OUR MISSION
The Mission of the ETMC is to preserve and to protect our cultural heritage and ancestral sacred sites, namely of the Esselen, Rumsen, Chalone, Sureño, Chunchunes and Guatcharrone people, which includes but is not limited to the villages of Achasta, Chalon, Echilat, Ensen, Excelen, Esslenajan, Ixchenta, Jojopan, Kuchun, Pachepas, Sargenta-Ruc, Soccoronda, & Tucutnut, located within sacred pre-historic and historic tribal lands of Monterey County, California.
Milestones on the Horizon:
Help Us Protect and Preserve Our Ancestral Lands
As we look toward 2024 and 2025, the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County is standing at a crossroads of opportunity and responsibility.
Thanks to the unwavering support of our partners, donors, and community members, we’ve made remarkable progress in protecting our sacred sites, fostering cultural revitalization, and restoring the lands of our ancestors. Yet, our work is far from over.
To build on our momentum, we’ve identified three major milestones critical to our mission. These goals represent more than just projects—they are steps toward reclaiming our heritage, protecting ecological treasures, and creating spaces for future generations to thrive.
Reclaiming the Tularcitos Creek Parcels
At the top of our priorities is re-acquiring the Tularcitos Creek Parcels of the Historic Rana Creek Ranch. This breathtaking area, rich with Esselen cultural sites, oak woodlands, and ecologically sensitive riparian zones, is at risk of being divided into luxury developments if we cannot secure it soon.
This land is more than geography to us—it’s a sacred connection to our ancestors and a foundation for our future. By reclaiming it, we can restore its watershed, protect its biodiversity, and create spaces for ceremony, education, and sustainable housing for Esselen citizens.
Expanding Education and Cultural Preservation
This year, we launched our first archaeological field school in collaboration with Cabrillo College, training Tribal citizens and future archaeologists in cultural resource management. But this is just the beginning.
Our vision for 2024/2025 includes growing these programs to reach more tribal citizens, students, educators, and community members. We’re working to create demonstration native gardens, a plant nursery, and educational spaces to bring our history and traditions to life for local K-16 students and the broader public. These initiatives are essential for ensuring our stories and heritage are passed down to future generations.
Building Resilience and Restoration
In July 2024, we began a 42-month “Wildfire Resilience, Forest Health, Indigenous Food Sovereignty, and Cultural Resource Revitalization Project” on our 1,199-acre Eagle Peak Rancheria. This project, funded in part by Cal Fire, is helping us address the growing threats of wildfires, erosion, and habitat loss.
While larger funding supports equipment and supplies, we are responsible for growing our team and capacity to carry out this critical work. Every contribution helps us build resilience—not just for our lands, but for our people, culture, and future.
How You Can Help
These milestones are pressing, and we can’t reach them without you.
While major funding partners and governmental grants support the larger picture, we rely on our community to meet immediate needs and keep our work moving forward.
Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goals.
Your support today helps us:
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Protect the Tularcitos Creek Parcels from irreversible development.
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Expand cultural and educational programs to inspire and educate future generations.
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Build resilience for our lands and people against the challenges of a changing environment.
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Together, we can make 2024 and 2025 years of transformation for the Esselen Tribe and the lands we call home.
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