Original Stories Author Panel Discusses California’s Indigenous History and Future at the Maidu Museum February 17

Updated January 17, 2024
The Maidu Museum is proud to present the next Night Out at the Museum program: a panel conversation between four contributors of Know We Are Here: Voices of Native California Resistance on February 17. This new book is a powerful collection that details how California’s Indigenous communities are resisting the legacies of forcible loss of land, violence, and genocide. Contributors speak on a variety of issues that affect Native California communities today while also offering urgent wisdom. The panelists include:

Terria SmithTerria Smith (Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla) is the editor of the quarterly magazine New from Native California and director of the Roundhouse program, an editorial division of Native California book publishing at Heyday. She is the editor of Know We Are Here: Voices of Native California Resistance


Rose Soza War SoldierRose Soza War Soldier (Mountain Maidu/Cahuilla/Luiseño) is an enrolled member of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and a professor of Ethnic Studies at California State University, Sacramento. Her research and teaching focus on twentieth-century American Indian activism, social and cultural history, politics, education, and justice-centered movements.   

Viola Le BeauViola Le Beau  (Hammawi Band of the Pit River Nation; Cahuilla/Maidu/Cheyenne River Sioux descendent) is a visual multimedia artist and advocate of traditional knowledge. She received her B.A. in sociology and studio arts from Mills College and now works on community outreach, directorial assistance, and food distribution issues with Sogorea Te’ Land Trust.

Michelle LaPenaMichelle Lee (LaPena) (Pit River Tribe) is a member of the Pit River Tribe and an Indian law attorney. She is extensively involved in developing statewide policy in California regarding cultural resources protection, including burial site protection and consultation requirements for new projects. She was the 2015 recipient of the Truman Capote Creative Writing Fellowship. 

After the panel conversation, there will be a book signing. Books will be available to purchase at the event. Light refreshments will be served after the program as well. 

This is a free event. This program is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services Inspire! Grant for Small Museums. This program is in partnership with Heyday Books.

Night Out at the Museum presents
Original Stories: California's First Voices

Saturday February 17
7 pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)
at the Maidu Museum & Historic Site
1970 Johnson Ranch Dr Roseville, CA 95661

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