Resolution/Support for Federal Recognition of Muwekma Ohlone Tribe Page 1 of 2 Rev: 6/9/2026
RESOLUTION NO. 26-9569
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA,
URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, THE WHITE
HOUSE, THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, AND THE
BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE
MUWEKMA OHLONE TRIBE OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY
AREA’S FEDERAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, Muwekma Ohlone Tribe is an Indigenous community whose members are descendants of the Native peoples who lived in the San Francisco Bay Area long before European contact. Their ancestral homeland includes much of what is now Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties, as well as portions of surrounding counties;
WHEREAS, In the early twentieth century, federal records identified a Native community known as the Verona Band of Alameda County. Members of the present -day Muwekma Ohlone Tribe have documented descent from individuals listed in these federal records. The Verona Band appeared in federal Indian censuses and was included in federal actions concerning landless California Indians;
WHEREAS, Muwekma Ohlone Tribe sought Federal Recognition from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and in 2002 the BIA denied the tribe’s federal acknowledgement petition ; WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clara acknowledges the enduring contributions of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe to the cultural, historical, environmental, and civic fabric of the region; and WHEREAS, the City values its relationship with the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe and supports efforts to preserve and promote the Tribe's history, culture, heritage, and continued presence within its ancestral homelands;
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clara seeks to foster mutual respect, understanding, and collaboration with the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe; and
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WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clara wishes to formally express its support for the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe and its continued efforts to preserve its cultural heritage, protect sacred and culturally significant resources, and advance the well-being of its Tribal community.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA AS FOLLOWS:
1. The City of Santa Clara urges the United States Congress, the Department of the Interior, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to formally acknowledge the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area as a federally recognized, sovereign tribe, as defined under 25 C.F.R. §1.2, and to take all necessary steps to reinstate the Tribe on the list of federally recognized tribes.
2. The City Council hereby directs the City Manager to prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to the Bay Area congressional delegation and the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, urging federal action to recognize the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe and include it on the federal register of recognized tribes.
I HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE A TRUE COPY OF A RESOLUTION PASSED
AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, AT A REGULAR MEETING THEREOF HELD ON THE 9TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: COUNCILORS:
NOES: COUNCILORS:
ABSENT : COUNCILORS :
ABSTAINED: COUNCILORS :
Attachments incorporated by reference: None
Chahal, Cox, Gonzalez, Jain, and Park, and Mayor
Gillmor
None
None
Hardy
ATTEST ~
NORAPITv1ENTEL
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
CITY OF SANTA CLARA
Resolution/Support for Federal Recognition of Muwekma Ohlone Tribe Rev: 6/9/2026