Staff Report.Land Acknowledgement
PREPARED BY: Holly Zappala
Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 06/07/2022
ITEM NO: 25
DATE: May 23, 2022
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Provide Direction Regarding a Potential Land Acknowledgement Regarding
Aboriginal Homeland
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide direction regarding a potential Land Acknowledgement regarding aboriginal homeland.
BACKGROUND:
On April 27, 2022, Town staff received a request from the Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition to
read a Land Acknowledgement prior to each Town Council meeting as a way to honor and
respect the Indigenous People, past and present, of Los Gatos land, and specifically, the Tamien
Nation.
A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous
Peoples as traditional stewards of the land and the enduring relationship that exists between
Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. To recognize the land is an expression of
gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory we reside on, and a way of honoring the
Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial. Land
Acknowledgments exist in a present tense, as opposed to a past or historical context.
DISCUSSION:
The Tamien Nation is traditionally and culturally affiliated with the land of Los Gatos and
identifies as the tribe most directly indigenous to Santa Clara County. The Tamien people are
one of eight linguistic divisions of the Indigenous people of this area. Enrolled tribal citizens are
of several Tamien-speaking Santa Clara Valley villages collectively known as Tamien Nation.
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SUBJECT: Land Acknowledgement
DATE: May 23, 2022
DISCUSSION (continued):
It should be noted that Tamien-speaking peoples are not Ohlone. There are two theories for
the origin of the term “Ohlone.” The first is that it was named for a single village, Oljon, in the
San Francisco Bay. The second theory is that it derived from the Bay Miwok word, Volvon. In
either case, these names were not used for Tamien-speaking peoples.
The following Land Acknowledgement language is an example provided on the Tamien Nation
website (Tamien.org) and was proposed for the Town to use by the Los Gatos Anti-Racism
Coalition.
We acknowledge that Los Gatos is the aboriginal homeland of Tamien Nation since time
immemorial and recognizes the continued persistence and resilience of culture and community
despite the adverse impacts of settler colonialism. The Tamien Nation continue to have a
relationship with the land; one of deep respect, agreement and reciprocity collaborating to help
maintain balance. The Town of Los Gatos acknowledges and supports Tamien Nation in
solidarity and commitment to partnership advocating for a more equitable and inclusive future.
Town staff reached out to Quirina Luna Geary, Tamien Nation Tribal Chairwoman, and
Johnathan Costillas, Tribal Cultural Resource Officer, for their direct input on the proposed
language and if any additional items might be considered to make it more meaningful. Staff
heard back from Tribal Chairwoman Geary thanking the Town for asking and confirming that no
changes to the proposed language are necessary.
Many educational institutions across the Bay Area have incorporated Land Acknowledgements
in some form to recognize the Indigenous past, present, and future of the land, including Santa
Clara University, Stanford University, San Jose State University, and UC Berkeley. Work on Land
Acknowledgements is also underway in other local governments throughout the Bay Area (see
Attachment 1). Of particular note:
• In November 2021, the City of Albany adopted a Land Acknowledgement to be read at
the beginning of City Council meetings and Advisory Body meetings.
• Also in November 2021, the Palo Alto Library began reading either a long or short form
Land Acknowledgement (depending on time constraints) at the start of Palo Alto Library
programs and events, and it is often added to the chat box of virtual programs.
• Earlier this year, the City of San Jose Charter Review Commission recommended that a
Land Rights Acknowledgment be formally included in the City of San Jose Charter and
the Council directed the Land Acknowledgment to be developed. The City hired a Tribal
mediator and work is currently underway with a goal of the proposed language being
complete by this summer.
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SUBJECT: Land Acknowledgement
DATE: May 23, 2022
DISCUSSION (continued):
• The City of South San Francisco recently considered a Land Acknowledgement and its
discussion will continue at a later date following Tribal engagement.
ALTERNATIVES:
There are different combinations of ways the Town could move forward with a Land
Acknowledgment. Some options for consideration are as follows:
1. Modify the Town Council Agenda Format and Rules Policy to include a Land
Acknowledgement Statement to be read aloud prior to each Town Council meeting
and/or Board, Commission, and Committee meetings.
2. Modify Council and/or Board, Commission, and Committee agendas to include a Land
Acknowledgment Statement without it being read at every meeting.
3. Create a Council Land Acknowledgment Proclamation. The Proclamation could be
presented at a Town Council meeting on a recurring annual basis. For example, this
could be done every November as part of celebrating National Native American Heritage
Month.
4. Post a Land Acknowledgement Statement to the Town website including links for more
information.
5. Deliver a Land Acknowledgement Statement at Town events such as Spring into Green,
Fourth of July Symphony in the Park, Screen on the Green, Tree Lighting, etc.
6. Begin Library programs by reading a Land Acknowledgement Statement.
CONCLUSION:
Staff looks to direction from the Council regarding potentially moving forward with a Land
Acknowledgement for the Indigenous People of the Tamien Nation.
COORDINATION:
This report was coordinated with the Community Development Department, Library, Town
Attorney’s Office, and Town Manager’s Office.
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SUBJECT: Land Acknowledgement
DATE: May 23, 2022
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no associated fiscal impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachment:
1. Land Acknowledgement Examples