Tongva Springs - The Gabrielino Tongva Tribe Lives Another Generation

After Genocide, the Tongva Are Alive and Kicking in Los Angeles.

This is a sampling of the festivities of the October 8th 2017 Annual "Life Before Columbus" Day held at Tongva Springs (in ancient and sacred Kuruvungna) in Santa Monica, California.

Gabrielino-Tongva Chief Anthony "Red Blood" Morales, his son Andy Morales, and their dancers brought forth traditional Tongva dances and songs preserved over hundreds of years from their ancestors.

The best news of the day was the announcement that the City of Los Angeles had officially replaced the recognition of Columbus Day - which for generations has been a grievous memory for Native American communities - with Los Angeles now officially recognizing a new holiday: Indigenous Day.

The Tribe appreciates the honoring of indigenous people in this way and is thankful to the City of LA for being the first in the nation to make such a supportive gesture regarding a national recognized holiday.

This historic decision was approved by the Mayor's office and the LA City Council.

Some of the Tongva dances presented were:

Welcome Dance
Acorn Dance
Canoe Dance
Dolphin Dance
Children Dance

Some of the activities included:

Chia Cafe
Shell Necklace Making
Reed Basket Making
Traditional Native Games

Other performances by:

SoCal Bird Singers
Ketzaliztli Azteca Dancers

Produced by Bona Publica copyright 2017