Nearly 900 acres of cherished land west of Yosemite National Park has been returned to the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation.
This marks a profound moment of healing and reclamation for a people displaced long ago. The property along Henness Ridge now stands as a beacon of sovereignty.
A Sacred Landscape Restored
The land sits between Yosemite National Park and Sierra National Forest.
Towering conifers and sturdy oaks blanket the ridge.
It overlooks the Sierra Nevada and the mouth of Yosemite Valley.
This crest once served as a vital migration route for Miwuk and Mono tribes.
Families moved seasonally from low valleys to high elevations. Springs, meadows, and wildflowers abound here.
Key features of Henness Ridge:
- Historic deer migration path from Central Valley
- Forested vistas to Yosemite Canyon and Pacific Ocean on clear days
- River branches winding like shining ribbons
- Rich ecosystem for traditional foods and medicines
Displacement and Resilience
Two centuries back, Southern Sierra Miwuk people were forced from Mariposa County.
Settlers drove tribes from their western Sierra homelands. Many sought refuge in Yosemite Valley.
But national park status brought further displacement. Only park employees or concession workers could stay. This pattern persisted for generations.
Now, with land in hand, the tribe reclaims its place. **No more asking permission to gather or pray.** That’s why this return feels like coming home.
The Path to Return
Pacific Forest Trust transferred the property to the nation.
Funding came from California’s Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Program. Local partners like Sierra Foothill Conservancy helped seal the deal.
This is the tribe’s first modern real estate transaction. Tara Fouch-Moore, nation secretary, calls it a sanctuary. The tribe can now practice cultural stewardship freely.
“Now we finally have this piece of our land that we can go to. We don’t have to ask permission to be there.”
– Tara Fouch-Moore, Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation Secretary
John Muir’s Shadow
John Muir once proposed adding this ridge to Yosemite. Timber companies owned it then, using it for logging. Later, it passed to private hands and Sierra National Forest.
Muir held views derogatory toward Native Americans. Yet his vision shaped the park. Pacific Forest Trust later acquired the land with care.
Laurie Wayburn, Trust president, praises the return. She notes the ridge’s stunning views. Climb to the top, and the world unfolds before you.
Stewardship Renewed
The Miwuk plan cultural burns and pollinator habitat restoration. These practices echo ancestral ways. Traditional ecological knowledge will guide the land.
Benefits of Indigenous stewardship:
- Healthier ecosystems through controlled burns
- Restored habitats for wildlife and plants
- Preservation of cultural foods and medicines
- Model for modern land managers
That’s why having their own land matters so much. It passes wisdom to future generations. Youth learn how ancestors cared for the earth.
Broader California Movement
This program has returned thousands of acres statewide. Tule River Indian Tribe got 17,000 acres. Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel received 1,000.
| Tribe | Acres Returned | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Sierra Miwuk | 900 | Henness Ridge, near Yosemite |
| Tule River Indian Tribe | 17,000 | California |
| Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel | 1,000 | California |
These returns foster healing across tribes. Land once seen as commodity regains cultural value. **Indigenous hands heal the land best.**
A Vision for Tomorrow
Henness Ridge offers sovereignty over existence on the landscape. Tribe members gather without gates or guards. It’s a place to simply be.
Modern managers watch and learn. Indigenous methods show sustainable paths. Fire, plants, and wildlife thrive under traditional care.
“This can show modern land managers how it could be done, how it used to be done and how it should be done.”
– Tara Fouch-Moore
But here’s the deal: this is just the start. More land returns promise stronger futures. Want me to share stories from other tribes?
For folks over 50, this tale resonates deep. It speaks of roots, resilience, and righting old wrongs. Nature’s beauty pairs with human spirit here.
The ridge calls to all who love Yosemite. Hike its paths, feel the history. **A new chapter dawns for the Miwuk people.**