TONGVA LAND REMATRIATION
I had the opportunity to photograph a powerful Earth Day gathering hosted by L.A. Works and Sunland-Tujunga Forward on unceded Tongva land. Volunteers came together to plant fire-resilient native trees and shrubs, working in small teams to restore a landscape long stripped of its natural ecology. More than a day of planting, the event served as a communal act of rematriation, honoring the land, its history, and the people who’ve long protected it. An Indigenous Culture Bearer guided participants through the cultural and environmental significance of the site, grounding the work in context and reverence.
It was a day rooted in restoration, remembrance, and care, and I was grateful to witness and document the beauty of that collective effort.
