California Tribes Regain Ancestral Land from Transportation Authority

A 136-acre coastline in Northern California has been transferred to the Kai Poma nonprofit, founded by representatives of the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians and the Round Valley Indian Tribes. The land, previously owned by the California Department of Transportation, holds significant cultural value for the Coast Yuki people. The property includes a major village site called K'etim, where according to traditional stories, Seaweed Woman met and fell in love with Coyote. This origin story explains the creation of the coastline. The deed was recorded on July 6, marking the first time land held by Caltrans has been returned to Indigenous ownership.