James Ramos at the Discovery Center

   Family fun and experiencing Native American culture and heritage are packaged into a “Feast of the Harvest Moon” event at the Discovery Center on Saturday, Oct. 27th, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Admission is free.  San Manuel Band of Mission Indians will sponsor the event that celebrates their ancestry of the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands and mountains, the Serrano.   Those Serrano who lived at Yuhaviat, an area of pine trees near present day Big Bear Lake where the creator died, were called the Yuhaviatam, or the “People of the Pines”. Members of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians are descended from the Yuhaviatam and like their ancestors they maintain a special connection to the land.

   One such member, James Ramos, the only living descendent of their last indigenous chief, Santos Manuel, will make a special guest appearance at 1:00 pm and share the Tribal story for a unique first-hand learning experience.  To bring his words to life, his “People of the Pines” documentary will play at the Center throughout the day.  

   The Serrano people embraced the pine forests and flowing water of the high country. Their creation story tells of the first people who tended to their creator Kruktat as he laid ill and dying high in the mountains. When the creator died, the people began to mourn and in their grief turned into pine trees. The nuts and acorns these trees scattered became food for the Serrano clans who would follow these first people.

   James Ramos, Co-Founder of San Manuel Cultural Awareness Program, was instrumental in encouraging schools to teach California Native American History and established California Native American Day.  In celebration of the day, he secured funding for an annual cultural event at Cal State University, San Bernardino, now in its sixth year.  James developed an interactive CD-ROM detailing the history and culture of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians which is currently being used in San Bernardino City and County Schools as a supplement to the science/history curriculum.   In collaboration with county educators, academics and tribal historians, he developed “People of the Pines Study Guide” for elementary grade level currently in use by 3-4 grade teachers. His commitment to raise Native American cultural awareness through educating youth and adults has placed him in the “Ten Who Made A Difference” award by the San Bernardino Sun, received diversity and distinguished contributions awards and has been recognized by the California State Senate and Congressional community Leadership award. 

   The village played an important role in the Serrano clans, as members would gather together to tell stories of creation, sing songs, and dance. The Serrano clans constructed their homes with the resources they gathered from the immediate environment. They used willow, branches, and yucca fiber (or willow thongs) to build their dome-shaped homes, called a Kiich, that measured approximately 12 feet to 14 feet across and were located in small villages near lakes, streams, springs and other water sources.
   The Feast of the Harvest Moon event is an opportunity for youth leaders and volunteers of Children’s Forest to create their own village in the pines at the Discovery Center to present educational exhibits and hands-on activities such as processing acorns for food, making your own native symbols through pictographs, learning the art of string games, making your own “greenhouse in a bag” while promoting forest restoration, and bob for “apples on a string”.  A new primitive life skills interactive exhibit will demonstrate the art of fire-starting, bow and arrow, tanning and more.  Hoop dancing and traditional native dance performances will be held throughout the day.  The Big Bear Historical Society, All Nations Council and the Moonridge Zoo will be participating.  Native fry bread and tacos will be available for purchase along with fall favorites such as hot chocolate, cider and caramel apples presented by North Pole Fudge Company.   The event also serves as a fund raiser for Children’s Forest through pumpkin sales in the “Pumpkin Patch” sponsored by Stater Bros Market and opportunity drawings.

   Children’s Forest is a recreational destination located adjacent to Running Springs, an outdoor classroom and a youth conservation corps program for youth to take a leadership role in forest restoration and management.  The concept is youth guiding and teaching youth on forest stewardship and sustainability.   Children’s Forest is one of six programs managed by the San Bernardino National Forest Association.  For more information, please visit www.sbnfa.org.              

   The San Manuel Band of Missions Indians believes the past is the foundation for their future. With a community rich in culture and tradition, the tribe continues to share its heritage with a firm belief in the importance of utilizing natural resources. Each component of nature: such as water, trees, and the protection of animals and their habitat as well as the importance of the Serrano language, song, and the Cahuilla bird songs, all play a defining role in their unique culture.

Would you like to comment on this article? Just send us an email to PR@bearvalleynews.com. Let us know if you would like us to put it in a letter to the editor and if you want your name printed.

Back to Front Page