What is Tribal Recognition, Who is a Descendant, How does the NAGPRA Notification List Work?

This article will be a very brief primer, touching on three important topics: What is Tribal Recognition? Federal Recognition When the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Federal Acknowledgment, formally recognizes a group (“tribal entity”) as being a separate sovereign government from the United States. This recognition “establishes” a government-to-government… Continue reading What is Tribal Recognition, Who is a Descendant, How does the NAGPRA Notification List Work?

Toxic Land Is Not Land Back : Proper Remediation Must Be Performed First

Just to be clear: eating food grown in contaminated soil may not result in contaminated food… Even though petrochemical aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are largely unstudied “likely” carcinogens–some of which have been found to move through the soil easily into water; and that contamination can move from soil to food to animals. Petrochemical Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)… Continue reading Toxic Land Is Not Land Back : Proper Remediation Must Be Performed First

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

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

The Alameda Shellmounds Map: The First Alamedans

Created using derivatives of open-source data, including (but not limited to) USGS, NOAA, USCG, NASA, Google Earth. Analyzed, processed, and produced by the Alameda Native History Project, using open-source software available to anyone with a smart phone, and the most basic computer. Why did the Alameda Native History Project create these maps? Necessity The first… Continue reading The Alameda Shellmounds Map: The First Alamedans

3 Ways Public Art Promotes Pan-Indian Confusion

While being billed and paid for as an “homage to the gentle savages which once roamed the coasts and hills of this area thousands of years ago”: Many of the images presented to you as “Native American Art”, and installed in places like Parks, Malls, Skate Parks, and other Public Spaces, and “Public Arenas”, are… Continue reading 3 Ways Public Art Promotes Pan-Indian Confusion

Tribal Groups of the San Francisco Bay Region (and How To Pick a Tribal Consultant)

Tribal land claims are complex, and overlapping. This is especially true Today; when seeking out tribes for legally required consultation around Native American Graves and Cultural Resources.