Celebrating Indigenous Peoples in Rancho Cordova

Something we deeply love about Rancho Cordova is the region's rich and diverse community. We would like to celebrate and honor Indigenous Peoples' voices and stories by sharing a land acknowledgment.

Land acknowledgments serve as public recognition and an invitation to uplift the narratives of the Indigenous Peoples who have been displaced from their homelands due to colonialism, genocide, and environmental changes.

We honor and thank the Nisenan (Nice-ih-NUN), Miwok (MEE-Wock), Cayuse (KY-yoose), Umatilla (you-muh-TILL-uh), and Walla Walla peoples as our community partners and the traditional inhabitants of the territories of Rancho Cordova, Sacramento, and surrounding areas.

They have stewarded these beautiful lands throughout generations, lands that everyone who has visited Rancho Cordova has been privileged to enjoy and share with their loved ones. We do not take this for granted.

The Visit Native California initiative has inspired our team to be more conscious about our efforts and impact in this area, and this acknowledgment is just one humble step in a much greater conversation. Going forward, Visit Rancho Cordova is eager to learn more about how we can support local Indigenous organizations in our region.

To learn more about the territories and land you are standing on, please visit Native-Land.ca

There are many ways to celebrate and honor the region’s Indigenous Peoples aside from land acknowledgment. Visiting the California State Indian Museum (Historic State Park) is a great interactive way to learn more about the pre-colonial livelihood of Californian Indigenous Peoples. Not only can you observe the various cultural items, but the park’s website also offers programs that help the community reconnect to nature and teach the importance of environmental sustainability and care.

Visiting the CA State Indian Museum is an engaging learning experience. It is also easy to get there from Rancho Cordova. Get on US-50 W from either Zinfandel Drive or Sunrise Boulevard, and follow US-50 W to 30th Street in Sacramento. You will take exit 7A from I-80BL East to get to K Street.

Another immersive opportunity is attending one of the annual events hosted by The Buena Vista Rancheria: Miwok Indians that celebrate California Indigenous peoples that have inhabited the land. The Sacramento Native American Health Center offers many resources and opportunities to support and connect with the Indigenous Peoples in the area. You can donate, volunteer, or learn more by clicking this link.

Many tribes are still active within the Sacramento Region such as Buena Vista Rancheria: Me-Wuk Indians, Shingle Springs Rancheria: Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, and Wilton Rancheria. Each tribe has a link to additional education on their tribe’s history as well as the contact information of people to reach out to which is linked below:

Buena Vista Rancheria: Miwok Indians HISTORY

Wilton Rancheria TRIBAL HISTORY

Shingle Springs Rancheria DEPARTMENTS

The U.S. Department of Arts and Culture offers a link to their Honor Native Land Guide that features how to properly do a land acknowledgment as well as educational resources on what you can do beyond land acknowledgment. You may also view their Honor Native Land gallery to download and promote #HonorNativeLand art here.