The Ohlone People

Before European contact, the Ohlone people thrived in the Bay Area for millennia, demonstrating a deep connection to the land and sea. They were skilled hunter-gatherers, adept at utilizing the region's diverse resources through fishing, hunting, and gathering, with acorns as a staple food source. Ohlone society was organized into interconnected tribelets with their own territories and leadership, emphasizing family and kinship ties while holding a profound respect for the natural world and a rich spiritual life. Their material culture showcased their craftsmanship, particularly in basketry and the creation of tools from stone, bone, and shell, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of their environment and a complex, sustainable way of life, as highlighted by the Tamien Nation's "Ohlone Life at Chitactac" video, which depicts the construction of tule houses, acorn processing, and plant uses.