Chishkale: The Blessing of the Acorn

Bernadette Smith, from the Manchester band of Pomo Indians, weaves the story of her Tan Oak conservation efforts into a contemporary Indigenous dance piece created to honor the sacred, traditional food of California Natives

The “Acorn Dance” is performed on Sogorea Te’ Land Trust in Huichin on Ohlone Territory (Albany, CA). This short film is made in collaboration with Dance Mission Theater and Costanoan Indian Research Inc. Chishkale: The Blessing of the Acorn choreography & artistic direction by Rulan Tangen of Dancing Earth, commissioned by Emily Johnson of Catalyst Dance.