19th Many Winters Gathering of Elders

The MWGOE is a four-day gathering where Native/Indigenous Elders and knowledge-keepers from across the country gather to share teachings through oral tradition with the community. The Gathering also hosts various Native ceremonies that take place throughout the four days. The event is free, family-friendly, open to the public, and held in partnership with AGCC.

Elders from local tribes including Gabrielino Shoshone, Gabrielino Tongva, Acjachemen, Fernandeño Tataviam, Chumash, and other California tribes have attended in the past and will join this October. Tribal elders from other regions (Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota and others) are expected, as well. The Gathering takes place under an arbor which serves as the traditional place of teaching and learning – where Elders pass on knowledge to the younger generation, and is part of intergenerational healing from historical trauma.

During the Many Winters Gathering of Elders, no alcohol, drugs, cameras, pictures, video or other recording equipment are allowed; the MWGOE Organizing Committee requests that attendees respect and observe ceremonial protocol, including no pets. Traditional ceremony attire is observed – long skirt (feminine identifying), pants (masculine identifying), however it is not mandatory, and we observe and support our LGBTQ2S relatives’ gender or nonbinary expression, including attire.

The 2025 MWGOE Logo Art, ‘Eyooshuun / ‘Eyoohiinkem (Our Heart / Our Relatives), was created by artist Jamie Rocha of the Gabrielino-Shoshone Nation.

This event is presented through generous support from The California Endowment, Department of Cultural Affairs City of Los Angeles, Indigenous Circle of Wellness, the Perenchio Foundation, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, Pala Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, SEIU Local 721, Southwind Design and United American Indian Involvement. We would also like to thank the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council and individual community members for their support.