Connected by Art (CRC Native American Heritage Week)

Please join us in celebrating Native American Heritage Week at CRC!

Join us for an interactive cultural arts experience featuring a tule workshop with Wilton Rancheria's Department of Cultural Preservation and an illustration tutorial with CRC Elder in Residence Al Striplen.

Explore the importance of Native American artistic traditions, cultural knowledge, and creative expression through hands-on learning.

See all Native American Heritage Month Events

Hosted by Cosumnes River College NAHER Center.

Al Striplen: I am of Amah Mutsun Ohlone (California Native) and Aztec heritage and hold an M.A. in Counseling. As a university counselor and Native Studies professor, I devoted my career to advocating for diverse communities and Native American families. I am also an artist, musician, author, and illustrator.

In my lifetime I have been fortunate to find teachers, guides, and Shamans who invited me to join in many experiences and adventures. I use my experience with those amazing individuals and the teachings of Nature to help others bring about positive change in themselves that, I believe, ultimately affects us all.

As a docent at the State Indian Museum in Sacramento I play and teach Native flute, and share stories about Native cultures and my spiritual journey.