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Muwekma Ohlone SJSU Area Land Acknowledgement | Diversity
Muwekma Ohlone SJSU Area Land Acknowledgement | Diversity
Muwekma Ohlone SJSU Area Land Acknowledgement
The San José State University community recognizes that the present-day
Muwekma Ohlone Tribe
, with an enrolled Bureau of Indian Affairs documented membership of over 550, is
comprised of all of the known surviving American Indian lineages aboriginal to the
San Francisco Bay region who trace their ancestry through the Missions Santa Clara,
San José, and Dolores, during the advent of the Hispano-European empire into Alta
California; and who are the successors and living members of the sovereign, historic,
previously Federally Recognized Verona Band of Alameda County.
Furthermore, the San José State University community recognizes that the university
is established within the Thámien Ohlone-speaking tribal ethnohistoric territory,
which based upon the unratified federal treaties of 1851-1852, includes the unceded
ancestral lands of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area. Some of
the enrolled Muwekma lineages are descended from direct ancestors from the Thámien
Ohlone tribal territory whose ancestors had affiliation with Mission Santa Clara.
The San José State University community also recognizes the importance of this land
to the indigenous Muwekma Ohlone people of this region, and consistent with our principles
of community and diversity strives to be good stewards on behalf of the Muwekma Ohlone
Tribe whose land we occupy.
The portion of this video above (beginning at 6:25) provides important context for
the Land Acknowledgement that was generously given to SJSU by the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe
for SJSU use. This Land Acknowledgement is open and available to all who are interested
in properly and respectfully using it, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or
national origin amongst the SJSU community. Tribe Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh gives
a powerful detailed accounting of the specific steps and history of the disenfranchisement
of the Muwekma Ohlone peoples, as well as the strength and presence of their community
today. Tribe Vice Chairwoman Monica V. Arellano gives a detailed context to understand
our presence on the ancestral lands of the Muwekma Ohlone, land on which our institution
and the city of San Jose occupy. Their leadership reminds us of how much further
we have to go, and that this Land Acknowledgement is a very small step towards further
action.
We are grateful for Charlene Nijmeh and Monica V. Arellano of the
Muwekma Ohlone Tribal Council
for providing SJSU with a Land Acknowledgement and Greeting.
We encourage you to use the Land Acknowledgment in its entirety out of respect for
the process and words given us by the Muwekma Ohlone.
Download a PDF version
of this Land Acknowledgment
Link to shareable Google Slides document
with this Land Acknowledgment specifically for SJSU events and meetings
Download a PDF of the Muwekma Ohlone greeting
to Learn More about the Tribe and its History
Pronounciation Guide
for this Land Acknowledgment
What is a Land Acknowledgment?
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