Tongva and Climate Change

WLAC's Ethnic Studies invites you to hear from 

Desiree Renee Martinez on "Tongva and Climate Change"

Desiree Renee Martinez is Gabrieliño (Tongva) and an archaeologist working for Cogstone Resource Management. Desiree received her BA in Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania and her MA in Anthropology from Harvard University. Desiree is a co-Director of the Pimu Catalina Island Archaeological Field School a native-centered course that melds archaeology with traditional knowledge in collaboration with Gabrieliño (Tongva) community members. In January 2011, Desiree, with other community members and archaeologists, was instrumental in bringing to light the secret removal of burials from the Campo Santo, a historic Catholic cemetery in Downtown Los Angeles which holds the remains of early Los Angelenos, including the ancestors of the Gabrieliño, Luiseno, Cahuilla, Juaneno, and Paiute people. Desiree’s life has been dedicated to obtaining the skills and knowledge necessary to combat the wanton destruction of Native American sacred and cultural sites. Desiree’s dream is to open up a Gabrieliño (Tongva) museum and cultural center to remind the southern California community of the Gabrieliño’s vibrant heritage and continuing contribution to the southern California region.

For Information on Ethnic Studies at West, contact Prof. Felipe Agredano via email at @email