Before homes, oil operations, duck hunting, or cattle ranching ever existed in and around Bolsa Chica, the area was inhabited-and cared for-by Native Americans. The Tongva and Acjachemen nations lived in balance with the ecosystems around then, but over the centuries, much of the history and culture of these nations was lost due to changes in use of the land. In this talk, Joyce Stanfield Perry will speak on the history and cultural significance of the sacred site that once existed at Bolsa Chica, and the experience of seeing it destroyed through the eyes of a Native woman. In addition, she will address how we can continue to live in areas like Bolsa Chica while also leading with respect for both the people that first inhabited those lands and the natural world as a whole.
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Joyce Stanfield Perry is of Acjachemen, Luiseno and Kumeyaay descent, a mother, a Tutu, a wife and an auntie, and her work in her community spans over 30 years. She is also an Acjachemen tribal scholar, founder and President of Payomkawichum Kaamalam-an American Indian non-profit organization founded in 2000, Founder and Executive Director of the Acjachemen Tongva Land Conservancy, Cultural Resource Director for the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation-Belardes, and former Board Member of the Blas Aguilar Adobe Museum/Acjachemen Cultural Center. As an American Indian consultant for archaeological projects, she has negotiated with landowners for repatriation and reburial of ancestors and their belongings. In addition, she has been instrumental in developing and educating Native and non-Native personnel in forming policies for cultural and historical preservation. Previously, Joyce was a member of the Laguna Canyon Foundation Interpretive Exhibit Design Team for the James and Rosemary Nix Nature Center, member of the Putideum Park Project, Portola Springs Community Center Acjachemen Room Project, and has been instrumental in the Acjachemen Language Revitalization Movement.
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Video chapters
00:00-1:04 - Introduction
1:05-44:48 - Presentation
44:49-1:08:13 - Q&A and Outro
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During our ExperTalk series, you'll get to meet members of the Huntington Beach and Orange County community as they share and teach you about topics related to Bolsa Chica and the greater natural world. Topics can vary from plants and wildlife to the local history, so there are a variety of topics to suit many tastes and interests!
Want to learn more about our ExperTalk series? Call us at (714) 846 - 1114 or email one of our program coordinators:
Kenneth Perez: kenny@bolsachica.org
Kirsten Haltman: kirsten@bolsachica.org
Music courtesy of BenSound.com.