Native Heritage Month - Cultural Day
ðŠķJoin us for a special Cultural Day celebrating Native Heritage Month with the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation.
This will be a beautiful morning of learning, connection and community with members of the Acjachemen Nation, with opportunities for children and families to experience cultural traditions, teachings and hands-on activities.
ð
Sunday, November 15, 2026
ð 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
ð Village of Putuidem
30291 Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(Northwest Open Space)
ðŋ THE MORNING
8:30 AM – Arrival & Check-In
Please arrive early so everyone has time to check in, find their clan and get settled before our program begins.
9:00 AM – Welcome, Land Acknowledgement & Blessing
We’ll begin together with opening words and a traditional blessing honoring the ancestral lands of the Acjachemen people, followed by a quick overview of the morning.
9:15 AM – Clan Activities Begin
Everyone will be divided into four clans for the morning:
ðŧ Bear Clan
ðĶ Deer Clan
ðĶ
Hawk Clan
ðš Wolf Clan
Each clan will rotate together through four cultural learning stations, spending approximately 15 minutes at each station.
THE FOUR CULTURAL STATIONS
â
ðŋ Native Plant Education
Learn about native plants and their traditional uses and importance.
ð° Acorn Grinding
Experience and learn about the traditional process of grinding acorns.
ð Shell Necklace + Kiicha
Create a shell necklace and visit the Kiicha for a special photo opportunity.
ðķ Native Song
Gather together to learn a traditional song.
By rotating as clans, everyone will have an opportunity to experience all four stations throughout the morning.
10:40 AM – Closing Ceremony Under the Oak Tree
After completing the rotations, we’ll come back together beneath the oak tree to share a good intention, offer gratitude to the land and reflect on what we learned throughout the morning.
We’ll close our time together by enjoying fresh sage tea.
11:00 AM – That’s a Wrap!
ð BEFORE YOU COME
Southern California mornings can keep us guessing, so dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes for walking on dirt and uneven ground.
ð Parking: Please park in the dirt field and walk over to the Village of Putuidem.
ð§ Bring water: Please bring a reusable water bottle for each member of your family.
ðŧ Restrooms: Please note that there are no restroom facilities on site, so plan accordingly before arriving.
ðŋ Most importantly, come ready to listen, learn, create and connect as we celebrate the history, traditions, knowledge and living culture of the Acjachemen people.
We look forward to sharing this special morning with you!

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