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california native culture

as told by julia and lucy parker

Cover photo of Lucy Parker by Dan Barta
Story narrative with photos of Julia Parker 
by R. Bellezza

  This “tiny” oak acorn has fed and nourished native Americans for centuries, and probably over millennia.  Here in California the original inhabitants shared with those who gathered, stored and cooked ingredients in their baskets.

“We have to follow the old ways”, as Julia Parker sat next to her daughter Lucy, "by repeating continued consistent practice of weaving baskets." They experienced growing up in Yosemite Valley living with baskets and grinding rocks as a part of their native identity, tools having a variety of uses.  “I could change this whole thing to make it modern, but to me it’s more important knowing how they did it the old way and to keep that story going. Today, we can make food faster than those using modern conveniences; our way may look hard today, but it is quicker.”

Circling youngsters surrounded the setting gleefully running by, Julia sits down beside one of her woven masterpieces and explains their way of life. “In the village, ladies would have different jobs to help, and it takes a lot of effort. There would be different chores. Some were making baskets and the others entertaining the kids by telling stories and singing songs, like we do now. They would often cook only one meal in the morning, where everyone would get together. There, they ate a big meal, berries could be gathered and it was so nice and peaceful.”

Julia continues to tell her story while sitting and working the raw acorns into flour.  “When the leaves yellow and the rain falls, that is when acorns are harvested.  In the seed of the acorn, when the acorn falls and the little hat sticks on the acorn, there is an insect in it.”   Julia then cracks one open.  “See, that didn’t make a very good sound.  When they are a good acorn, see that snap, that’s a good sound and you are going to get a good acorn.  Then, see how all the skin comes off.  And then when the skin comes off, we can turn it into flour.”

Checking with a small knife point, Julia continues to inspect the kernels in order to eliminate those with imperfections or damage.  “We have to split that seed now.  It has to be split, and we open it up like this.  Then it is ready to pound.”  Julia has a small pounding stone and a tall stone mortar to which she adds the fresh kernel to already worked flour.

This is where the real work of pounding out the acorn flour is done, inside what is typically called a grinding rock. “It all has to go in there clean, it can’t have any of the red on it.  The ladies will know, because they’ll take a look at your flour, and if you have a lot of the red in it, then they can tell if you are lazy.  They can also tell if you cracked this acorn wrong the kernels will get all mashed up, you want to make it even, like this,”  as Julia displays her acorn flour.  “You see, when you prepare food you want it to look pretty and want to have it nice and clean they were immaculate with a special brush for the flour and a special brush for scrubbing the baskets out. You have to crack it like the way I crack it to make it look nice. That’s how I was taught,” she implores. “We always have a starter, just like sourdough, to keep it from getting oily, so it will be nice and fluffy, like flour.  You see, if you keep pounding, this will turn to oil.  These were last year’s acorns and these acorns are six years old,” revealing another basketfull. “They keep indefinitely when in the shell.  They’ll  last for ten, twelve, fifteen years and the reason for the acorn lasting a long time, you see, in Yosemite Valley the acorn doesn’t come every year.”

Julia Parker“And my rock, I have a special one-hand rock; this is for a woman, a young girl who is beginning to pound acorns, we give her a light rock. Then you want to get your hands, your whole body set for this. You see, you are going to be working at it.”  Julia continues to demonstrate the proper sitting position. “You’re stretched out and you pound and I didn’t bring my big fifteen to twenty pound rock that I lift up and bring down; it crushes it in no time. I always tell the young girls, if they want to learn how to pound acorn we do a one-hand rock, we do a five pound rock; then if you want to be a Jayne Mansfield, they work the twenty pound rock. Not many people sit on the ground and lift weights!” The heavier the rock the quicker you are going to get your flour. You are developing your hands, your arms are getting strong and you are getting yourself ready for when you do your basket. You need to have good strong hands,” Julia explains, “in order to weave a basket.”

Soon, the acorn began to make its transformation. “We need to pound, and you watch a few minutes, you’ll see it will turn, to flour.  What’s happening is all the heavy kernels fall inside the center with the vibration,” as she points to the center of the large mortar. “Then it is time to sift. I can put my hand in there and there is lots of fine flour on my hand, then it is time to take out the powder.”  
 
Julia and Lucy serve acorn hors d’ouevres, “just enough to hold in your hand. Then, you are going to have your deermeat, berries and then fish and insects. We eat the cacagee insect, from Mono Lake, and the peeogee insect from trees around Mammoth. It’s all sweet and all protein, probably a 95% high protein diet!  “The women were exceptionally strong, they were always cutting their willow and fixing their baskets; they were quite strong, their hands were incredibly strong. It’s a life that can disappear with time, in a millennium,” but who would think the Indians were carrying these traditions in the millennium year? “This is as close as we can get to our old ways,” and this will always be the same because the rocks are here, and what is inside of every Native American will never die because these people don’t want to forget “the traditional way.”        

It Will Live Forever, by Bev Ortiz and Julia Parker, a recently revised book on the history and reflections of native California culture and their methods used historically may be purchased in regard to the author's life story. Julia and Lucy Parker’s baskets are found at many museums and may be seen first hand at local tribal gatherings near Yosemite, as well as nationally.


National Scenic Byways Lake Tahoe Rim Trail
Sierra Highways
& Recreation Gateways
50-Mile Round Trips to 100-Mile Destination Tours

Part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Department, the scenic byway program has been established since 1992 with nearly 1500 state and nationally designated projects. It includes destinations such as Hwy 1, on the Big Sur coastline; Death Valley Scenic Byway; San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway -Route 1; Tioga Road and Big Oak Flat Road; and many others in California. For further info: www.byways.org

Tahoe Rim Trail
At an elevation of 4,500 at lake level and higher in the mountains; this 165 mile trail circumscribes Lake Tahoe and is considered one of the most premier in the world. In Nevada and California, it has several points of entry from the highways approaching the lake; the trail provides access to hiking, biking and climbing with great views of the mountains and lake. Aspen trees change to reds and golden hues late September; when the weather agrees they make a perfect destination for any sightseer.

Shasta Volcanic Scenic Byway
Majestic Mt. Shasta rises 14,162 feet to form the center of the Shasta Volcanic Scenic Byway. For centuries, this dormant volcano has served as the anchor of the Cascade Range, as a spiritual center for Native Americans, and a magnet for nature lovers and mountain climbers.

Modoc Volcanic Scenic Byway
Into the Medicine Lake Highlands, through the site of the Modoc Indian War, and flanking Tule Lake national Wildlife Refuge, the Modoc Volcanic Scenic Byway is a showcase of history and wildlife. State Route 89 brings you near beautiful Burney Falls and Pit Falls on this 120, 2.5 hour journey. Modoc National Forest 530-233-5811

Lassen Scenic Byway
Circling Lassen Park, the Lassen Scenic Byway captures the most astounding volcanic and geothermal aspects of the landscape. Featuring three distinct types of geography athe Sierra Nevada, the Modoc Plateau and the Cascade Range a this 185-mile, 5.5 hour route provides access to 10,457 foot elevation Lassen Peak, the world’s largest dome volcano.

Feather River Scenic Byway
Crossing the Sierra, the Feather River Scenic Byway boasts as many engineering marvels as natural wonders. See numerous bridges, the “stairway of power” and dozens of waterfalls within the conifer forests and high mountain deserts. Fall color and spring wildflowers are not to be missed.

State of Jefferson Scenic Byway
Enjoy water fun to State of Jefferson ideals of independence and harmony with nature along the Klamath River as it passes through tribal territories and the exceptional diversity of land, vegetation and wildlife along the route. The Pacific Crest Trail intersects the byway and three wilderness areas are nearby. Klamath National Forest 530-842-6131

Bigfoot Scenic Byway
The Bigfoot Scenic Byway follows Highway 96 near three wild rivers and three wilderness areas. Along the 80-mile, 2-hour route, camping, hiking, wildlife and river recreation abound. The byway takes visitors through spectacular terrain  thought by many to be the legendry home of Bigfoot.

 Yuba Donner Scenic Byway

Sierra CityMake a complete loop beginning at Hwy 49, starting in Grass Valley/Nevada City north to Downieville; or east via Hwy 20 to Truckee/Lake Tahoe via I-80; sites of the pioneer Gold Rush towns and journey of the ill-fated Donner Party, their campsite, and museum may be toured. Stands of pines and oaks along Hwy 89 are spectacular to see during Fall, while completing the byway through the forests of the Sierra Nevada.

Sierra Vista Scenic Byway
Take a closer look at the beauty and spirit of the Sierra National Forest on this byway. Near Yosemite National Park, in the midst of mountain landscapes of the Sierra Nevada, the ridges and meadows of the mountain range unfold to expansive vistas. Take a day trip to the year 1870 and catch a glimpse into the lives of settlers in early California at the Fresno Flats Historical Park in nearby Oakhurst. Uncover the rich heritage of the Mono people at the Sierra Mono Indian Museum in North Fork. The museum houses wildlife exhibits, tools, jewelry and baskets from areas throughout California. The Mammoth Pool Reservoir off Highway 41 adjoins the San Joaquin River renowned for fishing. Nelder Grove, a stand of Giant Sequoias may be accessed as well as, Kelty Meadow Campground near Fresno Dome. A 1.6 mile hike to the Fresno Dome is a rewarding experience with views of the San Joaquin Valley.


 
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