River Sessions- Mile XX-51: Headwaters & Sources

Transforming 51 miles of the LA River/ Paayme Paxaayt with ART, NATURE and COMMUNITY.Each month we visit new sites along the River with artists, Indigenous Culture Bearers and local experts: Look for surprises around the bend!In 2023, our first year of River Sessions, we visited sites along the River in the spirit of Hyonaayn’ar -- a Tongva word that means both teacher and student. We listened to and learned creative tactics from many artists and indigenous cultural practitioners who work regeneratively with their communities and the River. What emerged is that the River is trying to heal herself --and our communities need healing too.Understanding and expressing emotions is a pathway to healing. Art can help us deepen our understanding of the emotional impact that the channelized River has upon us. Towards the goal of healing ourselves and the River, we will discover this year how art can connect us to our feelings. We will take time on our River Sessions for creative field research guied by poets, artists, and indigenous cultural practioners.

LA River Arts

NEW DATE AND TIME for first event: January 29th at 11AM

Canoga Park

<a href="https://www.LARiverPublicArtProject.org" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">LA River Public Art Project</a> | www.LARiverPublicArtProject.orgJoin LA River Public Art Project for the launch of an adventurous new series exploring art, culture, and place along the LA River. In the spirit of Hyonaayn’ar, a relational word in Tongva that means both teacher and student, participants will embark on a series of walks where the River is the primary teacher.Guided walks every second Saturday of each month of 2023 will visit important cultural sites starting with the sources of the river in the foothills of the Santa Susana Mountains in January and continuing with Indigenous Leaders and artists to various sites on or near the river as we meander our way to Long Beach in December. January 14th: Gather with us at the official “Mile 51” starting point of the LA River in Canoga Park. After a brief grounding with traditional Tongva singer, Joe Calderon, we will split into smaller groups and drive/carpool to seek the sources of the River in the foothills rimming the valley led by Indigenous Elder Jimmy Garcia and Creative Ecologist Kat Superfisky. Tour time: 11am - 3pmIndividual Tours are $29 - buy at $35 to help us offer reduced rate community tickets for low-income locals whose communities we are walking through._﻿___________ I wish you would walk with me here more often—--Lewis MacAdams, The River: Book One_﻿___________

OUR GUIDES:Chumash elder, Jim Garcia and traditional singer, Joe Calderon will discuss the importance of the water and land from a Native perspective, tell stories of the Chumash and Tongva people and share points of interest along an easy walk at a significant site near the headwaters of the River. Creative Ecologist Kat Superfisky(pictured), who moved across the country for the LA River and works for the City of LA, will lead one of the two walks we will do this day: along the naturalized streambed of a tributary that is one of the sources of the LA River’s headwaters. She will discuss historic riparian ecology in Southern California, how this is impacted in multiple ways by the channelization of waterways for human needs, and how this relates to her work managing urban ecosystems in LA.

WHAT TO EXPECT:MILE 51We will journey from the “official” start of the LA River, “Mile 51” near Canoga Park High School to the origins of the river where the tributaries flow out year-round from the foothills into the valley, while learning about the importance of this water and land to the Original People and about the Native ecology that still flourishes in the protected wild places where the waters emerge.Led by Chumash Elder, Jim Garcia, traditional singer, Joe Calderon, and Creative Ecologist, Kat Superfisky, our meander will include:-Gathering before and after our excursion to center ourselves in relation to the land and each other with guidance from Chumash Relatives. -Discussions of Ventureño Chumash territory and the rich history of the Mitsqanaqan peoples.-Splitting into smaller groups for part of the event to have a lower impact while exploring each natural site.-An easy hike along one of the LA River’s tributary creeks where it emerges from a lush canyon edged by sycamores and live oaks, flanked by impressive conglomerate rock formations, the site of a Chumash village. -An easy hike around an important grouping of massive sandstone rock formations important to the Chumash.-Visiting the place where one of the tributaries transitions from a natural area to flow into a concrete culvert.-﻿Finding ways to care for the River as we walk._﻿__________________O﻿ptional: Lunch at a nearby restaurant *Optional: Excursion after lunch to a nearby cave - Considered by the Chumash to be one of nine elemental points that hold the region in balance*Your ticket does not include lunch **Please bring water, snacks, and wear walking/hiking shoes - snacks will be provided, but if you have special dietary needs, please bring your own.***This experience begins near Canoga Park High School and ends at 23504 Calabasas Rd, Calabasas, CA 91302 -- we will be splitting up into groups and driving between sites because the origins of the river are very dispersed and we want to experience each natural site in smaller groups.

IMPORTANT DETAILS:Rain or ShineMaps/ Directions and More Details will be sent to participants after registration.All tours include a 5% Land Usage Fee. Funds from this fee will cover compensation for a Tribal Elder or Culture Bearer to accompany most walks. <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/17OJy-8jHLUwBhXJy1yKVHpzJqj_QfRAf19IpPcCrVys/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Information about Land Usage Fees</a>.Refunds are available as credit for an alternate tour.By attending a LA River Public Art Project experience, you accept <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zgpodh4qUERg9OVZVAyEYrerY3XSyOFnqBgpHyug1iE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">our terms of service</a>.For more information, please visit <a href="https://lariverpublicartproject.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">LA River Public Art Project</a>.

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River Sessions- Mile XX-51: Headwaters & Sources

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