An American Indian tribe in the San Francisco Bay Area has asked President Trump to transfer the Presidio to its supervision.
The San Francisco Standard reports the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe said in a statement that the transfer of the former US Army post and surrounding park “would reduce federal taxpayer spending and constitute one of the most significant rematriations of Indigenous land in US history.” President Trump recently signed an executive order dissolving the Presidio Trust, the federal agency established by Congress in 1996 tasked with redeveloping the site.
“This is an opportunity for President Trump to do what the state of California has failed to do,” said Tribal Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh in a statement. “Not only will returning the Presidio to Indigenous care be the right thing for our people and for the land, but it will also save the federal government — and taxpayers — money.”
The 614-member Muwekma Ohlone Tribe said its ancestors inhabited the land where the Presidio now stands. The tribe is not recognized by the federal government and has faced opposition from California’s Democratic elected officials.
“Despite widespread support for our tribe from their constituents, Sen. Feinstein, Speaker Pelosi, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren have always opposed our attempts to gain federal recognition and rematriate the Presidio,” Nijmeh said.
The White House has not commented on the tribe’s request.
Photo courtesy of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe
