Land Acknowledgement
Act Now Bay Area recognizes the history of the Indigenous peoples of North America, and especially those here in the Bay Area, and their enduring relationship to their traditional homelands. We hope that this statement helps create awareness of the cultural erasure of Indigenous peoples and the processes of colonization and subjugation that have contributed to that erasure.
The land around the San Francisco Bay, which now includes the nine Bay Area counties, has been home to diverse groups of Indigenous peoples with unique cultures and deeply rooted relationships to the land for over 10,000 years.
The name “Ohlone” is familiar to many, but it most commonly refers to the many predominant Indigenous groups of the Bay Area, which are made up of linguistically similar but ethnically diverse groups. These tribes include the Chochenyo and the Karkin of the East Bay, the Ramaytush of San Francisco, the Yokuts of the South Bay and Central Valley, the Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo of the Graton Rancheria community, the Kashaya, Patwin and Mishewal Wappo of the North Bay, the Bay Miwok of the East Bay, and the Muwekma tribe throughout the region. Act Now Bay Area acknowledges all of the Ohlone tribes as the traditional caretakers of this unceded land that we now live upon.
We honor their connection and the deep respect they hold for the land of this region. We are grateful for their stewardship and honor the wisdom of ancestors, elders, and emerging leaders, as we endeavor to repair Mother Earth to sustain life for all future generations.
This land acknowledgement should be seen as a first step towards that goal, which includes shining a light on the traditions, knowledge, and work of Indigenous members of our communities, sharing the Ohlone history of this region, and embodying our commitment to that history through intentional and substantive actions in the work that we do.
How can I support my Native neighbors?
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Learn more about Indigenous peoples, cultures & histories, including whose land you're on
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Support the Land Back movement
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Donate to, volunteer/intern for, or promote the work of Indigenous organizations
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Support Indigenous-owned businesses
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Attend Indigenous events, seminars & workshops
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Support Indigenous rights public policy
Learn more about Indigenous peoples, history & whose land you're on
What are Ohlone people currently working on, and how can I get involved?
Ohlone tribal members are part of a thriving San Francisco Bay Area community working hard on issues of critical importance to their families, tribal groups, and the broader community. Explore initiatives and projects led by collaborators in the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe and the Ohlone Indian Tribe.
Support Indigenous organizations & campaigns
Stanford University Native American Cultural Center
The Native American Cultural Center works to improve the quality of life for American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Indigenous Pacific Islanders. Their community reaches out to new students and their families to help them adjust to life at Stanford, realize their goals, and prepare for the future.
Indigenous-owned businesses in the Bay Area
Got another Native-owned business to add? Email us at info@actnowbayarea.org.
The Land Back movement
What is the Land Back movement?
Land Back is a campaign that aims to reestablish Indigenous sovereignty of their ancestral lands and waters. The movement seeks to address past injustices and promote healing by restoring land to the original stewards, allowing them to manage and protect their heritage and environment.
It has become a symbol of not only the reclamation of lands, but also the political and decision-making powers that were taken from Indigenous peoples and nations by colonialism, and their right to consent to what happens to their land, people, families, and bodies.
What does the Land Back movement have to do with climate change?
Research shows that Indigenous nations are excellent at land management. Scientists have started to join the chorus of “land back” for land conservation, biodiversity, and slowing the climate crisis. For example, Native knowledge and practices could be particularly useful in fighting the threat from severe wildfires on the West Coast.
How can I support the Land Back movement?
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Learn about Indigenous peoples, cultures & history
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Support Indigenous organizations
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Hold public leaders accountable & demand the inclusion of Indigenous voices at decision-making tables
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Take action in your community — show up at marches, tell your friends about the Land Back movement, and respond to the survival needs of Native people
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Consider land rematriation if you have access to land
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Pay Native Nations an Honor Tax, a voluntary tax to acknowledge the debt that settler-colonists have incurred on Indigenous lands
Traditional ecological knowledge
What is traditional ecological knowledge (TEK)?
Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is the evolving information, skills, and beliefs that Indigenous people have built over thousands of years by working with and learning from their environment.
Why is TEK important?
It offers a lot of valuable insights about ecology and our environment that you can’t find anywhere else. TEK also helps us understand how people interact with, and adapt to, their surroundings.
What does TEK look like?
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Factual observations — information about the environment, like recognizing different species and understanding how they interact with their surroundings
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Management systems — using resources ethically and sustainably, including land management
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Past & current uses — TEK looks at how the environment has been used historically and today, often passed down through oral history; including knowledge about land use, harvest levels, and medicinal plants, helping connect communities to their cultural heritage
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Ethics & values — values & beliefs tied to the environment; understanding the ethical responsibilities of humans towards nature and ensuring that resources are not exploited
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Culture & identity — TEK is closely related to culture, language, and identity; the stories and values tied to the environment help sustain cultural identities and maintain cultural practices
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Cosmology — how different cultures view the world & their place in it, including how people relate to nature and each other
How can TEK help us solve climate change?
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Understanding nature — TEK includes a deep understanding of local ecosystems & how they work.
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Sustainable practices — Indigenous communities have developed sustainable land and resource management practices tailored to their environments that not only avoid harming the environment, but can help promote biodiversity.
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Adaptation strategies — TEK often includes adaptation strategies, like how to manage food in different climates or find water during droughts. This knowledge can help us adapt to climate challenges.
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Cultural resilience — TEK is tied to cultural practices and beliefs. Strengthening cultural ties and community practices can help people stay connected and resilient in the face of climate change, promoting cooperation and support among communities.
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Collaboration — Integrating TEK into policymaking can lead to more inclusive & effective climate strategies that respect Indigenous rights & knowledge systems.