Welcome, my friends, to the Native American Terraced Garden at P. Debs Park. I am honored to share my ancestral journey with you, where tradition and innovation converge.This digital tour, sponsored by the California Natural Resources Agency under Prop 64, is a testament to the collaboration between the youth of Anahuacalmecac World School and the Gabrielino Shoshone Elders. Together, we have reimagined and retold the stories of the flora and fauna of this land we call Otsunga, known to many as Rose Hills.As you walk these paths, you will see the plants and hear the stories that our ancestors have cherished and passed down through generations. This garden is a living narrative, a bridge between the past and the present, and a beacon for the future. Listen to the natural sounds of the area and learn about the history and the original people of this land.Since time immemorial, the Gabrielino Shoshone, also known as the Tongva or Kizh, have flourished and inhabited the 4,000+ square mile region we call Tovangar, known today as the Greater Los Angeles Basin. Our natural, ancestral boundaries extend from the Santa Susanna Mountains in the north to Aliso Creek in the south, from the San Bernardino Mountains in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, including the four-channel islands of Santa Catalina, San Clemente, Santa Barbara, and San Nicolas.In every corner of Tovangar, our people have left their mark. The hills and valleys, the rivers and coastlines, all tell the stories of our ancestors. The land itself is a sacred text, written with the wisdom of those who came before us. Our traditional ecological knowledge has been passed down through countless generations, teaching us how to live in harmony with the earth and all its creatures.As you explore the Native American Terraced Garden, you will encounter a variety of plants, each with its own story and significance. The sage, used for cleansing and ceremonies; the yucca, a versatile plant for making tools, food, and fibers; and the oak, whose acorns were a staple of our diet. These plants are more than just flora; they are integral to our way of life and hold deep cultural and spiritual meaning.Listen to the wind as it whispers through the leaves, carrying the voices of our ancestors. Hear the birds sing their songs, just as they did for those who walked these lands long before us. Feel the earth beneath your feet, connecting you to a lineage that stretches back to the beginning of time.Our history is not just in the past; it is alive in the present, guiding us towards the future. The Gabrielino Shoshone people have endured and thrived despite many challenges, and our resilience is a testament to our deep connection to this land. We honor our ancestors by preserving their knowledge and passing it on to future generations.Welcome, and may you find wisdom and peace in every step you take here. Let this garden be a place of learning and reflection, where the spirit of the Gabrielino Shoshone people lives on, and where the beauty of our traditions and innovations can inspire all who visit.