Moompetam American Indian Festival

In celebration of local American Indian cultures, the Aquarium of the Pacific will host its 21st annual Moompetam American Indian Festival.

Moompetam (pronounced \’mohm peh tahm), meaning “People of the Ocean,” is derived from the word for ‘saltwater’ in the Tongva language.

For the California Indigenous coastal peoples, the ocean has always been a sacred entity. The festival celebrates indigenous California maritime cultures, including Tongva, Acjachemen, Chumash, Costanoan, Kumeyaay, and Luiseño. This celebration features traditional cultural craft demonstrations, storytelling, music, and dance, and an award ceremony.

The festival is included with Aquarium general admission.