Nearly five decades ago, an egregious oversight left the Muwekma Ohlone—a Native American nation from the San Francisco Bay area—off the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ list of federally recognized tribes. This omission occurred without any legislative hearings, congressional acts, or executive orders, leaving the tribe unrecognized and without land.
Historically acknowledged as the Verona Band of Alameda County, the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe’s members today are descendants of this once-recognized group. After years of advocacy, the plight of the Muwekma Ohlone has recently intersected with the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, prompting a ‘Trail of Truth’ journey across America that led to a dramatic standoff with federal and local law enforcement in Washington, D.C.
In a candid discussion with , Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh shed light on these tumultuous times, the shift of Native American votes towards Donald J. Trump, and the tribe’s hopes for a ‘common-sense administration’ to rectify a long-standing injustice.
Nijmeh pointed to the role of a prominent politician from the Bay Area—Kamala Harris, who ascended the political ladder in Muwekma Ohlone territory while serving as Attorney General and U.S. Senator. “She built her career here,” the Chairwoman recounted, “yet when our previous tribal chair reached out to her for support on legislation, she dismissed Indian issues as ‘not her business’.”
In 2023, Chairwoman Nijmeh met with Democratic Representative Zoe Lofgren, who suggested the tribe relinquish some rights to operate a casino in exchange for federal recognition legislation. However, Nijmeh rejected the idea of sacrificing their sovereign rights, which other recognized tribes retain.
Historically, the Muwekma Ohlone had aligned with the Democratic Party, but when it came time to rectify a bureaucratic blunder that has persisted for half a century, it was the Democrats who opposed them.
By 2024, witnessing Kamala Harris in Indian country touting ‘self-governance and protecting tribal rights’ felt insincere to the tribe. Thus, in August, they launched their ‘Trail of Truth’ campaign. “We traveled across Indian country to declare: Kamala is not good for us. She selectively supports big corporate gaming tribes that fund her campaigns, while neglecting the broader Native community,” Nijmeh explained.
Harris’s lack of historical commitment to Indian issues contrasted sharply with Trump’s previous engagement. “Trump has spoken out for tribes like the Lumbee in North Carolina, who are fighting for their recognition just like us,” Nijmeh noted, hinting at a glimmer of hope in their struggle.
As they made their way south through Los Angeles, Malibu, and onward to Arizona, the Muwekma Ohlone faced backlash for their outspoken criticism of Kamala Harris and support for Trump. Their journey also took them through Pine Ridge, South Dakota, where they received support from the Horse Nation Society, bolstering their ranks.
Eventually, their protest caravan attracted members from various tribal nations. “We traveled to Minnesota, Red Lake, Chicago, and the Menominee reservation in Wisconsin. In total, 25 different nations joined us on our pilgrimage to D.C.,” Nijmeh stated.
“We requested an escort to our meeting, especially since we intended to bring our horses in ceremonial fashion,” Nijmeh mentioned. However, upon arrival, they found the streets blocked and were met by over 100 law enforcement officers. When attempting to retrieve their horses from the trailer, they were confronted by police, who insisted they could not take the horses out without a permit. What followed was a chaotic scene as the Park Police reacted aggressively. “They threatened to confiscate our horses and euthanize them, causing panic among women and children present,” Nijmeh recounted. “We had to protect our horses and our community, resulting in a three-and-a-half-hour standoff.”
In the midst of the chaos, Democrat Deb Haaland, Biden’s Secretary of Interior, failed to acknowledge the tribe’s sovereignty. “She condemned us for the altercation with her police and refused to meet with me, suggesting we take our concerns to Congress,” Nijmeh said, expressing her shock. “I shared her response with everyone in Indian country to highlight her stance.” Now, with the Trump administration potentially open to addressing their plight, the landless tribe is making another push for recognition, believing that sovereignty will allow them to reclaim their ancestral lands. “We view the Trump administration as reasonable, and we are hopeful they will correct this long-standing injustice as they have with the Lumbee,” Nijmeh asserted.
