Lisjan

Lisjan is an ethnonym used by some Indigenous communities in the San Francisco Bay Area to designate themselves, particularly among East Bay Ohlone/Costanoan groups. In contemporary usage, Lisjan is associated with people who trace their heritage to the area around Oakland, Berkeley, and the surrounding hills, and with efforts to revitalize language and culture in the region.

The term’s etymology is not settled. Some scholars and community sources treat Lisjan as an auto-designation meaning “the people” or “we the people” in Chochenyo or related Ohlone languages, while others describe it as a traditional name used by certain East Bay communities. Because Ohlone identities comprise multiple distinct groups and languages, meanings can vary by community.

Historically, communities associated with Lisjan inhabited the eastern San Francisco Bay Area, including parts of present-day Alameda and Contra Costa counties, and extended to the bay shoreline. The arrival of Spanish missions in the 18th century, followed by colonization and displacement, reshaped and fragmented these communities, though descendant groups continue to reside in the region.

In modern times, groups identifying with Lisjan pursue cultural preservation, language revitalization, and advocacy for Indigenous rights and land recognition. Educational programs, cultural events, and repatriation efforts are common, often conducted through community organizations, collaborations with museums, and academic partnerships. Lisjan is part of broader conversations about Ohlone heritage and Bay Area Indigenous history.