About
California is home to more people of Indigenous descent than any other state in the United States.
We acknowledge that Federal recognition does not establish an Indigenous Nation, rather, it only defines a legal relationship between the Nation and the US government. The status of Federal Recognition is the key that allows Nations to pursue rematriation of land, sacred objects and remains, and respect for cultural practices. There are 109 Nations that have federal recognition status in California<sup>1,2</sup>. There are an estimated 140 Nations that are currently not federally recognized, 78 of which have petitioned for recognition. For more information, please visit
1 List of Federally-Recognized Tribes in CA
2 List of Federal and State Recognized Tribes
3 Tribal Governments – Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission
Our work is continuously defined by trust, healing, and shared leadership.
Our matriarchal circle includes descendants of the Rumsen/Ohlone, Esselen, Shasta, Chumash, and Mexica and Apache Nations, among others. We are supported by leaders from the Councils of the respective Nations representing many of the aboriginal territories of the Northern California coast area.
Guidance + Vision
Vision Statement
For Indigenous Nations and Land Trusts across California to work in partnership to bridge traditional ecological knowledge with modern science by stewarding land and centering Indigenous perspectives of right relationship to increase wellness of our local communities.
Code of Ethics
We strive to practice the Code of Ethics found in The Sacred Tree (1984) by Phil Lane Jr., Lee Brown, Judy Bopp, Michael Bopp, and Elders. Click here to read the full Code of Ethics. This Code of Ethics is an agreement, spoken and unspoken, which has been adopted by many Indigenous Nations across the Country.
Guidance
Itsu Circle collective is organized by Jana Nason, Barbara Bain, Carmen Saldivar, and Rio Salcedo.
The circle of support around this collective includes Big Sur Land Trust, Confederation of Ohlone Peoples, Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, the Healing and Reconciliation Institute, and Maija West Consulting.