September 9 Chapter Meeting

Title of Talk: California’s Biodiversity from a Tribal Perspective- The Importance of Reciprocity and Stewardship

September 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM

The September Chapter Meeting will be in-person ONLY on Wednesday, September 9th beginning at 7 pm at the Shepard Garden and Arts Center at 3330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento.  Additional info about chapter meetings can be found at https://sacvalleycnps.org/events/chapter-meeting/

Summary

Please join us for an evening discussion about California’s Landforms and Lifeforms, and how they form the Cultural Landscape so important to the Tribal groups of Wilton Rancheria.

We will have a presentation by Vince LaPena, Traditional  Ecological Knowledge Manager for Wilton Rancheria, about the Miwok and Nisenan tribes of the Sacramento region, and a discussion about cultural uses and practices associated with the natural resources found throughout this area.

Speaker Bio

Vince LaPena is a descendant of the Nomptipom Wintu people from the headwaters of the Trinity and Sacramento Rivers. He is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the traditional ways of the Wintu, Maidu, Miwok, and Nisenan people from throughout Northern California.

He has spent his lifetime visiting with elders from a variety of tribal backgrounds, listening to their teachings, and learning about various components of TEK through conversations and activities concerning native food gathering and preparation techniques, land stewardship practices, basket weaving methods, the creation of ceremonial dance regalia, and the production of other material items. 

He has also worked with local, state, and federal agencies, departments, and community organizations to help educate and enlighten them regarding traditional land use.

Photos courtesy of Vince LaPena.