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Sogorea Te: Unaccredited Land Trust Facing California Tax Liens

Gabriel Duncan
August 29, 2022
15:42
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This might seem like a repeat of the circumstances which led to the hostile take-over of the Confederated Villages of the Lisjan, INC.: A well-known non-profit organization with dubious claims of tribal sovereignty, and a lack of transparency which was suspended as a corporation by the California Franchise Tax Board for failure to pay taxes… Continue reading

Mutual Aid at Wood Street Village: Observe & Report

Gabriel Duncan
August 17, 2022
17:56
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I read some stuff about what was happening at Wood Street Village, and I wanted to see for myself if it was true. There was an open call for mutual aid, for observers. Reports indicated that removal crews were coming very early in the morning, in an attempt to tow vehicles people were living in,… Continue reading

Alameda Recreation and Parks Department to ‘Pause’ Collaboration with Sogorea Te Land Trust

Gabriel Duncan
August 2, 2022
00:03
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On Monday, Amy Wooldridge (Director of Alameda Parks & Recreation Department) replied to our open letter concerning the possibility of Sogorea Te Land Trust being given a portion of Linear Park, in Alameda–at the corner of Main Street and Singleton Avenue. In our preliminary email, asking whether or not this was true, Wooldridge told us:… Continue reading

Thanks, But No Thanks (Toxic Land is *not* Land Back)

Gabriel Duncan
July 31, 2022
17:27
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This is an excerpt of a letter sent to ARPD’s Amy Wooldridge, the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department Director; as well as City of Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ashcraft, Vice Mayor Malia Vella; and Council Members: Tony Daysog, Trish Herrera Spencer, and John Knox White [who made the original announcement concerning the indigenous land management of… Continue reading

Alameda’s Toxic Legacy: Formerly Used Defense Sites

Gabriel Duncan
July 25, 2022
03:49
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Even though the former Naval Air Station is the largest, and most well-known contaminated in Alameda, Formerly Used Defense Sites were not confined to the footprint of the former Alameda NAS. Check out CalEnviroScreen 4.0 to learn more about the impacts of pollutants, and contaminants, on our infrastructure, planning, and health. Envirostor is a California… Continue reading

Alameda Shellmounds Map

The first, and original, Alameda Shellmound Map, by Gabriel Duncan. This map aggregates the pre-existing work by N.C. Nelson (on the Shellmounds of the San Francisco Bay Region); and Alameda’s own Imelda Merlin (from “Alameda: A Geological History”); and expounds on them, by tying in historical newspaper articles, and City of Alameda records, to create the most detailed, and complete picture of the Alameda Shellmounds to date.

Alameda Shellmounds Map

Map of the Shellmounds of the San Francisco Bay Area

The larger sequel to the Alameda Shellmounds Map. This map was hand-plotted using a specially reprojected version of the N.C. Nelson map showing the distribution of shellmounds in the San Francisco Bay Region. While not all points are completely plotted, this interactive map helps to illustrate the density and prevalence of shellmounds in the Bay Area; and illuminate the concept of “Native Land” in a way which is more immediate, and tangible to contemporary learners.

SF Bay Area Shellmounds Map

Mission

To present the Indigenous History of the place we now call the “City of Alameda” with accuracy and respect to Ohlone People.
To make space for Ohlone people in their own traditional homeland.
To recognize and acknowledge the sovereignty of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area, and their 10,000 year history of continuous habitation of the place we call the San Francisco Bay Area.
To update and reimagine the visual aids, diagrams, and infographs from studies and publications near the turn of the 20th century into newer, more nuanced, accurate and relevant material that can be referenced in today’s classrooms, museums, and parks.
To provide local institutions the materials, research, and information necessary to update their exhibits.
To create impactful graphic designs to educate, inform, and advocate for indigenous issues, as well as other social justice & environmental causes and movements, and some nonpartisan campaigns in solidarity, and to provide material support.

Goals

Accurate and meaningful representation of Ohlone people in Alameda (beyond land acknowledgment–which is not representation.)
Awareness that:
Ohlone people are still alive;
The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe is composed of the descendants of the survivors of Missions San Jose, Santa Clara, and Delores, and descendants of the Verona Band of Alameda County, a Federally Recognized Tribe;
Muwekma’s struggle for Federal Recognition and Land Back.
Public awareness of shellmounds, and the grisly uses of the Alameda (and San Francisco Bay Area) Shellmounds.
Foster relationship between local government and tribal government.
Protect and preserve shellmounds and sacred sites, establish historical districts, and more, in partnership with local land owners, businesses, agencies and government.

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Get In Touch

EMAIL

MAIL:

2201 Shore Line Drive #6334

Alameda, California 94501

PHONE NUMBER:

(510) 747-8423