2 minute read
People of the Willow Houses
The History of the Kizh Nation, Presented by the Alhambra Historical Society
On Thursday, July 20, 2023, Alhambra Historical Society will present its summer program entitled People of the Willow Houses - The History of the Kizh Nation at 7 p.m. at the Alhambra Masonic Center, 9 West Woodward Street, Alhambra, CA 91801. Andy Salas, Chairman of the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation, will highlight the history, customs and life of the Kizh people, who are recognized by the State of California as the aboriginal tribe of the Los Angeles Basin. The Kizh Nation’s Tribal Biologist, Matt Teutimez, will also be featured and will bring examples of medicinal plants used by the indigenous people of the San Gabriel Valley. To reserve your spot, visit https:// peopleofthewillowhouses.eventbrite.com
Advertisement
“It is our honor and privilege to host a program highlighting the Kizh Nation,” stated Chris Olson, Alhambra Historical Society President. “A main objective of the Alhambra Historical Society is to elevate the histories of all of Alhambra’s peoples.
With our summer program, we hope to bring light to the rich history of the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, the Kizh Nation.”
The Kizh/Gabrieleño Indians once inhabited the entire Los Angeles basin with their lands reaching from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Channel Islands. They were first known by the Spanish as Kichireños or “people of the willow houses” and were the people who paddled out to greet Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo upon his arrival to California in 1542. Their original name having been lost due to assimilation into Spanish culture, the tribe came to be called Gabrieleño because of their forced labor with the building of the San Gabriel Mission. Today, descendents of the original Kizh nation still call Los Angeles County their home.
Women and children of the Kizh nation in front of village houses. Photo courtesy of the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, Kizh Nation.
Those looking for more information may email the Alhambra Historical Society at alhambrahistsoc@att.net.
