6/9/2026 Item # 11
1 Action on Council Request
(Council Policy 030) for a
Resolution in Support of
Muwekma Ohlone Tribe being
Recognized
June 9, 2026, Item #11 RTC 26-533
Paulina Morales, Assistant City Manager
Council Request 030
• At the March 24, 2026, the City Council meeting,
direction was provided to agendize a resolution in
support of federal recognition of the Muwekma
Ohlone Tribe
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6/9/2026 Item # 11
2 Muwekma Ohlone Tribe
• The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe is composed of
descendants of the Ohlone (also known as Costanoan)
people, who historically inhabited areas across present- day San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda,
Contra Costa, and portions of Napa, Santa Cruz, Solano, and San Joaquin counties. The Tribe traces its
documented ancestry primarily to the historic Verona
Band of Alameda County.
Muwekma Ohlone Tribe…
• The Verona Band of Alameda County, now associated
with the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, was previously
recognized by the federal government. Federal records
indicate that the group’s federal acknowledgment status changed in the early 20th century through
administrative actions by the Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA), including actions taken by the Sacramento Indian Agency.
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6/9/2026 Item # 11
3 Muwekma Ohlone Tribe…
• In 1989, the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe submitted a
petition for federal acknowledgment under the BIA’s
Federal Acknowledgment Process (25 CFR Part 83). The
federal acknowledgment process provides an
administrative pathway for tribes to seek recognition
and requires petitioners to demonstrate satisfaction of specific regulatory criteria related to historical
continuity, community, and political authority.
Actions taken by other Jurisdictions
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6/9/2026 Item # 11
4 Recommendation
• Receive the report and provide input or further direction to staff on the adoption of a Resolution supporting Federal Recognition of the Muwekma Ohlone.
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