During the week of June 14-18, State Parks across California will offer special community events with in-person and virtual programming for the Inaugural California State Parks Week, celebrating California’s 279 state parks and the people who help protect these iconic places. The Antelope Valley Indian Museum will be participating on Saturday, June 18.

The museum will feature Native guest artists Caitlin and Kaelene Ashmore, daughters of Navajo (Diné) artist Cydnee Ashmore. They will be demonstrating and exhibiting their hand-made traditional beadwork, sewing, jewelry and other artwork, and sharing their Navajo language and culture.

Caitlin and Kaelene are passionate about expressing their Navajo culture through arts and crafts.

“Ya’at’eeh. My arts and crafts have been a huge part of me ever since I was little and watched my mother and older sister and uncles work with their hands. Such beautiful stitches and colors amazed me and made me feel passionate about expressing my own creativity and heritage” said Caitlin.

Their mother, Cydnee, lives her life in accordance with her culture and traditions, which she is teaching to her three daughters along with the Navajo language. Cydnee explains that the family’s artwork requires time and effort; sometimes they have to wait for a specific design or colors to come to mind before beginning a project, and their artwork helps them focus and teaches patience.

California State Parks week also celebrates volunteers, who contribute thousands of invaluable service hours to our parks every year. The Antelope Valley Indian Museum’s volunteers staff the museum on weekends, and assist with school tours on weekdays. Visit with museum volunteers to learn more about volunteering at the museum, and sign up for training to help support this historical treasure.

A complete list of the Inaugural California State Parks Week’s events statewide is available at California State Parks Week.

The Antelope Valley Indian Museum exhibits over 4,000 objects created by the American Indian peoples of southern California, Arizona and New Mexico. Visitors also enjoy the nature trail, gift shop and picnic area.

The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays year-round. Admission is $3 for adults, kids age 12 and under are free. The museum is located at 15701 East Avenue M, in Lake Los Angeles, east of Lancaster.

For more information, phone the museum at (661) 946-3055 or visit our website at Antelope Valley Indian Museum.