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We will regather in the 2026-27 school year

Land Acknowledgement & Local Tribal History

PLEASE NOTE: Our current Land Acknowledgement is being thoughtfully reworked to ensure we properly honor the ancestors and stewards of these lands. In the meantime, we pause to reflect on the land itself: its peoples, animals, waters, and native plants that have been here since time immemorial. We consider the knowledge and care carried by the first peoples, passed down through generations, and we commit ourselves to learning, evolving, and changing our ways to honor those who came before us and continue to guide us today. 

Pronunciations of the local tribes are: Amah (Aaa-Ma), Mutsun (Moot-sun), Uypi (You-P), Awaswas (Aaa-Was-Was).  

Local Tribal History

Original Inhabitants: The Awaswas

• Tribe/Group: Awaswas

• Linguistic Family: Ohlone (also known as Costanoan)

• Territory: Coastal Santa Cruz Mountains, including present-day Santa Cruz County.

• Villages: Many small villages throughout the region, often located near creeks and coastal areas. Some notable ones were around the San Lorenzo River and Soquel Creek.

• Lifeways: The Awaswas people lived in seasonal villages and relied on fishing, shellfish gathering, acorn harvesting, and trading with neighboring groups.

Today:

The Amah Mutsun Tribal Band includes descendants of the Awaswas and other Mutsun-speaking Ohlone peoples. They are actively working to revitalize culture, language, and reclaim stewardship of ancestral lands. Although not federally recognized, they are deeply engaged in environmental and cultural restoration efforts in the Santa Cruz region.

NASSSC 2025-26 Presentation (For Presentation Large Screen mode)