Native American Education Program Letter From The Interim Director
Native American Education Program Letter From The Interim Director
Native American Education Program Letter From The Interim Director
2: Spring, 2009
CIMCC opened this first of seven planned permanent exhibits on January 31st, 2009. The exhibition,
which includes artifacts on loan from the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology seeks to enrich
and expand the story of Ishi and build upon the public’s awareness and appreciation of California
Indian history. For many years, Ishi’s legacy has been a non-native construct framed by public and
scientific fascination with stereotypical views of the past. The new exhibit’s approach is to reframe
Ishi’s legacy through the inclusion of California Indian voices and perspectives on issues, and to build
upon current scholarship that helps to change the ways in which Ishi’s legacy is characterized and
taught in public schools. The exhibition will be accompanied by a website and curricula to support
classroom activities. Multimedia and audio presentations are also included. Ishi’s journey offers us
a dialogue about humanity and gives an important voice to an inhumane period of American history.
He was a figurative and imaginative survivor. His legacy became a catalyst for change. We hope you
enjoy this exciting new program.
CIMCC hours: Mon-Fri. 9–5, general admission is $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children and
seniors.
Photo:
Article by CIMCC Courtesy of the PAHMA
University of California, Berkeley
Acorns: Staple Food of California Indians Basketry of the Pomo – Introductory Film
Pomo tribe members demonstrate traditional acorn harvesting, Shows, in slow motion and animation, the important basket-
storing, and leaching. making techniques of the Pomo.
28 min Color 1962 30 min Color 1962
Basketry of the Pomo – Forms and Ornamentation Basketry of the Pomo – Techniques
Illustrates the great variety of shapes, sizes, and design elements Detailed study of Pomo basketry techniques, showing how the
of Pomo baskets. various weaves were executed.
21 min Color 1962 33 min Color 1962
Beautiful Tree – Chishkale Buckeyes: Food of California Indians
Shows how the Pomo removed poisonous tannic acid from the Shows how the Nisenan harvested buckeyes and processed them
acorns of the tanoak tree and built an entire food economy by stone boiling and leaching.
around them. 13 min Color 1961
20 min Color 1965
Calumet, Pipe of Peace Dream Dances of the Kashia Pomo
Depicts Indian rituals surrounding pipe and tobacco and shows Pomo women dance the century-old Bole Maru. Five dances
traditional methods of fashioning, decoration, and consecration are shown, each danced in costume around a fire within a brush
of the pipe. enclosure.
23 min Color 1964 30 min Color 1964
Game of Staves Kashia Mens’ Dances: Southwestern Pomo Indians
Pomo boys demonstrate the game of staves, a form of dice Records four authentic northern California Pomo mens’ dances
played by most of the American Indian tribes. performed in elaborate costumes and headdresses.
10 min Color 1962 40 min Color 1963
Obsidian Point Making Pine Nuts
A Tolowa Indian demonstrates ancient ways of making an arrow Members of the Great Basin Paviotso and Paiute tribes demon-
point from obsidian. strate how pine nuts were harvested and prepared as food, using
13 min Color 1964 techniques in practice since pre-Columbian times.
13 min Color 1961
Sinew-Backed Bow and Its Arrows Totem Pole
A Yurok craftsman shows the traditional construction of a Explores the totem poles and the sophisticated woodcarving art
sinew-backed bow – the finest of the American Indian bows. of the northwest Pacific coast Indian tribes. Shows the carving
24 min Color 1961 of a pole by Mungo Martin, chief of the Kwakiutl.
27 min Color 1963
Image from:
Acorns: Staple Food of California
Indians
Environmental Issues Affecting Tribes