Welcome

The San Joaquin River Intertribal Heritage Educational Corporation (SJRIHEC) is dedicated to working with youth and adults in the preservation of Native American philosophy, and has made a commitment to preserving the ecology through hands on experience. SJRIHEC operates in two Learning  Centers, the main site at the old Chawanakee School and the Squaw Leap facility located at the Bureau of Land Management Squaw Leap Recreational Area in Auberry, California.      .

The Chawanakee School Learning Center, main facility for the San Joaquin River Intertribal Heritage Educational Corporation (SJRIHEC), is truly a one of a kind facility. Snow capped peaks and the walls of the canyons of the San Joaquin River frame the setting for Chawanakee. The Learning Center is located within the San Joaquin River canyon, amid oak and pine trees with deer, mountain quail and other wildlife to enjoy and appreciate. The surrounding area is rich in history, and contains areas that have been used by Native people for hundreds of years for gathering and trade. Acessible by County maintained roads, the Learning Center is far from the maddening crowds, and yet is only an hour and a half from the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport. It sits at the upper end of Redinger Lake and is close to Shaver Lake, Huntington Lake, Sierra Summit Ski Area, the Kaiser and Dinkey Lakes Wilderness as well as many other special places.

The Chawanakee Learning Center includes four large classrooms, a small library, a privately owned museum, a studio for art work, a shop area, black-topped playground area, a gymnasium and tennis court, and an office. It can accommodate approximately 80 students and staff. Nearby, a nature trail has been established to provide visitors with examples and explanations of the uses of native plants, and with opportunities for learning plant recognition.

Before SJRIHEC acquired Chawanakee School it sat empty for several years. The location of the school was remote and the local residents were bussed to schools in more populated areas. This same rural atmosphere, which caused the school's doors to close, is the perfect opportunity and location for our Learning Center facility. The region has a low population and is indeed close to nature.

Our Squaw Leap Learning Center is located in Auberry on Bureau of Land Management's Squaw Leap property. This learning center includes a nature trail, Indian village and privately owned museum.

The SJRIHECis a non-profit organization, completely funded by donations of time, resources and money. We are in the process of renovating the Chawanakee School site. We need your help and participation. Institutional tours are available for participants of all ages including school groups and educators. Each of you is welcome. The SJRIHEC's programs are inter-tribal with a great deal of information about the local area and its people.

The Learning Center offers tours for schools and institutions as well as individuals. The hands on experience and introduction to Native American crafts, survival skills, ecological practices and philosophy by knowledgeable, dedicated individuals help promote self-confidence and encourage positive behavior.