DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the September 15, 2022 regular meeting.
WHEREAS California comprises the following federally recognized Native American tribes: The Western Region has 27 federally recognized tribes, the Southern Region has 30 federally recognized tribes, the Northern Region has 19 federally recognized tribes and the Eastern Region has 28 federally recognized tribes and these federally recognized tribes are hosts of the lands in California that have more federally recognized tribes than any other state in the US; and
WHEREAS Native American history spans thousands of years throughout our continent, pre-dating the establishment of the United State of America, and the contributions of the Indigenous tribes to our way of living are vast, from food, spiritual practices, healing practices, government and political contributions, protectors of the land and other natural resources, writers, athletes, thespians, political pioneers, veterans, artists, scientists, knowledge keepers of the Native Universe past and present and developers and contributors of the National Museum of the American Indian; and
WHEREAS the diversity that exists within the tribes of California Native Americans are committed to contributing to new and improved educational resources and curriculum that is provided by the State’s History-Social Studies frameworks for K-12 public schools to include updated and broad information on the history and culture of the original inhabitants of California; and
WHEREAS we can never undo the wrongs that were inflicted on the people who lived on these lands known as the state of California, but we can work together to build fair, respectful and balanced coalitions that speak the truth about California’s past to begin to heal the deep trauma, loss and grief, and
WHEREAS Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order apologizing for the violence, mistreatment and neglect inflicted upon California Native Americans throughout the State’s history, establishing a Truth and Healing Council to correct the historical records of California Native Americans; and
WHEREAS California designated the fourth Friday of every September as California Native American Day; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes and fully supports the California Native American Day on the fourth Friday of September, National Day of Recognition of Native American heritage and American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, in the month of November and participate in local efforts to right the wrongs of the past.
Respectfully submitted by:
Debra Vinson, Choctaw, CADEM, Finance Committee Member, AD11, DPCCC, District III Elected Representative, ECCDC Founder and Chair in 2021
Reviewed by Renee Zeimer, 2022
Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, September 15, 2022