Santa Clara County
American Indian Heritage Celebration
BIG TIME <> POWWOW <> INDIAN MARKET
Home | This Celebration | Our Community | Santa Clara County American Indian Groups | AIHC Planning Committee
Santa Clara County
American Indian Heritage Celebration
BIG TIME <> POWWOW <> INDIAN MARKETHome | This Celebration | Our Community | Santa Clara County American Indian Groups | AIHC Planning Committee
SANTA CLARA COUNTY AMERICAN INDIAN GROUPS
Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area - 'Akkoy Mak-Warep, Manne Mak Hiswi! Welcome To Our Ancestral Birth Land! The present-day Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area is comprised of all the known surviving Native American lineages aboriginal to the San Francisco Bay Region who trace their ancestry through the Missions Dolores, Santa Clara, and San Jose and who are either living members or direct descendants of members of the historic Federally Recognized Verona Band of Alameda County. The Verona Band became Federally Recognized through the Congressional Homeless California Indian Act beginning in 1906. The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe still resides within our aboriginal S. F. Bay homeland territory and has been very proactive in our community. Prior to the beginning of the 20th Century through present-day: Elders and members of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe had served as Chocheño and Tamien linguistic and cultural consultants between 1884 and 1934; families enrolled with the BIA between 1928-1932, 1948-1957, 1968-1970; worked on the many ranches, orchards and canneries in Santa Clara County, as well as other counties in the San Francisco Bay Area, between the 1920s - 1970s; worked with Congressman Don Edwards in 1966 to save our Tribe's Ohlone Indian Cemetery, located near Mission San Jose; served in the U.S. Military from WWI to the present conflict in Iraq; and dealt with various cultural resource issues in the San Francisco Bay Area since the 1980s. More recently, our Tribe also was honored by Stanford University by having the Native American Theme House renamed “Muwekma-Tah-Ruk”; has been honored by the City of San Jose, Consulates of Mexico and Spain in 1994 by placing an Eagle, Coyote and Hummingbird on top of the Park Avenue Bridge over the Guadalupe River; has been revitalizing their Native Chochenyo language since 2003; and has and continues to be honored by various schools, universities and groups in the greater Santa Clara County and San Francisco Bay Area. The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe was never been “Terminated” by any Act of Congress, Executive action, or Court order. Presently, our Tribe is on the threshold of having its status clarified and reaffirmed as a Federally Recognized Tribe. For more information on the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe visit our website at: www.Muwekma.org or e-mail: Muwekma@muwekma.org. Contact Rosemary Cambra, Tribal Chairwoman at (408) 383-9318, e-mail at Rcambra@muwekma.org; or Monica V. Arellano, Tribal Vice Chairwoman at (408) 205-9714, e-mail at Marellano@muwekma.org. Hemmen Makkin Mak Hayaasin Hemme Ta MakišS HorSše Mak-Muwekma! United We Will Fight To Make Things Right For Our People!
Amah Mutsun Tribal Band: The Amah Mutsun Tribal Band is comprised of the documented descendents of Mission San Juan Bautista and Mission Santa Cruz. We have an enrollment of nearly 600 members. Today our Tribe works effortlessly on cultural revitalization projects including restoring our language, dance and songs. Most of these efforts are in concert with academic institutions as our Tribe has one of the largest collection of ethno historian field notes of any Tribe in the United States . The Amah Mutsun Tribal Band is a federally recognized Tribe that is ignored by the federal government. The Tribe is actively working to correct this inequity.
Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation: The Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation is the aboriginal people of the Greater Monterey Region, with direct descendency from aboriginal villages and districts extending from Fort Ord to Big Sur and beyond, and from Monterey to Soledad . Today there are approximately six hundred Indians enrolled in OCEN who trace their Native lineages to Missions San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo and Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. Our direct ancestors during the late 19th and early 20th centuries served as linguistic and cultural consultants to renown scholars and anthropologists such as Alexander Taylor, Alfred L. Kroeber (U. C. Berkeley), C. H. Merriam, and John Peabody Harrington (Smithsonian Institution). Being brought together at the missions our ancestors spoke two distinct major languages: Rumsen (Carmeleño or Montereyeño) which includes several southern Costanoan (Ohlone) dialects and Esselen. Our Tribe was first Federally Recognized on July 13, 1883, when Special Indian Agent for Southern California Mission Indians, Helen Hunt Jackson, included our tribal community in her formal recommendations to the Commissioner of Indians Affairs, H. Price and President Chester Arthur. In 1906, part of our Tribal community residing on the Sur Rancheria was included on the Special Indian Census and later in between 1910 to 1923 were formally identified as the Monterey Band of Monterey County as a Federally Recognized Tribe. Since 1992, the leadership of our Tribe formally organized under the Indian Reorganization Act, and our tribal council has been in the process of seeking our status clarification as a non-terminated Federally Recognized Tribe. For more information on OCEN, visit their website at: www.ohlonecostanoanesselennation.org, Contact Louise Ramirez, Tribal Chairwoman at (408) 629-5189, e-mail at ramirez.louise@yahoo.com.
Sa'yyo Associates Salinan Community: The Salinan People have been living in connection to their homeland since time began. Archaeological, ethnographic and linguistic evidence points to an existence that goes back as long as 15,000 years. Sa'yyo Associates (formerly known as ‘Salinan Nation Cultural Preservation Association' - SNCPA) is the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for the t'rowt'raahl Salinan community in central Monterey county. It serves as this particular Salinan community's voice in protection and preservation of Salinan cultural heritage throughout its homeland. This area encompasses a significant part of central coastal California , including areas within central and southern Monterey , southwestern San Benito and northern San Luis Obispo counties. They work to achieve this through collaboration and consultation with local, state and federal agencies as well as numerous educational and private organizations. For more information, contact Gregg Castro at (408) 980-6879.
American Indian Society for Engineers and Scientists: (AISES): www.aises.org
American Indian Alliance: The American Indian Alliance is a community based, non-profit organization servicing more than 20,000 American Indians living in Santa Clara County. Since 1993, the American Indian Alliance has been providing programs and services for both adults and youth with a mission to develop and enrich the local American Indian Community. The Alliance projects focus on community development, human services, information and referral services, cultural awareness and education, plus improved communication within the American Indian Community. The most important goal of the American Indian Alliance is to continue implementing creative and innovative projects that benefit the American Indian Community in Santa Clara County and the greater Bay Area. www.AmericanIndianAlliance.org
American Indian Education Center: AIEC is a non-profit community organization dedicated to improving the academic levels of students K-12. Its mission is to provide educational and high tech learning opportunities along with creating life long learners. AIEC offers a tutorial component and a computer lab as well as a cultural arts program. AIEC is located at 1600 Las Plumas Avenue in San Jose (408) 417-8098 www.aiecsc.org
Center for Training & Careers/WorkNET: CTC is a community-based, non-profit which has successfully provided educational and vocational training along with employment services to youth and adults since 1977. CTC's goal is to provide unique opportunities that will lead to rewarding and productive lives. CTC is located at 1600 Las Plumas Ave. , San Jose. For more information contact Rose Amador at (408) 251-3165 www.ctcsj.org
Diabetes Community Advisory Committee: This group formed in 2003 to effect change around diabetes care and prevention in the American Indian community. The Committee is comprised of American Indian community members and meets regularly.
Evergreen Valley College , E.O.P. & S. Program: Extended Opportunity Programs and Services, Evergreen Valley College is a program designed to assist economically and educationally disadvantaged students with their educational endeavors. EOP&S provides a variety of support services to qualifying students including assistance with Registration, Priority Registration, Financial Assistance (fee waivers, grants, loans, work-study) , Orientation, Career and Academic Counseling, Tutoring, Book vouchers/grants, Emergency Loans, Mentoring, and Internship Opportunities, University Transition Programs and more! (408) 270-6457 www.evc.edu
First Nations Ministry at St. Philips Church: First Nations Ministry has existed since 1990. The Ministry has hosted many community gatherings at St. Philips Church. All who are interested in mother earth theology please come and join us for activities and services. 5036 Hyland Ave., San Jose (408) 561-4538.
Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley: The IHC is a community health clinic that was founded in 1977 and is based in San Jose . The IHC serves the health and wellness needs of the American Indian community and also serves the general community. The Indian Health Center has over 22,000 visits a year and provides medical, dental, WIC, counseling, outreach, community wellness, fitness services, and youth group support. The IHC main clinic is located at 1333 Meridian Avenue in San Jose . For more information, contact Vernon Medicine Cloud at (408) 445–3400 x 208 or vmcloud@ihcscv.org www.IndianHealthCenter.org
Many Nations, One People: One People is an American Indian community group located in Santa Clara County . Our mission is to help promote unity and community involvement within the local American Indian Community by providing educational and cultural activities that focus on the history, culture and traditional values of American Indians. By providing opportunities for members of the American Indian community to become more knowledgeable and aware of the various tribes and how they differ. For more information, contact Louise Ramirez at (408) 629-5189.
Native Doors Networking Senter: NDNS is a nonprofit 501c3. We offer tutoring and mentoring to Native American students, k-12. Stanford University Native American students are the tutor/mentors. It is family oriented helping to build strong families and thus a strong community. For more information, contact John Ammon at (408) 292-9827.
Native Voice TV: Native Voice TV program is a weekly half hour television program featuring the history and contributions of Native/Indigenous people of the Americas . NVTV was named runner-up for Best Community Talk Show by the 2006 First National Ethnic Media Awards, Ethnic Pulitzers, in Washington , D.C. Co-hosted by Executive Producers, Cihuapilli Rose Amador and Sundust Martinez, Native Voice TV airs on Comcast Cable Channel 15 every Sunday at 6 PM in the San Jose and Campbell areas. NVTV is produced by Cuauhcihuatl Trinidad, Yaocoatl Noe Montoya, Cipactzin David Romero and Nicholas Gomez (Intern). (408) 251-3165. www.nativevoicetv.com
Nish Welel Inc.: NWI is dedicated to preserving and promoting endangered American Indian Languages. Nish Welel works to translate, document, copyright, publish and disseminate, original and translated works from various endangered Native American languages. We are in the process of obtaining 501(c) 3 status.
Northern California Apache Council: Committed to educating the indigenous community, by bringing spiritual and cultural awareness of the Apache culture. Respectfully communicating the importance of teaching and walking in harmony with the family unit and a close relationship with Mother Earth, through the generational teachings of our elders. For more information contact: David Cipactzin Romero at (408) 425-9903.
Registrar of Voters: Voter registration support and information. For more information, contact Ed Morillo at (408) 282-3074 or Ed.Morillo@rov.sccgov.org
San Jose Elder's Group: Monthly AI/AN social group that meets on the 3 rd Saturday of the month from noon – 4 pm to share a meal and network. Contact John Ammon (408) 292-9827.
San Jose Native Youth Group: The San Jose Native Youth Group is a comprehensive after school empowerment program that is designed to provide AI/AN youth with culturally appropriate educational, wellness and social development services, and leadership experience. The program uses a holistic approach that blends traditional AI/AN ways with western approaches to education. The program is designed for self identified AI/AN youth age 12- 8. Long-term outcomes of the program are the improved health and wellness for AI/AN youth, an increase in cultural identification by AI/AN youth, and the development of AI/AN youth to become leaders in the community. The Youth Group is housed at the Indian Health Center . For more information, contact Elizabeth Santana at (408) 445-3400 x263 or esantana@ihcscv.org.
Veteran's Administration: Services for American Indian veterans. For more information, contact Chad Kelly at (650) 493-5000.
Washoe Native TANF Program: The Washoe Native TANF Program (NTP) is a federally funded program that provides temporary cash aid and other services to at-risk Native American families with at least one eligible child . The Program is unique because it focuses on supportive services that promote self-sufficiency as well as social and cultural activities that uphold the Native traditions and ways. NTP's staff is culturally sensitive to the unique needs and experiences of Native people. If you are currently enrolled in the CalWorks, you may be eligible to transfer to the Native TANF Program. Native TANF is administered by the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California . The Native TANF office is located at 490 North First Street in San Jose . For more information, contact Kelly Gamboa at (408) 280-2280 or KGamboa@washoetanf.org. www.washoetribe.us
Washoe Native TANF Elders Advisory Committee: The EAC is a philanthropic foundation geared towards raising money to assist the elderly Native American community in Santa Clara County. This program helps to create tailored supports to meet the needs of Native American Elders who do not quality for the Native TANF program. The Native TANF office is located at 490 North First Street in San Jose (408) 280-2280.
