The Ramaytush Ohlone


​The Ramaytush (pronounced rah-my-toosh) are the original peoples of the San Francisco Peninsula. Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, the Ramaytush Ohlone numbered approximately 1500 persons, but by the end the Mission Period only a few families had survived. Today, only one lineage is know to have produced living descendants in the present. Those descendants comprise the membership of the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone (ARO) today. ​

Highlight

Ma Da Dil Farm

In April 2021, the ARO entered into an agreement with the Deep Medicine Circle to exercise sovereignty over an Indigenous-led farm, currently called "Ma Da Dil", along the lower end of San Gregorio Creek in San Mateo County. In alignment with our ancestral responsibility to care of the people who reside in our ancestral homeland, the farm will provide free organic produce for marginalized communities along the San Francisco Peninsula. 

Recent News and Events

Update on the Removal of Statues

May 15, 2021
After determining that  the State Department of Transportation (CalTrans) has jurisdiction over the Serra statue along I280 and the Portola Statue in Pacifica, the ARO has been patiently waiting for CalTrans to put in place an infrastucture and process to manage complaints like this from groups like ours. While the statues will be taken down soon, the real victory is the establishment of the aforementioned changes in the structure of the State for future claims.  

American Indian Cultural District

2019-2020
On March 31, 2020 the Board of Supervisors passed legislation for the formation of an American Indian Cultural District in San Francisco. According to American Indian Cultural Center (AICC), the district is one of only two American Indian Cultural Districts in the United States. Ramaytush Ohlone support for the district was recognized by the AICC. ARO Prinicipal Cultural Consultant, Gregg Castro, served on the AICD's Board of Directors.

Recent News and Events

June 2021
May 2021
Gregg and Jonathan held an online conversation with the public entitled, "Living on Ramaytush Ohlone Land," that was sponsored by Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ). 
April 2021
Jonathan Cordero consulted on a set of interpretive panels for the National Park Service at Lands End and Fort Funston.
Dec 2020
 A resolution to commit the City College of San Francisco to Land Acknowledgement practices is moving through the constituent bodies at the college. The resolution that would lead to a statement and practices was crafted in consultation with the ARO.
Dec 2020
Jonathan Cordero consulted with the Sanchez Adobe Interpretive Center on a set of Interpretive Panels entitled,  “Ohlone Daily Life” and “Ohlone Plant Use.” 
Nov 2020
Gregg Castro worked with the Human Rights Commission on a land acknowledgement statement that was recently passed and that now will be read at the beginning of meetings of the Human Rights Commission and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
OCT 2020
Jonathan Cordero was invited to contribute a short essay for the e-flux Journal. In was entitled, “Our Ancestral Homeland.” (e-flux Journal, 112 (October 2020), University of Michigan.)
Aug 2020
Jonathan Cordero consulted on a Land Acknowledgment and Recognition Statement for the American Sociological Association, which was virtually hosted by San Francisco this year.
20 Jun 2020
Gregg Castro offered an prayer-song for the hundreds of people participating in the cross-bay effort at ending in Yelamu. ARO presence was requested (by Dr. Rupa Marya, UCSF) at the closing ceremony for the crucial “Health Workers for Black Lives” rally and caravan from Huichin (Oakland) to Yelamu (SF) on Saturday June 20. 
​Jun 2020
Jonathan Cordero consulted on a Land Acknowledgement and Recognition Statement for the American Sociological Association's now virtual annual conference, originally scheduled to be hosted on Ramaytush Ohlone territory in San Francisco.
May-Jun 2020
The ARO worked with San Bruno Mountain Watch to create an informational kiosk located at 2 Tower Place. We are grateful to Phase 3 Real Estate Partners for sponsoring the project.