We(theBoardof theAlamedaMuseum) arewritingfor your adviceandcollaborationonobjectsinthemuseumcollectionthat weretakenfromtheOhlonecommunity.
Most objectsinthiscollectionwereexcavatedin1908fromashellmoundthat wasremovedfortheopeningof SantaClaraAve. inthevicinitybetweenHighSt. andMoundSt. Other objectsweremostlygiventothemuseumbyAlamedaresidentsover thepast ~30years, andhavewidelyvaryingprovenanceandrecordsassociatedwiththem. Werecognizethat theseobjectswereforciblytakenfromtheOhlonecommunity, andit isimportant tousthat our stewardshipofthemreflectsthecontext inwhichtheyareviewedandvaluedbytheOhlonepeopletoday. Theobjectsincludefoodpreparationandother tools, beadsandother decorativeobjects, andarrowheadsof stone, bone, andshell. All of theseobjectsarecurrentlyonpublicdisplayinthemuseum.
Tobetransparent, themuseumhasnot historicallydevotedthetime, resources, andexpertisetothiseffort that weshould, but weknowthat it iscriticallyimportant toensurethat theseobjectsarestewardedwithrespect andrepair. Whether that meanschangesinstorageordisplay, and/or deaccessioningandrepatriation, weareopen-mindedonhowweaddressnextsteps. Tothat end, wehavealsoreachedout totheChairpeopleof theMuwekmaandOhloneTribe. For next steps, wewouldbehappytohaveaconversationwithyou, andhaveyouvisitthemuseumtoviewtheobjects, todiscussthebest pathforward.
Thankyoufor your timeandengagement. Welookforwardtospeakingwithyoufurther.
Sincerely,
ValerieTurpen, PresidentMelissaHagamanMelissaMarchiRonMooneyKalieSaccoRasheedShabazz