Summer 2024

P OST M ISSION E RA “Exiles in their own home- lands... the homeless and landless in a world of increasingly sharp definitions of private property.” — James Collins When the mission era ended in 1833, many Mission Indians attempted to return to their lands, but as the Spanish and Mexican governments had made land grants of their ancestral home, they had no land to return to. The opportunities for the Mission Indians were scarce. Many began working as cowboys on the newly formed Mexican ranches, staying on the land, but without any right to it. Others moved into Monterey, many to what was known as the “Indian Neighborhood” on Dutra Street (part of which is now the parking lot for the Monterey Police and Fire Stations). Disbursed, and with fear of discrimination or worse, the Esselen and other Mission Indians seemingly assimilated into Mexican, Spanish and American culture, making their presence less obvious, but they continued to quietly practice their traditions and hand down their stories. A C ONTINUED S TRUGGLE To this day, the United States Government does not recognize the Esselen Tribe (the State of California does), nor do they recognize any of the other Monterey County tribes. But despite that, and despite being the smallest tribe in California, the Esselen have a growing voice and growing visibility. Two local groups represent the Esselen today—Ohlone Coastanoan Esselen Nation (OCEN) and the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County. In 1992, OCEN petitioned the U.S. Government for federal recognition and were denied, but they are committed to gaining recognition and continue their fight today. In 2018, the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County created a nonprofit with the purpose of regaining ancestral lands and, 250 years after being removed from their homeland, they have successfully reclaimed a portion of it. Nearly 1,200 acres of land has been reac- quired by the tribe with grant money and help from the Western Rivers Conservancy, the California Natural Resources Agency, and a 2018 voter approved bond to buy back Native American resources from private landowners. Just this March, the tribe formed a partnership with the Wildlands Conservancy to eventually acquire 1,800 acres of Rana Creek Ranch in Carmel Valley. In this current phase of their sacred homeland reclamation, the Esselen are finally able to return to their land, con- ducting ceremonies, teaching their trib- al citizens and the community about their culture and, perhaps most impor- tantly, they will again be able to bury ancestors on their homeland. E SSELEN W OMEN H ERE T ODAY As in many cultures, Esselen women play a large and important role in passing down stories and traditions, and despite the near decimation of their population almost 200 years ago, they continue to do so to this day. Three local Esselen women share their stories in the fol- lowing pages, and despite a collective history of tragedy (some first hand, some generational) the stories they share are proud ones—of per- severance and strength—rather than sorrow. They have persisted here and their contribu- tions to our community and beyond are vast, and their stories empowering. J ANETTE R ITTER C ATE Growing up in Del Rey Oaks and attending York School, Janette Ritter Cate knew her her- 170 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 4 During a 1791 expedition, Spanish artist José Cardero documented the natives he encountered in Monterey. As in many cultures, Esselen women play a large and important role in passing down stories and traditions, and despite the near decimation of their population almost 200 years ago, they continue to do so to this day.