As we celebrate the increasing light that begins with today’s winter solstice, we are reminded that – along with the many challenges of 2020 – there have been some incredibly inspiring moments.
Big Sur Land Trust is honored to be working with tribal members throughout our region, including the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County who recently reclaimed a piece of their sacred ancestral homeland in Big Sur. We are pleased to share their beautiful video along with a special message from Tribal Council Woman, Jana Nason.
Saleki Asatsano (Esselen Greeting),
It is with great honor that the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County has been called by the Ancestors to become stewards to a piece of our ancestral lands once again. On July 24th, 2020, the Tribe became the official stewards of a piece of our ancestral homeland.
This sacred property gives us the chance to tell our story to demonstrate our resilience. The opportunity to be able to recreate and rebirth, to put forth our efforts in the preservation and continuation of cultural traditions and have a place to have our cultural identity restored. The property offers the opportunity for tribal members and other Native Americans to engage in ceremonies and carry on our cultural practices.
We have been working closely with Western Rivers Conservancy, Big Sur Land Trust and other community partners to conserve the property, which is located in the northern area of the Big Sur Coast along the Little Sur River and links the protected lands on the coast to the Santa Lucia mountain range.
Words cannot begin to describe the importance of these ancestral lands to our People. It is with great honor that we become stewards of these sacred indigenous lands once again. This land will allow us to protect our traditions and preserve the cultural heritage of the historic tribes of this region.
Throughout the challenging times we have all been faced with this year, this past year for Esselen Tribe of Monterey County has been a time of rebirth and renewal. We are truly grateful for the outpouring of support we have received, and we look forward to sharing our journey with the community.
Warm regards,
Jana Nason
Tribal Council Woman, Tribal Administrator & Secretary, Publications
TribalAdmin@EsselenTribe.org
P.O. Box 95 | Carmel Valley, CA 93924
esselentribe.org