. >> i am here as a representative of the ohlone nation. for over 10,000 years, our people have resided in the area known as the san francisco bay area. our ancestors participated in ceremonies and were living with the earth. as a resident of the area, we were taught that our existence as a people ceased after secularization. it is not taught that we are and -- we continue to live. there is a denial of our existence. i am asking if you can help us and work with us to guide society as a whole to recognize us as a people. our ancestors have participated in ceremonies and then within the city limits of in san francisco. we are asking to recognize these things and to allow us to continue to participate in these ceremonies. you know that our future generations can continue to participate in the ceremonies. that is what we're asking for here, for help. our tribe as a city entity can work together to. recognition for our people. we can work on being a part of this society and being a part of the way of life in which we live. >> i am here to let yo

i am here to support the ohlone nation. i would like to see them recognize. -- recognized. as a vietnam veteran, i did not fight to coming -- come back to this country to see that my native brothers and sisters were having struggles of their own. what we failed to do is to get respect. if we want respect, we have to learn how to give it. i know that there are good people on this board. we always need more people to support that. as a vietnam veteran, i want to say to the ohlone the veterans, you have been invited to our meeting. we welcome them and support them and their struggles as well as the other tribes and nations in california. for those of you that do not know what this means, this is the four colors of man. father, sky, and mother earth. it was the african and that turned me on. the aboriginal gave me my heart. it was the european that gave me my sorrow. it was the american that sent me to war. it was the vietnamese that gave me forgiveness. may i forgive myself. the elders are still waiting. so they still are. thank you. >> thank you. next speaker. >> good afterno