San Pedro, CA., September 16, 2024 – The Many Winters Gathering of Elders (MWGOE) Organizing Committee is excited to announce its 18th MWGOE, scheduled for Thursday, October 10th through Sunday, October 13th, from 11 am to 6 pm at Angels Gate Cultural Center (AGCC) in San Pedro, CA on Gabrielino Tongva territory. The MWGOE is a four-day gathering where Native/Indigenous Elders and knowledge-keepers from across the country gather to share teachings through oral tradition with the community. The Gathering also hosts Native ceremonies throughout the four days. MWGOE is held in partnership with AGCC, open to the public, free to attend and family friendly.
The MWGOE plays a vital role in the Native community of greater Los Angeles, with the participation and support of the original peoples of the land. The vision of the Gathering is to host a sacred space for people to come together, with the intention to listen, learn from and support Indigenous communities, and to inspire a healthier future for all people.
Elders from local tribes including Gabrielino Shoshone, Gabrielino Tongva, Acjachemen, Fernandeño Tataviam, Chumash, and other California tribes have attended in the past and will join this October. Tribal elders from other regions (Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota and others) are expected, as well. The Gathering takes place under an arbor which serves as the traditional place of teaching and learning – where Elders pass on knowledge to the younger generation, and is part of intergenerational healing from historical trauma.
The 2024 MWGOE Logo Art was created by Meyo Marrufo (Eastern Pomo from the Clear Lake Basin, and citizen of Robinson Rancheria).
History of MWGOE
The first MWGOE was held on October 12, 1992, in response to the false narrative represented by the quincentennial celebrations of Christopher Columbus’ “discovery of America.” Today, the Gathering continues to be an important occasion for the Native/Indigenous community, to reconnect to and practice ceremony, and to celebrate over 530 years of spiritual survival. It also allows access for the general public to learn and acknowledge the traditional knowledge and values that have supported and sustained Native lifeways.
During the Many Winters Gathering of Elders, no alcohol, drugs, cameras, pictures, video or other recording equipment are allowed; the MWGOE Organizing Committee requests that attendees respect and observe ceremonial protocol, available on the MWGOE Linktree. No dogs/pets allowed near or around the arbor or sweatlodge areas. Angels Gate Cultural Center is located at 3601 South Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA, 90731.
For more information regarding the 18th MWGOE, please visit the MWGOE site, MWGOE Linktree, or call (562) 265-8820.
This event is presented through generous support from The California Endowment, Future Coalition through the Youth Direct Access Fund, Department of Cultural Affairs City of Los Angeles, the Perenchio Foundation, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, and the Pala Band of Mission Indians. We would also like to thank the Central, Coastal and Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Councils and individual community members for their support.
About Angels Gate Cultural Center
Angels Gate Cultural Center (AGCC) emerged from a group of San Pedro artists in the 1970s that created art studios and exhibition space within the WWII era army barracks of Angels Gate Park near the Port of Los Angeles. Today, AGCC hosts over 50 artist studios in addition to a variety of programs to engage the diverse communities of the Los Angeles Harbor region, including arts education in local schools, community classes, cultural events, and exhibitions of contemporary art. More information about AGCC is available at angelsgateart.org.
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