During the visit, the tribe told the riders the story of the massacre of the natives at the Mission. Kizh tribal leader Andy Salas said the story has long been ignored, but he finally uncovered documentation that it occurred while digging through archives at the Huntington Library. “They killed 6,000 Indians here, but nobody talks about that,” Salas said. “(Now we can) give the true history to the people in San Gabriel and the community. It’s important for us to keep our culture, our history and our oral tradition going.” Dunton-Downer said the trip has been more than she ever hoped and she hopes the documentary can portray the vast reach and importance the missions play in California history and current society. “I think for California there is something very visceral when we say we are riding to all the missions.” Dunton-Downer said. “We all know the missions were a big part of the story of California history. It’s got a different kind of (meaning) in California. You can’t do this in any other state.” For more on the California Mission Ride, visit thecaliforniamissionride.org.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 14:49:41 +0000
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