In today's newscast:
A storytelling event led by educators from the Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe
Over 20 people gathered at Garland Ranch Regional Park on Saturday afternoon to hear songs and stories led by the Ohlone Sisters. Carla Munoz and Desiree Hettinger are sisters and indigenous educators who are part of the Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe.
Munoz serves as tribal secretary and Hettinger is the tribal liaison. The first song they shared on Saturday was dedicated to the sun, and they also sang native songs about the Carmel River and for mothers.
The educational event engaged the audience with participatory exercises that helped explain the significance of handmade artifacts on their display table. The pair also unpacked the colonial history survived by the Ohlone peoples.
"Monterey is the first capital of California," said Munoz. "So the first wave of colonization that happened here was the mission system."
She explained explained the Spanish utilized a Native American trade route from Sonora, Mexico to San Francisco—what is now the 101 freeway—to establish 21 missions across California.
"Within 10 years, they brought 10,000 natives into the mission system, and only 143 survived," said Munoz. "We are part of that bloodline of survivors."
Today, Munoz says 2,000 people make up the California-recognized state tribe and in July tribal members will return to Garland Ranch for an annual celebration full of traditional ceremonies.
