Mary Elizabeth Bakers Books on Books.by

About The Book

The Untold Story of the Tongva Tribe delves into the historical and contemporary struggles of the Tongva people, the original inhabitants of the Los Angeles area, highlighting their profound connection to the land that has been largely overlooked by Hollywood and mainstream narratives. The book explores how colonization began with Spanish settlers in the late 1700s, leading to forced conversions, labor exploitation, and significant cultural disruption for the Tongva. As they faced epidemics introduced by Europeans and were forcibly relocated to missions, their traditional way of life was severely impacted.

Key topics include the secularization of missions in the 1830s, which did not alleviate their plight but rather continued cycles of displacement under Mexican and American control. The rapid growth of Los Angeles further marginalized the Tongva as real estate ventures expanded into their ancestral lands. The book emphasizes the irony that Hollywood's wealth is built upon this dispossession while often ignoring Indigenous contributions to local history.

Notable insights reveal ongoing legal battles for recognition faced by the Tongva tribe today, alongside social and economic challenges. The narrative critiques Hollywood's tokenism and cultural appropriation regarding Native imagery without proper acknowledgment or respect for its origins. Ultimately, it calls attention to current efforts aimed at restoring sacred lands and protecting vital natural resources that are integral to Tongva identity and heritage.

Author, Songwriter, Marine Corps Veteran, Mother and Grandmother

Mary Elizabeth Baker is a Marine Corps Veteran, author, and motivational speaker with more than 30 years of leadership experience in the mortgage and finance industry. A former upper-level sales executive, she led, trained, and mentored hundreds of professionals, helping them take command of their careers, finances, and personal responsibility. Her no-excuses approach to leadership was forged during eight years of service in U.S. Marine Corps aviation, where discipline, accountability, and resilience were not optional—they were survival skills. That foundation shaped her career in corporate leadership, where she became known not just for managing teams, but for transforming them. Mary specialized in developing mental toughness, instilling personal accountability, and teaching individuals how to build real financial stability in a results-driven world. As a sought-after motivational speaker and sales trainer, Mary has coached professionals across multiple industries, challenging them to abandon victimhood, break free from limiting beliefs, and adopt the habits required for long-term success. Her work emphasizes self-discipline, responsibility, and leadership—principles she believes are essential not only in business, but in life, relationships, and family. Now retired from the corporate world, Mary devotes her time to writing and speaking, using her lived experience to confront cultural myths and restore truth, balance, and accountability. Her books span self-improvement, financial literacy, cultural commentary, and fiction, all united by a common thread: the belief that strong individuals build strong families—and strong families build strong societies. Mary lives by the principles that shaped her life and career: discipline, resilience, accountability, faith, and an unwavering commitment to personal responsibility.

The Untold Story of the Tongva Tribe

About The Book

Mary Elizabeth Bakers Books

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