DRAKE AND COASTAL MIWOK

This program is a WPN collaboration with Mother Lode Musical Theatre.

An interdisciplinary program of historical re-enactments and cultural studies for 3rd through 8th grade which includes three components:

1) The Annual Drake's Pageant - a re-enactment of the first encounter in Northern California between Native Americans (Miwok) and Europeans (Sir Francis Drake) in 1579. Free to the public, held at the Drake’s Visitor Center on Drake’s Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore (mid-October).

2) Drake and Miwok Study Guides for elementary students which includes activities covering history, culture, science of the times, period music and language (meets California state curriculum requirements). Available for purchase individually and for school reproduction licenses.

3) In-school workshops based on our Drake and Miwok Study Guides.

Drake / Miwok Photo Gallery [click here!]

The Annual Drake's Pageant

The first encounter in Northern California between Native Americans and Europeans is re-enacted by a unique combination of professional performers, native Americans, volunteers, elementary school children and musicians. Captain General Francis Drake and his sailors step ashore at latitude 38 degrees North (Drake's Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore) and are greeted by native American indians. Miwok indian territory, but also within walking distance from the Pomo, Wintun, Kashia and two other tribes.

Drake and crew enter into a Miwok Village on the beach and are greeted with traditional songs and dance. They exchange gifts, Drake mistaking a feather headdress as the indians crowning him as their king. The sailors sing sea shanties and Elizabethan aires. Drake stays on to repair the Golden Hinde in the shallow bay.

Cast: Robert Currier, Marin Shakespeare Company director portrays Drake, Gene Ptak, Miller Creek Drama teacher appears as Chaplain Francis Fletcher. Susie Montijo Moore, Native American dancer and Desirae Harp, Wappo Tribe singer, lead the dancing and singing. Carlos Porrata, environmental educator offers tales of Coyote. Patrick Hughes, Miller Creek Music teacher leads his students in Renaissance brass ensembles and Elizabethan aires. Miller Creek music and drama students portray Drake’s sailors and Miwok Indians.

Watershed Preservation Network provides the Miwok Village on the beach, complete with demonstrations, artifacts and tools.

Production & coordination by Mother Lode Musical Theatre.

This annual event is a collaboration between WPN and Mother Lode Musical Theatre, in partnership with the Point Reyes National Seashore and the Miller Creek School. Supported by grants from the Marin Community Foundation, Living History Foundation, Marin Charitable Foundation, Fireman’s Fund Foundation, Bothin Foundation and Frank Howard Allen Realtors. Special thanks to the Drake Navigator's Guild for their historical guidance.

This year’s student audience will become active participants. Through our Drake Study Guide, we provide Elizabethan sea chanteys and Miwok airs for students to be able to sing along with Drake’s sailors and the Miwok Indians who greeted them. Younger students participate through an in-school activity and kit with directions and materials for students to fashion their own Native American style necklaces to wear to the Pageant.

Drake and Miwok Study Guides

An interdisciplinary program of historical re-enactments, music, language, science and cultural studies for 3rd through 8th grade.

A study guide and workbook are available for students and teachers.

In-School Workshops

A well rounded special event offered in conjunction with classroom use of Drake and Miwok Study Guides; tailored to your school's needs and interests. May include activities, history, culture, language, period science studies, authenic music, and performance elements.

By special arrangement for elementary schools. Please contact us for more information and availability; some limited fee support may be available, depending on our funding sources.