Edited by Dahr Jamail and Stan Rushworth

A powerful, intimate collection of conversations with Indigenous Americans on the climate crisis and the Earth’s future

“Mankind has a chance to change the direction of this movement, do a roundabout turn, and move in the direction of peace, harmony, and respect for land and life. The time is right now. Later will be too late.” —Hopi elder Thomas Banyacya, from the introduction

Although for a great many people, the human impact on the Earth—countless species becoming extinct, pandemics claiming millions of lives, and climate crisis causing worldwide social and environmental upheaval—was not apparent until recently, this is not the case for all people or cultures. For the Indigenous people of the world, radical alteration of the planet, and of life itself, is a story that is many generations long. They have had to adapt, to persevere, and to be courageous and resourceful in the face of genocide and destruction—and their experience has given them a unique understanding of civilizational devastation.

An innovative work of research and reportage, We Are the Middle of Forever places Indigenous voices at the center of conversations about today’s environmental crisis. The book draws on interviews with people from different North American Indigenous cultures and communities, generations, and geographic regions, who share their knowledge and experience, their questions, their observations, and their dreams of maintaining the best relationship possible to all of life. A welcome antidote to the despair arising from the climate crisis, We Are the Middle of Forever brings to the forefront the perspectives of those who have long been attuned to climate change and will be an indispensable aid to those looking for new and different ideas and responses to the challenges we face.

The beautiful landscapes of central California’s Coastside state parks were once home to forgotten pioneers and unique industries. The tumultuous personal life of Robert Mills didn’t hinder his commitment to his dairy business in Half Moon Bay, now the Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park. And the Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, named after a shipwreck, remains a beacon of architectural beauty more than a century later.

From hideaways for freedom fighters rebelling against the Spanish to the site of several booming lumber operations, Coastside parks have long been an integral part of California’s history. Join author JoAnn Semones as she explores the trailblazers and innovators behind these stunning parks.

This imagined fable is a great introduction to the California Mission era, and was written in consultation with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. It tells the story of the Council of the Animals, including a mountain lion, a hummingbird, a bear, and a sparrow, and their struggle against the Mission bells that have disrupted their habitat and way of life.

Dr. Judith Scott is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation. She is a retired Professor from the Education Department of the University of California, Santa Cruz where she taught literacy courses and multicultural children’s literature for over twenty years.

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Dr. Daisy Martin, Director of the University of California History and Civics Project:

Teachers, parents and students will want to read this book again and again. The story is engaging and dramatic and embeds powerful concepts such as community, agency, and resistance. It is an allegory of sorts–providing a developmentally appropriate way to learn and investigate the history of the Missions from a long-silenced indigenous perspective. And background knowledge! And Mutsun words! The possibilities for using this book in elementary classrooms abound.

Hannah Moreno, Amah Mutsun Tribal Band Member and 2nd grade teacher:

As Amah Mutsun, it is our moral duty to take care of Mother Earth and to honor all living things. When the Mission Bells Rang demonstrates our relationship with all living things through a story of teamwork and resilience. I really appreciate how this book incorporates our language and shares the history of the missions from an indigenous perspective.

Amah Mutsun Tribal Band Chair, Valentin Lopez:

When the Mission Bells Rang is a beautiful book written from the voice of our Mutsun animal relatives. It shows that, when the Catholic missions came to California, it was horribly disruptive to the indigenous peoples and our animal relatives. The book also shows the resilience that allows us to survive to this day.

Martin Rizzo-Martinez, author of We Are Not Animals:

Got my copy of this beautiful new children’s book, When the Mission Bells Rang, written in consultation w/ the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Includes the Mutsun names of local animals & their reactions to the mission bells. (Twitter)

This book is also available at the Seacliff, Natural Bridges, and Santa Cruz Mission ParkStores! Proceeds from this book will benefit the Big Basin recovery efforts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emerita Professor Traci Bliss began her career in public policy. She went on to become an award-winning education professor and state policy advisor to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She holds BA, MA and PhD degrees from Stanford University and an MPA degree from the LBJ School, University of Texas, Austin. With this multidisciplinary lens, she captures the true story of Big Basin. She is a member of the Santa Cruz Historic Preservation Commission and a state park docent.