People of the Earth:
Life and Culture of the Tongva
2018
February 9 – May 5
This exhibition explores the history and cultural influence of the Tongva/Gabrielino people, the original residents of the Santa Monica Bay area who have lived in the area for about 7,000 years. The exhibit displays artifacts from everyday life ranging from musical instruments to fishing nets woven from milkweed fiber.
In the exhibition, topics include:
- Community and social structure
- Use of plants (for food, medicine, tools, and musical instruments)
- Methods for building huts and canoes
- Profiles of significant figures, such as Toypurina
- The disruption of life due to the forced move to the San Gabriel Mission
- Indigenous people in contemporary times
- Bringing awareness to the local native population
Curator: Sara Crown
