About the Ramaytush Ohlone People
The Ramaytush (ra-MY-toosh) Ohlone lived in ten independent tribes on the San Francisco Peninsula for thousands of years and to this day continue to live here as respectful stewards of the land. Due to the devastating policies and practices of a succession of explorers, missionaries, settlers, and various levels of government over the centuries since European expansion, the Ramaytush Ohlone lost the vast majority of their population as well as their land. Contemporary members of these tribes continue to research, preserve, and share their history and culture.
The San Mateo County Office of Education acknowledges that the land on which we live and serve is the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone people. We express our respect and gratitude for the work of the Ramaytush Ohlone to educate residents about their history and the continuing contributions of the Ohlone people. We look forward to working with the Ramaytush Ohlone to support schools in sharing this knowledge with our county’s students and communities.
Learn More About the Ramaytush Ohlone People
- The Ramaytush Ohlone
- The Ramaytush Ohlone of the San Francisco Peninsula
- Ohlone-Portolá Heritage Trail Project
- Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
Recognitions and Acknowledgements
- Resolution Recognizing November 2021 as National Native American Heritage Month
- November 3, 2021, Board of Education Meeting Land Acknowledgement
Resources for Teaching About Indigenous Peoples
California’s History-Social Science Framework calls for students to examine the history and culture of Native Californian peoples, including the Ramaytush Ohlone people. Below are culturally responsive resources to help educators teach about Indigenous peoples.
- Classroom Ready Resources for Teachers (Teaching California): Find lessons that explore California Indian history and help students understand diverse perspectives, evaluate historical evidence, and unpack ethical considerations of the past.
- Map of Original Native Tribes and Teacher’s Guide (Native Land): Search Indigenous territories and engage your classroom in the complexity and diversity of Indigenous peoples.
- Bay Area Native History Resources (UC Berkeley History-Social Science Project): Access culturally responsive resources about settler colonialism and the ongoing history and presence of Ohlone people in the Bay Area.
- Frameworks for Teaching History - Social Justice Standards, Teaching Hard History, Digital Literacy (Teaching Tolerance): Find frameworks for teaching social justice standards, American slavery, digital literacy, and civil rights.
- Rethinking Columbus Teaching Resources (Zinn Education Project): Search through lessons, books, and films on how to teach the truth about Christopher Columbus and Indigenous peoples’ history.
- California Indian Education Resources (California Indian Education for All): Access resources and professional development opportunities to learn about the diverse histories, cultures, and contributions of California Native peoples.
- Indigenous Peoples' Day Teaching Toolkit (San Diego County Office of Education): Find resources to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, including a board resolution, lesson plans, and toolkits.
- Native American History Month (Library of Congress): Search through articles, webpages, videos, and other media that provide information on Indigenous peoples.
- Teaching about Native American Life Resources (California Teachers Association): Learn about Native American history and contemporary life and access ideas for class discussions, writing, research, and community involvement.
- American Indian History and Heritage (National Endowment for the Humanities): Find lesson plans, teacher guides, and media resources for teaching indigenous perspectives and exploring indigenous peoples' culture.
Photo is attributed to the National Park Service.
San Mateo County Reads 2022 - A Celebration of Indigenous Lives
San Mateo County Reads is a countywide initiative that fosters community and discussion through literacy. Formerly known as One Book One County, the program invites students, families, educators, and community members to read from a slate of books under a common theme to promote conversations, create connections, foster understanding, and expand interest in reading. 
The theme for 2022 was “Native Authors-Native Lives.” To correct the stories and practices that have often erased indigenous people’s history and culture, the San Mateo County Reads team of educators and librarians selected this slate of books to help lift the stories of indigenous voices.
Learn more about last year's slate of chosen books!