Community
San Gabriel National Monument Expansion
Expand The San Gabriel
National Monument
For past, present, and future generations.
The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians urges President Biden to advance the expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument to include an additional 109,000 acres.
The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians urges President Biden to advance the expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument to include an additional 109,000 acres.
Our ancestors lived in harmony with these mountains for over 10,000 years.
Expanding the Monument is critical in addressing climate and biodiversity crises as well as Tribal needs.
Acres
Sensitive Plants
California-endemic species
Cultural Sites
Tribal Needs
The Monument is home to three California Tribal Nations whose histories predate the establishment of California Missions: Serrano, Gabrieleño, and Fernandeño.
Tribes have been at the forefront of environmental protection, and yet, the Monument Expansion has historically lacked Tribal inclusivity. As a Tribal Nation, we, the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, advocate for:
1.
LIMITED PUBLIC ACCESS TO OUR HERITAGE SITES
2.
INCREASED ACCESS FOR OUR TRIBAL COMMUNITY
Our Ties to the to the Monument
When the Native Americans were baptized at their Spanish Missions, Spanish Padres recorded their originating Native villages and reclassified them as affiliated with that mission. The villages in the Monument Expansion area were enslaved at both Mission San Fernando and Mission San Gabriel. Those enslaved at Mission San Fernando became known as Fernandeño, while the families enslaved at Mission San Gabriel became Gabrielino.
Today, the Fernandeño call themselves the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. Despite settler colonization, the Fernandeño continues to operate as a Tribal government of 900+ citizens. Without this expansion, the continuance of Fernandeño stories, memories, and knowledges is at risk of irreversible erasure.
Fernandeño Deportation Site
The San Gabriel National Monument Expansion includes the deportation site of the Fernandeños by a former California Senator. In the winter season, the land developer evicted the Fernandeños from San Fernando and dumped an 80-year-old Fernandeño Captain Rogerio Rocha at the end of Lopez Canyon, where he passed away shortly after.
Ancient Landmark
The San Gabriel National Monument Expansion includes the location of an ancient site tied to the Fernandeño story of tújú, the old woman who turned into stone on the hillside facing the San Fernando Valley. For generations, this site was visited by Tribal peoples across Southern California as a pilgrimage site. Today, approximately 26% of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians descend from the village of Tújúnga.
30% of our Tribal Citizens descend from the San Gabriel National Monument.
More than 50% of the Monument Expansion is in Fernandeño Tribal Territory.
The Fernandeño Tataviam Tribal boundary map is based off of the villages that were enslaved at Mission San Fernando. Fernandeño Tataviam Tribal Citizens descend from villages located within the Expansion area.
A Refuge For Our Relatives
Animals
Native People have been honoring their animal relatives since time immemorial. Many of these animals are at risk of harm without the Expansion, including the Bighorn Sheep. Today, the Fernandeños honor the story of the Bighorn Sheep through songs that traveled to the San Gabriel Mountains from the Serrano clans.
Plants
Native People have been gathering from these mountains for centuries. Plants harvested from these lands become crafted into the regalia and cultural arts that enrich our lifeways. Recommending additional access for Tribes to the Expansion area uplifts the inherent rights of Native people to practice their cultures and religions in their homelands.
Water
Native people have always been advocates of water. Pà (water) sustains life into humans and animals alike, as well nurtures the plants that are harvested for cultural practices. The water flows through the chaparral and oak woodlands into the habitats of our relatives within the Expansion.
Help protect our traditional homelands by supporting the Expansion of the San Gabriel National Monument.