Muwekma Ohlone Tribe

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Respecting Native American Culture Is Not Difficult Part-2 June 2024

The first part of the blog began by listing how respect should be shown for Native American culture. There is much more that can and should be done.

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European Colonial Conflicts – How Native Americans Were Caught in the Middle June 2024

The traditional historical narrative tells us that the European and American settlers came to North America, settled on the East Coast, and began their westward movement across the continent. The first settlements in the East initially treated the Natives with some degree of respect. Although, they were viewed as “savages” nonethess, the White men realized that without their help and support, the continued existence of the settlements was in doubt. The land was new and the skills needed for survival were in many ways different from the experience and knowledge of the settlers.

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Respecting Native American Culture Is Not Difficult Part - 1 May 2024

Thankfully, the 21st century has seen a growing awareness of the wrongs done to the Native American tribes over the preceding centuries. The values, traditions and culture of the original inhabitants of North America are not outdated and irrelevant to the modern world. The tribes lived and flourished here for thousands of years before the arrival of the settlers from Europe.

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The War of 1812 and the Loss of Native American Traditions and Land May 2024

The War of 1812 was a significant event in American history. It was a war fought between an established major power, Britain, and a rising new one, the United States. Even though the result was a draw, it did mark the emergence of the U.S. on the world stage. While that was a positive outcome, there was a darker side to this result.

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Portrayal of Native Americans in Hollywood: Analyzing Representation and Impact April 2024

Those over the age of 60, who grew up in the age of black-and-white television, will remember the Westerns that were a staple of TV programming of that era. The “White Men” via “Manifest Destiny” crossing the continent to settle in the land and bringing “civilization” to the Natives were the “good guys”. The “Indians” who attacked the wagon trains and brutally murdered the travelers were the “bad guys”.

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Exploring the Definition of "Indigenous": Understanding Its Significance in Culture and Ecology April 2024

According to the United Nations, there are more than 370 million people, spread across all continents, who either consider themselves as people who are indigenous to the land they live in or are identified as such by the authorities of those lands. These people are the descendants of the original inhabitants of a geographical region, who lived there before the arrival of people from different regions and with different cultures. The new arrivals, for a multitude of reasons, including settlement, occupation and conquest, became the dominant race/culture/people who then controlled the nation or area.

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The Struggle to Save Native American Culture March 2024

The aboriginal inhabitants of North America had lived on the continent for at least 10 millennia and over time formed complex tribes, societies and nations each of which had its own unique culture and identity. The tribes made similar adaptations to different ecological habitats, but at the same time, they were all separate and developed their own distinctive traditions, ways of life and systems of governance. After the European colonists had established themselves on the continent and later formed what is now the U.S. government, a conflict between the cultures and lifestyles imported from Europe and the aboriginal ways of life that had developed over the centuries among the Native American tribes continued and intensified.

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How Native American Wealth Was Stolen March 2024

Over the last 50-plus years, a great deal of publicity has been given to the way the wealth (Natural Resources) of Native Americans was stolen by the settlers from Europe. Besides historical publications, popular fiction, movies and TV have all contributed to telling the tale of the greed of the White men who rapaciously took whatever they fancied in the way of land and the wealth that came from it.

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Stanford's Relationships with Native Peoples February 2024

Stanford ranks among the best and most prestigious of American universities. Admission is limited to the brightest students. The education that students receive here is the best in the world. While graduates from the University go on to become contributing members of modern society, it should not be forgotten that the roots of Stanford University lie in the land that belonged to Native Americans and if not for this land, the University would not exist today. The University acknowledges this and it is the reason why there is a special relationship with the Native people of North America.

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Native Americans – The First, and Still the Best Land Managers February 2024

Global warming, pollution, deforestation, and greenhouse gases are all terms that have entered our vocabulary in the last century. The problems that they are causing will, in the words of the U.N Secretary General, lead to an “existential crisis” in the not-so-distant future. These problems are now being addressed and hopefully, solutions and plans-of-action to reverse the damage that has been done will emerge. While searching for answers, it may be worthwhile to look to the past – to examine how the first inhabitants of North America cared for the land that gave them food, shelter and clothing.

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Repatriation of Native American Ancestors Restoring Dignity & Cultural Heritage January 2024

As the newly formed United States continued its westward push across the continent, in the late 1700s and 1800s, the federal and state governments, along with museums and other private institutions encouraged the looting of Native American graves, funerary objects and cultural items. Much of this loot remains in the possession of these institutions, even though the U.S. Congress passed a law in 1990 that they be returned to where they belong. Sadly, this is not what has happened or is happening today.

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Exploring the Multifaceted Reasons to Embrace Indigenous Cuisine January 2024

Among the most common New Year resolutions is the one of losing weight. Obesity and diabetes are becoming a national health concern, it is time to rethink our relationship with food. Native American a national health concern and we all know it. However, controlling one’s food intake and finding the time (or even the desire) to exercise regularly is never going to be easy. Miracle diets and food trends come and go and they all promise fantastic wellness results. The fact that they depart as fast as they arrive says a lot about how effective they are.

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Do Native Americans Celebrate New Year? December 2023

Another year is beginning to wind down. A year without COVID is a good year, but as always, there were highs and lows for everyone. Still, the start of a new year is a cause for celebration, not just in the U.S., but across the globe. Every culture has its own calendar, traditions and ways of welcoming the start of the year. Although many may not realize it, here in the U.S., we have hundreds of cultures and traditional calendars that present a variety of new year beginnings and traditions. Appreciating them is appreciating the cultural wealth and diversity that is such an integral part of this country. There are far too many celebrations to list here, but a broad outline of a few of them will help give you an idea of how much there is to understand and enjoy.

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A Few Must-See Movies about Native Americans December 2023

Those who are old enough will remember a Nancy Sinatra song called Bang Bang He Shot Me Down. One stanza goes “We rode on horses made of sticks/He wore black and I wore white/He would always win the fight.” This harks back to an age when the “good guys” wore white and the “bad guys” wore black. The cultural bias and stereotypes were carried over to the depiction of Native Americans in popular culture, literature, and of course, the movies. The European settlers were the “good guys” and the “Indians” were “bad”.

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How Primitive Were the First Americans? November 2023

Popular mythology can be dangerous. Firstly, because it is “popular”, it is known by a huge number of people, most of whom think that what they have been told about Native Americans is true. The second is that mythology means beliefs based on hearsay with cultural biases, not facts. In other words, mythology means the perpetuation of misinformation and stereotypes. One of the most wide-spread of these is the host of misconceptions about the history of the Native American people which depict them as semi-savage primitives who wandered across the continent scrabbling a living off the land and eating a hand-to-mouth existence.

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Native American Casinos – The Myths and the Facts November 2023

There are a great deal of misconceptions surrounding the casinos built on Native American land. One of the most prevalent is that the tribes make fortunes from gambling and what they do with the money is secret. That in turn leads to the myth that the money is used to fund luxurious lifestyles for those who run the casinos. The facts are very different.

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The Spanish Missions in California – Ungodly Acts in the Name of Religion October 2023

Historians often say that more wars have been fought in the name of religion and more people killed and persecuted because of it than for any other reason in the annals of human history. While religious wars are not part of mainstream California history, the persecution of people in the name of religion did happen. The motives may to an extent have been altruistic, but the results of what happened are far from Godly.

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The Native American Superpower October 2023

Everyone knows that the original inhabitants were here on this continent for millennia before the European colonists arrived. The subsequent destruction of their society, culture and ways of life and the erasing of their histories is slowly being recognized today. Words and phrases such as “genocide,” “cultural subjugation,” “social emasculation,” and other defining terms are easily bandied about. They are all true to some (and often a great) extent. Today, there is enough known and accepted about the treatment of the Native Americans that any effort to whitewash or shrug-off what happened is a pointless exercise. Another matter that cannot be argued is that in the recent past, there has been a resurgence of Native American cultural revitalization, self-worth and tribal identity and citizenship.

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How Native American Food Changed the World September 2023

Christopher Columbus set out from Spain to find a route to India to gain access to the fabled spices and wealth that the region was known for. As we now know, he landed up in a “New World” that did not offer him gold, silver, or spices, but did have something far more important. This land had food crops that were unknown in the rest of the world, which had been cultivated for millennia by the indigenous people.

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What Does Thanksgiving Mean to Native Americans? September 2023

The fourth Thursday in November will be upon us soon. Thanksgiving is a uniquely American festival that also happens to mark the start of the holiday season. Now that COVID is (hopefully!) behind us and the world has returned to normal, it is a time for most Americans to properly celebrate the good things in life with their loved ones. The qualifier “most” is used for a reason – for the original inhabitants of this land, the fourth Thursday in November is a day of introspection, for remembering what they have lost and even a day of mourning.

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Protecting Native American Lands – Why Federal Recognition of Tribes Is Vital August 2023

A love for one’s historic homeland is a universal one. And when people have their land taken away and stolen from them, it is not just space, soil and the animals and plants that live on it that are lost – it is the history and heritage of those people, their home. Anyone who has ever had their home taken from them knows what it feels like, as in the recent case of Russia’s invasion of Urkraine and the theft of their homelands.

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Why Is Tribal Sovereignty So Important for Native American Tribes? August 2023

When Native American tribes were being forced to move away from their homelands to reservations, and their children were forcibly sent to Indian boarding schools, it was all part of a well-planned strategy to ensure the dominance of the first European migrants and their descendants. By forcing Native Americans to live on reservations, these migrants effectively sealed native people off from the mainstream, far from the eyes of the general public.

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Native American Tribal Celebrations – Celebrating America July 2023

All societies have their rituals, festivals and celebrations. The more varied the celebrations, the more inclusive the society. The U.S. may be a modern superpower and an economic giant, but it is still a comparatively young nation when compared to countries whose histories date back thousands of years.At least, that is the gene ral presumption. The truth, however, is quite different. The history of America dates back thousands of years. Today, we know that the first human occupants of the land came here from Asia before recorded history began.

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Native American Languages Must Be Saved from Extinction July 2023

Communication is both the foundationand traditional knowledge-base for serves as the cement that holds any society together. And while written communication, print and electronic media as well as the internet are the bonds that bind society together today, the foundation of it all, was verbal communication. From the expressive grunting sounds of the Neanderthals to the great orators of the previous centuries, spoken words have been at the core of social development.

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Perpetuating Prejudice: The Ongoing Struggle Faced by Native Americans June 2023

Astudy published a few years ago found that over 66% of Americans do not think that the Native people in this country experience any serious form of racial discrimination. This is far from the truth but before looking at why this myth exists, it is important to view the facts about prejudice against Native Americans.

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Tourism and Native American Communities: Evaluating the Pros and Cons June 2023

Summer is here and with it comes a desire to travel for pleasure – otherwise known as tourism. After years of COVID and lockdowns, the world is witnessing what is being called “revenge tourism” – the desire to go somewhere (at times just anywhere) to make up for the months and years spent stuck at home.

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Why Tribal Land Management Is So Important for the Environment May 2023

Across the world, science is turning to traditional knowledge to get a better understanding of the natural world and the environment in which mankind exists. From stopping the melting of the polar ice caps to protecting fish stocks and enriching agricultural land, traditional wisdom is leading to a deepening understanding of the causes and effects of environmental damage and is also pointing out ways to stop it.

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The Historical Trauma of Native Americans May 2023

The American Psychological Association defines trauma as “an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster... Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.”

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What Does Tribal Governance Mean? April 2023

The system of tribal governance in the United States is a complex one. There are 574 federally recognized Native American Tribes (also known as nations, bands, pueblos, communities and native villages). In addition, there are also Tribes that are recognized by state governments...

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The Destruction of Native American Religions April 2023

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states, inter alia, that the government “shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of…”Sadly, while the application of the Amendment has been ongoing and effective where Judeo-Christian systems of belief are concerned, the application regarding Native American religions has been weak to the extent of being almost non existent...

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History Is Written by the Victors February 2023

The title of this blog may seem cynical, but the truth ofWinston Churchill’s words cannot be disputed. The story of mankind, from the earliest recorded history, has been written, and passed down through generations, by the winning side in every conflict or clash of cultures...

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Native American New Year Feasts – A Link to the Past January 2023

It's January and the New Year celebrations are over. After years of COVID, it's nice to start returning to a semblance of normalcy. While most of the world celebrated the New Year...

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The Untold Story of Native American Genocide in California January 2023

Genocide is a horrible word. The Cambridge dictionary defines it as “the crime of intentionally destroying part or all of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group...

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Manifest Destiny – A Philosophy So Flawed It Stains the Country Centuries Later December 2022

Manifest Destiny is a grandiose sounding phrase, but it serves to hide one of the most tragic and devastating philosophies that this country has ever lived with.

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Native Americans Want Their Land Back December 2022

“Thanksgiving” is a time for Americans to give thanks to the land for what it has given them. It is also the commemoration of the myth about the bonds of friendship that were created between the Pilgrims and other colonial settlements and the Native American Tribes.

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How Much Land Was Stolen from American Indian Tribes? November 2022

Until the arrival of the first European settlers in North America, the continent, from North to South and East to West, belonged to the many native American tribes that had lived there for thousands of years, ever since time immemorial...

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Why Federal Recognition Is Important for Native American Tribes November 2022

When the Europeans first arrived in America, they treated the Natives they met as powerful independent nations – as either allies or potential enemies.Thoserelationships were cautious at first, but when the coloniesstarted to grow and expand...

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The Native American Way of Caring for Land October 2022

Climate change and the need to protect nature is a matter of serious concern and there is growing pressure ongovernments across the world to take action to stop the degradation of our planet. New initiatives to protect nature are cropping up almost daily...

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Slow Progress in Restoring Native American Lands October 2022

Over the years a great deal has been written, said and broadcast about the way Native Americans were, and still are, being treated. While the growing awareness of the issue has resulted in increased discussion on this matter, the progress in righting...

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Empowering Native Americans August 2022

The formal declaration that the 2nd Monday of October will be celebrated as Indigenous People’s Day is welcome news. These and other gestures to honor the original inhabitants of this country show that the awareness of the treatment of Native Americans...

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A New Spotlight on Native Americans’ Forced Conversion to Christianity August 2022

The recent visit of the Pope to Canada and the apologies that were made for the forced conversion of the Indigenous people to Christianity and the accompanying loss of their lives, religion, language, socio-cultural complexity...

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Native American Medicine – A Disappearing Science July 2022

Before the arrival of the European colonists, hundreds of Native American tribes that lived in the Western Hemisphere flourished. Of course, some suffered death through warfare, injuries from hunting wild animals, as well as various illnesses, but generally speaking...

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Government Treaties with Native Americans – A History of Broken Promises July 2022

Prior to and during the American Revolution, the 13 colonies comprising the fledgling United States found themselves surrounded by British military forts and various tribes lending their support to the British Crown due to trade relations and other factors. Many of the tribes tried to remain neutral, however, others decided to join the revolutionaries and support the colonists.

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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

Respecting Native American Culture Is Not Difficult Part-2 June 2024

European Colonial Conflicts – How Native Americans Were Caught in the Middle June 2024

Respecting Native American Culture Is Not Difficult Part - 1 May 2024

The War of 1812 and the Loss of Native American Traditions and Land May 2024

Portrayal of Native Americans in Hollywood: Analyzing Representation and Impact April 2024

Exploring the Definition of "Indigenous": Understanding Its Significance in Culture and Ecology April 2024

The Struggle to Save Native American Culture March 2024

How Native American Wealth Was Stolen March 2024

Stanford's Relationships with Native Peoples February 2024

Native Americans – The First, and Still the Best Land Managers February 2024

Repatriation of Native American Ancestors Restoring Dignity & Cultural Heritage January 2024

Exploring the Multifaceted Reasons to Embrace Indigenous Cuisine January 2024

Do Native Americans Celebrate New Year? December 2023

A Few Must-See Movies about Native Americans December 2023

How Primitive Were the First Americans? November 2023

Native American Casinos – The Myths and the Facts November 2023

The Spanish Missions in California – Ungodly Acts in the Name of Religion October 2023

The Native American Superpower October 2023

How Native American Food Changed the World September 2023

What Does Thanksgiving Mean to Native Americans? September 2023

Protecting Native American Lands – Why Federal Recognition of Tribes Is Vital August 2023

Why Is Tribal Sovereignty So Important for Native American Tribes? August 2023

Native American Tribal Celebrations – Celebrating America July 2023

Native American Languages Must Be Saved from Extinction July 2023

Perpetuating Prejudice: The Ongoing Struggle Faced by Native Americans June 2023

Tourism and Native American Communities: Evaluating the Pros and Cons June 2023

Why Tribal Land Management Is So Important for the Environment May 2023

The Historical Trauma of Native Americans May 2023

What Does Tribal Governance Mean? April 2023

The Destruction of Native American Religions April 2023

History Is Written by the Victors February 2023

Native American New Year Feasts – A Link to the Past January 2023

The Untold Story of Native American Genocide in California January 2023

Manifest Destiny – A Philosophy So Flawed It Stains the Country Centuries Later December 2022

Native Americans Want Their Land Back December 2022

How Much Land Was Stolen from American Indian Tribes? November 2022

Why Federal Recognition Is Important for Native American Tribes November 2022

The Native American Way of Caring for Land October 2022

Slow Progress in Restoring Native American Lands October 2022

Empowering Native Americans August 2022

A New Spotlight on Native Americans’ Forced Conversion to Christianity August 2022

Native American Medicine – A Disappearing Science July 2022

Government Treaties with Native Americans – A History of Broken Promises July 2022

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