Clarifying the Myths

Perhaps more important than the holiday itself is the educational aspect of the bill, specifically designed to clarify the many misperceptions and myths about the California Indians. In the schoolroom, our children have been led to believe that California history began with the arrival of the first explorers and that all American Indians lived in tepees and used drums for music. Thanks to this important piece of legislation, public schools and community colleges will pursue educational exercises and model lesson plans and curricula relating specifically to the rich and varied history of the many tribal groups of California.