Trail of Truth: The Muwekma Ohlone’s Quest to Restore Federal Recognition

For thousands of years, the Muwekma Ohlone people stewarded the lands of the San Francisco Bay Area. Today, despite their deep historical roots and active presence in the region, they face a stark reality: the federal government refuses to acknowledge their sovereignty.

The Muwekma Ohlone constitute the largest Ohlone group of the San Francisco Bay Area, yet they still lack federal recognition. This hasn’t always been the case: until at least 1927, the Muwekma Ohlone, formerly known as the Verona Band of Alameda County, were federally recognized. But in 1927, Sacramento Superintendent Lafayette Dorrington removed the Muwekma Ohlone from the Federal Register, along with 134 other California Indian tribes. However, terminating a tribe’s federally recognized status requires a Congressional Act, which never occurred for the Muwekma Ohlone. Despite the lack of official termination, the Department of the Interior “substantially reduced the benefits, services and protection provided to the Tribe [...] in blatant violation of law and breach of the Department's fiduciary duty to the Tribe,” according to a legal complaint filed against the Department of the Interior by the Muwekma.

For nearly 70 years, the Muwekma were forced to navigate this limbo status, and in 1995 the tribe petitioned for a reaffirmation of their federal recognition. In response, the Bureau of Indian Affairs made a positive determination of “previous unambiguous Federal Recognition” stating that they “have concluded on a preliminary basis that the [Muwekma Ohlone tribe] was previously acknowledged between 1914 and 1927.” Following this determination and the tribe’s submission of additional evidence, the BIA placed Muwekma on the “ready for active consideration lists” in 1998.

Yet, even after thirty years, the Muwekma have still not regained their federally recognized status despite having pursued a number of legal alternatives, which are chronicled in detail on their official website.

Last August, the tribe embarked on a “Trail of Truth,” a 90-day journey on horseback from San Francisco to Washington DC to raise awareness for their cause. Along their journey, they met with many other American Indian tribes, both recognized and unrecognized alike. According to the chairwoman of the tribe, Charlene Nijmeh, the group had planned to meet with representatives in Washington, where they expected a warm reception. Instead, nine members were arrested by the US Park Police outside the Capitol for “unpermitted demonstration.” There has been no update to the tribe’s status since.

Just a few days after their demonstration in Washington, President Biden issued an apology for the American Indian residential schools of the 17th-20th century, where thousands of indigenous children were forcibly abducted and abused. His apology garnered mixed reactions from American Indians across the country, with many feeling that his words were empty without accompanying action. At a panel at Foothill College, Chairwoman Nijmeh stated, “I reject that apology because you abused us five days ago.” 

Nevertheless, the Muwekma Ohlone will continue their fight for federal recognition. Once a population of 30,000, the now 600 members are working to revitalize their culture and forge relationships with institutions like local governments and schools. Federal recognition is foundational to attaining tribal sovereignty, and recognized tribes hold a government-to-government relationship with the US federal government. 

Many benefits come with federal recognition, including government support for “education, social services, law enforcement, courts, real estate services, agriculture and range management, and resource protection.” Another significant benefit of recognition is protection under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, which in 1990 “established requirements and processes for federally-funded agencies and museums to repatriate Native American human remains and cultural items in their collections,” according to Cal Poly Humboldt. Federal recognition would facilitate the return of Muwekma human remains and funerary objects to tribal members, which is a significant priority to the tribe.

Khan Lab School is located on the unceded ethnohistoric territory of the ancestral and traditional land of the Muwekma, Ramaytush, and Tamien Ohlone peoples. This land continues to be of significant importance to the descendants of these peoples, and it is our responsibility as residents to support these tribes as members of our community. Our actions have the potential to directly impact these communities' ability to protect their cultural heritage, maintain their traditions, and achieve the recognition and rights they deserve as the original stewards of this land. You can advocate for restoring the Muwekma Ohlone’s federally recognized status by signing their petition and reaching out to your representatives: Kevin Mullin (California 15th), Sam Liccardo (California 16th), and Ro Khanna (California 17th).