Today we’re sharing a conversation that took place in October 2022, between members of the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County and the Esalen Institute.

Representing the Esselen tribe are Jana Nason and Stephen Vicente Arevalo. Jana Nason is an Esselen and Rumsen descendant, and an enrolled tribal member of the ETMC. She is the nonprofit secretary, and serves on the Tribal Council as Tribal Administrator and Secretary, Publications Chair, and Cultural Resource Committee member. She also manages the Cultural Archeological Monitoring program and serves her Tribe in that capacity. She is dedicated to educations, and protecting and preserving the cultural heritage and ancestral sacred sites.

Stephen Arevalo is a Esselen and Rumsen descendant. He is deeply passionate about his ancestry and has started a language re-learning class for tribal members. He is an educational speaker, and an active community member.

Representing Esalen Institute is Douglas Drummond. Douglas served as the Director for Healing Arts and Somatics and the Director of Community Alliance at Esalen Institute. He is also Esalen faculty. Douglas is originally from Aotearoa, New Zealand, where he lives with his wife Lucia Horan and daughter Olivia.

Learn more about the Esselen Tribe at https://www.esselentribe.org/

For further educational materials, please refer to the ETMC website and these resources.

bigsurcalifornia.org: Esselen Indians of Big Sur and Monterey County

https://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/esselen.html

Monterey County Historical Society: A Brief Overview of the Esselen Indians of Monterey County

https://mchsmuseum.com/local-history/native-american-groups-and-cultures/a-brief-overview-of-the-esselen-indians-of-monterey-county/

Legends of America: Esselen Tribe of California

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/esselen-tribe-california/