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Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month

History of Native American Heritage Month


Native American Heritage Month honors the contributions, culture, and modern community of the first peoples of our land.  Native American Heritage Month began as Native American History Week in the 1980s and in 1990, President George H.W. Bush designated November “National American Indian Heritage Month”.  The month is known by variations of this name, including Native American History Month. For more information, visit https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/

The Tongva / Gabrielino Tribes

In Palos Verdes, our land was inhabited by the Tongva, later known as the Gabrielino Indians after the arrival of Spanish Missionaries. One of the Peninsula’s original settlements, Chowigna, was located near present-day Malaga Cove and existed for over 7,000 years.  Artifacts from this settlement can be seen at the Southwest Museum of the American Indian and the Redondo Beach Historical Museum.  While the Gabrieleño tribes are not currently federally recognized, the descendents of these tribal members keep their history and culture alive throughout Los Angeles County and beyond.

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Native American Heritage Month Slide

Read

Kids

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Teens

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Adults

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Watch

  • Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World (DVD)
  • Smoke Signals (DVD, Hoopla)
  • The Exiles (DVD)
  • The Daughter of Dawn (DVD)
  • Te Ata (DVD)
  • The Watchman's Canoe (Hoopla)

For more movies and television, click here

Listen

Podcasts
Music CDs, click here

Native American Heritage Month - Places to Visit

15701 East Avenue M
Lancaster, CA, 93535
(661) 946-3055
1439 S Barrington Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 806-2418
302 Flagler Lane
Redondo Beach, 90277
(310) 318-0684
9010 Magnolia Avenue
Riverside, CA 92503
(951) 276-6719
234 Museum Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323) 221-2164
Mojave Sector Office: (661) 946-6092
Tours start at Tehachapi Museum:
310 S. Green Street at East E Street
Tehachapi, CA 93561
(661) 822-8152
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park 
5970 Palos Verdes Dr. South  
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275