Project overview: Support Yosemite’s cultural demonstrator program that brings Tribal representatives to the Yosemite Museum and Indian Village to interpret cultural stories and Tribal histories.

How your support helps: The Yosemite Indian Cultural Program (ICP) is an initiative within the park focused on preserving and sharing the cultural heritage of the Tribes that were in the area — and are still here — long before Yosemite National Park was established. As visitor interest in Tribal history increases, the ICP hopes to continue broadening how these stories are shared. 

To support visitor experiences and Tribal participation, the ICP developed a park program that hosts cultural demonstrators to share their traditional work with visitors during the high season. Thanks to donor support, refined recruitment efforts, and improved financial compensation, the cultural demonstrator program hosted six to seven representatives from affiliated and non-affiliated Tribes in 2024 and 2025, reaching nearly 2,000 visitors. 

This year: In 2026, the Yosemite Indian Cultural Program plans to bring up to seven cultural demonstrators from local California Tribes to interpret their own stories at the Yosemite Museum and Indian Village. Each demonstrator will be provided with lodging and an honorarium for their skills. The team also hopes to bring in a year-round intern to expand recruitment and support for demonstrators. These steps are critical in continuing this successful cultural demonstrator program that shares the stories of associated Tribes and better supports Tribal participation.

Project partners: Affiliated Tribes of Yosemite; Yosemite National Park