May 12, 2023
To Whom it May Concern:
The purpose of this email is to provide the Tribal response to the Santa Monica mural. Our tribe, the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians is the tribe immemorial of the Los Angeles and Orange County. We are Gabrieleno/Tongva and likely the Native Americans depicted in the mural.
We understand the mural has created conversation and varied views. To that point, the mural has proved to be a point of education. It has created conversation that extends beyond the First People of Los Angeles to also look at the lack of inclusivity the mural provides. We support education about our people and increased visibility of our ancestors and continued presence.
Rather than focus on the mural itself we view this as an opportunity to discuss additional education that can assist in promoting the awareness of our Tribe, history, and culture.
There are ways the Tribe can partner with the City Santa Monica, this is not an exhaustive list however it does present a few ideas to extend the conversation beyond the mural:
• Land Acknowledgement: We recommend the City adopts a Land Acknowledgement • Art: Hire First People Artists to create art
• Education: Partner with our Tribe for education about our people on our ancestral land • Land Back: Evaluate areas of the city that can be used for Land Back to the tribe, like the Santa Monica Airport
• Landscape: Evaluate areas where landscape can be cultivated by Native Plants and partner with our tribe to allow for gathering
• Historical Society: Create a connection with the First People and acknowledge our presence • Provide Museum Space to allow our people to display about our people • Kuruvungna Springs: Although it is owned to LAUSD, facilitate the land return to our tribe • Tribal Office Liaison: Create a staff position that allows for the city to thoughtfully consider the First People
Santa Monica specifically is a city that is committed to justice. This was exhibited with Bruce’s Beach.
Although our tribe does feel over looked in the reparations and lack of acknowledging the First People, it does provide hope of a moral conscious that can guide future conversations to create space and visibility for our people on our ancestral land.