Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Today on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we are acknowledging that Gladstone Institutes is located on the ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples, the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula.

They are one of 50 tribes from San Francisco to Big Sur, collectively called Ohlone, who speak the Costanoan language.

Among the people who originally inhabited the San Francisco Peninsula, the Ramaytush Ohlone is the only lineage known to have survived the Spanish voyage of exploration that started in 1769, named the Portola Expedition. Despite this, they still lost nearly all of their culture and language, with only about 200 words recorded.

Why a Land Acknowledgment?

Through this acknowledgement, we are expressing our respect for the original inhabitants of the land on which we now work, and to help raise awareness of how this land was taken.

In addition, we recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on Indigenous peoples throughout the United States, who face a higher risk of infection, hospitalization, and death. By openly stating these facts, we hope to inspire change and support for Indigenous communities within science and beyond.

Ways You Can Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day

• Discover what Native land you’re living on
• Donate to Indigenous charities
• Donate to organizations providing food relief to Native communities during COVID-19
• Read a book by an Indigenous writer