The governor has signed a package of legislation honoring the rich histories and cultures of California Native peoples, facilitating the return of ancestral lands to tribal ownership and supporting tribal government emergency services, among other priorities.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bills in a virtual ceremony with leaders of Native American tribes from across the state on Friday, the same day he proclaimed as the 54th annual Native American Day.
The legislation includes AB 338 by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland), which authorizes the placement of a monument in Capitol Park honoring Sacramento-area tribes, replacing the sculpture of missionary Junipero Serra, and AB 855 by Assemblymember Ramos to remove Columbus Day as a judicial holiday and replace it with Native American Day in September.
He said the action “sends a powerful message from the grounds of Capitol Park across California underscoring the state’s commitment to reckoning with our past and working to advance a California for All built on our values of inclusion and equity.”
Newsom added, “I’m proud to sign this long overdue legislation to honor the native peoples who have called this land home since time immemorial and to further our important work in partnership with Native American communities to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing California. I thank our legislative and tribal leaders and everyone whose work has enabled us to take these important strides forward as a state.”
“I am proud to have carried these important bills recognizing California’s First People for their unique and diverse heritage and invaluable contributions to our state,” said Assemblymember Ramos, the first California Native American elected to the state Legislature. “Gov. Newsom has worked with us side by side to address historic wrongs and inequities that continue to affect our communities, and I look forward to our continued partnership.”
The governor also signed other bills by Ramos, including AB 945, which creates a task force of tribal representatives to develop recommendations for protecting the right of Native American students to wear items of spiritual or cultural significance at high school graduations; AB 873, which removes share of cost requirements for tribes to administer child welfare services through Tribal-State IV-E agreements, increasing equity and supporting tribal efforts to safeguard the health and welfare of Native American children; and AB 798, which authorizes federally recognized tribal governments to operate, inspect, maintain, and drive emergency vehicles used in fire or law enforcement emergency calls to often isolated Indian reservations.
Another Ramos bill signed by the governor was AB 1055, which extends the same protections to students in tribal foster care as other foster students.
AB 1055 builds upon the work of AB 1962, a 2018 law allowing schools to count tribal foster youth under the state education Local Control Funding Formula. But it did not function as intended because of conflicts with provisions in California’s Welfare and Institutions Code.
Sherry Treppa, chairperson at Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake tribe, welcomed the bills.
“The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe is very pleased that Gov. Newsom has, on California Native American Day, signed two important bills to help address gaps in state law that affect our most vulnerable tribal citizens, our children. The Habematolel has long supported efforts to protect the Indian Child Welfare Act and include all tribal youth in educational attainment. These bills move the needle in the right direction. Assemblymember Ramos and California Tribal Families Coalition are to be congratulated on these important efforts,” Treppa said.
Also signed on Friday was AB 957 by Assemblyman Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) and state Sen. Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg), which ratified the tribal-state compact between California and the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians.
The tribe owns and operates Twin Pine Casino.
The Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California was established with the purchase of
108 acres of land, initiated by members of the small tribe in July of 1910. The tribe was
appropriated by the Congressional Act for California landless Indians in 1906.
The ancestors of the Middletown Rancheria, also known as Lake Miwok Indians, found themselves landless and homeless during the 1800s, and newcomers settled in the area of Middletown and throughout Lake County.
The Middletown Rancheria, which established its own constitution, has a mission to preserve and protect its common and natural resources and to provide for the welfare and prosperity of its people.
A full list of the tribal bills signed by the governor is below.
AB 338 by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) — State Capitol grounds.
AB 516 by Assemblymember Megan Dahle (R-Bieber) — Pupil attendance: excused absences: cultural ceremonies or events.
AB 798 by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) — Vehicles: fire department: federally recognized tribes.
AB 855 by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) — Judicial holidays.
AB 873 by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) — Child welfare services: Indian tribes.
AB 945 by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) — Pupils: adornments at school graduation ceremonies: task force.
AB 957 by Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) — Tribal gaming: compact ratification.
AB 1055 by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) — Foster youth: tribal pupils and voluntarily placed children.
AB 1283 by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Scotts Valley) — Foster care.
SB 231 by Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) — Department of Transportation: transfer of property: Blues Beach property.
SB 302 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) — Tribal gaming: compact ratification.
SB 712 by Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) — Local government: California tribes: federal fee-to-trust applications to regain ancestral lands.
SB 816 by the Committee on Governmental Organization — Master Mutual Aid Agreement: tribes.
Governor signs package of bills to support tribal governments, communities and students
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On