Northern Valley Yokut/Costanoan Tribe and California State Parks Formalize Collaboration with Signing Memorandum of Understanding
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The Northern Valley Yokut/Costanoan Tribe and State Parks sign a memorandum of understanding on Sept. 5 at the Alameda-Tesla Property in Eastern Alameda County. Photo from California State Parks.
ALAMEDA-TESLA PROPERTY — The Northern Valley Yokut/Costanoan Tribe (NVYT) and State Parks signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Sept. 5 for the parks within NVYT’s ancestral territory. The signing took place at the Alameda-Tesla Property, where NVYT and State Parks are coordinating to identify natural and cultural resources for conservation and protection once the state park is officially designated and opened.
“NVYT appreciates State Parks for recognizing that our Ancestors lived on this land for centuries and ensuring we continue to have opportunities to practice and revitalize our culture and traditions,” said Tribal Chairperson Perez.
“This MOU is a formal connection of deep time to the present; it provides formal recognition of Tribal presence that has always been,” reflected State Parks Director Armando Quintero.
The MOU formalizes the relationship between NVYT and State Parks, which includes collaboration on protecting natural and cultural resources, interpretation and education, and ongoing park planning and resource management. This includes the protection of cultural resources at Dos Rios, Marsh Creek State Park, Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area, and collaboration on the floodplain restoration at Great Valley Grasslands State Park.
In addition, it facilitates Tribal Member access to the parks within the MOU, supporting NVYT in gathering traditional plants, practicing traditional ecological knowledge, and accessing the parks for cultural and ceremonial purposes. Cooperation between NVYT and State Parks will facilitate co-development of interpretative materials and ecological stewardship. The MOU facilitates both parties supporting grant applications and working together to identify funding opportunities for projects in the parks of the MOU.
This agreement supports Governor Gavin Newsom’s Statement of Administration Policy on Native American Ancestral Lands, which encourages state entities to seek opportunities to support California tribes’ co-management of and access to natural lands that are within a California tribe’s ancestral land and under the ownership or control of the State of California.
This is the 17th MOU between State Parks and a California Native American tribe.
Top left: NVYT Chairperson Perez and State Parks Director Quintero celebrate signing the MOU. Top right: Central Valley District Superintendent Danielle Gerhart and Tribal Compliance Officer Timothy Perez sign the MOU. Bottom left: NVYT Tribal Member Robert Corral shares music at the signing event. Bottom right: NVYT Tribal Member Robert Corral speaks at the signing event. Photos from California State Parks.
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Additional information on the Northern Valley Yokut/Costanoan Tribe can be found at Northern Valley Yokut Ohlone Tribe.
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