State Museum Explores Local Nature, Culture through Workshops

The Ya’i Heki’ Regional Indian Museum in Perris continued the new year with its weekly workshops Jan. 30 with the “Food Circle.” The workshops, which run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, explore a variety of educational topics that are suited for children ages 5 and up, and adults. Organized last year in May by the museum, they are now run by Kimberly Seltmann, state park interpreter at Lake Perris State Recreation Area, and Jack Boyes, long-time park volunteer at Lake Perris SRA. Members of the surrounding communities bring their families to learn more about the lifestyle of the California Native Americans and animals of the area through the various workshops offered. “I carried on many of the themes that were already in place for this winter/spring season, and then just added in a few more, thinking about, ‘OK, it’s spring time, let’s talk about birds’ nests’ because nesting season is coming up,” Seltmann said. “And just other topics about the plants and animals that are here that maybe we hadn’t talked about yet, or to interpret the Native American culture.” Boyes usually offers guided tours about the museum as a precursor to the workshops, explaining how water gets to the Lake Perris area, pointing out surrounding mountain ranges and lakes and going over the state of the park during the Perris Dam construction. He also explores topics such as hunting, animals and plants in the area like rattlesnakes, yucca and agave. Some families come in that have already seen the tour, in which case, they can go straight to the workshop. “It depends on the family,” Seltmann said. “He offers this to everyone that walks in. It’s like a personal experience to anyone that comes in.” The workshops are advertised in the “On Track in Perris” quarterly newsletter, and that is where some families mentioned they had first heard about them. “I think it’s very important for us to know the history of the Indians, and I want to kind of teach (my son) their culture,” said Brenda Lorenzo, a resident of Perris and first-time visitor to the museum. “I think they were kind of forgotten, and I think it’s very sad.” Lorenzo said next time, she is thinking about coming back with her nephews and 5-year-old son Jayden. She is also enrolled in a history class at Moreno Valley College and will write a paper about her visit. Some people at the workshop said they enjoyed the educational aspect of the workshops. As Seltmann said, the workshops are geared toward teaching people about seasonal topics, or the Native American culture. Many of the workshops include fun crafts for children. Jane Ngy, a resident of Moreno Valley, brought her children Katie, 12, and Nicholas, 9, to the first Guided Nature Walk Jan. 23, and they attended the “Pottery” workshop. Ngy said the park is located close to home and her kids love it. “It’s a great experience,” she said. “We love the staff here. It’s very educational, and the kids love the free kids’ activity and the tour that’s given by the park rangers.” The museum encourages people to volunteer and brings on students as young as 10 years old. Alex Lopez, Diana Banderas and Yvette Sanchez, all sophomores at Rancho Verde High School in Perris, volunteered at the “Food Circle” workshop for class credit. They not only helped out with the workshop itself, but also created a puppet show for the afternoon workshop attendees. “I really like being here,” Sanchez said. “It’s something to get out of my comfort zone.” Sanchez, Lopez and Banderas all said they were planning on coming back. During the workshops, Boyes also shows people weapons, games and instruments the Native Americans made, and even lets people use some of them. The things he chooses to teach are based on the interest level of the groups. He said that in the past 15 years that he has volunteered at the park, the workshops have only gotten busier. “We switch around, depending upon the interest,” he said. “We get families, kids, Grandpa and Grandma, a lot of people from out of state or other countries.” Future topics include “Animals,” Feb. 6, where people will learn about local animals and how to read their tracks, and in the following weeks, “Valentine’s Surprise” and “Native American Toys/Games.” Though Seltmann said she has not specifically planned for any activities to be outside, she is not ruling it out as an option. “The fact that (people) got excited by the animal tracks and will we read them, I can encourage our staff next week, ‘OK, let’s step outside and see if we see anything,’” she said. For more information on workshops running through April, check out the museum’s website or call Seltmann at 951-940-5657, or if you are interested in volunteering for the workshops, park maintenance, camp hosting or other opportunities.