Muwekma Ohlone Tribe

Blog

Native Americans Are Not Vanishing March 2022

The Native American Tribes have lived in what is now the U.S.A for well over 10,000 years. Unfortunately the stereotypes about the American Indian, the “Noble Savage” persist to this day. That is why there is a widespread, but completely misconception that Native Americans are disappearing from this land. Nothing could be further than the truth.

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Native American Tribes – The Fight To Save Their Lands February 2022

With any culture, anywhere in the world, land plays a pivotal role in a people or nation’s identity, history, culture, and social integrity. The same is true of the Native American Tribes, who were the original inhabitants of the United States. The fight is brutal enough for those tribes that are federally recognized and have the resources to fight for their rights, and it is next to impossible for those tribes scattered across the nation who do not have these resources.

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Federal Recognition – An Uphill Battle For Hundreds Of Native American Tribes January 2022

What’s the big deal about federal recognition of Native American Tribes ? Aren’t tribes proud of their culture and heritage? Don’t they have the same rights as other American Citizens? So what’s so special about recognition? The answer is somewhat simple and complex.

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Native Americans and Their Role in Today’s Economy December 2021

European settlement of North America began in 1492. In over 500 years since then, Native Americans have gone from being the primary inhabitants of the continent to being decimated by the diseases imported from abroad, being deprived of their land, society, and culture, and being treated like second rate citizens of the land that was originally theirs to finally receiving some recognition of who and what they are.

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Why Is It Crucial to Learn About Native American Tribes? November 2021

Saying that the Native American tribes were the first inhabitants of the American continent is fine, but the mere fact of being the aboriginals is not the whole story. Native American tribes have contributed greatly to not just the growth of America, but also to the shaping of the modern world as we know it.

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The Rich Culture Of Pre-Spanish California (Part 1 of a 2 Part Blog) September 2021

Although the formal history of the San Francisco Bay Area begins with the arrival of the Spanish in the mid-1700s, the reality is that the region has a history that dates back not just centuries but millennia before the first Europeans arrived. Recent historical research and the growing awareness of the need to know the real history of America, not just the history that began at Plymouth Rock or the De Anza Trail, is creating an awareness of the rich and diverse culture of the people who were the original inhabitants of this country.

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Common Myths about Native Americans August 2021

Despite the growing awareness of and interest in Native American history and culture, many common myths remain all-pervasive. While most are not based on racial prejudice, the fact that they remain perpetuates misconceptions that are often insensitive to the feelings of Native American people or display many distortions of history and cultures. Here are some of the most common:

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The Rich History of Pre-Spanish California (Part 2) August 2021

Muwekma Ohlone Society: The men were hunter-gatherers-fishermen, but they were also builders and constructors. They constructed their homes from tule rushes and redwood bark in the West Bay. The construction was such that these structures remained dry in the rains and warm in cold weather. They also used the same tule materials to build the boats they used for fishing. These vessels were lightweight and very maneuverable, making them ideal for use in marshes, rivers, and coastal waters. The women addressed domestic affairs and raising the family, and when they were not occupied gathering firewood and ingredients or cooking.

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Native American Issues Today August 2021

While there has been increasing coverage of the Native American people in the media in recent years, the news covers only a small part of the issues and problems the tribes face today. For example, the attention given to the use of mascots, pipelines on tribal lands, and so on are good and welcome, but there is much more that needs to be done to give the original inhabitants of the country the social, educational, cultural, economic and federal recognition equality that they are entitled to. Among the areas that need immediate focus are:

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The Politics of Erasure and the Missing Tribal Name in Bay Area History May 2021

California is known for its open and inclusive culture and the diversity of its population. The Bay Area is home to the world’s biggest companies – Facebook, Google, EBay, and Apple are the ones that immediately come to mind. The history of the state mirrors that of America itself – one of growth, acceptance of religions and cultures, progress, and prosperity. Unfortunately, there are people and cultures within the state, and in fact that are indigenous to it, that have been overlooked by the dominant society and its history.

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Blog

Native Americans Are Not Vanishing March 2022

Native American Tribes – The Fight To Save Their Lands February 2022

Federal Recognition – An Uphill Battle For Hundreds Of Native American Tribes January 2022

Native Americans and Their Role in Today’s Economy December 2021

Why Is It Crucial to Learn About Native American Tribes? November 2021

The Rich Culture Of Pre-Spanish California (Part 1 of a 2 Part Blog) September 2021

Common Myths about Native Americans August 2021

The Rich History of Pre-Spanish California (Part 2) August 2021

Native American Issues Today August 2021

The Politics of Erasure and the Missing Tribal Name in Bay Area History May 2021