Living On Ohlone Land — What We Learned From Indigenous Women Leaders

At a panel organized by SURJ Bay Area entitled “Indigenous Women Leaders Discuss Building Reciprocity With Local Indigenous Communities” in Huichin/Oakland, Corrina Gould (Confederated Villages of Lisjan/Chochenyo and Karkin Ohlone), Ruth Orta (Him*re-n Ohlone, Bay Miwok, and Plains Miwok), Ann Marie Sayers (Mutsun Ohlone), Chief Caleen Sisk (Winnemem Wintu), and moderator Desirae Harp (Mishewal Wappo, Diné) discussed how people can practice solidarity and allyship with Indigenous peoples. Each of the women panelists are formidable women leaders: Corrina Gould is working to protect the Ohlone Shellmounds, the burial sites of her ancestors, and cofounded Indian People Organizing for Change (IPOC), while Ann Marie Sayers established Indian Canyon, California as a cultural haven for Indigenous peoples. At the panel, Caleen Sisk, the Spiritual Leader and Tribal Chief of the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, discussed water protection and her work restoring salmon runs on the McCloud River. Singer-songwriter Desirae Harpcontributes to Indigenous justice through the arts, and is the founder the Mishewal Ona*staTis language revitalization program. Photo credit: Christopher McLeod