People of the West- Episode 1: "First Contact"

For 500 years, the history of California has been told by those who conquered it. People of the West reclaims that story for native people.
About this Event
Film Screening: People of the West — Episode 1: “First Contact”

Join the Oxnard Film Society on Monday, November 9, at 3:30 PM or 6:30 PM for a free screening of , Episode 1.

Presented with sponsorship from the Ventura County Indian Education Consortium (VCIEC) and Ventura Unified School District, with additional co-sponsors Owens Valley Career Development Center and Peace and Dignity Journey of the Central Coast.

FREE ADMISSION — DONATIONS WELCOME!

Donations support the VCIEC Indian Education Scholarship Fund, helping Ventura County American Indian high school seniors with college expenses, and the Oxnard Film Society.

6:30 PM Screening & Community Conversation

Native families and local educators are especially encouraged to attend the 6:30 PM screening, followed by a discussion with community leaders and guests.

Content Advisory: Rated PG-13, the series explores historical themes that may be emotional or personal for some viewers. We encourage respectful discussion and invite attendees to take a break whenever needed.

Episode 1: “First Contact" Description: Before colonization, California is a world of ceremony, sovereignty, and sacred balance, then everything changes. On Kumeyaay land in 1542, a teenager's coming of age ceremony collides with the arrival of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. Guided by tribal protocols, the village greets the strangers in cautious diplomacy, until Spain's Requerimiento reveals conquest masked as faith. Through the voices of California Indian scholars and cultural bearers, the episode reframes first contact from an Indigenous perspective, fusing oral history, expert insight, and cinematic dramatization to set the tone for the series that follows.

Seating is first come, first served. Please arrive early!

Educators can learn about the standards-aligned People of the West curriculum for grades 6–12. VCIEC and the Ventura County Office of Education will offer a full-day professional development training in February 2027, featuring curriculum resources and Episode 2 on the California missions. Look for upcoming registration information.