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Learn About Native American History at the Library
from Sunday Signal 120422
by Signal
FROM TH E CITY MANAGER
Learn More About Local Native American History at the Library!
By Ken Striplin
Santa Clarita City Manager
— Arapaho Tribe Proverb
When you look at the Santa Clarita community with its beautiful open spaces, thriving businesses and family-friendly atmosphere, you see what years of planning and strong leadership from our City Council created. While looking to our future, we must also look back and reflect on our rich and dynamic history. The Santa Clarita Public Library, in collaboration with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians (FTBMI) and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, aims to do just that through the integration and implementation of the Yawáyro: Indigenous Awareness and Literacy Development Program.
Yawáyro means awareness in Tataviam, which is the binding element of this program. Through the “Talk Story” grant from the American Indian Library Association, the City was able to work with members of the Fernandeño tribal office to create “Yawáyro Kits.” These kits are available at each Santa Clarita Public Library branch and focus on fostering cultural awareness and literacy of Indigenous People through a curated selection of book titles, materials and even museum donations such as animal pelts and historical maps.
Through the development of these kits, our community can become better educated and aware of the people who originally inhabited these lands generations ago, but also showcase that many of their descendants are still living here today.
The Santa Clarita Public Library originally launched these kits in 2019, but through working relationships with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, we were able to incorporate curated Native American items such as bear teeth replicas, a deer hoof rattle, as well as multiple animal pelts.
All of these items and more were lent to the Library to allow community members to feel and engage with Native American history. It is important for not only our children, but all of our community members to learn about our history and realize the impact the Tataviam tribe has had on our City — in the past, present and into future.
By bringing awareness of Native American culture, specifically the Tataviam, we can help promote diversity right here in Santa Clarita. I am proud that the City Council proclaimed November 2022 as Native American Heritage Month, formally recognizing the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, and their impact on our community. By fostering relationships with organizations like FTBMI, we can work together and continue to create a community that welcomes all cultures and embraces each of our differences.
I encourage all of our residents and schools to come and check out these Yawáyro Kits at each of our local Library branches. Library card holders can browse the different kits, which range from family and identity, to folklore and wisdom. To learn more about the Yawáyro Kits, or to check one out, please visit SantaClaritaLibrary.com or call (661) 259-0750.
Ken Striplin can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.com. The views expressed in his column are those of the City and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal.
