Every November, the United States pays tribute to the rich and diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of Native Americans during Native American Heritage Month, which was first observed federally in 1990. As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month in Riverside, join us in taking time to deeply appreciate the cultural heritage of this community and pay tribute to their contributions to the diverse fabric of American history.
The City of Riverside celebrates Native American Heritage month by honoring Native American peoples. The City stands on the traditional and ancestral lands of the Cahuilla Nation; Gabrielino-Tongva People; Payomkawichum /the Luiseño Indians; and Yuhaaviatam, clan of Maara’yam /the Serrano. For many millennia, these Native American peoples lived and thrived despite experiencing great adversity with the arrival of non-native peoples. Inland Empire Native American peoples shared a common environment and were linked through cultural practices such as basketry, bird singing, storytelling, and hunting and gathering their foods. The bird singing, of Southern California Native Americans chronicle the history of the creation and migration of the people in search for their homeland. The songs provide an oral tradition that transmits the past for future generations.
In the Native languages, the people refer to their time here as yesterday, today, and tomorrow. For the Cahuilla, it is Túku, ?vax Túleka; for the Gabrielino-Tongva, it is Pwaana, Meteema', Hyaamte; for the Luiseño, it is Waxáam, Pitóo, Éxngay; and for the Serrano, it is Iviin, Amai', Uvai'im. Despite the hardships they have experienced, these peoples see a future offering an unknown potential for promise.
The City of Riverside supports the cultural diversity of its Native American culture bearers as expressed through art, music, stories, and traditional practices, and does so in particular through the programs and exhibitions of its Museum of Riverside. A recent Museum project, the documentary These Are Not ‘Stories’: American Indian Boarding Schools in Southern California gives voice to Southern California Natives who experienced boarding school life. As a part of the celebration of the Museum’s 100th anniversary, an exhibition to open in July of 2024, selections from the Museum’s collection of Native American artifacts will be exhibited alongside new works commissioned from Native artists stemming from the continued relationship the Museum pursues with local Native culture bearers.