Indigenous History in the Bay Area

Join Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) and California State Parks for a three-part webinar series delivered by Mark Hylkema, California State Parks Archaeologist and Adjunct Professor of Anthropology at Foothill College. Mark will draw from over 40 years of experience studying the history of California native people, focusing on Indigenous cultures of the Peninsula and the South Bay.

Ethnobotany and Land Stewardship
California ecosystems have evolved with thoughtful active management by diverse human communities over thousands of years. This session will examine some of the interactions Indigenous Peoples of the Bay Area had with with our landscape. We will highlight specific plant and animal relationships, as well as stewardship practices using examples from our local landscape. 

Enjoy the natural beauty of the coast by joining Peninsula Open Space Trust on a bike ride around POST-protected lands on the San Mateo Coast!

Economy, Spirituality, and Culture
This session will focus on interesting aspects of what we know about historic Indigenous culture, society, economy and spirituality. Participants will hear about examples of trade networks that existed, taking products made and collected by Bay Area communities far and wide. They'll also learn about aspects of village life, spirituality, and sacred relationships with our local landscape. We'll also share some resources for how you can learn and support contemporary Indigenous communities in our area.