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The Sogorea Te Land Trust

The Sogorea Te Land Trust

An urban Indigenous women-led land trust that facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people

  • About
    • Purpose and Vision
    • Our History
    • Staff & Board
    • Partnerships & Alliances
    • Contact Us
  • Lisjan (Ohlone)
    • Lisjan History & Territory
    • Mak Noono Tiirinikma
  • Programs
    • Cultural Revitalization
    • Himmetka: In One Place, Together
    • Mitiini Numma Youth Program
  • Rematriation
    • Land Sites
      • Lisjan, East Oakland
      • ‘Ookwe, Richmond
      • Rammay, West Oakland
      • Rinihmu Pulte’irekne, Oakland Hills
      • ‘Ištune, Oakland
      • Mugworts Cabin
      • Pinnantak
    • Return Land / Land Return
    • Rematriate the Land Fund
  • Media
    • Updates
    • Resources
    • Creative Collaborations
  • Engage
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    • Land Acknowledgements
    • Other Ways to Engage
  • Shuumi Land Tax
    • Institutional Shuumi Land Tax
    • Shuumi Land Tax FAQs
      • Testimonials

Inés Ixierda

Spring 2025 Newsletter

March 20, 2025 by Inés Ixierda

Spring is a time for new growth. 

From seed saving and artist residencies to wilderness first aid and fuels reduction work,  get updates from the land through our seasonal newsletter,  Ya Nuunukne, They tell a story.

…

EDEN HOUSING RETURNS THREE ACRES OF LISJAN CREEK LAND

November 24, 2024 by Inés Ixierda

For Immediate Release:

EDEN HOUSING RETURNS THREE ACRES TO INDIGENOUS LED LAND TRUST

The restoration of the creek land will be supported by a perpetual endowment dedicated to its ongoing care and preservation.

Castro Valley, CA, November 25, 2024: Sogorea Te’ Land Trust and Eden Housing are honored to announce the return of three acres of land along the San Lorenzo Creek in Castro Valley to its ancestral caretakers.  Also known as Lisjan Creek, the site is culturally significant for the Confederated Villages of Lisan Nation tribe and is the first waterway to be returned to the Indigenous women-led Sogorea Te’ Land Trust.

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“My people are named for this waterway, my ancestors would gather here.  This place is important for our cultural and environmental restoration work.  We are honored to be able to be in relationship with these land and waters again and contribute to their healing.”  said Lisjan Nation Tribal Chairwoman and Land Trust co-founder Corrina Gould 

The creek land is located in an area historically known as a gathering place for the Ohlone people and cultural items have been found in the vicinity.  The land has remained vacant for decades following the cancellation of plans to …

Before You Are Here

November 5, 2024 by Inés Ixierda

Celebrate Native Heritage Month with the release of the Before You Are Here map and event uplifting Ohlone voices and perspectives exploring the histories and representations of Bay Area Indigenous territories and their present manifestations.

The Before You Are Here map challenges traditional cartographic paradigms by weaving together multiple spaces and times to depict the Bay Area as an ambiguous, relational, and deeply contested site focusing on the where, rather than the when. 

Speakers will include Corrina Gould, Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation, Gregg Castro, T’rowt’raahl Salinan / Rumsien-Ramaytush Ohlone, and Quirina Geary, Tamien Nation, along with UC Berkeley cartographer Clancy Wilmott. Hosted By Sogorea Te’ Land Trust.

Get your Tickets Here! …

Fall 2024 Newsletter

October 17, 2024 by Inés Ixierda

As we continue our work of Rematriation, we invite our community and supporters to listen to our stories from the land and our growing programs and projects, through our seasonal newsletter.


…

On Ohlone Land at Fairyland Hill!

October 10, 2024 by Inés Ixierda

Children’s Fairyland and Sogorea Te’ Land Trust Transform the Iconic “Fairyland” sign to “Ohlone Land” at Fairyland Hill.

OAKLAND, CA, October 10, 2024 — Children’s Fairyland, the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust, and the Confederated Villages of Lisjan are excited to announce a historic partnership with the transformation of the iconic “Fairyland” sign on Fairyland Hill along Lake Merritt to “Ohlone Land” in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

The collaborative group will unveil the “Ohlone Land” sign on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 12 p.m. PST at Fairyland Hill, and it will remain on display through the new year. This change recognizes the ancestral caretakers of the land—the Lisjan Nation—and reinforces the park’s commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices and stories within its programming.

The idea for the sign originated from a digital rendering shared by Sogorea Te’ Land Trust on social media last year, reimagining “Fairyland” as “Ohlone Land.” The image sparked discussions about visibility and set the stage for this meaningful collaboration.

“We are proud to deepen our relationship with the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust and the Lisjan Nation, and add a new meaning to a beloved Oakland symbol,” said Kymberly Miller, the executive director of Children’s Fairyland. …

You Are On Ohlone Land Collaboration Announcement!

October 3, 2024 by Inés Ixierda

San Francisco Bay Area Since Forever!

Celebrating Native Heritage month in the Bay Area with a  limited collaboration between Sogorea Te’ Land Trust, Fairyland, and Urban Native Era to uplift Ohlone people while supporting Indigenous led land return! 

Order Yours Here!

Ohlone is a term that refers to Indigenous people from at least eight regions across the greater Bay Area,  each home to multiple villages, tribes, and family groups, with distinct languages and origin stories,  all connected through rich histories and deep ties to the land.  

Sogorea Te’ Land Trust is an urban Indigenous women led land trust facilitating the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people.

Fairyland is a children’s park based on fairy tales and legends in Oakland. We are working together with Lisjan Nation, to Indigenize the park’s educational offerings and share the story of the land with young people who visit. 

Learn more about the Indigenous people of the  land you are on! 

Support Indigenous led work!

Get a shirt while you can!

Available at Urban Native Era,  the Fairyland Store and The Sogorea Te Land Trust table at select Bay Area Native events .    Proceeds benefit the Rematriate the Land …

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Our work of rematriation, returning Indigenous land to Indigenous people, is only possible with your support.

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The Shuumi Land Tax is a voluntary annual contribution that non-Indigenous people living on traditional Lisjan Ohlone territory make to support the critical work of the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust.

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sogoreatelandtrust

Rematriar la Tierra Devolver la Tierra Regresar a Rematriar la Tierra 
Devolver la Tierra
Regresar a Tierra

Rematriate the Land
Return the Land
Return to Land

We are excited to be translating some of our materials into Spanish with the support of our team member Sharon. 

As we look at some of the language we use, we are discovering not everything always translates. 

What words have you seen being used for Rematriation, 
Land Back and Indigenous Land Return work in other languages?

[ID: A set of slides with a turquoise textured background with  curved bold yellow text that read Rematriate la Tierra, Devolver la Tierra, Regresar a Tierra, Rematriate the Land, Return the Land and Return to Land] 

#Rematriate #Rematriar  #SogoreaTeLandTrust #UrbanIndigenous #WomenLed #LandReturn #LandBack #Rematriation #aroundtheworld
Meet the Crew: Jelly! From the streets of Huchiun Meet the Crew: Jelly!

From the streets of Huchiun to rematriated land. Even the littlest one is doing their part. Welcoming Jelly to our team! 

[ID: a tiny fluffy dog in a big truck with a Sogorea Te Land logo that reads Rematriate the Land].

#TheCrewIsCute #SogoreaTeLandTrust
Reawakening the land by sowing our energy into it. Reawakening the land by sowing our energy into it. How it started and How it’s going 🌱
We are grateful to witness Black, Indigenous and Youth of Color connect to the earth 🌳

Mitiini Numma youth program is growing the truth by weekly tending to a little garden space. Bringing in native plants to grow made the garden very happy and it has gifted us with a lush and lively space 🪱🌼🌿

#youthprogram #howitstarted #howitsgoing #nativeplants #sogoreatelandtrust #youthgarden #mitiininumma #growthetruth #stickymonkeyflower
Meet the Crew: Araceli! Araceli or Ara is a non- Meet the Crew: Araceli! 

Araceli or Ara is a non-binary, undocumented artist and community organizer born in so called Mexico City and raised in the Bay Area. Araceli has been part of Bay Area organizing efforts for youth, students, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, and working class communities of color.

As a life-long student, Araceli continues to expand their knowledge in ethnic studies, art history, visual arts, and communications. In their volunteering capacity, Araceli has led labor unionizing efforts, campaigns against deportations, and grassroots fundraising for community-led causes.

Ara joined the team as one of our Mitiini Numma youth program coordinators.  Thank you Ara! 

📷 @tooda.fuji 

[Id: A polaroid style picture of a smiling person in white with long dark hair sitting  and looking towards  a cute and small dog on their lap.  The background is white with leaves from a hanging plant trailing down. ] 

#MeetTheCrew #Staff #SogoreaTeLandTrust #Urban #Indigenous #WomenLed #LandTrust #LandReturn #Rematriation
Indigenous women defending land and life from Turt Indigenous women defending land and life from Turtle Island to Abya Yala. 🪶

Offering a thank you to Mapuche elder Lonko Juanita Millal who joined us to share the story of her people and her struggle  fleeing violence and political persecution in Chile to seek political asylum in the U.S. 

Lonko Juanita has dedicated her life to uplift Mapuche culture, protect the land, waters and the people, creating solidarity among marginalized communities and bringing awareness of the Mapuche peoples’ present day fight against colonization, displacement, incarceration and violent repression.

Visit Lonko Juanita @laregiae to learn how to support her political asylum and work.

 [A Mapuche elder in brightly colored clothing and traditional jewelry is holding a blue Mapuche flag in front of a mural with part of a tule boat, mountains and sunrise visible]

#IndigenousWomen #LandDefenders #WaterDefenders #CulturalWorkers #SogoreaTeLandTrust #SolidarityAcrossBorders #RematriateTheLand
“When you create a web of education, it is power “When you create a web of education, it is powerful.” ✊🏽

Hear from the participants in Mitiini Numma about the program and their experiences!✨ 

#mitiininumma #growthetruth #youthleaders #youthprogram #Huchiun #sogoreatelandtrust
Hummingbird Sage harvest! Rammay’s hummingbird Hummingbird Sage harvest! 

Rammay’s hummingbird sage has spread generously through self propagation by sowing its own seeds into the soil and, its pretty healthy rhizome root system. It has bloomed throughout the last winter month providing plenty of nectar for hummingbirds, here is a beautiful harvest of the leaves 🍃.
We’re looking forward to more blooms!
Indigenous People for a Free Palestine. Indigeno Indigenous People for a Free Palestine. 

Indigenous People for a Ceasefire.

Indigenous People for an End of the Occupation. 

Let Gaza Live. 

We demand an immediate ceasefire in Palestine.  We condemn the Israeli siege, we condemn apartheid, we condemn genocide, and we demand an end to U.S military aid and funding of Israeli violence.

From the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust statement in solidarity with Palestine. 

[ID: The above text over a video clip of a group of people holding American Indian Movement and Palestinian flags in the wind at the Shellmound to Shellmound Prayer walk in solidarity with Palestine]

#Ceasefire #FreePalestine #FreetheLand #FreethePeople
May we return to balance. ✨ We call in the ener May we return to balance. ✨

We call in the energy of Spring equinox, growing towards the light, and returning to balance as we think of and pray for justice, safety, and equity for our relatives around the world struggling to survive genocide, violence, inequality and oppression. 

We carry these struggles in our hearts as we plant seeds and tend the soil of dreams we hope will flourish,  as we compost the old, let it transform into something that can nourish and work our gardens to grow the worlds we want to live in.

#SpringEquinox #ReturnToBalance
Ask First. Its always respectful to ask first. Ask First. 
Its always respectful to ask first. 

Ask before fundraising for us. 
Ask before using our photos, writings and images. 
Ask before using Indigenous language, representations, or practices that are not your own.

Before you ask us, ask yourself:

How have you benefited from stolen land? 
What labor are you asking from Indigenous people?
How is this reciprocal? 
What do you bring?
How will this be transformative?
Are you prepared to do the work?

From How to Come Correct;
protocols, guidelines, & invitations

bit.ly/howtocomecorrect, link in bio

[ID: a set of slides with a purple, blue, pink, yellow ombré background and the text in the above caption)
#howtocomecorrect #resources #protocol #guidelines #Iniviations #sogoreatelandtrust 
#urbanindigenous #womenled #landreturn #landback #rematriation
Ancestral arts weaving workshop led by Inès✨ T Ancestral arts weaving workshop led by Inès✨

Thank you @aicrc510 for joining us this week! ❤️🧵

#youthprogram #mitiininumma #rematriate #weaving #ancestralarts
Listening to the Land One of our most FAQ is “Wh Listening to the Land
One of our most FAQ is “What do you plan to do with this land?”
 Many land sites have returned to indigenous hands are not in  best conditions. Some conditions are invasive plant and tree species, contaminated soil that will take years to regenerate and years of layered trash. 
Listening and observing the land gives us time dream and plan out our vision. 
We spend time learning about the history of the site and who “owned” it before it returned, what was built on it and most importantly acknowledging that the land needs to rest. 

#LandBack #landreturn #returntotheland #indigenousautonomy #indigenoussovereignty 

📸: @shay_marcos97 
📸: @creative_mudafukah
"...The crowd cheered as speakers talked of a move "...The crowd cheered as speakers talked of a movement to restore other lands to Indigenous people. The site — a three-block area Berkeley designated as a landmark in 2000 — will be home to native medicines and foods, an oasis for pollinators and wildlife, and a place for youth to learn about their heritage, including ancient dances and ceremonies, said Melissa Nelson, chair of the board of the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust.

“Thousands of years ago, this site was a thriving … urban center for Native Americans, for California Indians with their beautiful shell mounds dotted all around the bay,” said Nelson. “We want to be a place for global Indigenous leadership to come and gather in solidarity. We want to educate, we want to restore and we want to heal...”

from @KQED 

#IndigenousJoy #LandBack #LandReturn #RematriatetheLand
“Now this area will be restored under Indigenous “Now this area will be restored under Indigenous women’s leadership. We are Rematriating this West Berekley Shellmound.” 

Dr. Melissa Nelson (Anishinaabe/Métis [Turtle Mountain Chippewa]) Sogorea Te’ Land Trust Board of Directors 

#sogoreatelandtrust #westberkeleyshellmound #pressconference #landback #rematriatetheland
Live with @corrina_gould! Reactions from the lan Live with @corrina_gould! 

Reactions from the land return!
Press Conference at The West Berkeley Shellmound Press Conference at The West Berkeley  Shellmound “This Land has been Returned to Indigenous Hands”
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