Legendary Ishi to be Inducted into California Hall of Fame

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

SACRAMENTO – The Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. and First Lady Anne Gust Brown along with The California Museum announced the latest inductees to the California Hall of Fame for 2013. Among this year's seven inductees is legendary Ishi.

Ishi and Roland Burrage Dixon, Beside
Haida Totem Pole Outside University of California
Museum of Anthropology, 1916

Ishi, who died in 1916 from tuberculosis, has been the subject of continuous research because of his status as the last known member of the Yahi Tribe. He has had several books, movies and plays about his life.

Ishi means man in the Yahi language and was not his real name. Reportedly, there were no elders left to name him.

Other inductees are: scientist Gregory Bateson; film legend Warren Beatty; visionary designers Charles and Ray Eames; labor activist Dolores Huerta; football hero Joe Montana; and motion picture innovators the Warner brothers.

All living inductees and the family of posthumous inductees are scheduled to receive a "Spirit of California" medal from the Governor and First Lady in the official state ceremony on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, from 7 pm to 8 pm at The California Museum, located at 1020 O Street in Sacramento.

In addition to the ceremony, the new class of inductees will also be commemorated with an exhibit of personal artifacts highlighting their lives and achievements, which opens to the public at 10 am on Thursday, March 21 at The California Museum.

Inductees into the California Hall of Fame have made remarkable achievements across a variety of California industries and areas of influence including science, philanthropy, sports, business, entertainment, literature, technology, activism and politics.

posted February 4, 2013 8:30 am est