Celebrating  Land Return 

The Cultural Easement returning Rinihmu Pulte’irekne is official!

On December 13 members of  Sogorea Te’ Land Trust, The Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation, the City of Oakland and hundreds of supporters gathered to sign and celebrate this historic cultural easement returning the land formerly known as Sequoia Point to Indigenous care. 

The evenings festivities took place at Chabot Space and Science Center and included included a sharing of the story of the land, the official signing of the easement paperwork,   Indigenous foods by Kickapoo Chef Crystal Wahpepah,  Music by Audio Pharmacy,  traditional Pomo dances offered by and Round Valley and  Big Valley Dance groups.

The land has be named  Rinihmu Pulte’irekne by Chochenyo language keeper Deja  and spans a about 4 acres  in a city park in the Oakland Hills.  The easement grants access and land use rights to the tribe through the land trust.   Sogorea Te and the City have been collaborating to create new tools to engage innovative approaches to easements   for Indigenous land return. The long term vision of this project is to recreate a thriving, beautiful, ceremonial gathering place and structure where Indigenous people and their guests  can come together, and share cultural information and celebrations. 

To Support this work contribute to the Rematriate the Land Fund.