Indian Canyon is nestled in the Gavilan mountain range, 15miles south of Hollister, CA.  During the 17 and 1800’s Indian Canyon served as a safe haven for the local indigenous peoples who were being abducted/recruited/bribed/transported to the Missions with the Spaniards.  The local Ohlone peoples knew the terrain and were able to traverse the territory into the secluded valley of Indian Canyon.  Since then Indian Canyon has remained a safe haven, currently Ann-Marie Sayers and her daughter have opened up the Canyon for all Indigenous Peoples in need of land for ceremony.

Welcome to Indian Canyon Life

Indian Canyon is nestled in the Gavilan mountain range, 15miles south of Hollister, CA.  During the 17 and 1800’s Indian Canyon served as a safe haven for the local indigenous peoples who were being abducted/recruited/bribed/transported to the Missions with the Spaniards.  The local Ohlone peoples knew the terrain and were able to traverse the territory into the secluded valley of Indian Canyon.  Since then Indian Canyon has remained a safe haven, currently Ann-Marie Sayers and her daughter have opened up the Canyon for all Indigenous Peoples in need of land for ceremony.


  • What is IC?

    Indian Canyon is the only federally recognized “Indian Country” between Sonoma and Santa Barbara, and has been sacred land and home for Ohlone/Costanoan people for thousands of years.
  • What is CIR?

    Costanoan Indian Research, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) C I R website Native American non-profit organization (Federal ID # 68-0287736) at Indian Canyon, in Hollister, California. Help Indian Canyon
  • Ohlone Land

    spans from the North of the San Francisco Bay area along central coastal California south of Monterey Bay. Ohlone Territory is also known as Costanoan, and there are 8 attested languages in this territory. More Information
  • Visitors

    IC has in excess of 5000 visitors annually. A caring host of many indigenous ceremonies and gatherings, fundraisers, school field trips. Indian Canyon is NOT a park, and we are only open to the public BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Learn More

Indian Canyon has served as a safe haven for indigenous peoples, pre and post contact. Opening sovereign land for all Indigenous peoples in need of land for ceremony and education. Learn More about our Annual Fundraiser - Indian Canyon Storytelling - and how to support here: http://support.indiancanyonlife.org/

  • Costanoan Indian Research, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) Native American non-profit organization (Federal ID # 68-0287736) at Indian Canyon, in Hollister, California. Check out our wishlist Under the CIR, Inc. 501(c)(3), people in need of community service hours can complete their requirements at Indian Canyon. Interns and college students can also obtain course credits for their studies. Help by volunteering All help is welcome, be it a monetary donation or a donation of time or prayers. Even just being nice to Mother Earth and making a pledge to the earth helps. I pledge to the earth that I will:
     Pick up 10 pieces of litter a day.
     Plant one tree every month for one year.
     Use less water while brushing my teeth/bathing.
Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeVisit Us On PinterestVisit Us On Google PlusVisit Us On Linkedin