Julie, Chumash ceremony, Indigenous Peoples' Day

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

As we enjoy our three-day weekend, it is important to think about what it is we commemorate and celebrate on Indigenous Peoples Day. Historically, Americans have not learned much that is authentic about the people who lived on these lands before, during, and after the arrival of the Europeans, and we seek to change this narrative at Oak Grove. We acknowledge the Chumash who lived here in the Ojai Valley, whose traditional lands went from Malibu to Paso Robles to the edge of the San Joaquin Valley, as the first caretakers of our campus. The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians state their mission as “ Fostering the well-being of future generations while honoring the traditions of the past.” On the WishToyo Chumash website, Mati Waiya writes, “When you share nature with a child, you are planting a seed in their minds, of their role. Exposing children to nature will introduce them to their responsibility for it in the future. Nature teaches us.”

To expand our understanding of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we are sharing a few resources from some indigenous peoples from across North America.

Here are some facts that you might not know:

  • California has the highest Native American population in the United States.
  • In California, there are 109 tribes recognized by the Federal Government with 70 other groups seeking Federal recognition.
  • In the US, there are 574 Federally recognized tribes.

Additional Resources:

In learning,

Sydney and Jacqueline
Members of the DEI Committee

Originally posted on October 12, 2020

Recent Blog Posts:

Ojai Magazine

Ojai Magazine Article: Space to Roam

,
Among the many intriguing articles in this month's edition, we appreciate the thoughtful feature written by Karen Lindell and published in Ojai Magazine.
moment of silence ladybug

Moment of Silence

,
At Oak Grove School in Ojai, California, we often share moments of silence with our students, from preschool through 12th grade, as a whole community, in small groups, and individually.
MLK Washington Mall Speech

Tomorrow is Today

,
On August 28,1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his most famous speech, “I Have a Dream.”