Here, in their own words, indigenous voices reclaim the narrative of California Indians. Before contact, California's Native people comprised five hundred independent tribal groups whose cultural and linguistic multiplicity expressed a sense of incalculable human richness. Reflecting that diversity, this collection of personal histories, songs, chants, and stories draws together a range of experiences from throughout the state and across generations to reveal the continuous Native presence in what is now called the Golden State. Speakers share traditional knowledge such as rites of passage, coyote tales, and dream journeys, and in equal measure they address the devastation that arrived with white people and the challenges that exist to this day—as well as the remarkable revitalization of their cultures over the past thirty years in particular. Variously funny, painful, insightful, and strikingly beautiful, The Way We Lived presents California's original sense of itself. This updated reissue contains a new foreword by Michael Connolly Miskwish (Campo Kumeyaay Nation) and a new introduction from the editor, Malcolm Margolin.
Find adventure, unexplored frontiers and human possibilities yet to be realized. Located on 120 acres of sacred land carved out between mountain and ocean in Big Sur, California. Since 1962, we have offered seekers from all walks of life the opportunity to bathe in our sacred mineral hot springs, attend transformational workshops and simply bask in the natural beauty of Big Sur.
Now, for the first time, we are proudly sharing the opportunity to bring Esalen into your home. If you are visiting our campus, please stop by the bookstore and say hello.
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