The Great Plains People

Introduction

The Ohlone and Miwok people, the original inhabitants of the Bay Area, continue to assert their presence and advocate for their rights in the 21st century. This lesson delves into the contemporary issues these Indigenous communities face, focusing on their ongoing struggles for land rights, environmental justice, and accurate representation in media and education. Understanding these issues is crucial for appreciating the complex realities of Native Californians today and working towards a more just and equitable future.

Land Rights

Land is not simply a physical resource for Indigenous communities; it is intrinsically tied to their identity, spirituality, and cultural practices. The Ohlone and Miwok people, dispossessed of their ancestral lands through colonization and the Gold Rush, continue to fight for the recognition of their inherent rights to the land. This struggle takes many forms:

• Land Back Movements: These movements advocate for the return of ancestral lands to Indigenous stewardship. This can involve land purchases, legal challenges to existing ownership, and collaborations with conservation organizations to protect culturally significant areas.
• Federal Recognition: Many Ohlone and Miwok groups are still seeking federal recognition as sovereign tribes. This recognition would grant them greater autonomy and access to resources to support their communities and cultural revitalization efforts.
• Protection of Sacred Sites: Many places in the Bay Area hold deep spiritual significance for Native Californians. These sites are often threatened by development, vandalism, and desecration. Indigenous communities are actively working to protect these places, advocating for their preservation and access for ceremonial purposes.

Environmental Justice

Native Californians have a long history of environmental stewardship, and they are playing a vital role in contemporary environmental justice movements. They often face disproportionate impacts from environmental pollution and degradation, as industrial sites, landfills, and other polluting facilities are often located near their communities. Their efforts focus on:

• Climate Change: Indigenous communities are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise, drought, and wildfires. They are advocating for climate action and sustainable practices that protect the environment and their cultural heritage.
• Water Rights: Access to clean water is essential for both cultural practices and everyday life. Native Californians are fighting to protect water sources from pollution and overuse, and to assert their rights to water resources.
• Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK): Indigenous communities possess valuable knowledge about the environment and sustainable practices that have been passed down through generations. They are sharing this knowledge to promote ecological restoration and conservation efforts.

Representation in Media and Education

For too long, the stories and perspectives of Native Californians have been marginalized or misrepresented in mainstream media and education. This lack of accurate representation perpetuates stereotypes, erases Indigenous history, and contributes to cultural misunderstanding. Efforts to address this include:

• Reclaiming Narratives: Native communities are creating their own media, writing books and articles, and producing films that tell their stories from their own perspectives.
• Curriculum Reform: Indigenous educators and activists are working to ensure that school curricula accurately reflect the history and contributions of Native Californians, and that Native perspectives are included in all subjects.
• Challenging Stereotypes: Native people are speaking out against harmful stereotypes and misrepresentations in popular culture, advocating for more authentic and nuanced portrayals of Indigenous people.

Featured Voice: Corrina Gould - (Chochenyo and Karkin Ohlone) Co-founder and Spokesperson for Indian People Organizing for Change (IPOC)

Corrina Gould Lifetime Achievement Award

Key Points from Corrina Gould's Work:

• Land Rematriation: Gould emphasizes the importance of returning land to Indigenous control, not just for symbolic reasons, but to enable the Ohlone people to practice their cultural traditions and revitalize their communities.
• Shellmound Protection: She has been a leading voice in the fight to protect shellmounds, ancient burial sites and cultural landmarks that are threatened by development.
• Decolonization: Gould advocates for decolonization, which involves dismantling the ongoing legacies of colonialism and recognizing the inherent sovereignty of Indigenous people.
• Intertribal Solidarity: She emphasizes the importance of building alliances and solidarity with other Indigenous communities and social justice movements.

End of Unit Exercises:

Short Answer (5 points each):

Choose ONE of the following questions and write a short answer for each with a paragraph or two:

1. Explain the importance of land rights to Native Californians, and describe some of the specific ways they are working to reclaim their ancestral lands, such as land back movements, federal recognition efforts, and the protection of sacred sites.
2. Discuss the connection between environmental justice and the cultural survival of Native communities in the Bay Area. Provide examples of how Native people are addressing environmental challenges and advocating for the protection of the land and water.
3. Analyze the impact of inaccurate or incomplete representations of Native Americans in media and education. How do these representations perpetuate stereotypes and erase Indigenous history?

Essay (10 points):

Choose ONE of the following questions and write a well-developed essay response:

1. Research and discuss a specific contemporary issue facing a Bay Area Native community, exploring their perspectives, challenges, and efforts to address the issue. Consider incorporating information from the featured voice or other contemporary Native sources.
2. Reflect on how this unit has deepened your understanding of the history, culture, and contemporary experiences of Native Californians. How can you contribute to a more just and equitable future for these communities? Consider the role of allyship, advocacy, and education in supporting Indigenous rights and cultural revitalization.