Honoring Malibu’s heritage

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    It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, a perfect day to celebrate Mother Earth and all her resources as well as the fourth annual “Chumash Day” at Bluffs Park in Malibu.

    Hundreds of people showed up for this annual event, which was established by the City of Malibu and the Native American Cultural Resources Advisory Committee to coincide with Earth Day and to educate the public about Malibu’s Native American heritage.

    The Native American Cultural Resources Advisory Committee started out as a Native American study group six years ago. It was involved with archeological issues and the City of Malibu used the group as a monitor for archeological digs.

    Francine Greene is a “yaqui woman,” the chair of the committee and the organizer for Chumash Day.

    “I am very pleased, about the turnout this year,” she said. “It was bigger than last year and I am hoping each year it will get bigger.”

    The event was very colorful, filled with vendors selling Native American jewelry and Dream Catchers, and children running about with painted faces. Most of the dancers at the event made their own costumes, which were breathtakingly brilliant.

    Martin Tellez and his wife, Lupe from Mexico City, have been Aztec dancers for many years, Martin since his was a child and Lupe for the last five years. Their dance circle is called, In Tlanextli Tacuba, which are the traditional dancers of Mexico City.

    Alicia Macias, resident of Baldwin Park, Calif., is also an Aztec dancer. She is from the Cuauhtemoc Circle, named after the last Aztec warrior for all indigenous tribes, who was killed at the age of 25.

    Macias, a proud, intense woman, said, “Earth Day should be everyday. We need to take care of our Mother Earth or we will have no place to live. Where will we all live if our planet is destroyed?” she asked..