California Native Plants: Contemporary and Traditional Medicinal Uses

Craig Torres (Tongva) is a member of the Traditional Council of Pimuu and involved with the Ti’aat Society, an organization focused on the revival of the traditional maritime culture of the Southern California coastal region and Southern Channel Islands. He is an artist, as well as a cultural educator, presenter, and consultant to schools, culture and nature centers, museums, and city, state and government agencies acting as a consultant on the Tongva. He has also been involved with the organizations Preserving Our Heritage and Chia Café, which provide cooking demos and classes with California native plants. These activities also provide education on the importance of preserving native plants, habitats, and landscapes for future generations.

Abe Sanchez is active in reviving and preserving indigenous arts and foods, with specialties in Southern California Native American basketry and California and Southwest native foods. He has worked with traditional Native American gatherers to learn methods and practices. Abe believes that by teaching people about ancient natural foods and preparations, he can help them make a difference in their health and the environment.

Sienna Thomas (Piipaash and Tsitsistas) expert on plants, specifically focusing on the ethnobotany of the desert region, particularly plants used by the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla tribe, where she is affiliated as an Environmental Technician and educator; she is known for sharing knowledge about the cultural significance and practical uses of native plants like the stinging nettle (“chikishlyam”) for medicine, food, fiber, and basketry.

Kateri Lara (Cahuilla/Payómkawichum) is from the Cahuilla and Luiseno tribes. Her ancestors are Indigenous to southern California. She grew up on the Mountain Cahuilla Indian reservation above the San Jacinto Mountains. It was there that she learned to live and love her culture as an Indigenous person, as her parents and elders taught her. She is so grateful to God, our Creator, and her ancestors who have gone on before her for this ancient knowledge. Her language, stories, art, songs, and dances are part of her daily life. She believes we never stop learning. And so, as a teacher herself, she continues to learn. She has a real passion for food, predominantly native foods from Southern California. This drove her to obtain a B.S. in Food and Nutrition from Cal Poly Pomona and a minor in Native American Studies. She thinks it is vital we include Indigenous foods back into our diets. She believes that in this way, we can strengthen our communities and inspire others to do the same.

Includes sourced materials for projects and field trip costs.

• Notebook
• Pen/pencil
• Dollar Store binder/folder for handouts
• Comfortable closed-toed shoes for walking

Your workshop starts at 9 a.m. each day. Lunch is served from 12 to 1 p.m. Workshops resume at 1 p.m. and wrap up at 4 p.m. Dinner is served from 5 to 7 p.m. You are welcome to join evening programming led by other adult art programs.

NOTE: Some instructors allow for after-hour work sessions. If the instructor(s) is/are willing and present in the classroom, you can work on your pieces after 4 pm.

Generous donors have made scholarships and fellowships for adult workshops available on a limited basis for these specific groups:

1) Native American Community Leaders, Artists, Members, and Teachers.
2) Inland Empire Teachers, Professors, and graduate students.

Scholarships include tuition, dorm housing, and all meals provided by the campus dining service. Transportation to and from campus is not provided, and the $50 registration fee is not included.

Scholarship Details:
1) Native American Community Members, Leaders, Artists, and Teachers

For adults 18 and older with current tribal affiliation, the scholarship brings community leaders, artists, members, and teachers to workshops at Idyllwild Arts to benefit both the scholarship recipients and those in their schools or tribal communities. Applicants with financial needs may receive priority. We also offer scholarships for Native American Teens for both the Summer Program and the Academy.

2) Inland Empire Teachers, Professors, and graduate students.
For adults 18 and older who are current teachers in lower and higher education who will benefit from learning about Native American Arts and Culture to take back into the classroom as well as currently enrolled graduate students. The scholarship is designed to provide professional development for those in education to share with their learning communities.

Click here for more information about adult scholarships.

An evening field trip at the end of your first workshop day will be optional. Transportation is included in your lab fee; water will be provided. Sturdy closed-toed shoes are recommended.