Native/Spanish Contact Commemorative Event

In the late 18th century Spain was concerned about cementing its claim on the territories of Alta California. Explorers were sent to view Monterey Pennisula, then San Francisco, and finally the East Bay. Pedro Fages led a small party of soldiers up along the East Bay foothills in late March, 1772. Again in late March-early April of 1776, Juan Bautista de Anza, who had brought a group of settlers cross-country from Sonora to San Francisco, took a small party of soldiers along Fages’ route, then explored further inland. The Peraltas, members of the original Anza Party, returned in the 1820’s to settle Oakland, San Leandro, and Berkeley, replacing the Yrgin triblet of Ohlone Indians who resided there until then.

     2-3 pm Film:  SHELLMOUND
                            Screening/discussion w/ director Andres Cediel.
     4-5 pm Walking tour of the Emeryville Shellmound district
     Co-sponsored by the American Indian Graduate Program UC, Berkeley.

     10:30-12 am    Confluence of Cultures At Water's Edge

Imagine a time before books, when people of an ancient civilization lived by fresh water bordering their village. Picture the arrival of travelers from a younger civilization seeking water and food for themselves and their horses. Let's examine replicas, try activities, and share from the earliest stories to determine what happened here at the water's edge.

Presenters: Chris Bullock, Park Interpreter,
                       Jan Shriner, Park Interpreter
                       Margaret Styles, National Park Services
                       Regulo Zapata, Park Ranger

Chitactac-Adams is a small outdoor venue on east side of Santa Cruz Mountains, wheelchair accessible but challenging in parts. Program designed for families and youth groups but best for ages 6 and above. Spanish and English languages will be used for interpretation and bilingual interpretive panels are at the site. Bring your own lunch or lunch item for potluck, sorry no fire pits and no barbecues allowed. Call (408)846-5632 for information and reservation. See www.parkhere.org for directions and information about school or public programs.

Reprogrammed to April 28 if rain.

Thursday, March 29

Hayward Area Historical Society,
Downtown Museum
22701 Main Street, Hayward
www.haywardareahistory.org   (510) 581-0223

     5:30 – 7:00 pm     Ohlone – Spanish Contact in the East Bay.

On March 31, 1776, members of the Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition stayed the night at the San Lorenzo Creek (in what is now downtown Hayward) while investigating the East Bay. They encountered indigenous people who we now know of as Ohlone. A panel of speakers on March 29th will discuss this important encounter between Bay Area Natives and the Spanish from multiple perspectives. Refreshments will be provided.

Saturday, March 31

     11 am-1 pm     Peraltas and Native Americans Talk to Each Other:
                              Breaking Centuries of Silence
                                                     (Site Walk at Peralta Hacienda)  

Native American and Peralta descendants lead a site walk through the Ring of Native Plants at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, opening a dialogue about the history of their encounter on Ohlone land, which later became the Peralta rancho, covering 45,000 acres of land where seven modern cities now stand in  Alameda County. Expressing pain and anger, and acknowledgment of the  healing power of historical awareness, and the natural world upon which all our cultures rely are themes of the event. Artists and historians who have participated in the project will also take part  in the dialogue, voicing their perspectives.

In the native plant garden, art works dedicated to the native peoples of the East Bay unfold native use of plants species and Ohlone recovery of their heritage. The commemorative walk will end in the adobe wall alcoves with murals and touchable objects depicting daily life on the rancho, all under a frieze of moons and Ohlone poetry.

Ruth Orta, Ohlone descendant, will cook acorn soup made by an Ohlone recipe, and we will savor the special hot chocolate and tamales of the Mexican era in California for a culinary encounter.

Other presenters:
Ken Talken, Ene Osterhaas Constable, Ruth Villasenor, Holly Alonso, and Corinna Gould

           2:00-3:30 pm      Recovering Ohlone Identity:
                                         A Talk by Ruth Orta,   Ohlone descendant

Ruth Orta, an Ohlone descendant, discusses her path to rediscover the nearly forgotten stories and practices of her ancestors. Join Ruth as she shares the little known history of the original people who lived right where Lakeview Library stands today.

     --- Permit parking at the curb. (Come inside the library and leave your driver's
          license to obtain a permit to be placed on your dashboard.)
     --- One hour parking in diagonal spaces, with the exception of the 3 designated
          staff spaces at the end of the lot.
     --- Four hour parking under the freeway. Two hour metered street parking. One
          commercial parking lot on Grand toward downtown.