Last week, the kickoff for Native American Heritage Month here at Foothill College took place in the Dining Hall.

Catalina Rodriguez, the Dean of Student Affairs and Activities, took the stage to announce the event. Rodriguez began with an acknowledgement of the original inhabitants of the land that Foothill College, and much of the San Francisco Bay Area, resides on, the present-day Muwekma Ohlone tribe.

Demonstrating the organizer’s commitment to acknowledgement were the infographics on display. All throughout the Dining Hall were a great number of posters detailing the history of the Muwekma Ohlone tribe. Included was a timeline detailing their history from 1769 to 1996, though this is far from comprehensive as their presence in the Bay Area can be traced to more than 10,000 years ago.

In the present, the modern day Muwekma Ohlone tribe still battles for acknowledgement not just locally, but also federally. The Chairwoman of the tribe, along with other indigenous leaders, even petitioned President Bill Clinton for recognition at the White House in 1995.

Additionally in the Dining Hall was an art piece related to the Heritage Month celebrations, showcasing. Titled as “Roots of Resistance” it was created by Leyla Carelo specifically for display here at Foothill for Heritage Month. Hanging off the tree are ribbons in the color of the Palestinian flag, as well as a placard displaying the number of Palestinian families that have been “erased from the Civil Registry.” Sitting at the tree’s base and dotted around the exhibit are various kinds of plants and flowers, and Foothill invites anyone that wishes to donate other living plantlife to the exhibit!

Native American Heritage Month celebrations are in full-swing, and we encourage you to attend and participate. If you are interested in upcoming events related to it, please check Foothills event calendar!