The Tule Project

Tule Project braids Indigenous knowledge surrounding tule with cutting-edge eco-cultural research. On this project we are working together to restore tule wetlands, celebrate tule cultural heritage, and foster healthier, more resilient Bay Area ecosystems through public engagement.

Specific partners:

Association of Ramaytush Ohlone (ARO)

Native California Research Institute (NaCRI)

Goals:

Tule Eco-Cultural Regeneration & Stewardship

TEK Collaboration, Boatbuilding, and Community Engagement

Collections, Exhibits, and Public Education

Timeline:

May 2026: Starting on Friday May 15th the 2019 tule boat will be on display at Cal Academy, come visit and see the boat!

January 2026: Tule boat event on Alcatraz. The event included talks and discussions with tule boat builders, artists and researchers. On the same day:

The newly built 12-foot tule reed boat was transported to Alcatraz, where it is now on public display as part of the NPS's new exhibit, Welcome to Indian Land: Resistance, Resilience and Activism on Alcatraz.
Simultaneously, the historic 2019 tule boat, was successfully transported form Alcatraz to the California Academy of Sciences Anthropology Collections. This culturally significant boat will support future exhibition, research, and public programs, ensuring its teachings and history are respectfully preserved and shared.

Fall 2025 - Spring 2026: CAS joins with ARO and NaCRI to support building a tule reed boat for display on Alcatraz.

October 2025: Collaboration was featured on the Cal Academy American Heritage Month webpage. Photo bellow: Native California Culture Bearers and Academy scientists with bundled tules they gathered and processed for the making of a tule boat in the style of one depicted on the San Francisco Bay in 1806. Pictured left to right: Harrison Tushingham, Dr. Shannon Tushingham (Academy Curator of Anthropology), Gregg Castro (NaCRI Vice Chair and Co-Founder; Association of Ramaytush Ohlone Culture Director), Dr. Beverly Ortiz (NaCRI Board Chair and Co-Founder), Martin Castro (Ramaytush), and Dr. Rebecca Wilcox (Academy Research Scientist) with one of five tule boat bundles. Not shown: Laurie Morales (Coast Miwok/Southern Coastal Pomo, NaCRI Board Member and Its Tule Boat Project Co-Convenor with Dr. Ortiz).