Native American History

Mission San Juan Capistrano is committed to celebrating and preserving the history of Orange County’s first people, the Acjachemen Native Americans. Our efforts to educate and celebrate the contributions of the indigenous people that contributed to the Mission’s history will continue to progress, evolve and expand over time as new projects emerge and as resources and technologies allow us to do so.  Our commitment to the preservation of their culture, past and present, remains a priority. Guests can learn more about the indigenous people by walking the grounds and visiting the following to experience their history at the Mission.

“NATIVE AMERICAN” EXHIBIT ROOM
Features information about the Acjachemen people’s origins, native foods, hunting and gathering, plant uses, music, basketry and ceremonies.

GRINDING STONE
Visit this stone where Native Americans ground acorns for food. This area also explains what native dwellings looked like.

PADRES’ KITCHEN
Compares indigenous people’s food sources with Spanish farming and ranching and considers the impact of ranching for the indigenous people. 

PADRES’ SITTING ROOM EXHIBIT
Discusses skills the padres taught to the Native Americans and features a reproduction of the 1776 baptismal register.

LEGACY OF SAINT SERRA EXHIBIT
Features information on the legacy of Saint Serra and his role in bringing Christianity to the West.

MISSION TREASURES EXHIBIT
Shows an original Acjachemen or Juañeno basket. Pays tribute to the neophytes, or baptized Native American victims who lost their lives in the 1812 earthquake that  collapsed the Great Stone Church.

MISSION CLUBHOUSE
This area features hands-on activities that teach about the Ajachemen people’s culture and traditions, Mission work, contributions and more.

Run Time: 10 minutes 29 seconds

The Mission is proud to share this special video in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. In honor of the local Acjachemen people and people of all native communities, we are pleased to share this interview with Nathan K. Banda, Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation and Mission Bell Ringer. We are so grateful to Nathan for taking time to talk about his people’s history and culture as well as share about his role as an official Mission Bell Ringer.

Run Time: 5 minutes (Full video 35 minutes) 

In honor of the local Acjachemen people and people of all native communities, the Mission is proud to share a special preview of our new education video series: In Our Voice: Native American Storytelling. This video series is presented by Jacque Tahuka Nunez, Native American Educator and member of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation. To view the full Native American Storytelling video series, book the distance learning program.

Run Time: Run Time: 4 minutes (Full video 20 minutes)

In celebration of the history and culture of the local Acjachemen people and all native people, the Mission is proud to share a special preview of our new education video: Mission Bell Ringing and Native American Singing on our website and social media outlets. This video features members of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation and the full version is complimentary with the booking of any Mission education program.

Run Time: 4 minutes and 54 seconds

Enjoy this special preview clip from our Distance Learning Native American History and Storytelling Package. Presented by teacher and storyteller Jacque Tahuka Nunez, Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation, this special video celebrates diversity while teaching about the local indigenous people’s traditions.

Run Time: 5 minutes and 37 seconds

Mission San Juan Capistrano Native American Basket Weaving Volunteers share the rich basket weaving tradition and cultural practices of the Acjachmen people. Presented by Ellen Olivares Schneider, Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation; Adelia Sandoval, Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation; and Mariah Doyle Sandoval.