A new look at San Gabriel Mission will make its long history with Native Americans more visible.

Following extensive research, native plants are being planted in the gardens surrounding the mission. To commemorate the garden renovation, members of the Gabrieleno Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians held a mid-morning ceremony June 27 to rededicate the gardens and the memorial erected in memory of their ancestors who built the mission.

"Here we are with the descendants of the ancestors for whom this memorial was dedicated," said Chief Anthony Morales Sr. during the ceremony. "Our parents, our grandparents inherited the mission cemetery. It's very meaningful, because now this garden here has our own native plants, our sages, our medicine plants."

The plants being planted were used by the Gabrieleno Tongva people more than 200 years ago. In one spot, special native plants are being chosen to attract butterflies. Part of the renovation of the gardens will include building a typical Southern California native dwelling called a "kich." Botanical research has been spearheaded by Mark Acuņa.

The spiritual rituals, which integrated Christian and Native American prayer forms, were led by Andrew Morales - Guiding Young Cloud. These included song, prayer, recitation of the Our Father in the Tongva language, and blessing the four directions. Receiving gift traditional necklaces of appreciation were several Mission staff members, including two priests, and the coordinator of archdiocesan Native American Concerns.

The large crucifix in the center of the memorial --- first dedicated in 1935 --- is in memory of the estimated 6,000 Gabrieleno Tongva people buried within the confines of the mission garden walls.

The planting of native plants is part of an ongoing effort at San Gabriel Mission to raise the visibility of the history of Native Americans and to acknowledge their contributions.

It is a complex history that at times included forced labor and compulsory Christianity at the hands of Spanish missionaries. Many also suffered untimely deaths as a result of European-borne illnesses.

"We are very painfully aware of history these past 237 years, and what this has been to your people," said Claretian Father Ralph Berg, mission outgoing pastor. "There's no possible way that we can undo history or go back and change all that. We can try to say we recognize a lot of injustices. Hopefully we look to the future."

Father Berg added that the church recognizes the "wonderful gift" the Tongva people and culture have been for the church community.

"This is your mission," added Claretian Father Valentin Ramon. "This mission was made for Indians by the Indians."

Sylvia Mendivil Salazar, coordinator of the archdiocesan Native American Concerns Ministry and a member of the Tribal Nations Akimel O'odham/Pascua Yaqui, noted that "much hard labor built many missions, not just this one. We wish many, many blessings on all our Tongva relatives and all of us."

Despite a troubled history, Chief Morales said it was important for the Tongva people to maintain a strong connection with the mission.

"If we don't, then our ancestors would have died in vain," the chief told The Tidings. "We are the present voice of those ancestors who are no longer here. That's our duty. It's our right to continue coming and recognizing the ancestors, and singing and praying like the way we do."

This time in history, he added, is about healing, visibility, connecting with others and striving for unity.