Museum Exhibit Proposal Seeks to Highlight the Impact of the Spanish Mission System on Catalina Island Native Americans

This exhibit proposed by two elementary school students

Shortly after sunrise a week before Christmas and while most other San Gabriel Valley elementary school kids were just settling into their winter break, Jolie Ding, a sixth grader, and Allfa Chen, a third grader, were settling into their seats aboard a Catalina Express ferry boat bound for Avalon and the Catalina Museum for Art & History.

Their goal was to share with the museum’s director their vision for a new exhibit, one that they hoped would illuminate the profound impact of the Spanish Mission System on the Catalina Island Native Americans.

The two students, with their families in tow, arrived on the island at 9:00 a.m., their excitement palpable. After a brief exploration of the island aboard a rented golf cart and a delightful pizza lunch at Antonio’s On the Water, they toured the museum for an hour, soaking in its rich history. Then, as the clock neared their appointment time, they were ushered into the director’s office.

The director, Johnny Sampson, greeted them warmly and set the stage. “You have five minutes to present your proposed exhibit,” he said, “and then I’ll ask a number of follow-up questions.”

With that directive and the aid of a slideshow they had meticulously prepared, the students were off and running.

Allfa spoke first, describing how he and Jolie envisioned an exhibit divided into three sections.

• 1491–1542:
  From the arrival of the Spanish (Columbus) in the New Word to the arrival of the Spanish (Cabrillo) on Catalina Island
• 1542–1769:
  From the arrival of the Spanish (Cabrillo) on Catalina Island to the establishment of the first Spanish mission in California
• 1769–1833:
  From the establishment of the first Spanish mission in California to the ending of the Spanish Mission System

He then detailed the first section.

The best part was when Allfa suggeste that one wall of the exhibit include a large map of the island showing the location of the campsites of the Native Americans at the time of the arrival of the Spanish

Jolie then took over, elaborating on the second section of the proposed exhibit, which spanned from Cabrillo’s arrival on Catalina Island in 1542 to the end of the Spanish Mission System in 1833.

During this portion of the presentation, she especially emphasized the profound impact of this system on the Catalina Island Native Americans, from their forced relocation to the tragic effects of diseases like smallpox.

In regard to the latter, she suggested that the San Marino High School student-produced video appearing below be featured:

From there the presentation flowed seamlessly, with each student building on the other’s points, painting a vivid picture of their proposed exhibit and the historical narrative it aimed to convey.

As the presentation neared the five-minute mark, Jolie, took a deep breath, and said, “We believe it’s crucial for visitors to understand the profound effects of the Spanish Mission System and to hammer that point home, we envision that exhibit goers, as they exit the exhibit, are given a chance to view my thoughts on the entire historical narrative displayed prominently on a closeout wall” She then recited her reflection:

“The Spanish Mission System affected the Catalina Island Native Americans in many different ways. To begin with, it resulted in the Catalina Island Native Americans being forced to live miles from Catalina Island. The Spanish Mission System also resulted in the Catalina Island Native Americans being forced to work on the mainland as either ranch hands or mission workers. The Spanish Mission System also resulted in the Catalina Island Native Americans being forced to become Catholic. The last thing Spanish Missions System affected is that most native americans got smallpox and died.”

Museum director Sampson then leaned back in his chair, clearly impressed by the thoroughness and dedication of the young scholars. Seconds later he began his series of follow-up questions.

“In your presentation, you mentioned the Catalina Island Native Americans’ use of abalone. Can you elaborate on their specific uses for it?”

Jolie responded, “Certainly. The Catalina Island Native Americans utilized abalone for various purposes. The shells were crafted into tools, decorative items, and even jewelry. The inner meat was a valuable food source, and the iridescent inner layer of the shells was used in ceremonies and as trade items.”

Another question followed, “Allfa, you told the story of Toypurina. How do you perceive her — as a hero or a lawbreaker?”

Allfa took a moment before answering, “While some view her actions as breaking the law set by the Spanish, I view her as a hero who stood up for her people and their way of life against foreign invaders.”

The director’s final question was, “What inspired you both to choose this particular topic?”

Jolee smiled, “The history of Catalina Island and its native inhabitants has somehow always fascinated me, though I’m not sure why.”

To close out, Sampson, visibly impressed, thanked the students for their hard work and dedication. “Your passion and commitment to preserving and sharing this history are commendable. We will seriously consider your proposal for a future exhibit.”

Then as the students and their parents walked back to the boat, Mr. Ding, Jolie’s father, remarked, “Seeing Jolie so passionate about history and advocating for the stories of the Catalina Island Native Americans fills me with immense pride.” To that, Mr. Chen, Allfa’s father, added, “Allfa has always been curious about the world around him. This project has been a transformative experience for him, and I believe it’s just the beginning of his journey into historical research.”

Five minutes later, Jolie and Allfa, with a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration, settled back into their Catalina Island Express boat seats for the journey home.

Their journey to Catalina Island had been more than just a boat ride; it was a deep dive into the past, a quest for knowledge, and a testament to their dedication to sharing the stories of those who came befor.