Reclaiming Heritage: How the Gabrielino Tongva Tribe is Reviving Their Legacy in Los Angeles

Cultural Identity of the Gabrielino-Tongva People

“As Gabrieleno-Tongva people, we see ourselves as caretakers of our relatives and that includes the plants, the animals, the water, the land, the rocks.”

Every Wednesday on the Lost Cultures: Living Legacies podcast, host Alisha Prakash from iBestTravel explores unique cultural identities around the world and shares how you can learn more about them during your travels.

Long before California evolved into the 31st state, the region was a hub of activity for the Tipai and Quechan peoples to the south, and the Tolowa, Karok, Shasta, and Modoc peoples, among others, to the north. In between, various indigenous groups, like the Gabrielino-Tongva people, flourished in what is now the Los Angeles basin. However, many remain unfamiliar with the Gabrielino-Tongva community, often due to centuries of oppression, discrimination, and forced assimilation.


Historical Context and Challenges

“In fourth grade, here in California, we learned about the California missions and the native people connected to them. During a visit to the Southwest Museum, the docent stated that Mission Indians were a catchall term for native people associated with the missions. When a classmate asked if Mission Indians still existed, the response was, ‘No, they’re extinct.’ I had already shared with my class that I was Gabrielino, leading them to question, ‘How can you be Gabrielino if they no longer exist?’” Desiree Martinez, a member of the Gabrielino-Tongva community, archaeologist, and president of Cogstone Resource Management, recounted her experience with iBestTravel. “I knew we weren’t extinct, and it became my mission to combat that misconception.”

From that point forward, Martinez dedicated herself to recovering and sharing her ancestral truth, navigating oral histories, and uniting community members.

“The Gabrielino-Tongva did not organize under an overarching chief; instead, leaders existed at the village level, essentially forming an extended family. Moreover, this family extended to the plant and animal kingdoms. As Gabrieleno-Tongva people, we see ourselves as caretakers of our relatives: the plants, the animals, the water, the land, and the rocks, fostering a reciprocal responsibility towards them,” Martinez elaborated.

Contemporary Fight for Recognition

Unfortunately, by the mid-18th century, the community began to collapse due to Spanish colonization, followed by further erosion during Mexican occupation, and later by the actions of the U.S. government. Nonetheless, the Gabrielino-Tongva people continue to exist and are fighting harder than ever for the recognition they deserve.

“We remain an integral part of the greater Los Angeles community, yet much of our history and contributions are muted,” Martinez stated. “We are working with cultural institutions at the state, local, and federal levels to rectify this historical silencing.”

To discover more about the Gabrielino-Tongva culture, listen to Martinez and Prakash delve into the topic in the Lost Cultures: Living Legacies, available on various platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and more.

Download the Transcript

Editor’s Note: Please note that this transcript may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors due to its non-standard editorial process.

Back To Top