The Indigenous Exhibit That Trump Failed To Stop

The Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley unveiled 'Yuutka' (The Place of the Acorn), its first mixed-reality exhibit, designed in collaboration with Ohlone youth and researchers. The exhibit features black oak replicas, projected plants like California poppies, and a virtual creek, with visitors gathering acorns using 3D-equipped baskets. A digital version of East Bay Ohlone matriarch Dolores Lameira guides participants, reflecting the community’s input in the project. The exhibit marks a historic partnership between the museum and the Ohlone community, whose traditional lands the museum occupies. Originally funded by a $1.4 million National Science Foundation grant in 2023, the project faced cancellation when the Trump administration terminated over $1 billion in NSF grants in 2024. Despite the setback, researchers and youth persevered, ultimately winning legal challenges to restore funding. The exhibit aims to integrate Ohlone knowledge—such as basket-weaving mathematics and acorn-processing biochemistry—into mainstream science education. Vincent Medina, Dolores Lameira’s great-nephew and a project creator, emphasized the importance of representing Ohlone culture, which he said was often dismissed as folklore rather than valid scientific knowledge. The museum’s mission aligns with this goal, framing Indigenous practices as part of broader scientific understanding. The project also seeks to inspire Ohlone youth to pursue STEM careers by making the museum more inclusive. Medina, an educator and culinary activist, noted that Indigenous students rarely saw their culture reflected in academic spaces. The exhibit’s success underscores the power of community collaboration in reshaping educational narratives and challenging systemic exclusion.