Gabrielino Walk
- Grade Level: 3rd Grade
- Location: Shipley Nature Center or Mount San Antonio College
- Program Length: 2 Hours
- Standards Supported: California History–Social Science Standard 3.2
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Cost: Visit our Program Fees page for more information!
Step into the past and experience the traditional lifeways of the Tongva and Acjachemen, the original inhabitants of what we now call Orange County. During this immersive field trip, students explore how these tribal nations used local plants, animals, and natural resources to meet their daily needs. Through hands-on activities, storytelling, music, and traditional crafts, students compare their own lives with those of the Tongva and Acjachemen while exploring the values of reciprocity, sustainability, and respect for nature that continue to guide these communities today.
Field Investigations
- Traditional Crafts: Create shell beads with a pump drill and twist plant fibers into string while discovering how natural resources were transformed into everyday tools.
- Stories & Music: Listen to a traditional Acjachemen story, explore the role of music in ceremonies and celebrations, and experience traditional percussion instruments.
- Native Plant Exploration: Hike through native habitats while discovering how local plants provided food, medicine, clothing, tools, and shelter.
- Hunting Traditions: Practice traditional hunting techniques and learn how the Tongva and Acjachemen harvested natural resources with respect, reciprocity, and sustainability.
Ready to Join Us?
Ready to experience the traditions of the Tongva and Acjachemen with your students?