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JME Celebrates Native American Heritage Month
JME Celebrates Native American Heritage Month This November!
A time to honor and celebrate Indigenous cultures, histories, and vast contributions to our society. On December 4th, JME students will enjoy an assembly performance through Seventh Generation Rising, an Indigenous-led organization based in Northern California that works to restore land, culture, and community through youth leadership, storytelling, and cultural revitalization programs.
Also known as National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, this month’s observance intentionally coincides with the traditional closure and celebration of the harvest season for many Indigenous groups.
The area now known as Martinez is the ancestral homeland of the Karkin people, of the Confederated Villages of Lisjan, one of many Ohlone tribes in the greater Bay Area. We honor the Karkin, and all Native Americans in our schools, our extended community, and our country.
Below is a list of resources and activities for learning about Native history and celebrating Native American Heritage Month with family and friends!
Our district’s American Indian Culture & Education Program provides free services including tutoring, academic advising, community connection opportunities, and a week-long summer camp. More information can be found here: https://mae.martinezusd.net/13791_2. If your child is eligible, please complete a 506 form today and return to the office: https://s3.amazonaws.com/scschoolfiles/3314/506form.pdf.
Community Events & Activities
Vasco Caves Tours – National Native American Heritage Month — guided natural/cultural history tours (ages 8+ recommended). Saturdays, Nov 1, 8, 15, 22; 9am–1pm, Vasco Caves (eastern Contra Costa). EB Parks+2EB Parks+2
Native American Heritage Month: Morgan Territory Hike — ranger-led family hike highlighting Indigenous history on the land. Sat, Nov 29, 9:30am–12:30pm, Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. EB Parks
Pine Nut Bead Making — kid-friendly bead-making activity using traditional materials. Sat, Nov 29, 10–11am (EBRPD program; see listing for park location & registration). EB Parks+1
Sip & Shop: Heritage Nights at The Veranda — hands-on Indigenous arts, storytelling & demos on select evenings. Thu, Nov 6–Thu, Nov 20 (Concord). Visit Concord
Contra Costa County Library “Seek & Find” — a month-long, countywide scavenger hunt themed for Native American Heritage Month (fun add-on to a library visit). Nov 1–30 (multiple branches). Contra Costa County Library
Links and Resources
Visit Native-Land.ca to see an in-progress global map of Indigenous homelands.
Learn about the historical past and present of the Native peoples living in our area with the East Bay Regional Park’s Native Peoples Map & Brochure. Also visit the many East Bay Regional Park and California State Park sites that preserve and protect our local Indigenous history.
Visit local museums or explore their online collections:
Martinez Museum and Benicia’s Historical Museum both have collections of artifacts used in daily life by local tribes.
Oakland Museum of California’s gallery of California History, California Indian Museum and Cultural Center in Santa Rosa and the Museum of the American Indian in Marin
Learn about the history of the Lisjan (Ohlone) people and the work of the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust, an urban Indigenous women-led land trust based in the San Francisco Bay Area that facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people.
Watch Native-produced programs that celebrate Indigenous cultures such as Molly of Denali (PBS Kids) and Spirit Rangers (Netflix).
Read books that celebrate and honor the history and contemporary issues of Native Americans by checking out the Contra Costa Library’s Native American Heritage Month Book List and the books and read-alouds listed below:
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell
Video interview with Traci Sorell about her book
Saturday, September 20, 11am-3pm
Marina Park, Martinez