Land Acknowledgment
Muwekma Ohlone Tribal Land Acknowledgment, Thámien Ancestral Muwekma Ohlone Territory
We recognize that we come together in and gather on the tribal territories of the Thámien Ohlone-speaking groups, including the Thámiens, Alsons, Matalans, and Paleños. These groups were intermarried with the ancestors of some members of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, missionized into Missions San Francisco, Santa Clara, and San Jose.
The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, with over 600 members, descends from the Indian lineages native to the San Francisco Bay region, tracing their ancestry through Missions Santa Clara, San Jose, and San Francisco since the Hispano-European expansion into Alta California in 1769. The Muwekma families are successors of the Verona Band of Alameda County, now the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area. "Muwékma" means "The People" in Chochenyo-Ohlone.
These lands hold spiritual and historical significance for the Muwekma Ohlone People. This region once had several Túupentaks, traditional spiritual round houses, and ancestral heritage sites. Today, many of these sites have been destroyed by development, but they are still considered sacred and historic.
It is important to acknowledge the history of the Thámien Ohlone land and recognize that the Muwekma Ohlone People are thriving members of the San Jose and Bay Area communities today. Despite being denied a land base by the BIA, the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe has maintained their identity, traditions, and language. They strive to repair the ecological, environmental, and cultural damage caused by over 251 years of colonial disenfranchisement.
We request that the current citizens of this land be stewards of the bay, creeks, plants, animal habitats, and the air. We also honor the Muwekma men and women who have served in the military. Let us all respect the aboriginal lands and strive to be good stewards for the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, reflecting on the sacred lands of the Thámien Ohlone, ancestors of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe.
It is my wish to center nature, not myself. Slow down, receive and release a deep breath. Gaze upon any and all of the images above allowing yourself to be receptive to the life coming through. Can you hear the sounds? Feel the temperature, the textures? Do you hear the voices sharing their wisdoms, their stories? Can you translate the messages that are being directed to your heart, your soul, your body through sensation and emotion? There is no right answer here. There is only feeling, a knowing of what life communicates through it’s many forms. Can you see yourself and others in these beings, these life forces? Do you wish to deepen relationship and connection to the nature of all ‘things’? How would life be different if we could hear and understand these voices once again? If we allowed ourselves to be led and loved by these elders and family members?
The Great Separation is what I am working to restore through intimacy with nature (life, self, others and mental health). We have been stripped of our natural and supportive relationship with nature. We are conditioned to long for consuming, owning, individualistic and addictive behaviors that destract us from that which truly loves us. That which is longing for us. The more than human voices speak with such clarity, with non-judgement and an embrace that sings only of balance, belonging, interconnectivity and dependance between all species, all lives. We can turn towards earth, our ancient and consistant caregiver, and all living beings that accompany us, and listen to their language. There is no confusion there, no blame, no shame. Listening to all can help us truly listen to self. The voices of nature are the elders and ancestors I turn to for widom, guidance, and belonging first. We can then turn that voice to it’s match within us and through our human lineage.
Let us go out into the wilds and find ourselves there. Locate the lost and forgotten parts of ourselves. In doing this work, may we gather our loved ones of many species, many colors, many names and call each other home. May we restore our responsibility to care not only for ourselves, but for all living beings. As Robin Wall Kimmerer says, “all flourishing is mutual”.
Locations of Land Based Therapy
Available Tuesdays 11am-1pm and 2-4pm and Thursdays 9am-11am and 12-2pm
Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve, Livermore, CA