Coast Miwok Assertions
There are two federally recognized Coast Miwok tribes, both of whom assert Coast Miwok contact with Francis Drake in 1579:
The Coast Miwok Tribal Council of Marin is recognized by the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs as the lineal descendants of Indigenous Marin Coast Miwok people. The Tribal Council is organized and recognized under the 1975 Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria are organized under the 1934 Indian Re-organization Act. It is a federation constituted of Coast Miwok and Pomo.
Lanny Pinola of the Coast Miwok people regularly collaborated with the DNG.
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The first extended contact with outsiders occurred in 1579 when Francis Drake brought his disabled ship ashore for 39 days for repairs. From the perspective of the English, the encounter went exceedingly well, as Francis Fletcher, the chaplain who accompanied Drake on his voyage, recorded in his journal: “They (the Coast Miwok) are a people of a tractable, free, and loving nature, without guile or treachery.”
Coast Miwok Tribal Council of Marin
The Tribal Council records their historical contact with Drake:
Dean Hoaglin has served as Dance Captain and Headman of the Coast Miwok Tribal Council of Marin.
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Federated Indians of Graton Rancheia
Graton Ranchria records their ancestors’ historical contact with Drake:
1579
The earliest recorded account of the Coast Miwok people made by the Europeans was found in a diary kept by Chaplain Fletcher aboard Sir Francis Drake’s ship, which landed in Marin County that year.
Dr. Greg Sarris has served as the Tribal Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.
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Sources
• coastmiwokofmarin.org. History. Retrieved November 2022
• gratonrancheria.com. Our History. Retrieved November 2022.