On Indigenous Land Mural

The story of Rinihmu Pulte’irkne

A four panel mural follows the passage of time from sunrise, day, sunset, to nighttime. Located at the Joaquin Miller Park Cascade, this mural shares the visual story of Rinihmu Pulte’irekne, 3.8 acres of  land in the Oakland Hills returned to Indigenous hands.

Sunrise: As a new day emerges, a future vision for Rinihmu is depicted with an arbor to recreate a thriving beautiful ceremonial gathering structure where indigenous people and their guests can come together for restoration, regeneration, education, and celebration. A sunrise fire is burning inside to capture dreams and prayers of yet to come. The structure is embraced by the surrounding redwoods and native plants supporting each other’s growth.  There is a creek dancing with salmon. Monarch butterflies are seen within the rays of the sun and a soaring eagle on its ways to all envisioned. 

Day: Rinihmu Pulte’irekne means above of the red ochre in the ancestral language of this land, Chochenyo. Red ochre was once abundant in this area and has many cultural uses for Ohlone people. It is harvested from the land and painted on the a young child to share one of its uses as pigment and traditional practices to honor the gift derived directly from the earth.

Sunset: Oak Trees have long provided acorns as a source of essential nutrition for Native people. Acorn harvests bring together community to gather and process this ancestral food. Growing alongside other native plants, the oak also shelter native species such as the mother quail leading a trail with its babies.

Night: Overlooking the Grizzly Peak, the young people of the Mitiini Numma youth program at Sogorea Te’ Land Trust look up at the moon as the constellations mark the time when Rinihmu has been returned. And within the horizon, the lights of the city reflect in the water of the bay breaking down the borders of the natural and urban environment that embraces their experiences.

---