Children’s Fairyland: ‘We are on Ohlone Land’

In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, Children’s Fairyland in Oakland transformed its iconic sign to read “Ohlone Land.”

The sign was first unveiled in October 2024 and reinstalled this year on Oct. 10, as part of a partnership between Fairyland, the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust, and the Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation.

“We are proud to deepen our relationship with the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust and the Lisjan Nation, and add new meaning to a beloved Oakland symbol,” said Kymberly Miller, Children’s Fairyland CEO, in an announcement. “We are celebrating the land, uplifting the voices and living history of the Ohlone people, bringing stories to life at the park, and inviting every visitor to connect with the cultural heritage of the Lisjan Nation.”

“Ohlone” refers to Indigenous people from different tribes across the Bay Area. The Lisjan Nation claims Oakland as part of its ancestral territory.

Tribal Chairperson Corrina Gould (Lisjan) said the sign brings visibility to Oakland’s Indigenous people and invites others to recognize Native communities where they are.

“By altering this well-known sign, we are honoring the Ohlone presence and inviting Oakland to reflect on the history of this place and its original inhabitants,” Gould said.

The Lisjan descend from Ohlone people forced to work and convert to Christianity at the Spanish Missions of Mission Dolores in San Francisco and Mission San Jose in Fremont. The Ohlone survived the California genocide. The federal government once recognized the Ohlone but ended that recognition in 1927. 

Each Ohlone tribe has its own land, language, and history, according to the Lisjan.

“We are still here,” Gould said.

Gould raised her children in Oakland and the East Bay. Her daughter, Deja Gould (Lisjan), said she wants people raising children here to know Ohlone stories.

“Many people in Oakland have memories of visiting this park. Up until now, those memories haven’t included Indigenous people or stories,” Deja Gould said. “As a mom and culture keeper, it’s important to know we are changing that.”

Fairyland and the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust announced plans to integrate Indigenous stories, culture, and practices into the park’s programming, including a puppet show highlighting the Indigenous histories of the land.

The idea for the sign began with a 2023 design created by Inés Ixierda and posted to Instagram. 

This year’s celebration also featured a picnic on Fairyland Hill and the release of the song “Fairy (Land Back) Remix” by B Dukes featuring creative_mudafukah.

In 2021, the City of Oakland announced plans to return five acres of Joaquin Miller Park land to the land trust.

Indigenous Peoples Day began in Berkeley in 1992 as a counter-celebration to Columbus Day. The State of California does not observe Columbus Day. Oakland public schools recognize Indigenous Peoples Day as a no-school holiday. 

Fairyland planned to be open today, but closed due to rain. 

In the U.S., Indigenous Peoples Day takes place on the second Monday of October. 

“What can you do to recognize the Native people of where you are?” Gould asked.