Скачать или смотреть CIMCC Native Youth Art Project: Tearing Down the Walls of Mission History Education

TITLE: “Tearing Down the Walls of Mission History Education”

ARTISTS: California Indian Museum & Cultural Center’s Native Youth Advisory Committee: Unica Yepez, Makela Yepez, Elijah Williams, Bella Williams, Brisa Yepez, Sebastian Billy, Rose Hammock, Jayden Lim, Octavio Vega, and Kristall Vega

Filmed and edited by Che’la Jernigan


Our Art, Our Voice:
In light of Pope Francis’s recent announcement of his intent to make Father Serra a Saint, and the timely discussion of how California's fourth graders are taught about Mission History, we created a short media piece to voice Native youth perspectives of these issues. Titled "Tearing Down the Walls of Mission History Education," in this film we address common stereotypes and misconceptions perpetuated in Mission History Curricula. We aim to counteract misinformed ideas such as "California Indians were uncivilized, that we wandered to missions, or that we came to them for food, shelter and clothing." We combat notions that often try to excuse the actions of people during this era, "that we were done a favor by the Spanish who brought us missions, that we were lucky to be given jobs, or that they were merely men of their time." We used mission models, which are commonly assigned as 4th grade school projects, as a symbol for tearing down these notions and relating how inappropriate it is to ask California Indian children to build these models in the face of the impacts these institutions have had on their tribes and communities. This video sheds light on the truth of a history often denied and romanticized by textbooks, media and docents. It strives to be a powerful teaching tool for parents, students, teachers and more.

About the Artists:
The Native Youth Advisory Committee serves as the youth advisory board to the Tribal Ambassadors Through Business Project. This endeavor will culminate in the establishment of a nonprofit social enterprise Museum Store and Art Gallery at the California Indian Museum & Cultural Center (CIMCC) located in Santa Rosa, California. Opening Fall 2016, the Museum Store will serve as a social enterprise to a Native Youth Employment Training Program which will educate and empower Native youth by preparing them for GED/higher learning obtainment, and providing them with professional and occupational skills, on-the-job training, and employment placement assistance. The ten youth that serve on the advisory committee demonstrate remarkable passion and commitment to enhancing resources and creating opportunities within their communities.

About the California Indian Museum & Cultural Center:
The California Indian Museum and Cultural Center was founded in 1996 with the purpose of educating the public about the history, culture, and contemporary life of California Indians and to honor their contributions to civilization. The purpose of the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center is to culturally enrich and benefit the people of California and the general public. The goals of the Museum and Cultural Center are to educate the public about California Indian history and cultures, to showcase California Indian cultures, to enhance and facilitate these cultures and traditions through educational and cultural activities, to preserve and protect California Indian cultural and intellectual properties, and to develop relationships with other indigenous groups.

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