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Students and tribal advocates ask Saratoga to back Muwekma Ohlone federal recognition
Summary
Leaders and interns with the Indigenous Justice Coalition and Muwekma Ohlone supporters asked the council to place a letter of support for federal recognition on a future agenda, citing BIA findings and a 2022 federal ruling; council did not take formal action but public speakers offered to follow up.
Multiple speakers representing the Indigenous Justice Coalition and Muwekma Ohlone supporters asked the council to place a letter of support for the tribe’s ongoing petition for federal recognition.
Sudan Vebler, vice president of the Indigenous Justice Coalition and an intern with the Muwekma Ohlone, said federal recognition would grant the tribe educational, political and land equity and urged the council to consider writing a letter of support and discussing the request after the meeting.
Sanath Krishna and other student leaders described Bureau of Indian Affairs findings and cited a 2022 federal court ruling they said supports the Muwekma’s claim that the tribe was wrongfully excluded from the BIA’s list of recognized tribes. "We're not asking Saratoga to make a legal determination. We're asking Saratoga to stand with the evidence," one speaker said.
Council members did not vote on a letter at the meeting. A coalition speaker offered to follow up with staff after the meeting and several public commenters said local government support would help the tribe demonstrate regional backing to Congress.
