Monday, October 14, 2019

Altadena Historical Society Quarterly Program Toypurina and the San Gabriel Mission Tongva Revolt

The story of the San Gabriel Mission Tonva revolt led by California’s Joan of Arc, Toypurina, will be told at Altadena Historical Society’s October quarterly program, on Monday, Oct. 28.

The program, open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena. The program is free to Historical Society members; donations from non-members are appreciated.

Kat High, a Hupa Indian from Northern California, will lead this engaging and informative talk about an important time in San Gabriel Valley history, through the story of this remarkable woman’s bravery, leadership, and wisdom.

In 1785, soon after the San Gabriel Mission was built, a group of Tongva tribe members revolted against the Spanish. One of the leaders of this revolt, Toypurina, was a young medicine woman known today as the Joan of Arc of California.

Angered by the theft of Tongva lands and the disruption of the Tongva way of life, she led tribe members on a brave but ultimately futile revolt against the Spanish rule. Her legacy is honored with a mural in Boyle Heights and an art installation at the Baldwin Park Metrolink Station.

A well-known expert on Native American history, Kat High is an advisor to several Native American cultural centers and museums in California and has been trained by traditional elders in Native American land management.

Phone: (626-797-8016) E-mail: Altadenahistorical.society@yahoo.com Website: altadenahistoricalsociety.org.