Los Gatos Could Issue Land Acknowledgement For Indigenous Peoples

LOS GATOS, CA — The Los Gatos Town Council will discuss issuing a formal statement acknowledging the Tamen Nation, an Indigenous tribe traditionally and culturally affiliated with the land of Los Gatos.

The Tamien people are one of eight linguistic divisions of the Ohlone, who settled in Santa Clara Valley in the 1700s.

The council was set to discuss a land acknowledgement during Tuesday’s meeting after a request by the Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition in April 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,” according to a staff report.

The Tamien Nation proposed the following statement for the town to use:

“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.”

Several Bay Area cities including Palo Alto, San Jose, South San Francisco and Albany have incorporated land acknowledgments. Local universities Santa Clara University, Stanford University, San Jose State University and UC Berkeley have also acknowledged Indigenous history.

Town staff presented several recommendations for how Los Gatos could move forward with a land acknowledgment, including reading a statement before town council meetings, posting a statement to the town website with links for more information and beginning library programs by reading a statement.

The meeting Tuesday begins at 7 p.m. Click here for the agenda and information on how to join.