Ohlone exhibit moves forward after federal grant cuts challenged in court

A new exhibit co-created by Ohlone youth and UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science opened this month after researchers successfully challenged federal grant cuts in court, Berkeleyside reports. The mixed-reality exhibit, “Yuutka” — meaning “The Place of the Acorn” — features virtual acorn gathering, Ohlone ecological knowledge and interactive displays designed with Indigenous youth from the East Bay Ohlone community. The project was originally supported by a $1.4 million National Science Foundation grant that was terminated in 2025 as part of broader federal cuts to grants connected to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Researchers and Ohlone youth continued developing the exhibit despite the loss of funding, eventually joining a class-action lawsuit challenging the grant terminations. A federal judge ordered the restoration of multiple canceled grants in June 2025. Vincent Medina, co-leader of UC Berkeley’s ‘ottoy Initiative, said the project aimed to ensure Ohlone knowledge was recognized as scientific knowledge rather than folklore. The exhibit is the first mixed-reality installation in the museum’s history and the first designed in collaboration with Ohlone youth.