The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay
The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe is a sovereign Indian Tribe governed by the Muwekma Ohlone Tribal Council, and stands as a resilient Ohlone nation embodying the enduring lineages of the original inhabitants who stewarded these lands for millennia. We uphold our ancestral traditions while advocating for federal recognition to restore our full rights and resources. Our community of over 600 members fosters cultural reinvigoration through education, repatriation, and land stewardship initiatives. Committed to self-determination, we honor our ancestors' legacy by protecting sacred sites, revitalizing our Chochenyo language, and building sustainable futures rooted in Ohlone values of harmony with the earth.
Muwekma Ohlone Inc.
Muwekma Ohlone Inc., a California-incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit, serves as the Tribe's dedicated arm for cultural resource management, safeguarding our ancestral heritage across the San Francisco Bay region. We conduct archaeological consultations, environmental assessments, and repatriation efforts to protect sacred sites from development impacts, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws while amplifying Ohlone voices in land-use decisions. Through educational toolkits, publications, and community workshops, we bridge past and present, fostering public awareness of our unbroken lineage. As stewards of our 'innu heeme (culture), we collaborate with agencies and allies to preserve archaeological treasures, repatriate ancestors, and promote ethical stewardship for generations to come.
The Muwekma Ohlone Preservation Foundation
The Muwekma Ohlone Preservation Foundation is a California-incorporated 501c3 established by the Tribe in partnership with Bay Area conservationists, vital allies in our Tribe's journey toward spiritual reawakening, cultural resilience, and renewal, collaborating with tribal members and supporters to champion cultural revitalization, community education, and ancestral land access. We envision a thriving future where Muwekma people reconnect with our utas warep (homelands), nurturing hišwee síi (clean waters), healthy soils, and vibrant ecosystems. Through events, partnerships, and advocacy, we protect natural and cultural resources, honor mak muwékmakuš (our ancestors) via repatriation, and ignite yišša (dance) and noonokma (languages) on sacred grounds. Join us in awakening our 'úni (respect) for the land and each other, ensuring sovereignty and dignity for all.
The Muwekma Ohlone Village Corporation: Housing Authority
Chartered under tribal law, the Muwekma Ohlone Village Corporation functions as our innovative housing authority, pioneering a mixed-use community designed to empower tribal citizens with secure, culturally attuned homes. Established in 2023 under Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh's visionary leadership, Muwekma Village will accommodate our 614 members and future growth, featuring affordable no-cost housing, communal spaces, and sustainable amenities that echo Ohlone values of kinship and harmony. We prioritize enrolled members through streamlined applications, fostering self-sufficiency amid our federal recognition fight. This sacred endeavor reclaims our right to thrive on ancestral lands, weaving modern living with ancient wisdom for intergenerational healing and vibrancy.
The Muwekma Ohlone Nature Reserve: Equine Therapy Ranch
Chartered under tribal law, the Muwekma Ohlone Nature Reserve emerges as a healing sanctuary and equine therapy ranch, where the spirit of our ancestors meets the gentle wisdom of horses on reclaimed Ohlone lands. Partnering with initiatives like the Equine Healing Collaborative, we offer equine-assisted psychotherapy to support tribal members and allies in trauma recovery, cultural reconnection, and emotional wellness. Amid rolling hills and sacred trails, rescued horses guide transformative sessions, echoing our historic bonds with the natural world. This reserve not only restores ecosystems but also revives mak 'ukšeeree (ancestral work), promoting sovereignty through land-based healing and community resilience.
The Chochenyo Language Revitalization Committee
Appointed by the Tribal Council and established in 2002, the Chochenyo Language Revitalization Committee spearheads the sacred revival of our native Chochenyo tongue, a vital thread of Muwekma identity long suppressed by colonization. Under Chair Bernadette Quiroz's passionate guidance, we develop immersive programs, curricula, and resources—from youth workshops to digital archives—that empower fluent speakers, learners, and elders alike. Through land acknowledgments, storytelling circles, and collaborative events, we breathe life into words that name our plants, songs, and stars, fostering intergenerational transmission. This committee honors our noonokma (language) as a portal to 'innu heeme (culture), ensuring our voices echo eternally across the Bay.