Revitalizing Heritage: California Indians in an Era of Sovereignty

A Symposium in conjunction with "A Day Honoring Katherine Siva Saubel"

University of California Riverside, Watkins 1000, 9a.m. --Noon, April 27th, 2002

This Symposium gathered leading scholars of California Indian arts, languages, and cultures who have worked directly with Mrs. Saubel, and featured leaders who have actively defended and strengthened the cultural heritages of California Indians and American Indians elsewhere. Our plenary speaker was Horace Axtell, a distinguished Nez Perce elder who came to join us in honoring Mrs. Saubel's work.

Greeting & Introductions: Sharon Salinger, Dean of Students; Joel Martin, Costo Chair of American Indian Affairs. Dean Pat O'Brien, College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences presented Mrs. Saubel with a gift of a basket sampler of rare types of citrus.

I. Revitalizing Heritage

Elders, Bird Singers, basketmakers, and others carry forward remarkable cultural traditions that connect people to each other, the land, and their ancestors; Katherine Saubel has taught much to many, founded a press, guided many authors, influenced many scholars, and helped revitalize a rich heritage. This panel featured leading scholars directly in her debt who are strong advocates for revitalization.

"Southern California Indian Languages," Dr. Eric Elliott
     Hear some of the talk in Cahuilla

"Southern California Indian Arts," Dr. Deborah Dozier

"Southern California Indian Cultures," Dr. Lowell Bean

II. Reclaiming Heritage

Sovereignty reconnects the past, the present, and the future. Many California tribes are building their own cultural centers and museums to reinterpret and represent the past from tribal perspectives. Mrs. Saubel is a leader in this arena, retelling the story of California Indians, correcting mistakes, and challenging scholars to do a better job. This panel featured two following in her footsteps even as they nurture new visions and opportunities for future generations.

"Museums in an Age of Sovereignty," Dr. Michael Hammond, Executive Director, Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, a major new museum projected to open fall 2004 and designed to tell the story of American Indian sovereignty.

"Repatriating California," John Gomez, Jr., Cultural Analyst, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians. Gomez played an active role in passing AB 978, a new law that establishes the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001.

III. Plenary Address

Horace Axtell

"Preserving and Renewing Culture," Horace Axtell

Horace Axtell is a Nez Perce elder and the leader of the Seven Drum Religion on the Nez Perce Reservation. He has taught the Nez Perce language at Lewis-Clark State College. His story has been told in a book co-written with Margo Aragon A Little Bit of Wisdom, and in a documentary film, “Nee-mee-poo: The Power of Our Dance.”

In his book A Little Bit of Wisdom, Horace Axtell provides "an experience-based philosophy of life, marked by recollections of segregation, relationships, prison, alcohol, and activism, all deeply enriched by stories from the elders that teach how to live, how to present oneself, how to behave" (Choice). He is "the antithesis of stereotypical notions of what it means to be an Indian" (Bloomsbury Review). He joined us to take part in the day honoring Mrs. Saubel and to share his thoughts on revitalization.

The Symposium was sponsored by the Ford Foundation, Center for Ideas and Society, and the Costo Endowment.

Read more on Katherine Saubel:
The Official Dedication
Chancellor's Medal Presenation & Luncheon
"We Are Still Here" The Story of Katherine Siva Saubel