Evolution of California History Education: Mendocino Waldorf School Visits Sue-meg
By Tori McConnell
Most of us who grew up in California remember the infamous fourth grade California history unit. For generations, all fourth graders across California were taught that our state history began with first contact: the California mission system and the Gold Rush. Some of the quintessential parts of the curriculum for fourth grade students were creation of miniature models of California missions and reenactments of panning for gold. But we, here at News from Native California, know very well that our state’s history didn’t start when Europeans first arrived on its rivers and shores. The mission system and Gold Rush were two key parts of a genocide through which few California Indigenous peoples survived. But California Indigenous peoples today remember that prior to these critical events, we thrived solely on land-based cultures built on thousands of years of storytelling, traditional arts, food, ceremonies, and Indigenous science.
Educational culture has been changing as the general public becomes slowly aware that California history did not start with the missions or the Gold Rush. Years of intergenerational advocacy and the 2019 establishment of the California Truth and Healing Council have positively influenced access for California Native community input at the interface of state policy and tribal relations. With community input increasing at the state level, we’ve witnessed growing visibility, representation, and inclusion for California’s Native communities. One of the projects that has blossomed during this era is the California Native American Studies Model Curriculum (NAMSC) available through UC Davis Native American Studies. This monumental project provides an open source of free lessons and a curriculum for K-12 teachers and students to dive into a more comprehensive, truthful education about the lands and peoples of the place we now call California.
The Mendocino Waldorf School is one of the numerous elementary schools that is taking its own strides to provide that better education for their students. This year, the school hosted a field trip to Sue-meg State Park for a camping trip of land-based learning and activities with local Indigenous culture bearers and teachers. Students were able to go on trail walks, learn from Yurok Indigenous State Park interpreters Maiya Rainer and Preslea Orcutt, creatively engage shadow puppets to learn and tell Yurok creation stories with Yurok culture bearer Laura Woods, learn traditional methods of cooking salmon demonstrated by Yurok tribal member Koiya Tuttle & family, practice foundational weaving techniques with Yurok master basket weaver Theresa Surbaugh, and enjoy Íhuk (Flower Dance) song and dance demonstration with Karuk language master speaker Julian Lang and Karuk/Hupa/Yurok artist Lyn Risling.
Appreciation for California Indian cultural practices abounded. “I could do this all day. This is like, so meditative,” one of the young girls said as she sat working during the weaving workshop. During the afternoon sessions, students split into three groups and rotated through activities over the course of three hours. At the weaving workshop in particular, they listened to a short presentation from basketweaver Theresa Surbaugh and received structured training samples on using traditional Yurok twining method to weave, using mussel shells to scrape spruce roots for weaving material, and processing woodwardia ferns. To prepare for the hands-on workshop Theresa traveled throughout her ancestral territory to gather mussel shells, river rocks, spruce roots, and woodwardia ferns for a rich cultural immersion and to show how intimately our traditional weaving practices connect Indigenous peoples with the land. Theresa also showcased several fine baskets demonstrating the pristine skill and talent that comes with traditional Indigenous basketweaving.
The Mendocino Waldorf School provided an unforgettable experience for their young students, rich in history, culture, mentorship, and excellent snacks and meals to top it all off. A big shoutout to all the staff and teachers of the Mendocino Waldorf School for their dedication to providing a well-rounded education. Special shout out to my cousin Marisa McConnell (Yurok tribal member) and her wife Karrin Palmer whose children attend the school and who took the lead on connecting with local community and culture bearers for this event that helped add to the growing array of examples for what Native American Studies and California history experiences can look like for the next generations of California’s elementary students.
