Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians Announces Historic First Album Release
The Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians (led by the Gabrieleno Tongva Tribal Council) released their debut album, We are Here (Ekwa Chem), on August 14th. By August 16th, it reached #1 on the iTunes Worldwide Chart in its genre.
Tongva Songs We are Here (Ekwa Chem)
The Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, led by the Gabrieleno Tongva Tribal Council, is proud to announce the monumental release of their new album, We are Here (Ekwa Chem). Released on August 14th, the album made an immediate global impact, soaring to #1 on the iTunes Worldwide Chart in its genre by August 16th.
This landmark release marks the very first Gabrieleno/Tongva Album released by the historic San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, their ancestral land is the greater Los Angeles area, the greater Orange County area, and the four southern Channel Islands.
"For generations, our language and stories were carried quietly in our hearts, but Tongva Songs: We Are Here (Ekwa Chem) proclaims to the world that our culture is alive and thriving. This album is a bridge between the wisdom of our ancestors and the promise of our youth. To sing our original language pieces together with our tribal members and alongside such extraordinary Indigenous relatives as Connor Chee and Geneviève Gros-Louis, it is a deeply moving moment for our people. Ekwa Chem is not just a title; it is our truth: We are here, and we will always be here." — Chief Anthony "Redblood" Morales, Chairman of the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians (Gabrieleno Tongva)
About the Album
Tongva Songs We are Here (Ekwa Chem) is a deeply moving, multigenerational project featuring 11 distinct tracks performed in the traditional Tongva language. The album's title reflects its core message of resilience and enduring presence.
Bridging the past and the present, the album seamlessly blends traditional Native elements with contemporary musical styles. Comprised of both musical compositions and spoken word tracks, the project explores a variety of culturally significant themes. As detailed in the album's accompanying liner notes, featuring a comprehensive essay authored by Ted Olson, listeners will experience profound pieces including a Dolphin song, a Bird song and a powerful Tongva rendition of the Lord's Prayer titled Neophyte.
The album was intentionally created to uplift, inspire, and heal the Native community through the power of music and shared artistic expression.
Featured Collaborators
This historic project is a testament to the power of Native collaboration. The Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians partnered with celebrated Indigenous artists to bring Tongva Songs We are Here (Ekwa Chem) to life. Alongside the thematic songs introduced by tribal contributors like tribal member Andrew Guiding Young Cloud Morales, the album features extraordinary musical contributions from:
- Connor Chee: Acclaimed Navajo pianist and composer.
- Geneviève Gros-Louis: Talented musician and composer representing the Huron-Wendat Nation.
How to Listen and Support
Supporters are encouraged to download We are Here (Ekwa Chem) for $10 on their digital music platform of choice to support the tribe and help keep the momentum going.
To learn more about the Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians and their ongoing work to preserve and celebrate their culture, please visit their official website at Gabrieleno-nsn.us.
To explore more music from the album's featured collaborators, visit Connor Chee's website and Geneviève Gros-Louis's website.
The cultural core of Tongva Songs: We Are Here (Ekwa Chem) is carried by 14 tribal members from the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians (Gabrieleno Tongva), the First Peoples of the Los Angeles Basin and Southern California Channel Islands. Serving as vocalists, song keepers, and cultural stewards, these featured artists bring 10 original compositions to life in the Tongva language. Their performances weave historical memory with living creative expression, serving as a vital vessel for linguistic reclamation, oral history, and intergenerational continuity for the Tongva community.
