Shellmounds: Spanish and American Influence on Indigenous Burial Practices and Shellmound Use

A shellmound is a graveyard, a mortuary complex, an ancient structure. It’s a place where the first peoples who live along the coasts and rivers of California, used to bury their dead. This article briefly explores why that is. Spanish Influence on Indigenous Use of Shellmounds This changed when Spain Conquistador’s invaded the San Francisco… Continue reading Shellmounds: Spanish and American Influence on Indigenous Burial Practices and Shellmound Use

Unceded Indigenous Territories in the Contiguous United States

My History Is American History Honor the Treaties Indigenous Land Back More views: Unceded Indigenous Territories in the Contiguous U.S.

Ohlone: The First Alamedans, “Were Not a ‘Branch of Miwok Indians'”

When “The Spanish” came to the San Francisco Bay Area, they called all of the people who lived here “Costanoans”; and promptly killed, and corralled them into the California Missions; then began to colonize the land by bringing cows, catfish, eucalyptus, and other foreign plants and animals. The primary language for the Mission San Jose… Continue reading Ohlone: The First Alamedans, “Were Not a ‘Branch of Miwok Indians’”

The Side Effects of Institutional Gatekeeping of Tribal Knowledge & Native American Sacred Sites and Cultural Assets

From the beginning of my life, I never had the opportunity to learn about my culture, or where I was from. For the first 12 years of my life, I never even saw another Paiute person. This was because I was adopted at birth. I knew that I was Native American. That I should be… Continue reading The Side Effects of Institutional Gatekeeping of Tribal Knowledge & Native American Sacred Sites and Cultural Assets

Who are the people who inhabited the area now known as the City of Alameda?

A Frequently Asked Question about Ohlone People, the First Alamedans, and the Tribe Fighting for Federal Re-Recognition. This is one such reply.

Who, What, and Where is Lisjan?

“Lisjan” has been referred to as a Traditional Ohlone Village Site, in East Oakland. Both the San Leandro Creek, and San Lorenzo Creek bear the name of “Lisjan” creek. But “Lisjan” isn’t even an Ohlone word. “Lisjan” is what Nisenan People call the city of Pleasanton, California. And, just to be clear: Pleasanton wasn’t called… Continue reading Who, What, and Where is Lisjan?

Wiki Down (For Now), Merch Section Removed, New Content On The Way

I can’t believe we’re nearing the end of the second year of Alameda Native Art, and the Alameda Native History Project, already. I feel like I’ve been sleeping on this site. Now there’s a whole bunch of stuff to add, and update. ANHP Wiki The ANHP Wiki reached it’s functional limit on Tuesday; when it… Continue reading Wiki Down (For Now), Merch Section Removed, New Content On The Way

Milliken 2009, “A Time of Little Choice”, Has Just Been Liberated

Anthropology, Archaeology, and Ethnology have always been competitive fields. In the East Bay, Native American Graves Consulting is a booming, and exclusive business. And, the documented existence of the Ohlone people, who have occupied the East Bay continuously, for thousands of years, hinges upon the information locked away behind paygates; only being referenced by Developers,… Continue reading Milliken 2009, “A Time of Little Choice”, Has Just Been Liberated

Independent Alameda Native History Project Develops First 3D Shellmound Model

Local Native American-led Research Project Aims to Educate Public, Advocate for Shellmounds Click here to skip the article and download the Alameda Native History Project Shellmound Model, made by Gabriel Duncan. For the first time ever, an entirely independent research project, led by a Native American descendant, has produced a tangible representation of pre-contact Native… Continue reading Independent Alameda Native History Project Develops First 3D Shellmound Model