who are interested in working with our tribe toward healing and building healthy relationships. Please join us if you are ready to listen with your heart and commit yourself to healing, listening, and stepping into responsibility to create change.

To register for the event please visit:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4VSYp3bzTMy1eQ5ZSvm5Bg
We are asking participants to join for the full duration of the meeting if possible. 

If you have questions, you may contact us by email at amahmutsun2020@gmail.com.kan sireesum (With our heart),

Valentin Lopez, Chair

Amah Mutsun Tribal Band

Basic meeting schedule

10am-11:45pm: Opening prayer, Introductions and overview, Mutsun history presentation
11:45am-12:15pm: Lunch break
12:15pm-1:30pm: Tribal members speak
1:30-2pm: Special guests speak
2pm-2:45pm: Q&A / discussion2:45-3pm: Closing

Background info:

• Amah Mutsun Tribal Band website