October 1, 2008 > Gathering of Ohlone Peoples Gathering of Ohlone Peoples For over 12,000 years, the Ohlone Peoples, more than 45 independent groups of indigenous people lived in and around the Bay Area. History will come alive at the Coyote Hills Regional Park this Sunday as Ohlone descendants share a rich legacy of family and tribal lifestyle through music, song, dance and stories. A century of development activities has caused the destruction of most Bay Area village sites, however one that survived mostly intact is currently available for public visitation on a scheduled basis at Coyote Hills Regional Park. The Tuibun Ohlone lived at this site for more than 2000 years. Coyote Hills Regional Park will again celebrate this unique culture with its Gathering of the Ohlone Peoples, featuring food, crafts, games and more. Feast on the many unique types of food, including Acorn Soup made with hot stones that are dropped into a basket of liquid to heat it, and seed cake, also known as Pinole which uses 70 different types of plant seeds. Manzanita cider, made by crushing berries of the Manzanita bush and filtering water through it, will also be offered. Visitors will be invited to try their hand at an Ohlone game called "Hoop & Pole." A five foot pole is tossed through a three inch hole. When the Ohlones played, the first person to score three points was the winner. An enlarged hoop will be used on the event day to give visitors a sporting chance. Walk across a tule pond on the wooden wharf, down a lane between six foot tules and you'll arrive at a 2000 year old village site. It is fenced and the only time you can enter is during special events like this one. The actual tribal group living at this site was the Tuibun. You can look back and see the Coyote Hills, which was a virtual island surrounded by tule ponds. There will be demonstrations on basket weaving, jewelry making, soaproot brush and dogbane string making. Learn about how fire was made without matches. Participants can also make a miniature tule boat that to take home. Listen to tribal history, songs, discussions and watch dancers; all by descendants of the Ohlones. 12th Annual Gathering of Ohlone Peoples Sunday, Oct. 5 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Coyote Hills Regional Park 8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont (510) 795-9385 www.ebparks.org The event is free. Parking is $5 per vehicle.