See the Campus Through Native Eyes: The Launch of the Thámien Ohlone Augmented Reality Tour
On May 4, 2024, a collaborative group of Santa Clara University faculty, students, and members of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe unveiled the public launch of the Thámien Ohlone Augmented Reality Tour at the university's annual Pow Wow, gathering of Native Americans from across the region. This innovative tour offers an immersive experience, enabling visitors to explore the historical campus through the lens of the Ohlone people. Using augmented reality technology, the tour reveals hidden aspects of the site's history, sparks critical reflection, and fosters a vision of just future relations. Highlights of the tour include a new tribute to Ohlone ancestors, with captivating visuals inspired by Ohlone artwork. The tour will be a permanent feature, accessible to all campus visitors.
The interdisciplinary team behind this initiative includes students (Cinthya Jauregui '22, M.S. '24; Tiffany Nguyen '26; Mohan Raj Chandrasekar '24; Sarah Hazel Sallee '25; Liam A’Hearn '24; Dominic Woetzel '25; Madison Nguyen '25; Aryan Bagade ‘25; Brian Khuu ‘25; Isabella ‘Amne Gomez '27; Xinqi Zhang ‘28) and faculty (Dr. Kai Lukoff; Dr. Amy Lueck; Dr. Lee Panich; Danielle Heitmuller) working alongside partners at the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe. This event was built upon a successful beta version of the tour launched on Indigenous People’s Day in 2023, showcasing a significant step in acknowledging and celebrating the heritage of the Ohlone people.