News and Events
New Council Members
We are seeking dedicated tribal members to join our council who have the passion for preserving and promoting our cultural traditions. Ideal candidates must be 18 years of age or older and willing to volunteer their time toward cultural projects, events, and initiatives that strengthen our community’s heritage. Your commitment can make a meaningful difference—help us keep our culture alive for future generations. If interested please inquire with Vice Chair Johnny Eddy Jr. at: mryengine@hotmail.com
Save the Date
October 4, 2025
San Antonio Mission
Walking in Unity - Inter-Tribal Gathering
Hosted by Xolon Salinan Tribe, Sacred Arrow Society Church Inc. & Xolon Salinan Heritage FDN Inc.
This event is not open to public, only Invited Guests and RSVP tribal members will be accepted.
More info coming soon.
“When we gather, we remember who we are.”
Contact Information
Tribal members who have not updated contact information within the last 2-5 years, please email information to: xolon.salinan.heritage@gmail.com
Tribal ID Cards
Tribal members interested in acquiring a tribal identification card, please inquire at: xolon.salinan.heritage@gmail.com
About Us
Akii'sh (Greetings)
For over 10,000 years, the ancient ancestors of the Salinan people have lived in deep relationship with the lands and waters of California’s Central Coast. These sacred homelands are not just places of dwelling, but the foundation of our identity, ceremony, and traditional lifeways. Our coastal territory begins in the south at Le’sam, also known as Le’saamo—Morro Rock and the Morro Estuary—a powerful spiritual place where our creation stories are rooted. From there, our lands stretch north along the viewshed of the Santa Lucia Range to Dolan Rock – Sur, encompassing places where our ancestors hunted, gathered, prayed, and thrived. Inland, our territory reaches east from the Pacific Coast into the Salinas Valley, and further northeast to the Diablo Range and Panoche Valley—lands that hold generations of memory and meaning. To the southeast, our connection continues through the Carrizo Plain and Temblor Range, following ancient paths to the foot of the Cuesta Grade. Every mountain, valley, and waterway within these boundaries carries the breath of our ancestors and the ongoing spirit of the Salinan people.
Our ancient ancestors referred to themselves as "The People of Xolon" (hoe'lone - Jolon) and later were called the Salinan Indians by the Federal Government. The missions never recorded a name for us, but simply called us "the Indians from this Mission". We are now able to call ourselves the "Xolon People," as the ancients called themselves prior to Spanish contact.
In 1771 the Spaniards and Franciscans established the San Antonio Mission, thereby pressuring local inhabitants to assimilate into the Mission System.
Additionally, in 1791 and 1797 the missions Soledad and San Miguel were established much to the same effect.
Beginning in 1834 with the closure of the California Missions, many of the Xolon People "went underground", publicly suppressing their native identities for self preservation during an era of Indian intolerance.
We are grateful to our ancestors for enduring the hardships imposed upon them throughout history after Contact, which allowed the Xolon Salinan blood and culture to live on within us.
The primary focus of our people today is to honorably preserve and protect the bones of our ancestors, as well as the villages and sacred sites from the time before Contact. It is also our privilege and responsibility to continually strengthen, build, and establish who we are today, securing a future for our children tomorrow and for the next generations to come.
