FIRST GRADE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM – OHLONE COSTANOAN ESSELEN NATION

Conducted in the Summer of 2004 in Carmel, California

Lorraine Escobar (left), Theresa Machado-Piñon (right); The table was lined with abalone shells, olivella shells, grinding stones, plants, obsidian examples, animal skins, drums, and a photo gallery.

What Are We Called? (Lorraine & Rudy)

· Esselen, Rumsen, Surenos, Carmelenos, Costanoan, Ohlone – finally Ohlone/Costanoan Esselen Nation – Esselen for short

Where Are Our Ancestors From? (Lorraine)

· Village origins – Ensen (Salinas), Achasta (Monterey), Tucutnut (Quail Lodge, Carmel River), Echilat (Carmel Valley), Jashawa (Carmel Valley inland), Excelen (Tassahara Hot Springs), Sargenta Ruc, Jojopan & Pixchi (Big Sur)

What Does A Native American Indian Look Like? (Lorraine & Rudy, Addressing stereotypes)

· Physical Characteristics (Photo in Coast Weekly – Rudy’s Face, my face, discuss common ancestry)

· Clothing – from Past to Present (coloring books, transition in photographs – Picture Board, Coast Weekly – Rudy’s feet)

· Jewelry – Past to Present (Muwekma photos, Esselen Woman Drawing, Reproductions)

How Did Esselen Indians Live Hundreds of Years Ago? (Lorraine and Rudy, Show & Tell Box)

· Primitive Tools & Trade

· Abalone shells, clam shells (dishes, spoons)

· Rocks (grinding food, cooking, abalone tenderizer, making jewelry, sewing awls)

· Different rocks (obsidian, chert for arrowheads, knives, drills, scrapers)

· Use of animals, like rabbit, fish, clams, abalone, otter, seals, deer, birds, bear (for food, hides – clothing, horns - billets, buttons, sinew for rope and string, nets, fish hooks, bone harpoons, bone whistles) – never kill for sport, only for food

· Use of plants (food, baskets, rope and string, tule skirts, disposable huts)

· Today – Some of us hunt but most go to the grocery store like everybody else

Making Jewelry with Shells and Rocks - Abalone Pendant Making Demonstration (Lorraine)

· Compare rocks

· Break shell to shape

· Grind shell to final shape

· Drilling the hole

· Making the string

Making Olivella Shell Jewelry (children’s hands-on activity with olivella shells, sandstone, and hemp – Theresa and Cari to assist)

What Else Did Esselen Indians Do Back Then?

· Told Stories (Creation Story-Theresa & Cari)

· Susan’s songs (Susan Morley)

· Sang songs (Lorraine and Susan, Blind Man’s Song, explain “Pi ina watena to-tic” – audience participation)

· Bear Dance (song and dance – audience participation, Cari and Steven on drums, Susan and Lorraine for song)