02/13/2024
Friends-
Today I ask you to sign a petition for the Birth Right Recognition of the Gabrielino/Tongva Nation (link in stories). www.gabrielinotongva.org
I am the daughter of Madeline Elaine Davidson, granddaughter of Lucia Velia Velasquez, great granddaughter of Joseph Frank Velasquez, great great granddaughter of Francisco Eladio Velasquez, and great great great granddaughter of Pedro Velasquez.
My grandmother, Lucy Velia Velasquez, listed herself and her children with the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1983 for their blood degree of Indian Gabrielino/Tongva blood. She headed up the gathering of our Velasquez family throughout Northern and Southern California and served as a catalyst for our generation to regain pride in our heritage.
In 1994, after years of work to regather us and dismantle fear our tribe members emerged, regained their voice and California recognized us as “the aboriginal tribe of the Los Angeles Basin.”
Our tribe is the first of the Angelinos. We are asking to be federally recognized. Please sign in support and if you feel moved, please share (petition link in stories).
Sincerely,
Kipperlyn Sinclair
Photos:
1) Far Right, my grandmother Lucia Velasquez, my Aunt Emilie, my Uncle Frankie.
2) My great grandfather Joseph Frank Velasquez and my grandmother Francis Chavez
3) Front Center: my mother, Madeline Davidson. Far Right: my uncle, “Flupper” James Davidson. Second Right: my aunt, Karen Hance. Middle: my uncle, Dennis Davidson. Far Left: my aunt, (now) Alberta Cathleen Davidson.
4) My grandmother, Francis Chavez with her three daughters. Emilie Domingues, Dolores Velasquez, and Lucia Davidson-Smith.
4) Me and my cousins on my uncle Flupper’s side: Kipperlyn Sinclair, Sierra Whitener, Jami Honch, KarRen Lack, and Megan Davidson.
5) My Velasquez Family (2024 Los Angeles County Records Yearbook Photo).
