Representative of “the ultimate strength, the woman fighter, the mother who protects her children from harm,” the legacy of civil rights leader Toypurina (Tongva, 1760-1799) lives on the main wall of Ramona Gardens in East Los Angeles as a 60-by-20 foot mural along Anza National Historic Trail. Photo by NTorres/National Park Service

AIANTA Partnership with the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

In a one-of-a-kind partnership with the National Park Service, AIANTA is chronicling the tribal destinations located on or near the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.

The three-year partnership will result in educational webinars for tribes, a print/online guidebook reflecting tribal attractions at key spots along the trail, and a first-of-its kind map elevating Indigenous homelands through traditional place names and Indigenous sites of significance.

About the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

While much has been written about European expansion into Western North America, far less has been chronicled about the Native American communities that continuously inhabited California and Arizona long before the route became known as the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.

The journey, which commenced October 1775, saw some 240 settlers from Mexico forge a westward/northerly route, which in the United States stretches from Nogales, Arizona to San Francisco, California.

Anza Webinar Series

Mapping indigenous Place Names

Mapping indigenous Place Names

Native Americans have strong ties to their ancestral lands and have their own names for important places and landmarks, names which were then ignored or erased by colonizers. Today, many tribes are reclaiming their original Indigenous place names and returning them to the maps. These maps can be a strong tool for tribal planners, aiding in the preservation and protection of cultural history, events, heritage and legacies.

Native Chefs Explore Food Sovereignty

Native Chefs Explore Food Sovereignty

Learn from Native chefs, Vincent Medina (Chochenyo Ohlone), and Louis Trevino (Rumsen Ohlone), who co-own the mak-‘amham/Café Ohlone in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay area.

The Power of Place

The Power of Place

AIANTA welcomes celebrated architect Johnpaul Jones (Oklahoma Choctaw/Cherokee), who discusses his approach to Native American planning and design centered around the Four Worlds.

Join Us

Preliminary Outreach Calls
Outreach to the 70+ Arizona and California tribes located within 100 miles of the trail has already begun. Tribes that fall within the 100-mile radius are encouraged to sign up for outreach conference calls with AIANTA, which allow AIANTA to explain the project in more detail and also give tribes the opportunity to share their cultural offerings with the AIANTA team.

In-Person Visits
Additionally, AIANTA has secured the services of travel writer Steve Larese, who will be reaching out to tribes individually to schedule in-person visits. During his visits, he will meet with tribal historians, cultural center and tourism representatives, and other stakeholders interested in promoting their cultural tourism offerings.

Historic Place Names
AIANTA is also working with celebrated cartographer Dr. Margaret Pearce (Potawatomi), who is creating a new map that elevates Indigenous homelands through traditional place names and Indigenous sites of significance.

For more information on Mapping the Anza Trail, view A Q&A About the Anza Trail Map with Margaret Pearce 

If you’d like more information about these opportunities, please contact Amy Meak (ameak@aianta.org) or Gail Chehak (gchehak@aianta.org) at AIANTA to explore ways you can participate.

AIANTA Anza Trail Team

Gail Chehak (Klamath)
Tribal Relations & Outreach Manager

Steve Larese
AIANTA Travel Writer

Margaret Pearce (Citizen Potawatomi)
Cartographer

Bruce Rettig
Tribal Content Developer

Lorraine Gala Lewis (Laguna/Taos/Hopi)
Research and Outreach Specialist

More Resources

Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
“¡Vayan Subiendo!”(“Everyone mount up!”) was the rousing call from Juan Bautista de Anza. In 1775-76, he led some 240 men, women, and children on an epic journey to establish the first non-Native settlement at San Francisco Bay. Today, the 1,200-mile Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail connects history, culture, and outdoor recreation from Nogales, Arizona, to the San Francisco Bay Area. National Park Service

The Anza Trail Today and Commemorating 250 Years
The years 2025 and 2026 will mark the 250th anniversary of the historic Anza Expedition. Since the establishment of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail in 1990, public history has changed dramatically. We have broadened our understanding of the people and forces at play during the expedition and included multiple narratives in the story. Join Naomi Torres, Superintendent of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail for an update on trail activities to date and a shared view into the future. View the webinar at www.sbthp.org/lectures.

Anza Trail Interactive Map
Use the interactive map on the National Park Service site to customize your own trip along the Ana Trail.
www.anzahistorictrail.org/

Anza National Historic Trail on Facebook
Join the nearly 4,000 fans following the history and happenings of the Anza National Historic Tail on Facebook.
www.facebook.com/AnzaTrailNPS

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

Native American Agriculture Fund

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Bureau of Land Management

National Endowment of the Arts

National Park Service

United States Forest Service