Author to discuss history of Chumash leader at T.O. library




Mary Louise Contini Gordon

Mary Louise Contini Gordon

Author Mary Louise Contini Gordon will discuss her book, “TIQ SLO’W: The Making of a Modern Day Chief,” and sign copies of it at 1 p.m. Sat., Feb. 1 at the Grant Brimhall Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks.

Dr. Kent Christianson will present a Chumash artifact display for patrons to view as well.

The biography follows Native American Charlie Cooke’s rise to a Chumash leader. “TIQ SLO’W,” pronounced Teek Slo, is Cooke’s Chumash name.

Cooke was a cowboy, ranch hand, rodeo champ, Korean War veteran and a truck driver.

In addition, he helped shape the Southern California landscape by helping to preserve native lands and parks for prosperity.

The book chronicles the beginnings of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Channel Islands National Park and the Satwiwa Native American Indian Cultural Center in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Gordon, a former resident, has degrees in theater, TV production and educational psychology. She previously produced and developed educational media and hosted a local TV talk show in Thousand Oaks. She met Cooke as a guest on her show.

This program is free and open to the public. Copies of the book will be for sale.

For more information, visit www.toaks.org/library or call (805) 449-2660, ext. 7358.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *