Without backing of San Jose officials, effort stalls on Muwekma Ohlone Tribe recognition

NEARLY TWO MONTHS after a handful of San Jose leaders requested federal recognition for an Indigenous tribe, the proposal appears to be dead in the water — with no political will to bring it back.

Muwekma Ohlone Tribe members and supporters say San Jose officials have no interest in supporting the tribe’s goal of federal recognition as time has dragged on. The tribe has been pushing for federal recognition for decades and says a show of support from a major city like San Jose could be the push needed to gain attention from federal lawmakers. But at least two Silicon Valley congressional leaders have opposed the move, saying the Bureau of Indian Affairs already declared the tribe ineligible for federal recognition.