Santa Monica Mosaic: Sacred Springs

The next episode of Santa Monica Mosaic will highlight the presence of the Tongva people at Kuruvungna Village Springs through the voices of local tribal leaders. Gabrielino-Tongva Springs Foundation president president Bob Ramirez will present a historic overview of the Tongva in our region and the village site. Indigenous archaeologist Desiree Martinez will then offer a closeup view of daily family life at a typical Tongva village like Kuruvungna, from favorite foods to recreational activities and spiritual practices. Ramirez will return to tell the modern story of Kuruvungna, from its rescue to ongoing efforts to restore and enrich the site. 

The Mosaic: Sacred Springs livestream is a joint presentation of the Santa Monica Conservancy and Santa Monica History Museum.  

Kuruvungna, meaning “place where we are in the sun,” was a large Tongva Village surrounding the site of ancient springs that provided fresh water for the thriving village. Later, the springs inspired the naming of Santa Monica and served as an early source of its water supply. The springs are also pictured in the history mural at Santa Monica City Hall which is the subject of the City’s current Reframe initiative. 
 
Today, the waters still flow on the eastern edge of the University High School campus in West Los Angeles. The springs feed a lush setting with native plants, wildlife and a traditional thatched kiiy. The site has been saved from further development and revitalized by descendants of the Tongva people, who lived there until they were forcibly relocated to the Mission San Gabriel by Spanish colonists in the late 1700s. Kuruvungna Springs is a testament to the Tongva’s spirit of survival, harmony with nature and continued relevance to the region. Click here to visit the Gabrielino-Tongva Springs Foundation's website.