Tribal Partnership
The Oakland Alameda Adaptation Committee (OAAC) is committed to meaningful, early, and ongoing partnership with Tribal Nations whose ancestral lands and waters include the Oakland–Alameda shoreline. This partnership is grounded in respect for Tribal sovereignty, recognition of enduring cultural and ecological stewardship, and a commitment to engagement that is consultative rather than extractive.
Over the last few years, the Sogorea Te Land Trust and Confederated Villages of Lisjan have been active, paid participants in the OAAC meetings and workshops as a paid partner on the Community Partner team. Sogorea Te’ is an urban Indigenous women-led land trust that facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people and ensures that intertribal Indigenous communities have affordable housing, social services and cultural centers. In September 2023, Corinna Gould, cofounder of Sogorea Te’, presented at an OAAC quarterly meeting on rematriation and protecting the sacred as indigenous women’s decolonial work with slides found here. As part of the engagement process, Corrina Gould also led a Tribal shoreline walking tour that offered participants a powerful, place-based understanding of the shoreline’s Indigenous history, cultural meaning, and ongoing stewardship.
Additionally, the City of Alameda has initiated the formal tribal consultation process with tribal partners, including Lisjan Nation/Sogorea Té Land Trust. In June 2024, Alameda on behalf of OAAC, sent information on the Subregional Adaptation Plan and associated projects to the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) and requested contact information for Tribes that are traditionally and culturally affiliated with the Oakland-Alameda geographic area. In July 2024, Alameda received the consultation list from NAHC and notified Tribal representatives through mail and email of the opportunity for consultation. This notification contained descriptions of the OAAC adaptation plan and projects and requested participation in the identification and protection of cultural resources, sacred lands or other heritage sites based on their understanding of the area. The invitation also encouraged Tribal representatives to communicate any concerns.
OAAC recognizes Indigenous knowledge systems as essential to climate adaptation, particularly in shaping nature-based solutions, shoreline restoration approaches, and long-term stewardship strategies.
OAAC is committed to continuing Tribal engagement throughout future phases of planning and implementation, with opportunities for ongoing consultation, collaboration, and co-development where desired by Tribal partners.