Two Trinity County tribes urge county recognition, seek MOUs and support for federal acknowledgement

Tracy Foster Olstad, who identified herself as the tribe chair representing Norrell Muq, told the Trinity County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 17 that her group is expanding public outreach, cultural programs and land stewardship and is seeking formal recognition and intergovernmental agreements.

Olstad described the tribe’s conversion of the former Cox Bar School into the Trinity River Natives Cultural Center, which the tribe uses for workshops, annual gatherings and as tribal offices. “We were honored to be here and collaborating with the county and working on mutual projects,” she said. She noted plans to rent the facility for community events and to teach traditional crafts and stewardship practices to school groups.

Olstad described other recent tribal efforts, including a plaque and signage at Natural Bridge that documents 1852 killings at the site. She said the tribe has been working with the U.S. Forest Service on stewardship and resource protection. She also described 80 acres called Red Bud Ranch that the tribe recently received and said access and road work…