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Premiere: Ohlone Skies (mur taaraxtak)
Sunday, June 9
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
$24 Adults, $19 Kids/Seniors/Students, Free for Members
All ages, family-friendly.
Join us for a journey under the starry skies of the East Bay as we unveil our captivating new Planetarium show, Ohlone Skies. Developed in partnership and solidarity with Cafe Ohlone, mur taaraxtak, or Ohlone Skies, weaves science and storytelling into a rich tapestry of Indigenous Ohlone knowledge, heritage, and history deeply rooted right here in the Oakland hills. At this star-studded premiere, hear from multigenerational community voices about the importance of representation in a panel discussion, indulge in aromatic teas, and immerse yourself in the enchanting practice of acorn processing.
Event Schedule
The Art of Jean LaMarr
Rotunda
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The prolific artist Jean LaMarr (Paiute/Pit River) will present her work and share conversation of her stunning and storied artwork that uplifts the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Northern California and Nevada by presenting truthful representation.
Jean LaMarr (born 1945), Paiute and Pit River, makes art that addresses issues such as cultural stereotypes, representations of women and Native American people, and the traditions of her ancestors. Her artistic development was critically influenced by the time she spent at UC Berkeley from 1973-76 where she earned her BFA and was involved with activist politics. LaMarr describes herself as a community artist-activist. She lives on the Susanville Indian Rancheria in northeastern California, where she continues to operate the Native American Graphic Workshop.
Karuk Basket Weaving
Rotunda
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Join us for an exciting and educational basket weaving demonstration with respected Karuk master weavers and regalia makers Claudette Starritt-Rogers and Dixie Rogers! Learn about the intricate art practice of creating beautiful, complex baskets from plant materials native to Northern California, as Claudette and Dixie share their experiences continuing this traditional art and way of life.
California Indian Museum and Cultural Center
Cafe
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
CIMCC was founded in 2001 at the Presidio of San Francisco. A group of Native social justice leaders established CIMCC in response to California’s need for a statewide resource on the living history of Native peoples to redress widespread inaccuracies about California Indian history, cultures, and contemporary life in existing resources. CIMCC furthers racial justice by providing a cultural home for California Indians where Native perspectives are nurtured, Native voices inspire, and Native knowledge fuels solutions to pressing societal issues. As an issues-based museum and cultural organization, CIMCC implements a broad educational mission to promote knowledge and understanding in the general public about California Indians and their strengths and resiliency. Their mission is to educate the public about the history, cultures and contemporary life of California Indians and honor their contributions to civilization. CIMCC incorporated as a California non-profit organization in 1996 and is governed by a majority of California Indians. They have been implementing their mission from their permanent home in the Santa Rosa/Sonoma County since 2001.
Tina Laudani, ‘ek-ošše Lullaby
Rotunda
10:30 a.m.
Tina Laudani, an East Bay Ohlone culture bearer, is active in the Chochenyo language program and works for ecological restoration of her East Bay Ohlone homeland. Tina sits on the Research Advisory Committee for UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science’s tappenekšekma program as a part of the University’s Ohlone-led ‘ottoy Initiative; Tina helps to guide “rightful presence” for East Bay Ohlones at the Lawrence.
makkin hiitiy mak-nuunu nommo — We See Our Culture Here
Planetarium
11 a.m.
mur taaraxtak – Ohlone Skies – is an unprecedented planetarium program developed by East Bay Ohlone cultural leader and Cafe Ohlone founder Vincent Medina with the Chabot Space & Science Center. This conversation among multi-generational members of the East Bay Ohlone community will highlight the significance of self-representation for the Ohlone people within their homeland, and is sure to deepen the public’s sense of the gravity of this historic production and build understanding of the East Bay’s Indigenous people.
mur taaraxtak – Ohlone Skies (Premiere)
Planetarium
12 p.m.
The East Bay has never been a new world. It is an ancient place, and the Ohlone people have been here since the beginning. Here they remain, in the same place every generation of their people have always been, and every moment of their history has occurred. The ones from before saw “mur taaraxtak”–the night sky–as a living universe that teaches us on Earth, that communicates with us; a universe that has its own purpose. Every movement above was carefully observed, and time was kept by the stars. Offerings were given, and celebrations were held for the stars, the sun, and the moon. This deep knowledge has never been lost. Join us and learn of the rich understanding of the sky above carried on for thousands of generations of Ohlone people, to this day.
‘ukšeeremak wallikma – Let’s Make Tule Boats
Courtyard
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Ohlone culture bearers will teach how to construct buoyant miniature tule boats that impart a glimpse into the complex, specific craft of the traditional boats that are native to San Francisco Bay. This family-friendly activity will be paired with cultural information about how East Bay Ohlone people traditionally navigate the waters of the Bay, and participants will get to take their miniature tule boats home as a keepsake from the premiere of mur taaraxtak – Ohlone Skies.
naaniy mak tawwa sii – A Taste of Our Teas
Rotunda
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Experience locally gathered Ohlone teas curated by internationally acclaimed Cafe Ohlone that teach of the Indigenous flavors of the East Bay through their delicious taste. Cafe Ohlone will offer two alchemized springtime iced teas of rose hip and elderflower, along with stinging nettle and rose petal.
Lunaverse
Planetarium
1 p.m.
(17min, all ages) “Lunaverse” explores the nature of Earth’s moon: its motion and phases, lunar and solar eclipses, tides, and the Moon’s origin. The story unfolds as a conversation between a curious young child and the Moon—Luna—over the course of a night, from moonrise to moonset.
mur taaraxtak – Ohlone Skies
Planetarium
2 p.m.
The East Bay has never been a new world. It is an ancient place, and the Ohlone people have been here since the beginning. Here they remain, in the same place every generation of their people have always been, and every moment of their history has occurred. The ones from before saw “mur taaraxtak”–the night sky–as a living universe that teaches us on Earth, that communicates with us; a universe that has its own purpose. Every movement above was carefully observed, and time was kept by the stars. Offerings were given, and celebrations were held for the stars, the sun, and the moon. This deep knowledge has never been lost. Join us and learn of the rich understanding of the sky above carried on for thousands of generations of Ohlone people, to this day.
