Lands of our Ancestors

This exciting historical novel tells the story of a 12-year-old Chumash boy and his family who become captives in a California Spanish mission more than 200 years ago. This is historical fiction based entirely on historical fact that reveals the devastating impact colonization had on California Native peoples.

Kilik, Tuhuy and the other Native American children have escaped from a harsh Spanish colonial mission in California in the early 1800s, where they were made to work for the padres and soldiers. They find the village of other runaway Native Americans and become part of that community. As they grow and mature, they have children of their own.

Kilik, Tuhuy and the rest of the members of this Chumash Indian family step into the Gold Rush Era and the early years of California statehood, which prove to be more dangerous and deadly than previous historical eras. After make a long journey to avoid being found by colonial settlers, the family is finally able to return to their ancient home in the lands of their ancestors.