Indigenous tribe outlines plans for 136 acres of California coastline returned by state

A 136-acre stretch of Northern California coastline has been returned to Indigenous tribes and is proposed to become a site for ceremonies and education on traditional land and sea practices. The property, located in Mendocino County and including Blues Beach and the ancient village site K’etim, was transferred to Kai Poma, a tribal nonprofit, after a lengthy effort to reclaim the ancestral land. Kai Poma represents the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Round Valley Indian Tribes, and Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians. Tribal leaders have shared their vision for the land, emphasizing the importance of protecting the natural habitat and teaching younger generations about harvesting native foods and fishing. Eddie Knight, chairman of Kai Poma, stated that the initiative aims to provide youth with knowledge on utilizing the land sustainably. The shoreline will remain publicly accessible, with no admission fees, and commercial development is prohibited. If the nonprofit fails to maintain the site, the land will revert to Caltrans. The Coastal Yuki consider the area an ancient village site with significant cultural heritage. The tribe's efforts to reclaim the land began in 2005, prompted by concerns over grave robbing and damage to the site. Legislation passed in 2021 by state Senate leader Mike McGuire facilitated the transfer of the land. J. Carlos Rivera, tribal chairman of the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, expressed the significance of reclaiming land that their ancestors once inhabited. The state had originally acquired the land in the 1960s for the expansion of Highway 1 and a scenic overlook.