Cali Native Night, March 10, 2023

Mexica-Muwékma alliance bolsters federal recognition push

Leaders reflect on Cali Native Night

Muwékma Ohlone Tribe women in their dance regalia on Cali Native Night at the Mexica New Year celebration.

Muwékma Ohlone Tribe leaders and allies are reflecting on the vast coalition of tribes, dancers, vendors, sponsors and community that poured in for the 25th annual Mexica New Year. The weekend-long event was hosted by Calpulli Tonalehqueh which invited the Muwékma Ohlone Tribe to co-host Cali Native Night, and presenting sponsor Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley.

“We had the pleasure of hosting our 25th Annual Mexica New Year successfully in unceded Muwékma Ohlone territory. This was also our 2nd Annual Cali Native Nights, co-hosted by the Muwékma Ohlone tribe where they shared their traditional dances and songs along with other traditional dance groups from the following tribes: Big Valley Pomo, Round Valley Covelo, Point Arena Manchester Pomo as well as California Bear Dancers,” said Yei Tochtli Mitlalpilli, Tecuhtli (Leader) of Calpulli Tonalehqueh, Azteca Mexica Community of SCC. “In addition, we hosted the largest of gathering of Aztec dance groups in the nation with representatives from Mexico states of Veracruz, Jalisco and Federal District, US states of Texas, Washington, Pennsylvania, Utah and many cities throughout California.

“Furthermore, we had various other Native Traditional dance groups from the Makah tribe of Washington, White Mountain Apache Dancers from Arizona/New Mexico, Sonoma County Pomo Dancers, Totonaca dancers from Veracruz, Mexico, Mixteco dancers from Oaxaca, Mexico and Intertribal Powwow dancers.”

“We are co-hosts of Cali Native Night to preserve our cultural traditions of dancing and to dance alongside our Indigenous relatives.” said Monica V. Arellano, Muwékma Ohlone Tribe Vice Chairwoman and Muwékma Dance Group Coordinator. “We have never left our ancestral homeland, here in the San Francisco Bay Area, and being able to invite other California Dance groups shows the beauty of our cultures and solidarity. We appreciate the invitation from Calpulli Tonalehqueh to co-host this special night. We are committed to supporting our fellow Native brothers and sisters, and it is important that we lift each other up. Rain or shine, we show up, we dance, and we celebrate our cultures.”

“The tribes of California are united in solidarity against suppression, corruption and political erasure,” said Gloria Arellano-Gomez, a former tribal council member and cultural leader in the Muwékma Ohlone Tribe. “The event was beautiful, a live storytelling of our peoples and our survival – but even more importantly of our thriving, despite all odds. We are united.”

Yei Tochtli Mitlalpilli, Tecuhtli (Leader) of Calpulli Tonalehqueh, with Muwékma Ohlone Tribe leaders and members.

The free event featured 100 Native brands, artists and small businesses, all of whom brought the best selection of authentic handmade original arts, crafts and goods.

Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh recently led a congressional tour, flanked by Muwékma leaders and youth, faith leaders, academics and students. You can listen to a Federal News Network interview conducted by Tom Temin with Nijmeh here, in which she details the tribe’s efforts.

“We will attain the restoration of our federal recognition. It will be a matter of who steps up to the plate for justice,” said Nijmeh. “We are so grateful for the vast support we have in the Bay Area, especially from our strongest allies like the Calpulli Tonalequeh.”

“The Muwékma Ohlone Tribe has my full support in their push for restoration of their federal recognition,” said Councilmember Peter Ortiz. “The Bay Area is home to a vast coalition of Muwékma supporters; they are still here.”

“We look forward to continue to work in collaboration with our local Muwékma Ohlone tribe and we support the re-instatement of their federal recognition,” added Mitlalpilli.

Sonya Tetnowski, CEO of Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley echoed that sentiment stating, she “stands in solidarity with the Muwékma Ohlone Tribe as they fight for restoration of their federal recognition.”

“The Muwékma Ohlone people have never left their aboriginal land and have retained their culture and social identity, since time immemorial,” added Tetnowski. “The mission of the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley is to support the survival and healing of American Indians and Alaska Natives living in Urban Areas.”