-
Coast Miwok Tribe Facts
Home region: Marin and southern Sonoma Counties Mission affiliations: San Francisco de Asís, San Rafael, San Francisco Solano Historical background: Speakers of the…
-
Chumash Tribe Facts
Other names: Obispeño, Ventureño, Barbareño, Purisimeño, Yneseño, Canalino Home region: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, as well as the Channel…
-
Junípero Serra’s Mallorca: Where it All Began
-
Native Americans of the San Francisco Bay Area (Part 2): Ohlone Culture
The second of a two part series. Read part 1 here. In this second part, we discuss Ohlone culture, including political organization,…
-
California Frontier Glossary: Vocabulary Words of the Mission and Presidio Era
Many words used to describe people and objects in Alta California are unfamiliar to us today.
-
Serra Statues: Don’t Tear Down, Build Up
Junípero Serra’s statues are being defaced. Government institutions are seeking to remove his name from public monuments. All in the name…
-
Indian Life at the California Missions — San Carlos Borromeo
How did native people live at Mission San Carlos Borromeo? What languages did they speak? What foods did they eat? How did…
-
Governors of Alta California
At the very beginning of the Spanish occupation of Alta California and until 1777, the governors were military commanders. Until 1804, governors…
-
Native Americans of the California Missions: Territories, Affiliations and Descendants
Native American Tribes of the California Missions
-
Saving Our Stories
A few nights ago I attended a community meeting aimed at designating my county as a National Heritage Area. Throughout the United…
-
“The Spirit Within Saint Junípero”: A Book of Stunning Photos
-
A Hidden Gem: Ulistac Natural Area (Video)
Once a Native American settlement and later a rancho, Ulistac Natural Area is now a great place for a kid-friendly day hike…
-
¡Siempre Adelante! Junípero Serra Goes to New York
A new exhibit on the life of Junípero Serra made its New York debut in. It tells the story of the missionary…
-
Happy Birthday Junipero Serra
Junipero Serra was born Miguel José Serra on November 24, 1713, in the town of Petra on the island of Mallorca, Spain, 302 years…
-
Five Tips for Teaching Kids about the California Missions
Fourth grade is the first and last time most people learn anything about the mission period in California. In case you don’t know,…
-
Junipero Serra Video Clarifies Some Misconceptions
The Academy of American Franciscan History has released a new video documentary on Junipero Serra, Introducing Junipero Serra: The Newest Saint. This video does…
-
The Five Reasons Pope Francis Canonized Junípero Serra
Note: this is an updated version of an earlier post written at the time of Serra’s canonization. Catholics and non-Catholics alike seem…
-
The Seven Steps to Sainthood for Junipero Serra
When Pope Francis announced that he was going to declare sainthood for Junipero Serra during a flight to Manila in January 2015, some people…
-
Indian Life at the California Missions – San Miguel Arcangel
One of the things people often ask about is what life was like on the California missions, especially Indian life. Some of…
-
Books About the California Missions – Where to Start
Friends often ask me where they should begin in learning about the California missions. There are are so many books about the…
