Current Projects

Access to Ancestral Lands

This project is designed to help strengthen California-based Indigenous stewardship and protection of ancestral lands.

As part of the project and made possible through the support of the Elizabeth R. & William J. Patterson Foundation, the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, First Nations awarded grants averaging $35,000 to 12 California-based tribes or tribally controlled nonprofit organizations. The grant period for this funding opportunity is 18 months, beginning March 1, 2022, and ending Aug. 31, 2023.

2022 Grantees

Big Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians, Lakeport

This project will create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the tribe and Clear Lake State Parks Department to include plant gathering, fire practice, and medicine cultivation.

California Indian Museum and Cultural Center, Santa Rosa

CIMCC staff members and Native youth will draft a strategy for the nonprofit land trust and obtain feedback on it from 20 or more stakeholders in one community event.

Kai Poma, Willits

Funding will go toward technical assistance to create the nonprofit organization resulting from transfer of Blues Beach property from the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans).

Modoc Nation, Alturas

This grant will help fund a site survey of complex property boundaries in traditional territories within the tribe.

Native American Land Conservancy, Banning

This project will create a scientific survey of Old Woman Mountain Preserve and update the Adaptive Management Plan.

Northern California Tribal Court Coalition, Eureka

This tribal organization will use the funds to create an online training series on land return and land trust formation for Humboldt County tribes.

Potter Valley Tribe, Ukiah

The project will involve developing a community forest plan, including support for an environmental assessment, easement research, and land use and zoning.

Sogorea Te' Land Trust, Oakland

The support will go toward the Sequoia Point Rematriation Project, which encompasses a cultural easement and rematriation/indigenous cultural zone.

Tataviam Land Conservancy, San Fernando

This grant will be dispersed over a variety of tribal land projects under general operations support.

Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy, Altadena

Funds will be used to rehabilitate the newly purchased Altadena property, including elder housing, and create a garden of native plants.

Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians, Tuolumne

The tribe will develop a survey of cultural sites, create site protection policies and procedures, and offer traditional ecological training opportunities.

Yurok Tribe, Klamath

The tribe will compile historic land documents, scan them into a digital format, and place in a centralized digital location.