Tribal Members Return to Juristac at “Pescadero Ranch”

By Michelle Glowa, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Social Change at California Institute of Integral Studies and AMLT Research Associate; and Eric Zapata, Amah Mutsun Tribal Band member and Youth Group member

This past May we celebrated the first Tribal visits to Pescadero Ranch (a central part of the Juristac Tribal Cultural Landscape) since this 1,340 property was acquired by Peninsula Open Space Trust.

On May 10th, over 30 Tribal Members attended a visit and cultural day at Pescadero Ranch, forming the first Tribal gathering in the Juristac area in many decades. Tribal historian and Vice Chair Ed Ketchum spoke about the history and culture of the area, describing village sites that existed before contact. Ed shared that Mutsun people also returned to the area to re-establish villages and form new “rancherias” after Mission San Juan Bautista was closed in the 1830s. Chairman Lopez also spoke, emphasizing the great opportunity the Tribe now has to connect with this land.

“Now, we as a tribe have access to Juristac here, in perpetuity till the last sunrise, to steward, to hold ceremony, to teach our youth, to heal, to restore our native plants, to keep the waters clean, to restore burning and sacredness to the lands,” Chairman Lopez said. “We have a tremendous opportunity and gift here. It is the prayers of all of our Tribe that brought us here today and we must remember that.”

Ed Ketchum shared a story of the tar springs and tar pits at Juristac, one of which the group was able to visit. “Our people used to come here and hunt. Juan Miguel one time was up in the hills here, on the other side of the hills where the lakes are. And out of the trees came an elk and the elk was running right towards him. He got back, and behind the elk was a full grown grizzly bear chasing it. The elk went running across the area and into the tar pits and started sinking in the tar pits. The grizzly bear went right in behind him, sinking down into the tar. Ascension said they used to find giant bones at the toe of the tar pits.”

Daniel Olstein, Director of Land Stewardship for the Peninsula Open Space Trust, also spoke at the gathering, highlighting the historic nature of the moment and the importance of protecting the Juristac area as a refuge and movement corridor for local wildlife. The day also included the sharing of Mutsun songs by the Uwismak singers, words from the Amah Mutsun Youth Group and AMLT’s new executive director Noelle Chambers, and tours of the property both on foot and by Jeep.

Amah Mutsun Youth Group’s Star Creek Ranch Campout

On the weekend prior to the main tribal visit, the Amah Mutsun Youth Group held a youth campout at Star Creek Ranch, during which about 20 young tribal members explored the Pescadero Ranch portion of Juristac as part of their activities. The theme of the camping trip was “honoring deer relatives.” Youth group members learned about tribal relationships with deer from visiting Coast Miwok hunter Peter Nelson. Participants also learned more about native plants and gathered tule, soap plant, yerba buena, bay leaves, and other plants at Juristac during their visit. Eric Zapata, Amah Mutsun youth group member, reflects on the weekend:

*Eric Zapata speaks alongside other Amah Mutsun youth group members at the May 10 Tribal Visit to Pescadero Ranch*

“I had the privilege of visiting Star Creek Ranch, a sacred land. The beauty of the land spoke to me in a language beyond words. It was a place where time seemed to pause, allowing me to reconnect with the earth and with my heritage. During my time there with my cousins and tribal family, we explored the land with reverence and curiosity. We identified native plants, admired the scenery, and allowed ourselves to simply be present in the moment. We honored our traditions by tasting acorn mush sweetened with a touch of maple syrup. Sipping on Manzanita cider and gathering around the campfire, we shared stories and reflections, strengthening the bonds that unite us as a tribe.

In this sacred space, I offered my gratitude to the Creator for the land and the peace it provided. I also expressed my thanks to my tribal family for sharing this experience and for the collective strength we draw from our shared history and culture. May we continue to honor and protect our ancestral lands, ensuring that future generations can experience the same peace and connection that I felt at Star Creek Ranch.

With gratitude, Eric Zapata”

The acquisition of Pescadero Ranch by POST represents a first major success in our efforts to protect Juristac from proposed destructive developments. A large commercial marijuana farming operation was previously proposed on Pescadero Ranch, which was formerly a part of the Sargent Ranch property. While we are still working to stop the planned mining project next door at Sargent Ranch, the protection of Pescadero gives momentum and hope that a purchase of the rest of the land may be in reach. We thank POST for their partnership and support in our efforts to protect Amah Mutsun sacred lands.