Summer 2024

origins of being sold out of the foster care sys- tem, suffering sexual abuse as a child, and traf- ficked as a teen and young adult—to her pres- ent day, a woman in recovery who has used her pain to help the lives of so many others. Her story tells like a tragic novel, but she refuses to see her experience as any- thing but positive for the voice it has given her to fos- ter change in this world, specifically to be able to help children. “I turned poi- son into medicine,” says Herthel, sharing, “I am actually very grateful to both of my parents, because if I had not gone through what I went through, I could not be the leader that I am in these forums where I can speak out for children... I believe I was given a gift to be able to do that.” Herthel’s Esselen heritage comes through her birth father. Her adoptive parents were a non-Indigenous Carmel Valley family, but their home was located on ancestral Esselen land. Though her adoptive parents did not share any information about her origins, she seemed to know it intrinsically. As a child, she told stories about her people, something not uncommon in indigenous culture, as collective memories of ancestors are considered to be a part of the fibers of being. But it wasn’t until as an adult after finding sobriety, that she emerged whole and in search of exact information about her Indigenous identity. 32 years ago, Herthel began her genealogical research and found her Esselen heritage. Herthel shares that being Esselen is “a sacred connection to my ancestors, an acknowledgment of my homeland and history.” As an elder, Herthel takes on many responsibilities in the tribe. She speaks the Esselen language in prayer and when leading cere- monies. She focuses her energy on food sover- eignty, youth engagement, and community col- laboration and education—building bridges and healing wounds—and using her experi- ences to foster resilience and strength in the next generation of Esselen people. Tanous’ mother, Alberta De La Torre (pictured c. 1924, fourth from left), was a pupil at San Carlos School and grew up in the Oak Grove neighborhood of Monterey not knowing she was of Indigenous descent. C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 4 173 As an elder, Herthel takes on many responsibilities in the tribe. She speaks the Esselen language in prayer and when leading ceremonies. Photo: Courtesy of Pamela Tanous