The Ramaytush Ohlone
Original Peoples of the San Francisco Peninsula

​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 to 2,000 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. Today, those descendants comprise the membership of the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples and the staff of the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone. ​

Staff Announcements

On Hiatus from Nov 18 to Jan 7

The ARO will be on hiatus from November 18 to January 7 to work on our infrastructure. 
Announcements
December 1, 2023

Mapping Yelamu (San Francisco) Landscape Grant

The ARO and the San Francisco Estuary Institute received a grant from the State Coastal Conservancy to map the historical landscape of San Francisco.
October 9, 2023

Mapping Los Angeles Landscape

Jonathan Cordero and other Native and non-Native scholars just completed mapping the Indigenous Landscape of Los Angeles. A similar effort is underway in San Francisco led by Jonathan Cordero, the ARO, and the San Francisco Estuary Institute. You can read the story in the Los Angeles Times.

Los Angeles Times article

Mapping Los Angeles Landscape History
September 20, 2023

One More Grant!

The City of San Francisco, with the support of the ARO, received $12 million "to plant and maintain trees, combat extreme heat and climate change, create green jobs and improve access to nature in the City." It is "the largest single award among California recipients to grow urban tree canopies under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. "  Read more HERE.

Yet Another Big Grant

The ARO is a 2023 recipient of the San Francisco Soda Tax Initiative Award! The funds will support the ARO's work in developing a Community Garden/Urban Farm in San Francisco in coordination with the Friendship House and The Cultural Conservancy. Click here for more information on the grant. Click here for information on the Urban Farm.

Another (Big) Project Grant

In partnership with the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone and Potrero Nuevo Farm, the San Mateo County Resource Conservation District has received $5.5 million to increase stream flow and fish passage in Pilarcitos creek and to increase water storage at Potrero Nuevo Farm, which serves the homeless and Latinx population in and around Half Moon Bay. Congrats to us all!

Forbes Interview
with Jonathan Cordero

Executive Director Jonathan Cordero was interviewed by Forbes about the Land Back Movement. You can find the interview HERE.

​Three Project Grants!

The ARO, along with its partners, has received three grants so far this year for the following projects:
  • Yelamu Ethnohistory 
  • Twin Peaks Visitor's Center
  • Tenderloin Tree Planting

Two Art Awards!

​The ARO has been included in this year's YBCA 100. 
The annual YBCA 100 list celebrates artists, activists, and leaders who are committed to building regenerative and equitable communities
​Sandy Rodriguez has received this years Jacob Lawrence Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Jonathan Cordero is collaborating with Sandy on an art installation and catalogue.

Recent News and Events

November and December

7
Jonathan Cordero presented on the topics of Indigeneity, Indigenous Sovereignty, and Cultural Appropriation to the Inclusive History Project (International Coalition of Sites of Conscience)
16
The ARO met with Presidio Trust staff to review the Petlenuc shellmound site
16
The ARO visited with Sutro Stewards who are restoring Mount Sutro
10
The ARO participated in staff training at 826 Valencia
9
Jonathan Cordero presented at the opening of the Street Tree Nursery in San Francisco with Mayor Breed and Governor Newsom.

September and October

During the months of July and August, the ARO gave a number of openings, presentations, and/or workshops for the following organizations:
FDIC
​American of Institute of  Archaeologists
​National Park Service
​San Mateo County Climate Summit
​Smith Group
​Filoli
​Friends of Edgewood
​Coyote Hills Regional Park
​Human Rights Commission of San Francisco
​Hokulea 
100th Anniversary Celebration, Atherton
America Indian Cultural District
California Academy of Sciences

July and August 2023

During the months of July and August, the ARO gave a number of openings, presentations, and/or workshops for the following organizations:
Presidio Trust
​California Academy of Sciences
Presidio Theater
San Francisco State University
Exporatorium
​Peninsula International Dance Festival in San Mateo
American Indian Cultural District

May and June 2023

During the months of July and August, the ARO gave a number of openings, presentations, and/or workshops for the following organizations:
South Skyline Community Preparedness Day
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
California Institute of Intregal Studies
​American Indian Cultural District
De Young
​California Academy of Sciences
​AIANTA
State Coastal Conservancy
Surfrider Foundation

March and April 2023

During the months of March and April, the ARO gave a number of openings, presentations, and/or workshops for the following organizations:
Mid-Peninsula Opens Space Trust
Society for California Archaeology
Exploratorium
​Bioneers
Southern Exposure​
​California Institute for Integral Studies
Central Coast Indigenous Documentation Project
California Preservation Conference
California Academy of Sciences

January and February 2023

During the months of November and December, the ARO gave a number of openings, presentations, and/or workshops for the following organizations:
Bartimeaus Kinsler Institute
The Village SF
​Lega Aid Society of San Mateo County
Ophthalmology Department at UCSF
EcoFarm Conference in Monterey
​Marin Estate Planning Council
Central Subway in San Francisco
Non-Profit Partnerships Summit (San Mateo County and Thrive Alliance)
Millbrae Mayor Ann Schneider
University of San Francisco
Notre Dame de Namur University