Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians of the Big Valley Rancheria and California State Parks MOU for Collaboration and Cooperation at Clear Lake State Park.
The Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians of the Big Valley Rancheria (Tribe) and California State Parks (State Parks) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday, June 21, 2024 at Clear Lake State Park (SP), a state park within the Tribe’s traditional territory. The MOU identifies mutually beneficial activities for the Tribe and State Parks to collaborate and cooperate on for the benefit of Clear Lake State Park. These activities include the incorporation of traditional ecological knowledge into natural resource management and to better preserve and protect the natural beauty and biodiversity of Clear Lake.
Yurok Tribe, Save the Redwoods League, National Park Service and California State Parks MOU to Return Tribal Land
The Yurok Tribe, Save the Redwoods League, National Park Service and California State Parks signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Orick, California. The MOU is a historic first step toward transferring ‘O Rew, a 125-acre ecologically and culturally important property, from Save the Redwoods League back to its original steward, the Yurok Tribe. In addition, the agreement describes the four partners’ shared vision for long-term co-management of the site as a gateway for the visiting public to the adjacent Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP). The partners envision building a new visitor and cultural center and trails at ‘O Rew that will highlight the distinct histories and cultures of local tribes.
Resighini Tribe of Yurok People and California State Parks MOU to Steward and Co-manage Cultural and Natural Resources in Ancestral Territories
The Resighini Tribe of Yurok People and California State Parks (State Parks) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on February 14, 2024 at the Resighini Tribal headquarters in Klamath. The MOU outlines the mutual responsibilities of the Resighini Tribe of Yurok People and State Parks to promote a successful cooperation, co-management, and collaboration between the parties. This includes incorporating indigenous traditional knowledge to better protect and preserve state parks and ensuring that consultation and meaningful dialogue takes place sufficiently in advance of final decision-making on what may affect cultural and natural resource management. The Resighini Tribe of Yurok People formally designated, under their sovereign authority, the Yurok-Tolowa Dee-ni’ Indigenous Marine Stewardship Area (IMSA). Through this MOU, State Parks will also work with the Resighini Tribe of Yurok People to educate the public about the significance of the IMSA and its importance to cultural and natural resource protection, as well as its contribution to meeting the State of California’s goals to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030.
Fernandeño Tataviam Tribe and California State Parks MOU for Collaboration and Cooperation at Los Encinos State Historic Park.
The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians (Tribe) and California State Parks (State Parks) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at the Village of Siutcanga, the “place of the oaks,” now known as Los Encinos SHP in Encino, California. The MOU formalizes cooperation and collaboration between the Tribe and State Parks in the management and protection of natural and cultural resources and interpretation for state parks within the Tribe’s ancestral lands, including at Los Encinos SP. The Tribe and State Parks will incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into the management of natural resources and cooperate on the protection of the landscapes.
Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria and California State Parks MOU to Coordinate and Cooperate on the Protection of Ancestral Homelands
The Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria (Bear River) and California State Parks (State Parks) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday, October 30, 2023 in Loleta, California. The MOU formalizes cooperation and collaboration between Bear River and State Parks on the protection, preservation, and interpretation of parks that lie within Bear River’s ancestral homelands in the North Coast Redwoods District of State Parks. Bear River and State Parks will incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into the protection of cultural and natural resources, collaborate on park interpretation and art projects, and partner together on cultural resource monitoring and protection. This includes promoting the healthy growth of California native plants while allowing for Bear River Tribal Members to gather plants for traditional uses in their ancestral homelands. The MOU also includes the incorporation of cultural burns into natural resources and plant habitation management in the parks.
Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians and California State Parks MOU to Coordinate and Cooperate on the Protection of Ancestral Homelands
The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians (Tribe) and California State Parks (State Parks) signed a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 16, 2023 at the future site of the California Indian Heritage Center, known as Pusúune, in West Sacramento. The MOU formalizes coordination and cooperation between the Tribe and State Parks for the protection, preservation, and interpretation of parks on the Tribe’s ancestral homelands. The Tribe and State Parks will incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into the protection of cultural and natural resources, collaborate on parks interpretation and art projects, and partner together on cultural resource monitoring and protection. The latest collaboration involves a new interpretation for Sutter’s Fort and the Polo’ Oo Boat Launch at Black Miners Bar in Folsom Lake SRA.
Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria and California State Parks MOU to Improve Access to Ancestral Lands
The Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria (Trinidad Rancheria) and California State Parks (State Parks) signed a historic 5-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday, April 24, 2023 at Sumeg Village in Sue-meg State Park. The MOU removes barriers for Trinidad Rancheria to gather and access their ancestral lands and recognizes that a collaborative approach will better facilitate managing and preserving cultural and natural resources in the North Coast Redwoods District. The MOU formalizes a government-to-government relationship between Trinidad Rancheria and State Parks to discuss, in a systematic manner, park unit management actions of concern or interest within the ancestral homelands of Trinidad Rancheria. The MOU also establishes a protocol for continuing open discussions and outlines the responsibilities of State Parks and the Trinidad Rancheria to promote successful cooperation and partnership between the parties for the mutual benefit of the Trinidad Rancheria and State Parks.
Yurok Tribe and California State Parks Sign Agreement for Collaborative Approach in North Coast Redwoods to Collaborate on Management of Ancestral Lands
The Yurok Tribe and California State Parks signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on September 28, 2022 to establish a collaborative approach to the management, preservation, and interpretation of cultural and natural resources within Yurok Tribe’s ancestral lands in the North Coast Redwoods District. The MOU will support the integration of the Yurok Tribe’s Traditional Ecological Knowledge into natural resource management practices at state parks in the Yurok Tribe’s ancestral lands and will support the maintenance of traditional cultural practices by providing Yurok Tribe tribal members access to specific state parks with their tribal identification cards. Yurok Tribe tribal members may also use their tribal identification cards to gather plant materials and minerals for traditional purposes at these parks. Furthermore, the implementation of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and traditional Yurok gathering practices will promote the sustainability of native plant species and habitats, helping address the climate and biodiversity crisis.
Koi Nation and California State Parks MOU to Protect Resources and Rename Features at Anderson Marsh SHP
The Koi Nation of Northern California (Koi) and the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) recently renewed a 5-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) and renamed two park features at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park (SHP).
The MOU, originally signed in April 2017, created collaboration and cooperation for the further protection of cultural and natural resources in Anderson Marsh SHP. It was the first MOU signed between State Parks and a California Tribal Nation. Through the MOU, the Koi Nation performs regular cultural resource monitoring which is a valuable asset for State Parks in the protection of irreplaceable history and cultural resources in the park.
Audio translation for "Mxqawlay’ba Knowin Xyoykith"
Lewis Ridge has been renamed Mxqawlay’ba Knowin Xyoykith Ridge, which translates to “the grandmothers/ancestors heal on this mountain,” in Southeastern Pomo. The McVicar Trail has been renamed Dawa Qanoq’ana, which translates into “south way in front of me.”
Read the full article in the Field Report section of the September 1, 2023 Weekly Digest.