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Just completed turning in the first manuscript for publication from my Dad written in the early '70s. This is how I feel after first typing in 201 pages to digital (they are old and done on a manual typewriter), then proofing it in Word word for word before turning it in:

We don't have pictures of Camillo Ynitia with his daughters, Maxima and Maria, or even by himself. But if we did, maybe it would look something like this. All 100 percent Coast Miwok. We are direct descendants. We are deeply committed to preserving and celebrating the history of our ancestors. In that spirit, we're proud to share a poignant rendition of what life might have looked like for Camillo Ynitia with his daughters, Maxima and Maria. This image is a powerful reminder

Translation: Book A of Wills (Marin Co.) pages 15, 16, 17Filed July 8, 1856Recorded Aug. 8, 1856 In the Name of God Amen. I Camilo Ynitia  of the Township of Novato  in the County of Marin  and State of California , being of sound mind and memory, but considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life, do therefore make, ordain, publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament . That is to say first after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, of th

Join the plaque trend! Create a plaque like the one pictured, place it on the front of your Marin County store, business, or office, and share a photo with us by sending to Lservicescal@gmail.com . The first 10 businesses to participate will receive a free cup (pictured below). Honor the land we’re on, show your support for our local heritage, and be part of the community. Post your photos below, and we’ll reach out to you. (Does not have to be exact, picture just for sample.

Camillo Ynitia Speaks I was born on this land, in the Huiman tribe, near Sausalito. The hills you call Marin were my home before they were measured, before lines were drawn through them like wounds. My people, the Coast Miwok, lived with the tides and the fog, with the oaks and the salmon runs. We did not own the land. We belonged to it. By the time I was grown, the world had shifted. The missions came first. They said they were saving our souls while they took our labor, our

Before the fog had a name, before the bay was crossed by sails, the Coast Miwok lived along the curves of the Tiburon Peninsula, where the hills meet the salt water and Angel Island rises from the bay like a sleeping guardian. Their villages sat near the shore and the creeks, dome-shaped homes woven of tule and willow, warm in winter and cool in summer. Smoke lifted gently from central fires where stories were shared and food was prepared. Dogs moved freely among the people,

BOGO on Cups! Buy one, get one free! Through to December 23rd! https://www.marinmiwok.com/product-page/i-we-acknowledge-that-we-are-on-coast-miwok-land https://www.marinmiwok.com/product-page/stylish-coffee-cup Get your while we have them!

In the soft light of early morning, the Coast Miwok village stirs as smoke rises gently from the central fire. Women gather to grind acorns, their rhythmic work echoing through the roundhouses, while men prepare nets and tools for fishing along the nearby creek. Children run between the tule shelters, laughing as they help gather berries and plants from the edges of the village. As the sun climbs, families work together—shaping baskets, drying fish, and tending to the land th

Archeology Digs Uncover Indian Villages As they say in the real estate business, “never underestimate the value of a good location.” That may be the case of the Rancho Olompali which has been the center of some attention recently. Olompali, for centuries the site of a large Indian political unit, now belongs to the federal government and has been included as a part of the new Olompali State Park. Novato resident Charles Slaymaker doesn’t care who owns what so long as the new

The holiday season is the perfect time to find thoughtful gifts that show you care. This Christmas, give your loved ones something special with our lavender and white sage soaps . These handcrafted soaps combine soothing scents and natural ingredients to create a luxurious experience that everyone will appreciate. Lavender and White Sage Soaps Ready for Holiday Gifting Why Lavender and White Sage Soaps Make Great Gifts Lavender and white sage are known for their calming and c

Picture was captioned "Last One from Petaluma," probably meaning last Coast Miwok in Petaluma.

After thousands and thousands of years inhabiting the land, it was not a drama-free takeover in California in the mid 1700s. This is what the first encounters were like. Don't know if the Coast Miwoks were aware or realized that this would be the beginning of the end of their time as the main caretakers of the earth, the redwoods and the land of Marin, although resilient and still survive today, but in much smaller, very small numbers, and no one that doesn't have a story of

In the mid 1800s, when the Europeans came, it was about — lace-collared dresses, stiff portraits, polite society clubs.. were popping up. People admired the young girls who wore ribbons in their hair and posed in photographs with straight backs and practiced smiles. But hidden in plain sight were two girls who did not belong to that world at all. Their names were Maxima and Maria, Coast Miwok children whose families had survived mission rule, land seizures, and the forced mar

“The Road from Olompali to Hopland” — A Short Story (a two minute read.) She was still just a girl when the world broke open. Her name was Maxima, daughter of Camillo Ynitia, last recognized chief of the Coast Miwoks of Marin County. In those years, she wore her hair in long braids, sometimes tied with string, sometimes flying loose behind her when she ran along the edge of the bay. She loved the wind most of all — the way it spoke in the tule reeds, the way it called the osp

The Coast Miwok: Life by the Water A long time ago, the Coast Miwok people lived in the beautiful places we now call Marin and Sonoma. They lived near the ocean, bays, and rolling golden hills—just like in your coloring pictures below! The little round houses you see are called kotchas . They were made from tule reeds and grasses. These houses were cozy, warm, and perfect for the windy coast. Families slept, told stories, and stayed safe together inside them. Every day, Coast

The Coast Miwok people have lived in what is now Marin County, California, for thousands of years. Their history is deeply connected to the land, water, and natural resources of this region. Understanding their story offers insight into the rich cultural heritage and enduring legacy of the indigenous communities in Marin County. Early Life and Territory The Coast Miwok inhabited the coastal areas and inland valleys of Marin County, extending north into southern Sonoma County.