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Tuesday, December 17, 2024

"A Place Where We Are in the Sun" by Faiza G

 

We are built upon the people before us. My old high school was quite literally built on the land of the Tongva, an indigenous tribe in the Los Angeles Basin. Being born and raised in LA, I was already exposed to such a diverse range of cultures. A particular society I was not very familiar with, however, was the Tongva. Despite learning about Native Americans in school, the extent to which we were taught about the different indigenous groups and where they lived was limited. The first day of high school was quite frightening for me because not only was it my first year back in person after quarantine, but I was also very bad with directions. Upon receiving my schedule, I noticed that I had P.E. for my first period. After asking seniors for instructions on how to get to the gym, I quickly found myself lost in what felt to be the biggest campus. I began to follow another student who seemed to be headed to the gym as well. Little did I know that this very path that I would start to pass through every day to get to my first period, would be one with such a rich history.

As I passed by the Tongva Springs on my way to P.E. class every morning, the sound of the water flowing always tranquilized me. The springs was bordered by a fence that I could look through just enough to see the thickness of the tall tree trunks and pond of water; it was all enchanting. My biology teacher, as well as the Environmental Club mentor, introduced the idea of volunteering at the springs. I still remember how involved and genuine she was in supporting the community and environment. At the springs our Tongvan guide, Bob, very passionately relayed to us the history of his ancestors and why this natural site matters to him. His speech inspired me to volunteer and bring my friends along to join. We volunteered at the Springs and I was tasked with raking the tree bark from off the floor and clearing the pond. We also got to see how Bob was planning to remove the invasive species such as the crayfish out of the pond in his crate boxes. As basic as it sounds, not a second was boring. We all worked together as a community and had a lot of fun along the way. There was so much to look at including the native plants and animals we helped preserve. The water in the pond was said to be clean enough to drink and there was even a story we were told about how our school’s soccer team got very thirsty and drank some water from the pond. This little spot of nature resonated very much with me. So much so, that even after I moved from Los Angeles to Fontana, I went back and volunteered again with my friends. During my volunteering visit, I was surprised by the wide variety of people who came to help. From elders to little children, and teachers to students, everyone in the community worked together to protect and maintain the spring. Bob always showed appreciation for all his volunteers and even showed us to a shed where we could view historical artifacts. It was a green shed that felt like a mini museum. As I walked around in the shed, I saw a gallery of Tongvan representing items. I don’t normally take an interest in looking at artifacts but these were very unique.

The Tongva Springs, also called the Kuruvungna Springs felt like a separate world, detached from the school that was built around it. Although Bob taught us many things about the Kuruvungna Springs, there was one thing I hadn’t learned: the actual meaning of Kuruvungna. It means “a place where we are in the sun”. I asked myself what it mean to be in the sun. As I questioned the significance of the name, I thought back to my experiences there and it clicked. My interpretation of the name was that as the sun shines bright, providing light and energy for others not relying on other forces, likewise, the springs was a natural rejuvenating area that radiated freshness and gave off peace and resources.

It was so rewarding to be a part of the volunteers helping not only the Tongva community but also the school. By volunteering at the Tongva Springs, not only did we help to preserve native land, but we also spread awareness of the importance of the historical site. Because of volunteers like us, the Spring continues to be a protected land that gives us a glimpse of the past while also reminding the community of students who once lived on the ground they walk on.

 

 

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