Alameda Native History Project

Tag: native land

  • Decolonize This Place! : Support the Indigenous Land Lab

    For centuries, Native American communities have faced brutal suppression of our cultural heritage and spiritual practices. Our ancestors’ lands were stolen, our traditions criminalized, and our people forcibly relocated to urban areas.

    Today, 87% of Native Americans live in cities, disconnected from our ancestral territories and the natural resources essential for our cultural survival.

    Over 18,000 Native and Indigenous People reside In the San Francisco Bay Area – the majority of whom are from tribes in other areas; many of whom are the descendants of families relocated by the Indian Relocation Act of 1956.

    The historical traumas persist as the ongoing persecution of “Indianness”:

    • Urban displacement separates us from nature, making it hard to maintain cultural heritage and traditional practices rooted in the land.
    • Privatization of land forces us to trespass or face fines for practicing our cultural ceremonies. (Even on Tribal Land, we are still harassed.)
    • Our cultural practices don’t end at reservation borders – we still need sage, berries, acorns, pine nuts, and traditional foods & materials for ceremonies, healing, and cultural survival.
    • Native American People are still criminalized for gathering the materials we need to practice our cultural and religious traditions.

    But there is hope.

    We have been blessed with an opportunity to reclaim our cultural heritage and decolonize a sacred space in the Bay Area.

    The Indigenous Land Lab will be a thriving hub for:

    • Traditional medicine and herb garden
    • Restoration nursery for environmental healing
    • Safe sanctuary for Indigenous people and allies to decompress, honor the earth, and collaborate in decolonization efforts

    We need your support to make this vision a reality.

    Our immediate goals require funding for:

    1. Seeds for our traditional medicine and herb garden
    2. Fencing to secure our land, and protect this sacred space from damage by invasive wild boars
    3. Greenhouse construction for year-round growth and education
    4. Decolonization efforts to reclaim our cultural heritage and restore balance to the land

    Every donation brings us closer to decolonizing our homeland and revitalizing our cultural practices.

    Your contribution helps cultivate reciprocity – a mutual exchange of respect, resources, and restoration.

    Donation levels: 

    1. Seed Starter ($25)
    2. Land Defender ($50)
    3. Greenhouse Guardian ($100)
    4. Land Lab Hero ($250)
    5. Community Champion ($500)
    6. Healing Founder ($1000)

    Reclaiming cultural heritage and sacred spaces is crucial for our survival. Collaborating to restore this land and realize our connection to it is how we move forward.

    Decolonization starts with a single step – yours.

    Donate today to support the Indigenous Land Lab and join a movement reclaiming heritage, land, and justice.

    Donate Now!

    Be our Top Fundraiser and Win a Free *Premium* Indigenous Bay Hoodie!

    Join our fundraising team and get rewarded for your hard work!

    The top fundraiser will receive a Premium Indigenous Bay Hoodie as a thank you gift for helping us reach our fundraising goals through peer-to-peer fundraising!

    Wear your land acknowledgment with pride knowing you’ve personally contributed to the decolonization of Indigenous Land.

    Find out more by signing up using the “Fundraise” button on our Decolonize This Place! campaign page:

    https://givebutter.com/landlab

    You can also reach out to us directly with any questions using collab@nativehistoryproject.org

    We can also add you to the team directly, upon request.

    Now, let’s Decolonize This Place, together!

  • Remarks at the Alameda Display of Unity Rally Lead to City of Alameda Reaffirming its Sanctuary City Status

    Shalom Bruhn opening remarks at the rally, on a cold windy, Monday afternoon in Alameda.

    People gathered outside of Alameda City Hall on Monday, February 3, 2025, to show their unified resolve for Alameda’s Sanctuary City status.

    I was honored to be among such speakers as Shalom Bruhn, Amos White, Rev. Michael Yoshi, Dr. Cindy Ackert, Kimi Sugioka, Rev. Vathanak Heang, Hiro Guida, and more people spoke during the open mic session.

    Kimi Sugioka (left) holds a sign reading “Alameda Stands United Against Hate”; Amos White (right) speaking at the rally.

    These are the remarks I delivered.

    Remarks at the Alameda Display of Unity Rally

    On February 3, 2025,
    in Alameda, California

    “Hello, my name is Gabriel Duncan.  I’m the founder of the Alameda Native History Project.  I’m a mix of Paiute, and Mexican (Chichimeca).  I’m Gay, Two-Spirit, and Queer.  I’m also disabled; I have AIDS.  I’m a mix of many things that are being targeted for deportation, defunding, and disenfranchisement.

    “That’s why I want to talk about the fear of belonging to a group of people being targeted.  Of the fear I felt when I first came out (just like now.)  And how I did it, even though I was afraid.

    “I came out not just for myself.  But for my LGBTQ and Two-Spirit cousins who could not do it themselves–to stand up and advocate for the other members of my community who were isolated, targeted, and attacked because of who they are–to defend our humanity, and demand to be treated with dignity and respect.  I stand up because my conviction and belief in justice and equality give me strength.

    “Even now, even though I am afraid, I cannot let people I called my friends, my neighbors, even my family–I cannot let them go on terrorizing the innocent people who came here to escape violence and persecution, who came here looking for a better life, for a brighter future.  We cannot allow them to continue demonizing our differences, chasing down our most vulnerable, and subjecting them to more violence, and more persecution.

    “Because, the reality is, our diversity gives us strength.

    “This is why sanctuaries exist.  Sanctuaries exist to give refuge, to provide safety.  To allow people to live, and thrive with liberty, justice and dignity.  The pursuit of happiness, living in freedom.  This is the promise of the American Dream.  America is supposed to be a sanctuary.

    “As we stand here today, to let out our cry for dignity, inclusivity, and respect, we do this as a diverse community of people who still believe that the American Dream is just as much ours as everyone else’s.

    “I stand before you here to re-affirm my commitment to support, advocate, and fight for the inclusion of the people who built this city, this state, and this nation–and who this place was built upon!

    “People who provide us with the food we eat, the care for our children, for our sick, and elderly, who do the jobs no one else will do–I will advocate for them because they belong here more than many of us.

    “If you believe in liberty, equality, and justice; then it is your duty, too.  It is your duty to create and protect a sanctuary as a group, as a collective, that we can share with our friends and neighbors–and even strangers–when they need it most.

    “Let us make sure that Alameda is a Sanctuary City – NOW AND FOREVER!”

    Special thanks to EB-FLOW (East Bay Fierce Loving Organized Women) for organizing this rally.

    Super special thanks to Lis Cox for her awesome cinematography.

    This is EB-FLOW organizer Shalom Bruhn reading her poem at the rally.

    Update: After receiving the signed petition from Monday’s rally, during the Alameda City Council Meeting on Tuesday, the City of Alameda released the following statement on Wednesday.

    “The City remains committed to the values of dignity, inclusivity, and respect for all individuals, regardless of ethnic or national origin, gender, race, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or immigration status. We are committed to upholding the Constitution and ensuring a safe community for everyone, consistent with the City’s Sanctuary City policy.”

    February 5, 2025 “Statement from the City of Alameda”

    Read the entire statement on the City’s website.

    Thank you to everyone who came out and signed the petition, and supported this crucial effort!!

  • Native History Project Condemns White Supremacy and Threats to Native American Sovereignty

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Native History Project Condemns White Supremacy and Threats to Native American Sovereignty

    Alameda, California – Today, the Alameda Native History Project issued a strong statement affirming its values and condemning racist ideologies.

    “Alameda Native History Project vehemently condemns white supremacy, racism, xenophobia, and fascist ideologies. We abhor Trump-era policies destroying civil rights gains, threatening Native American sovereignty, and deporting indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands. Our project stands unwaveringly against bigotry, discrimination, and hate – affirming equality, justice, and dignity for all.”

    Contact:

    Gabriel Duncan
    info@nativehistoryproject.org
    (510) 747-8423

  • Alameda Needs to Get Planting

    So, I know the whole “plant thing” might not make sense to people who want to build bigger levees, and sea walls.

    I’m trying to say we can’t manage with walls alone.  Walls cost tons of money.  We don’t know how tall to build them, or how fast.  The earth is continuing to warm at a runaway pace.  And we need to plan accordingly.

    Currently, much of our shores are covered with riprap and sand that has been trucked into, and poured upon the surface of the shore.  Sometimes the riprap is covered with a steel mesh, and cabled and bolted into place.  But it doesn’t matter.  Every time we get big waves, increasingly bigger pieces are being taken away from the shore.

    Does it matter that this seems to happen faster in areas that were seeded by landfill?  Do we need to worry about the marsh crust resurfacing?  How far will saltwater “intrude” if left unchecked?

    It would be more beneficial for us to focus on ensuring that our land is properly protected from erosion using natural methods of reinforcement.  There are many concurrent benefits aside from erosion control that we will experience.  We’ve already seen the perils of trying to fight against the encroachment with levees and walls when Tulare Lake reawakened.  The dangers of levee failure or breach are more devastating than coastal flooding.

    Consider the fact that surfaces covered with concrete do not absorb water, storm drains have a capacity, as do the pumps underneath our city used to keep the streets clear of what is actually an urban flash flood.  That, at some point, we won’t be able to pump out this floodwater if the discharge point is already underwater itself.

    Consider the fact that the pre-1900 [“alameda”] peninsula was encapsulated by lush, verdant, thriving wetlands; and that the south shores and bay farm coast were rich in oyster and clam beds.

    Just like the rest of the earth, the Bay Area is a living, breathing, place.  Our environmental systems sustain life in and around the bay.  And floodwaters are supposed to be a regenerative force in the lifecycle of our ancient coastal blue carbon ecosystem.

    Consider the fact that the San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, Suisun and Grizzly Bays, have lost about 85% to 91.7% of their Historic Wetlands.  The San Joaquin/Sacramento Delta has lost 96.8% of its Historic Wetlands.

    https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/new-mapping-reveals-lost-west-coast-estuary-habitat
    https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0218558
    https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0218558

    Our bays are inextricably linked to our rivers, and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.  The delicate balance of our riparian habitats, tule, eelgrass, salt marshes, and tidal pools are crucial to our ecosystem’s capacity and resilience.  These natural systems are responsible for filtering our water to support marine and estuarine wildlife, maintaining a healthy equilibrium in the brackish zone, producing land mass, stabilizing shorelines, and carbon sequestration.

    The roots of fast growing estuarine and aquatic plants (like eelgrass, tule, etc.) stabilize shorelines by trapping sediment in their root systems and creating a buffer zone that absorbs floodwaters. The rising tide and sediment bury plants and form nutrient-rich (low-oxygen) soil which builds up the land mass, and gives rise to new fast-growing growing plants.  The interring of carbon captured by the plants, which are buried in a low-oxygen environment, is the main mechanism behind what is now being referred to as coastal blue carbon habitats.

    So, while walls might make sense, they aren’t practical.  Levees and sea walls take years to build, and they’re a greater danger to the community than coastal flooding–because any breach would result in the immediate and violent expulsion of water directly into a borough or neighborhood, destroying the neighborhood, and injuring and possibly killing its residents.  We can’t accept a greater long-term risk for the temporary reprieve from a disaster of our own making.

    Restoring our ecosystems is the best chance we have to survive as a species.  We need to learn how to terraform our own planet before we attempt to colonize another.

  • Why We Don’t Accept Acorns Collected from the Ground

    When it comes to foraging for acorns, we have a firm policy: we don’t accept those collected from the ground.

    Here’s why:

    Acorns can mold incredibly quickly once picked up; especially when stored improperly in bags, boxes, or environments with little to no air circulation. It is vitally important to prevent the spread of mold and mildew to other acorns in storage.

    Moldy acorns are not just unappealing; they can pose serious health risks, like hantavirus. Hantavirus is a serious disease transmitted through contact with rodent droppings or urine. Ground-collected acorns are often more likely to be contaminated by mold and pathogens, which we want to avoid.

    It’s important to note that 20% or less of the acorns gathered from the ground are fit enough for storage and consumption. Since we emphasize sourcing acorns for food, we have to apply a strict standard: if it’s not something you would personally eat, we don’t want it either.

    By upholding these guidelines, we prioritize health and ensure that the acorns we collect and use are safe and of the best quality.

    Let’s keep our foraging practices safe and sustainable!

  • First Annual Acorn Harvest Begins

    Alameda Native History Project is proud to partner with our awesome and enthusiastic and diverse community for Alameda’s First Annual Acorn Harvest!

    Acorn season is upon us!

    The streets are filled with the sounds of foraging. The crunching and munching of squirrels chewing on acorns forms a surprisingly backtrack on a slow weekend morning.

    This is Alameda’s present-day urban forest.

    You may have never noticed it before. But Alameda is full of oak trees. It’s during acorn season that we’re reminded la bolsa de Encinal is still here.

    Acorns have not been readily available as a food source for over 100 years.

    The Alameda Native History Project seeks to reopen the local indigenous foodways of Alameda and the East Bay.

    The acorns we harvest together will be used to fill the Acorn Granary at the Alameda Point Collaborative Farm2Market.

    They will stay in the granary over winter. And we will process the acorns in spring.

    Some of the Acorn Flour and Acorn Meal which we will produce will be used as the featured ingredient of our culinary series. Some will be offered to local Native American Organizations and Tribes. A limited amount Acorn Flour and Acorn Meal will be offered to the public for fundraising.

    Harvest teams are forming now. You’re invited!

    We’re excited to share this opportunity with you to be a part of our Acorn Harvest Team. Whether you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity, a chance to connect with nature, or a way to help revitalize a food pathway which hasn’t been readily available for over 100 years, we welcome you to join our team!

    Here’s what we’re doing:

    • Sorting Acorns: Help us sort acorns by size and quality.
    • Harvesting Acorns: Collect acorns that have fallen from trees.
    • Scooping and Bagging Acorns: Help us scoop and bag acorns for storage.
    • Packing Acorn Granaries: Assist us in packing acorns into granaries for long-term storage.

    Sign-up using the First Annual Acorn Harvest Sign-Up Form.

    We welcome volunteers of all abilities and will work to accommodate your needs. Whether you prefer to work from a seated position or are able to assist with physical tasks, we have opportunities for everyone to contribute.

    Join us for a fun and rewarding experience that will connect you with your community and the natural world. Let us know which tasks you’re available for and any accommodations you may need.

    Harvest Team Sign-Up!

    Support the First Annual Acorn Harvest by donating to the Alameda Native History Project.

    By supporting this project, you are helping to revive a forgotten food source and reconnect with the rich cultural heritage of our region. Together, we can reclaim the acorn as a symbol of community, sustainability, and cultural resilience. Join us in this effort to rebuild our local indigenous foodways and create a more equitable and sustainable food system for all.

    Your contribution will directly support our acorn harvest and processing efforts, as well as our culinary series and partnerships with local Native American organizations, community organizations, and tribes. We are grateful for your trust in our work and your commitment to our community.

    Support the Acorn Harvest!

  • Speak Up for Federal Recognition for Unrecognized Tribes

    It’s time the Bureau of Indian Affairs recognizes the existence of California Tribes.

    There are a lot of problems with the Tribal Recognition Process administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Tribal Acknowledgment. But it’s their absolute resolve to stonewall almost every petitioner that dissuades many legitimate California Tribes from ever filing their petition.

    When tribes are denied Tribal Acknowledgment by the BIA; the decision is almost absolutely always final. Forever.

    Meaning tribes which fail to properly plead their case, or prove their continuous existence as a community, (or show a government-to-government relationship with the US,) will never be able to petition for Tribal Acknowledgment ever again.

    The list of Petitioners on the Office of Tribal Recognition’s website shows a long list of Tribes which have ever only sent the Department their Letter of Intent to File a Petition for Federal Acknowledgment.

    Those Letters of Intent reserve the Tribes’ rights to file the petition at a later date.

    But, because the BIA obfuscates what should be a simplified process, in an earnest attempt by the government to make good on its Trust Responsibility to Native Americans….

    And, because the government has treated Tribes with hostility, denied their appeals, and left them with no recourse, and no hope to re-petition, ever….

    Other tribes who haven’t submitted their petitions are beginning to think it’s easier to live a landless, nomadic existence, without the access to healthcare, housing, and homeland that so many other federally recognized tribes enjoy.

    Because the alternative (permanent denial of Tribal Acknowledgment) could shut their tribe out, forever. Who wants to be the person who did that?

    It’s not fair.

    But there is hope!

    The United States Department of the Interior is seeking input on a proposal to create a conditional, time-limited opportunity for denied petitioners to re-petition for Federal acknowledgment as an Indian Tribe.

    This means that previously denied tribes will be able to re-file their petitions and plead their case under new and changed laws; and have their cases heard with new deference and guidance from the Department Of the Interior.

    This can only happen with our support.

    Read the text of the Proposed Rule, Federal Acknowledgment of American Indian Tribes here.

    Comment in Support of Tribal Recognition Here!

  • Muwekma Ohlone Tribe Sets Off on Trail of Truth with Chrissy Field Rally, and Golden Gate Bridge March

    August 4, 2024 – San Francisco, Calif.

    Hundreds of supports gather at Chrissy to give the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area a rousing send-off as they embarked on their Trail of Truth.

    Among the speakers were:

    • Charlene Nijmeh, Chairwoman of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area
    • Joey Torres, Muwekma Tribal Member and Culture Bearer
    • Richard Massiatt, Muwekma Tribal Council Member
    • Peter Ortiz, San Jose City Council Member
    • Nicole Shanahan, Vice Presidential Candidate
    • Members of the Oglala Nation
    • Razzle Dazzle, Miwok Elder
    • Members of Redrum M.C.

    Special performances by:

    • Calpulli Tonalehqueh Aztec Dancers
    • Muwekma Tribal Dancers
    • Razzle Dazzle, 12 Bears, Joey Torres, Miwok singers

    The rally was immediately followed by a march across the Golden Gate Bridge, the first part of Muwekma’s journey on the Trail of Truth.

    We were met on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge by a group of CHP and US Park Service Officers.

    But no one was arrested for the unplanned march across the bridge–because we didn’t stop and block traffic. We were allowed to go on our way.

    Charlene Nijmeh, the duly elected Chairwoman of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area; a tribe with hundreds of enrolled members, and over 10,000 years of proven history as the First Peoples of the San Francisco Bay Area.

    For more information about the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area, you can visit the Muwekma website at https://muwekma.org

    To watch videos and learn more about the Trail of Truth, and how you can help Ohlone people regain Federal Tribal Recognition, follow Muwekma on social media.

    Lots of videos are up and available on the Muwekma Ohlone tribe’s instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/muwekmaohlonetribe/

    Alameda is Muwekma Territory.

  • Acorn Granary Challenge Produces Storage For 2024 Harvest

    What is an Acorn Granary?

    Acorn Granaries are traditional Native American storage containers used to hold foods like dried berries, rice, squash, and tree nuts…. (In this case: acorns from the city-wide acorn harvest happening this fall.) …And keep them safe from animals and the environment over winter.

    What is the purpose of an Acorn Granary?

    To store food that people needed to survive during the coldest parts of winter, when no plants grow, and all of the animals are hibernating, or have migrated to warmed areas.

    Why are Acorn Granaries important?

    Acorns were one of the single most important food sources in California [Heizer 1957]. Over winter, the bounties of California’s many edible plants, and the abundance of wildlife normally acquired through hunting, trapping, or fishing, is replaced with a barren landscape.

    This is why it’s so important to gather as much food as possible; and to protect it from water, wind, rain, and the animals–who also depend on caches to survive through the winter.

    How widespread is the use of Acorn Granaries?

    It cannot be overstated: Acorns were one of the single most important food sources in California [Heizer 1957]. Most families had an acorn granary [Gifford 1932; Fremont 1843]. Granaries were meant to hold acorns as they dried over winter, however, granaries would be kept and maintained for many years.

    How many acorns does an Acorn Granary hold?

    Some granaries would hold just enough acorns to support a family until the next harvest. Other granaries could hold “ten to twenty sacks of acorns” [Gifford 1932]. Although, there’s no specific weight or volume measurement for how much a “sack” is. Heizer (in 1957), noted that Patwin communities had granaries with a capacity of about 6 to 10 bushels of acorns.

    Several studies included dimensions of varying types of granaries made by different California Native Tribes:

    On average, the granaries were about 3-4 feet in diameter, up to 10 feet high, and at least 2 feet off the ground.

    How many acorns were harvested during the Acorn Harvest?

    The only limit to how many acorns could be harvested was dependent upon the method of collection, and how many people were involved in the harvest.

    The Acorn Harvest happens once a year, when there is a nearly limitless supply of acorns adorning the more-than 87 million oak trees which are endemic to California. [Oaks 2040]

    Competition for Acorns

    Over 100 different kinds of animals eat acorns, including (but not limited to):

    • Bear
    • Chipmunk
    • Crows
    • Deer
    • Ducks
    • Foxes
    • Jack Rabbit
    • Jays
    • Mallards
    • Mice
    • Oppossums
    • Quail
    • Raccoons
    • Squirrel
    • Turkeys
    • Voles
    • Wild Hogs
    • Woodpeckers

    Every single one of these animals would gladly take a pre-foraged “snack pack” [that’s what a bear would call it] in a season when no other food is available.

    This is why it is necessary to create: (a) a sturdy food container that (b) hides the scent of food, and (c) deters animals from eating through the container into the actual food inside.

    What are the different types of Acorn Granaries?

    Below is a list granary types–but the names aren’t official. There are no standardized names for granaries because over 300 unique languages were spoken in California.

    • Coil-type –
      Acorns chill under a coil basket made from cordage. (Usually on a platform.)
    • Hanging basket –
      Hung from sturdy tree-limbs, or from a frame made from lashed wood.
    • Tree platform –
      Resting on platform build in the crook of a tree.
    • Free-standing –
      Made with sturdy legs to resist wind, and other forces.
    • Rock-butt –
      Granary resting on a rock. Sometimes stabilized by legs, or tied to frame/tree limb, or all of the above.

    Construction Materials

    Willow reeds & poles, and California Bay boughs, were gathered from the Indigenous Land Lab

    • Willow reeds and poles
    • Leaves and boughs from:
      • California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica)
      • Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
    • Natural twine
    Bay Laurel boughs were gathered during the Acorn Granary Challenge Session #3, at the Alameda Point Collaborative Farm2Market, where our events were held.

    Acorn Granary Construction

    After learning about the history, usage, and types of Acorn Granaries, we began granary construction over four sessions in July 2024.

    Rolling the frame onto the hoops.

    Completed granary frame.

    Loosely woven base of the granary. (Take note the base is larger than the frame.)

    Granary frame stuffed with bay leaves, sitting on base base, on top of tree rounds (with willow shims, lol.)

    Shoring up the granary, using willow poles to stabilize with tension & compression. (MIT undergraduate remix.)

    Granary Status: Ready for Acorns

    Special Thanks & Acknowledgments

    A huge shoutout, and special thanks goes out to the APC Farm2Market, for hosting our event, and the acorn granary.

    Another huge shoutout goes to the Land Partners, who are hosting the Indigenous Land Lab, another Acorn Granary, and have graciously allowed us to harvest all of the willow and California Bay we used (and will use) for Acorn Granary Construction.

    Special thanks goes out to everyone who participated in the Acorn Granary Challenge: Sandra, Liz, The Li & Pan Families, Natalie, Skipper.

    We also want to acknowledge the Alameda County Arts Commission’s ARTSFUND for their part in funding this awesome, and ongoing, experience.

    What’s next?

    The First Annual Acorn Harvest begins this Fall!

    Stay tuned for more announcements!

  • New Map Shows Pre-1900 Alameda In Exquisite Detail

    What did Alameda look like before the Oakland Estuary was dredged out; and Bay Farm, South Shore, and the West End were filled in?

    Where was the Live Oak Forest? What kind of animals roamed what was once known as la Bolsa de Encinal?

    The new Alameda Historic Ecology Web Map shows you in exquisite detail, using never-before-seen GIS data compiled and developed exclusively by the Alameda Native History Project.

    You can have this map on your wall. Find out how: visit our merch page now.

    Decolonizing History

    The Alameda Native History Project decolonizes history by providing real and accurate information about the geography and ecology of places like Alameda, which is occupied Muwekma Ohlone territory.

    Before now, only over-copied handouts, and over-generalized information has been made available by Alameda’s Historians and Schools. No concerted effort has been made to update this content since (at least) the 1970’s.

    This map is a wake-up call for Alameda Historians….

    And a challenge to the groups like the Board of the Alameda Museum, and Alameda Historical Commission, to step up their game, and, meaningfully and accurately represent and honor the contributions and lives of all Alamedans, like Quong Fat and Mabel Tatum, with permanent exhibits, public art made by someone of the heritage it represents, and historical districts commemorating more than Victorian houses.

    Because, mentions only in museum newsletters, city council declarations…. Or once a year appearances at speaker panels for [AAPI/Black History, Pride, Native American, etc.] Heritage Months are not cutting it.

    Tokenization is not representation.

    Speaking for us, is not letting us speak.

    Decolonize History