What Is Indian Canyon?

Indian Canyon is a living Indian Heritage Area near Hollister, CA.  Indian Canyon is the only federally recognized “Indian Indian Canyon is the only federally recognized “Indian Country” for Country” for 300miles along Central Coastal California 300miles along Central Coastal California from Sonoma to Santa from Sonoma to Santa Barbara. This area has always Barbara. Indian Canyon was designated thru a trust allotment issued been inhabited by Costanoan/Ohlone people & still is. The by President Taft in 1911. This land has always been inhabited by  original trust patent issued by President Taft in 1911, has Costanoan/Ohlone people and most importantly -- still is.

Costanoan Indian Research 501c3

CIR is an organization based out of Indian Canyon in Hollister, California. Indian Canyon is the only federally recognized “Indian County” between Sonoma and Santa Barbara, and has been sacred land and home for Ohlone/Costanoan people for thousands of years.  During the 1700 and 1800s, Indian Canyon served as a safe haven for the local indigenous peoples who were being abducted / recruited / transported to the Spanish Missions. The local Ohlone peoples knew the terrain and were able to traverse the territory into the secluded valley of Indian Canyon. It currently hosts many Native gatherings and offers its land as a sovereign space for any indigenous peoples in need of land for ceremony and education.

CIR’s goals and objectives are to: create local, national, and international programs designed to improve and enhance the cultural image of California Indians through greater public exposure of tribal history; establish greater influence over public policies and programs that affect indigenous peoples and the environment; identify and implement projects that improve the cohesiveness and self-sufficiency of the Costanoan Ohlone people; provide land for indigenous peoples to carry out their tribal ceremonies and share their traditional way of living in harmony with the environment;  promote research in the field of West African pygmy goats, and provide support to California indigenous peoples who are fighting for land rights.

CIR  is a grass-roots organization that depends greatly on its volunteers, including an all-volunteer staff. CIR makes its land available for all those in need in the community and depends on asking for donations at events to cover related costs such as bringing in toilets, food, etc. CIR has begun to work with a volunteer grant writer with the goal of increasing its foundation and government support and several new funding sources have already been identified for 2023.

Ann Marie Sayers is CIR’s founder and executive director.  Ann Marie used the Indian Allotment Act of 1887 to reclaim the land that had been in her family for 3600 years. She now resides in Indian Canyon, at the same site as her great grandfather, and his grandmother, and her grandmother. Her daughter, Kanyon Sayers-Roods, is CIR’s creative director and public relations manager.

CIR and ICN Commitment

Our mission is to serve the Indigenous Costanoan Ohlone community and our ancestors through ongoing protection and care for our land, traditions, and people; to support all California Indians through educational and cultural programs; and to serve the spiritual needs of indigenous people. 

Costanoan Indian Research is a registered 501c3 Native American non-profit organization in Indain Canyon, in Hollister.  We appreciate donations of any kind : Funds, Volunteer hours, Items, Prayers.Federal ID # 68-0287736