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Poppy flowers are the state flower of California. They were chosen for their bright golden blooms matching the golden state. Prior to this land being called California, it was Mexico’s, and prior to it being Mexico’s it was Spain’s. But the Tongva and Cahuilla people were stewards of this land prior to them all and used Poppy flowers for medicinal purposes. They used them to treat illnesses and as a mild sedative. The Tongva people called poppy flowers Mekachaa and the Cahuilla called them Tesinat. Where I live is Tongva land, so this title refers to the poppy flowers that first bloomed on indigenous land. This piece is my way of honoring them and learning more about the history of this land.