Childhood Nurturance
LOVE, RESPONSIBILITY, AND CARING
In the old days, Ohlones and Miwoks began learning at a young age about the many rules, laws, and cultural proscriptions that enabled them, and their ancestors, to live in the same place for thousands of years without feeling the need to go anywhere else.
Theirs was a complex world of nested relationships, all guided by the values of respect and restraint—a world of relationships that interconnected every person with creation; with the land and all of its other inhabitants; with their ancestors and the elders and community specialists who were the knowledge bearers and teachers of each generation; and with each other, extended family, community, and tribe.
For Ruth and her family, the values of love, responsibility, respect, and caring for ancestors, family, other people, and everything in the natural world continue to inspire and guide their day-to-day lives.
Ohlone and Miwok family, as four of its five generations share the lessons and values they cherish most in their lives, and the enduring important of heritage.
鈥淏eing Indian means re-strengthening family ties that have been loosened by the demands of the modern world, the bonds of family now secured with cordage string. My daughter and I learn from our elders as they take our hands and place them in the earth, digging up soaproot and finding much more.鈥� --Ruth鈥檚 granddaughter Desra
鈥淚鈥檓 responsible for my family that I brought to this earth.鈥� --Ruth Orta
鈥淚鈥檓 responsible for my family that I brought to this earth.鈥� --Ruth Orta
鈥淪ince I was a child, I鈥檝e always known I was Ohlone. My grandmother and mother always told me stories. I love my land, and I love my people. When I have children, I鈥檒l tell them the same stories.鈥� --Ruth鈥檚 granddaughter Gloria
鈥淚 love the projects we do together. They bring the family together. We inspire each other and others to learn our culture and history.鈥� --Ruth鈥檚 great-grandson Alfred
鈥淚 love learning about the history of my ancestors. I have learned that their culture revolved around the word 鈥楻ESPECT.鈥� For me this word sums up what it means to be an Ohlone.鈥� --Ruth鈥檚 daughter Ramona
鈥淎 lot of us are finding it鈥檚 very important for us to still make our presence known.鈥� --Ruth鈥檚 granddaughter Melanie
鈥淚 really like singing Ohlone songs, playing the clapper sticks, and now I鈥檓 learning to make baskets. When I go to Ohlone gatherings, I help my great-grandma Ruth Orta teach people how to make acorn soup.鈥� --Ruth鈥檚 great-granddaughter Ariana
鈥淲hat makes my family so important to me is that we鈥檙e so close and we talk so often鈥�. Whenever I need anything I can always just turn to them.鈥� --Ruth鈥檚 grandson David
鈥淚t鈥檚 important for me to carry on Ohlone traditions and history through the generations. My great-grandmother Trina Ruano and my grandmother Ruth Orta taught me always to be proud of who I was and where I came from鈥�. It鈥檚 crucial for me to teach my children, and other children in schools, about our history, so my ancestors will never be forgotten, and people will realize we鈥檙e still here.鈥� --Ruth鈥檚 granddaughter Sabrina
鈥淚 love learning about the animals and the history of my ancestors.鈥� --Ruth鈥檚 great-grandson Christopher