Bay Area Native Allies Project

These are great for family outings, have interpretive signage/websites, and don’t require advance reservations!

De Young/ Legion of Honor Fine Arts Museums of SF: ​The De Young Museum has a new presentation of Native American art that opened Aug. 26 “celebrating the vibrancy and diversity of Indigenous arts of the Americas. Visitors will experience works spanning over a thousand years of history and incorporating many diverse types of media, challenging expectations about what Native art is and can be.” It is open through August 2028. Note: Jonathan Cordero, PhD is an advisor for this exhibit.

Filoli Lamchin Interpretive Center
​“The Association of Ramaytush Ohlone (ARO), in partnership with Filoli, created the Lamchin Interpretive Center to share the story of the original people of this place. To visit the Lamchin Interpretive Center, you’ll walk through Filoli’s Natural Lands on the California Trail. It is located about 15 minutes from the House & Garden, near Red’s Barn and the trailhead for the Spring Creek Trail…The ARO focuses on projects at the intersection of ecology and equity, fulfilling their primary responsibilities: to care for all of nature, and to care for the people who live in their ancestral homeland, especially those most in need.” 
​
Filoli Podcast: Discussion with “Gregg Castro, Culture Director of the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone, to discuss Indigenous relationships with the land; perspectives and practices passed down through generations,… and the refurbished mural in the Lamchin Interpretive Center, created by Amy Hosa in partnership with the ARO. The mural depicts Ssupichom, a thriving village that stood here long before Filoli was built.”  Also John Chau, Filoli’s Plant Curator, discusses “the restoration of native plants surrounding the center.” (Image of Gregg Castro)

​Sanchez Adobe Historical site

–in Pacifica, CA; 

 features the first three periods of California History: Ohlone Indian, Spanish and Mexican. Image is Asistencia by Mary Breshahan from their website

Audrey C Rust Commemorative Site by Russian Ridge (temporarily closed; check to see when beautiful trail opens)Shell Mounds/Middens  in the Bay Area:​

• KQED “More than 425 Shellmounds in the Bay Area” 
• ​Mori Point;​ ​Golden Gate National Recreation Area , Pacifica ; “An archeological survey in 1969 recorded a shell midden… leaving no doubt that prehistoric people occupied the site.” It may have been the  Aramai village of Timigtac.  Here is the hiking trail information.
• Shellmound at San Bruno Mountain & map of shellmounds around the Bay; plus Directions for self-guided hike/tour
• Sierra Club SF Bay Chapter: Large Ohlone Shellmounds at San Bruno Mountain

IPOC’s Shellmound Peace Walks; by Jacob Sheynin (IPOC is for Indigenous Peoples and People of Color): learn more about the history behind the Shell Mounds in the Bay Area

Public Arts and Landmarks in the River Park in Los Altos: “Muwekma Ohlone Tribute” and “The Weaver’s Gifts”;  includes artwork created by Alan Counihan composed of four elements: the names of the 54 Ohlone tribal groups… a carved granite mortar, broken to represent broken tradition (see image) that speaks to the history and future of the Ohlone people. POST: Protecting Open Space Description of available trail hikes and upcoming guided hikesOhlone-Portolá Heritage Trail Project  (SM County Historical Assoc.) Learn how a Spanish explorer  in 1769, through the generosity and knowledge of the Ohlone people of the time, shaped the course of San Mateo County History.

Mount Umunhum, Sierra Azul Preserve: Native Americans have celebrated their traditions and histories at Mount Umunhum, which figures prominently in the Amah Mutsun people’s creation story. (Photo by Lubor Ptacek)

Pillar Point Bluff, Moss Beach: Hiking trails with interpretive signs; “Shell mounds, or middens, comprised of mollusk shells, cooking stones and ashes, bird and mammal bones, and other village artifacts” were found in this area. The Pillar Point mound is dated sometime between AD 500 and AD 1000. A tribelet of Chiguan Ohlone occupied a village named Chagunte at Miramar, south of Pillar Point.”

Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont Visitor Center contains educational displays that portray the Ohlone way of life and include a tule reed boat constructed by park staff and volunteers. Naturalist-led programs highlight the park’s cultural and natural history. An annual Gathering of Ohlone Peoples highlights the ways today’s Ohlone are bringing their cultures into the future.

Pulgas Water Temple: Interpretive sign on “Water is Life, Ohlone People and Water”

The de Saisset Museum at Santa Clara University has a permanent exhibit on the Ohlone of their area: “California Stories of Thamien to Santa Clara.”… a story of innovation, revitalization, and survival. It is also a story of colonization and assimilation. It is a story that continues to unfold today.” Also a link to their article and video of Linda Yamane and her tule boat “Tule Magnificent”.