What story lies beneath the sidewalks, freeways, and shopping centers? The land remembers a time long before modern development. A time when Indigenous people lived in balance with the environment, shaping the Southern California region with intention and care. True land acknowledgment begins with understanding this history. It’s more than a gesture; it’s a step toward respect and responsibility.
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Rooted in Land and Culture
The Tongva were the original inhabitants of the Los Angeles Basin and the Southern Channel Islands, with deep ancestral ties to the region. Their territory once spanned from the San Gabriel Mountains to the coast, including places now known as San Pedro, Malibu, and downtown Los Angeles. With dozens of village sites and a sophisticated way of life, early inhabitants of the region built a civilization centered on harmony with nature.
They gathered acorns, seeds, and medicinal plants, and fished from rivers and the ocean. Every plant, stone, and season had meaning. Children learned respect for the land, animals, and elders through stories and songs. This bond with the land was both spiritual and practical.
Lasting Impact of Colonization
When Spanish colonizers arrived in the late 1700s, life for the native people changed drastically. Missions displaced villages, took lands, and imposed foreign systems. Communities were forced into labor. Many died from disease and violence. The suppression of language and customs led to generations of disconnection from their roots.
Though official records often erased or ignored their presence, these communities endured. Today, descendants work to preserve culture, teach traditions, and rebuild identity. Efforts include storytelling, traditional food cultivation, and the recovery of native place names. These steps restore pride while strengthening future generations.
The Land’s Forgotten Identity
Acknowledging land properly means understanding whose land it was and still is. It’s not only about saying a name before an event. It involves learning about the original stewards and how they lived. This includes uncovering village sites buried under parking lots, remembering river paths before they were paved, and recognizing that Indigenous people still live and contribute to the region. Place names like Yaanga carry stories linking past and present. Using them helps restore the land’s memory and reshapes how it is understood and respected.
Culturally Informed Land Stewardship
Those working in land-focused services have a unique chance to approach their work with cultural sensitivity. Planning with care for native ecosystems and incorporating native plants promotes sustainable design. Some services go further by integrating traditional ecological knowledge into projects. This may include planting patterns based on historical gathering techniques or aligning gardens with ecological cycles respected for generations.
Such thoughtful design respects not just aesthetics but also legacy. It supports biodiversity while creating space for cultural education. These efforts become part of a living tribute to the land’s original caretakers.
Build Connection with Tongva Culture
There are many respectful ways to engage with Indigenous culture. Community events, such as native food tastings or basket weaving workshops, allow participation in cultural preservation. Local gardens designed with traditional plant knowledge provide both education and healing. Language revitalization groups work to bring back a once-endangered tongue. Supporting these efforts helps reconnect the region with its ancestral rhythms. These acts don’t just benefit one group; they enrich the community as a whole by fostering connection, learning, and shared responsibility.
True land acknowledgment grows through continued learning, cultural respect, and shared responsibility. Honoring the Tongva means more than remembering history; it means recognizing ongoing presence, supporting revitalization efforts, and weaving ancestral knowledge into present-day practices. As awareness deepens, communities have the opportunity to walk in step with those who have cared for this land for generations, shaping a future rooted in truth and respect.
