[FTBMI] – In 1984, the 4,000-year-old village of Siutcanga, meaning the place of live oaks, was disturbed during development on the Encino Towers and Casa Balboa property, which consequently uncovered thousands of cultural items. The artifacts were kept for ransom from archaeologists and from the tribal peoples lineally connected to them, and thus were stored away at Palomar College.

The artifacts have recently been rediscovered and returned to their place of origin for storage until they will be placed back into the earth.

The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians – the local tribe of the Santa Clarita Valley and part of the San Fernando Valley – is lineally traced to Siutcanga through baptismal records, and can also be traced to Tiburcio, the first inheritor of Encino in 1843, as well as to Ramon, Francisco and Roque, the three Indians who received the acreage in 1845.

On Saturday, the tribe will honor the ancestors of Siutcanga. The event will allow for tribal families to reconnect with the physical links their ancestors left behind before their final repatriation.

The event will take placed from noon to 4 p.m. at Los Encinos State Historic Park, 16756 Moorpark St., Encino. The tribal blessing commences at 1 p.m.

For information about the Tataviam families of the Santa Clarita Valley, [click here].