Investigative journalism: federal recognition of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe with an exploration of different media types
Advisor: Mr. Betcher
Internship Location: SFSU(Remote)*
Onsite Mentor: Cristina Azocar
This project investigates the nearly century-long denial of federal recognition for the San Francisco-based Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, focusing on How politics and history intersect creating obstacles for official sovereignty. Federal recognition means economic and educational support for the tribe, and also means that the government acknowledges all that the tribe Has gone through and overcome, and at the core the tribe’s values, culture, and history. Recent developments like the "Trail of Truth" mark a pivotal moment. This grassroots, cross-country tour aimed to garner national support, culminating in an August 2024 demonstration in Washington, D.C., where several members faced arrest, highlighted the stakes involved in their struggle. Through interviews with tribal leadership, including Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh, and research into political stances — both supportive and oppositional — of Bay Area cities, local congressional representatives, and other tribes in CA and the nation, this journalistic project exposes the hurdles the tribe faces in seeking acknowledgment and provides a nuanced view of the factors affecting federal recognition. Ultimately, I hope to create a series of articles and possibly a short documentary that not only lays out the political and legal reasons behind the tribe’s ongoing denial of recognition, but also empHasizes the human and cultural aspect of their fight.
Project Blog
Week 0: Blog
Welcome to the first blog post of my senior project. In this post, I will share some background information and explain my project.
In June 2024, I conducted a comprehensive 1.5-hour interview with Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh, her secretary, and a student volunteer. With her team, I reviewed the positions of politicians who oppose the tribe’s federal recognition. Not only does federal recognition mean economic and educational support for the Muwekma Ohlone tribe, it also means that the government acknowledges all that the tribe has gone through and overcome, and at the core the tribe’s values, culture, and history. Even though the tribe started application for federal recognition in almost a century ago, the tribe lost its status due to inconsistent census record-keeping that removed them from federal lists.
The Muwekma Ohlone tribe's journey spans almost a century, but recent developments, like the "Trail of Truth," mark a pivotal moment. This grassroots, cross-country tour aimed to garner national support, culminating in an August demonstration in Washington, D.C., where several members faced arrest, highlighting the stakes involved in their struggle.
In this project, I will work to include perspectives from the Muwekma Ohlone tribe, state and city governments, Bay Area congressional representatives, and other indigenous tribes throughout CA and the nation, hopefully providing a full view of the factors affecting federal recognition, and simultaneously championing for a more equitable process that honors the history, culture, sovereignty, and rights of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe.
Week 1: The Presidio Trust and Federal Recognition
This week I started my project. My vision was to do a series of articles and a video covering the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe’s almost century-long fight for federal recognition. However, upon further correspondence with the tribe’s staff and receiving updates, I’ve learned that their main focus now is to work with news outlets and journalists who can shed light on their perspective on the president’s recent effort to dissolve the Presidio Trust. In shorter terms, the Presidio Trust is a federal agency designated to protect the Presidio of San Francisco national park site. The Presidio is on Muwekma land, and according to my talks with the staff intern that connected me with their staff last summer, the tribe is trying to get the Presidio land back because they believe they can better manage it.
I am still planning on writing a series of articles and hopefully video, but instead of focusing exclusively on federal recognition, I will follow the needs of the Muwekma, reporting on issues and matters like the dissolving of the Presidio Trust and federal recognition. As of now, I'm waiting on confirming a meeting time with the chief of staff to discuss these updates in more detail, and talk about how I can work with them as a journalist. I’ve also been researching the dissolving of the Presidio Trust and re-combing through reports on the trail of truth from last summer, catching any details I’ve missed.
Something else I’ve also started listening to is The Spiritual Edge Podcast: A Prayer for Salmon, which is about the Winnemem Wintu’s fight against the Shasta dam, which not only damaged the surrounding natural habitat but also dislocated many indigenous people in the area. It is written and narrated by an outside reporter, documenting how much learning she had to do in order to get a grasp of the tribe’s story with the Shasta Dam, such as its cultural and historical significance. A big part of what she writes is also about how she learned how to be in community with the Winnemem Wintu, especially considering how her outsider status can bring discomfort, suspicion, and distrust, rightfully so. I plan to listen and read through her documentation of her journey alongside maintaining communication and involvement with the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe to be in community.
Week 2: Blog
Hi everyone and welcome to my week 2 blog. This week, I continued developing my project by deepening my connection with the tribal staff and refining my overall vision. In my meeting with Matt Ricchiazzi, the Muwekma chief of staff, we arranged an internship, which would allow me to be in community and also keep me in closer contact and cooperation with Muwekma staff and people. He informed me of a new opportunity beyond an article series: helping script a 15-minute video documentary potentially focusing on the tribe’s cause to gain back rights to the Presidio. After a helpful conversation with him and then also my internal advisor, Mr. Betcher, I settled on creating a mini-podcast series as my main project, the transcripts of which will serve as the foundation for my article series. This way, I can explore the project through both audio and written formats.
In addition to these discussions, I spent some time reviewing the Muwekmas social media posts, which gave me a better understanding of their advocacy for nature rights and federal recognition. I also continued listening to “Prayer for Salmon,” a podcast that delves into the Winnemem Wintu’s fight against the Shasta Dam.
I’ve also begun drafting reach-outs to elected officials and board members of the Presidio Trust to arrange interviews that can provide further insight into the issues at hand. Since the Presidio Trust plays a key role in protecting the Presidio of San Francisco, land that is deeply connected to the Muwekma, I believe their perspective is essential to the story I’m trying to tell.
Overall, this week has been a period of significant progress. I’m excited about blending detailed research with meaningful conversations, and I look forward to continuing my work in both podcasting and writing. This dual approach will help me represent the voices and experiences of the Muwekma Ohlone tribe with the depth and respect they deserve.
Week 3: Blog: Key contacts and setting up interviews
Hello everyone, welcome to my week 3 blog!
This week, I focused on reaching out to key contacts and setting up interviews. I sent out interview requests to local officials and representatives, though I encountered a hiccup — being unable to email them through their website due to being out of their district. I plan to call their offices and also reached out to the Muwekma Chief of Staff to see if he has any contacts with the representatives in their district.
In addition, I contacted several Muwekma council members to request interviews and gather their comments on the issues at hand. Their insights are crucial to understanding the broader context of the tribe’s fight for federal recognition, rights to the Presidio, and sovereignty.
I also reached out to board members of the Presidio Trust for their input, as their perspective is key to understanding the federal dynamics at play. While setting up these interviews, I spent some time researching potential platforms to publish my mini-podcast series along with my articles.
Finally, I took deep dives into past reports by local papers throughout San Francisco and the East Bay and combed through social media posts about elected officials and their actions regarding federal recognition. This research is helping me piece together a more comprehensive picture of how this has evolved over time, further personalizing and customizing the conversations I'll have with interviewees and my approach.
Week 4: Blog: A significant step forward in building connections
This week, I continued to deepen my research and outreach for my project. I reconnected with Matt and managed to line up an interview with Dr. Leventhal for after March 27th due to his being out-of-state for the week. His work is critical to my project because he uses genealogical and archaeological data to prove the Muwekma Ohlone’s continuous lineage from pre-colonial times to today. This evidence is key to strengthening the tribe's federal recognition bid by filling in gaps in past records and correcting previous misclassifications. It’s encouraging to see how contemporary research and advocacy, like that of Leventhal and his colleagues, can provide solid support for the tribe’s case.
I also reached out to Bernadette Quiroz, who oversees the Muwekma’s language revival program, and Joey Iyolopixtli, the tribe’s culture bearer. Their insights are essential for capturing the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Muwekma, which is at the heart of their identity and struggle. By integrating their perspectives, I hope to add a personal and nuanced layer to my project that reflects both the historical narrative and the community’s ongoing efforts toward federal recognition.
On the political front, I continued my efforts to connect with representatives who play a significant role in the government’s involvement in the Muwekma’s federal recognition process. Although I haven’t heard back from Rep. Khanna yet, I attempted to contact other officials—Pelosi, Lofgren, and Eshoo. After my summer interview with Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh, I learned that the Muwekma have faced conflict with Representatives Lofgren and Eshoo due to their opposition to federal recognition, and according to Muwekma social media posts and my meetings with Chief of Staff Matt Ricchiazzi, there has also been conflict with Pelosi because of her inaction despite verbally expressing support. Since their websites don’t allow non-constituents to send messages, I’m hoping to leverage my connections at KQED for advice or even an introduction.
Overall, this week has been a significant step forward in building connections and gathering crucial research. Every interview and piece of data brings me closer to understanding both the historical challenges and current political dynamics affecting the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe. I look forward to see how these developments will shape the next phase of my project as I continue to explore the cultural and political aspects of their journey toward federal recognition.
Week 5: Blog: Impactful interviews
This week, I had a really impactful interview with Bernadette Quiroz, the language revitalization program chair. During our conversation, she shared details about the Trail of Truth cross-country journey, where tribal staff and members traveled semi-horseback to Washington, DC. They were heading to a meeting with the BIA about federal recognition for the Muwekma, but when they arrived, they were met with unprovoked violence against elders and youth, arrests, and even threats to terminate their sacred horses. It was shocking to hear that despite what should have been a historic moment, the story went underreported, leaving many important events and struggles unnoticed by the public.
Bernadette also discussed the landback movement, focusing on the Presidio, which is the Muwekma ancestral homeland. She wasn’t deeply briefed on the recent challenges or progress the tribe has made regarding their rights to the Presidio beyond what’s been shared in recent press releases and media work. Because of this, I plan to look into other sources and interviews to gather a more detailed understanding of the ongoing battle for land rights, as this is a critical aspect of the tribe’s fight for federal recognition.
In addition to my conversation with Bernadette, I secured agreements for future interviews with both the tribe’s culture bearer and Dr. Leventhal, which I plan to arrange next week. These upcoming interviews are crucial, as they will provide additional perspectives on both the cultural heritage and the academic research supporting the Muwekma’s continuous lineage and federal recognition bid.
Alongside all these interviews, I’m currently working on a progressive outline to organize all the conversations and separate my project into distinct episodes and articles. This outline will help me answer the key questions my project aims to cover, ensuring that the historical context, cultural identity, and political challenges facing the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe are all addressed in a clear and compelling way.
Week 6: blog - interviewing and drafting
Hi everyone and welcome to my week 6 blog! This week, I made significant progress by securing important interviews with key Muwekma tribal members and Dr. Leventhal. I also spent time outlining my overall project goals and even drafted my very first article/episode. Each step is helping me build a more complete picture of the Muwekma’s journey toward federal recognition and the broader cultural implications behind it.
My external advisor played a huge role this week by providing me with some valuable resources to guide my reporting. One resource, in particular, was a “bingo card” from indigenousjournalists.org. Just like it sounds, each box on the bingo card lists a common trope or stereotype, like alcohol abuse, casinos, and vanishing culture, that often appears in reporting on indigenous communities. While these issues can sometimes be part of the narrative, such as sacred horses during the Trail of Truth, my external advisor’s guidance reminded me not to rely on ideas that could unintentionally stereotype indigenous communities. This has helped me remain focused on telling a more accurate and respectful story.
In my interview with Joey Iyolopixtli, the tribe’s culture bearer, I learned a lot about the deeper cultural and spiritual aspect of federal recognition. He emphasized the importance of a profound connection to the earth and the legacy of the Muwekma people. He focused a lot on how connection to the earth is important because of how much it provides for us, how so much of our technology and development comes from the very land of the Muwekma. It is important to recognize that sovereignty, and to give the Muwekma the respect of being the original people of this land, in the Bay and Silicon Valley, for thousands of years, and for us to act as guests in their home.
Overall, this week has been a mix of interviews, research, and planning that is shaping my project in exciting ways. I’m learning to balance different perspectives and avoid common pitfalls in reporting, all while capturing the true essence of the Muwekma’s struggle and heritage. I’m looking forward to seeing how these conversations and insights will continue to influence my writing and help me tell a story that honors the past, present, and future of the Muwekma.
Week 7: Blog — New Interview and Rewriting
Hi everyone and welcome to my week 7 blog! This week I made significant progress with my interviews and overall project structure. Most notably, I had an in-depth interview with Dr. Alan Leventhal, an archaeologist and anthropologist who has been closely involved with the Muwekma for over four decades. He shared valuable historical context about the tribe’s struggle for federal recognition, particularly highlighting the political and systemic barriers they have faced. He discussed the damaging impact of being declared essentially "extinct" by Alfred Kroeber, an anthropologist from UC Berkeley, in 1925 and how his later reversal in the 1950s wasn't enough to undo the initial erasure of the Muwekma. Dr. Leventhal explained the significance of recent archaeological findings that further demonstrate the continuous presence of the Muwekma in the Bay Area, reinforcing their claims to federal recognition.
He also spoke extensively about the complex history of the Presidio land transfer from the military to the Presidio Trust in the early 1990s and the actions of the Presidio Trust and National Park Service, which excluded the Muwekma's role despite ample evidence of their historical ties to the land. He described these actions as part of a larger "politics of erasure," noting how the Muwekma have been systematically rendered invisible in public narratives and policy discussions. Our conversation covered the broader historical injustices, including the sealed treaties from the 1850s that granted CA tribes land, and the Muwekma's repeated struggles against political opposition and misrepresentation, specifically highlighting resistance from figures such as Senator Feinstein.
This week, I also drafted my first two episodes but encountered a roadblock after realizing my initial approach didn't fully capture the significance of the topic for audiences unfamiliar with it. After meeting with my internal advisor, Mr. Betcher, I decided to restructure the episodes around thematic questions about the Muwekma's fight for federal recognition, rather than organizing them solely around individual interviews. Writing out and reorganizing my thoughts clarified my vision for each episode and has given me more confidence in presenting this important topic clearly and effectively.
Lastly, I continued refining my progressive outline, making sure each episode and article answers the key questions central to my project. My external advisor’s resources from last week—particularly the bingo card from indigenousjournalists.org—have continued to guide my reporting, reminding me to avoid stereotypes and ensure authentic representation of the tribe’s story. Overall, this has been a productive week, bringing me closer to crafting a comprehensive and impactful series.
Week 8: Blog — Compiling and Drafting
Hi everyone and welcome to my week 8 blog! This week, I dove into drafting and refining the first main episode of my podcast series, focusing on the questions 'who are the Muwekma' and 'what is federal recognition' weaving in Bernadette Quiroz’s audio pieces on the political hurdles and practical challenges the tribe faces, along with recounts of the Trail of Truth. As the week progressed, I layered in quotes from Joey Iyolopixtli, the culture bearer, to underscore the cultural and spiritual importance of federal recognition and sovereignty, ensuring the narrative balanced both the policy and the people at its heart. I also shared my draft with my external advisor.
Midweek, I shifted focus to the historical overview in the 'who are the Muwekma?' section. I looked to see if I could include Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh's words from last summer to anchor the story in the Muwekma’s lived experience, and I identified places where Dr. Leventhal’s detailed narrative could enrich the episode. Since I didn't receive response from any elected officials, I reached out to Chief of Staff Matt Ricchiazzi to see if he had documentation on Rep. Lofgren’s previous responses to the tribe, which I’ll fold in once I receive it.
After a check-in with my internal advisor, Mr. Betcher, I realized I needed a clearer roadmap for each episode. I created a reverse outline, mapping out my episode goals and comparing them to what I’d already drafted. This exercise gave me a concrete plan for discovering and filling any blanks in my story, which includes many aspects. I also began sketching the final episode outline, which will hopefully guide listeners on practical steps they can take as constituents to support the Muwekma’s recognition efforts.
I am also asking for Charlene Nijmeh's permission to use her voice in the podcast, following up with Matt on the documents, and cutting audio clips from episodes and videos for timing and flow to fit into the episodes. I recorded new narration segments to bridge the voices and quotes, tightening the episode scripts to fit the format. Overall, this week was about transforming raw interviews into a coherent, compelling series.
Week 9: Blog - Production
Hi everyone and welcome to my week 9 blog! This week, I put together the first rough draft of my initial podcast episode and showed it to my internal advisor, Mr. Betcher. After reviewing it together, we discussed ways to make the podcast more conversational and accessible for listeners. Mr. Betcher reminded me that since the Muwekma's fight for federal recognition remains largely underreported, my storytelling needs to genuinely convey the Muwekma perspective rather than just listing facts or sounding overly formal, like a professional speech or essay. This feedback was incredibly helpful in shifting my approach to ensure my podcast resonates more naturally with listeners who may not be familiar with the topic.
Taking this advice to heart, I revisited my script and began restructuring it to better highlight the voices and experiences of the tribe members I interviewed. Instead of just presenting a linear series of events, I focused on creating a narrative that truly captures the emotional and cultural significance of federal recognition for the Muwekma community. I incorporated more quotes and stories from Bernadette Quiroz and Joey Iyolopixtli to help listeners form a deeper emotional connection and gain a better understanding of why recognition matters so much.
Overall, this week was all about transforming raw interviews and factual content into a coherent and compelling series that authentically portrays the Muwekma's journey. With each revision, I feel closer to achieving my goal of presenting a clear and engaging narrative that not only informs but also genuinely connects with listeners. I'm excited about how the podcast is shaping up, and I'm looking forward to continuing to refine it in the coming weeks.