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| An exhibit organized by Sigrid Benson. Don't miss it! |
The Federated Indians of California (FIC) formed in 1946 to press a land claims case before the federal government. Inspired by the Indian Claims Commission Act (1946) and the failures of the CA Indians Jurisdictional Act (1928), they sought (unsuccessfully) to unify all California Native nations and landless Indians under a single claim. Although this goal proved unattainable, their political activism fostered important mid-century strides in cultural revivification and self-representation.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Mountain Maidu Stewardship of Ancestral Lands
Congratulations are in order for the Maidu Summit Consortium. Pretty wonderful news.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
28th Annual California Indian Conference
The Ethnic Studies Department at California State University, Sacramento is hosting the 28th Annual California Indian Conference here on campus, from October 3-5, 2013. The conference also maintains a Facebook Page. The Conference is a wonderful gathering of scholars, artists, activists and California Indian youths and elders. Although it is free and open to all, you need to download and complete the registration form to assist the Planning Committee in estimating necessary seating, refreshments, and the like. The University Union Gallery, Anthropology Museum, Library, and Archives and Special Collections are all hosting related exhibits. I am curating (with anthropology graduate student Valerie Garcia) an exhibit of Frank Day paintings that will be shown in the University Union Gallery (opening reception on October 3, from 5:30-7:30 pm). Be sure to come by and say hello. And stop by the other exhibits during this time as well!
Friday, June 7, 2013
Honored Elders Day, California State Indian Museum, June 8, 2013
In 1978, Marie Potts (1895-1978) was recognized as the California State Indian Museum's first Honored Elder. The annual event will run tomorrow until 1:30 p.m.*
*closing earlier than originally planned due to predictions of extreme heat.
*closing earlier than originally planned due to predictions of extreme heat.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Valentine's Day
While the Smoke Signal was primarily a vehicle for delivering news about California Indian land claims cases, it also offered holiday greetings and news of upcoming dances and other opportunities for socializing, as seen in these examples drawn from the early 1950s.
Stay tuned (or email me) for information about the West Sacramento Historical Society exhibit "First Families," opening in early March.
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