Native Beginnings

Native Beginnings is a program where teaching artist David Guerra invites students to join him in recreating four stories from Native American folklore. Tribal groups represented include California's own Tongva, the Navajo, the Hopi, and the Lakota Sioux.

Students sit around a camp fire with a Tribal Elder to gain wisdom and enjoy tribal camaraderie. They learn the chants and traditions of each tribe, and each individual story represents a specific Native American culture with a different perspective on the Earth's creation.

Stories are told through pantomime, music, drumming, and chanting. Audience members become several of the different animals who appear in the stories. Younger audiences are fascinated by animals, and our Teaching Artist shows them how to effectively imitate the movements and sounds of many American animals.

Enjoy a sample of our show!