10/12/2026
On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Restore Hetch Hetchy honors the Indigenous peoples whose histories, cultures, and enduring relationships with the land are inseparable from the story of Hetch Hetchy Valley.
Long before it was known as Yosemite, the Valley was known as Ahwahnee—the homeland of the Ahwahneechee people and a thriving cultural landscape shaped by generations of Indigenous peoples of Yosemite. Long before the Valley was dammed, Indigenous peoples maintained deep and enduring relationships with this land. Their knowledge, lifeways, and stewardship remain essential to understanding Hetch Hetchy’s continuum and imagining its future.
As we advance our vision for Hetch Hetchy, we believe that ecological restoration and cultural recognition must go hand in hand. We are committed to creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous voices, knowledge, and leadership to help shape the conversations ahead.
Today, we honor the People, traditions, and living legacies that connect generations to this extraordinary place.
