Our Purpose

The purpose of San Joaquin River Intertribal Heritage Educational Corporation is to promote a symbiotic relationship between individuals and their environment through education and understanding of plants, animals, geology and history, and through exposure to Native American philosophy, crafts and individual interaction with their surroundings.

History, rich beyond the imagination of many, is a doorway to a fuller experience of the world today. Many Native Americans have preserved the knowledge of their ancestors and continue to gather plants, roots and nuts for their food and crafts. This knowledge promotes self-confidence and encourages living with our natural world rather than having only a concept of ecology and its importance.

While hiking, surroundings may be a pleasant experience or distraction from daily life. Granite rocks and mortars may be understood as part of the landscape without the lessons of history and an education on the significance of what they may represent. Our environment tells the history of its inhabitants. Archeological sites are often significant to the descendants of the area and can be a direct tie to their own families. By encouraging individuals to become truly familiar with the environment through both education and experience we are committed to having a positive impact on the future of participants and the environment they live in.

The goal of San Joaquin River Intertribal Heritage Educational Corporation is to make the public, teachers and students aware that their surroundings have special resources, evidence of the past and that all of us have a responsibility to protect and preserve the integrity of the natural environment.

Tours, lectures, videos, hands on lessons and projects will be implemented at San Joaquin River Intertribal Heritage Educational Corporations facility and the surrounding area. Presenters will be from a variety of disciplines including the Department of Forestry, Native Americans, Archaeologists and Naturalists who will give demonstrations and have hands on projects for participants.