Kuuy Nahwá’a
(Guest Exchange)
What is Kuuy nahwá’a ?
Kuuy nahwá’a is a Tongva people’s concept that means guest exchange. It’s a voluntary recurring contribution individuals and institutions can make to support Tongva-led Land Back efforts acknowledging both relationships and reciprocity to the lands and Native Peoples of Tovaangar, this place many of us now call home.
Many people want to do something to help but don’t know how. Kuuy Nahwá’a opens the door to understanding and participating in course correction to historic wrongs that have happened here. Your Kuuy Nahwá’a bridges the divide and we become community.
Kuuy nahwá’a directly supports Tongva-led land return, housing Tribal members, community-building, ceremony, archiving, and rematriating land.
The Land You Live On
Traditionally, when people travel and move into a new territory they first seek permission from both the land and traditional stewards. This “permission” invites relationship. A guest gives an offering in recognition and in reciprocity of this relationship. This exchange continues today with the Native Peoples of these lands we call Tovaangar. Since the beginning of time, the Tongva Peoples have inhabited these lands which you now call home. There has been a long break in our cultural lives due to centuries of decimation and nearly successful genocide. Our people have survived but now face invisibility and erasure. We are reviving our languages, cultures, and ceremonies in order to care for the land, air, water, and each other. This is a land of beauty, inspiration, and dreams.
If you would like to give but you are struggling financially, please don’t give money. There are many other ways to be a good guest. Respect Mother Earth, learn about the original people of the land, and build a loving relationship with native plants of Tovaangar.
The Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit, EIN 87-1422866. All donations are tax deductible.
We request that large donations ($1,000+) be made via wire transfer or check, as the online platform takes a percentage of donations. Contact ian@tongva.land for instructions.
If you’d like to send a check, please mail to: Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy Address: PO Box 608 Claremont, CA 91711.