California Native American Day- Sept 24, 2021

September 20, 2021

On September 24, 2021, Humboldt State University will recognize California Native American Day. This holiday was established in 1968, when Governor Ronald Reagan signed a resolution calling for the fourth Friday of each September to be designated as American Indian Day. It was hoped that this acknowledgment would help to inform the general public about Indian heritage and the issues confronting Indigenous peoples in California. Annually, the State Capitol organizes a statewide event. Due to the increase in the Covid-19 all events have been cancelled. This year we will celebrate individually.

Ways to Celebrate
Students are encouraged to explore campus’s Native resources and programs (https://www.humboldt.edu/nativeprograms/) to gain insight on history, resilience, and contributions to the state. Everyone should learn about the Wiyot tribal territories and names of sites adjacent to campus (https://www.wiyot.us/162/Wiyot-Placename-Video). And, all educators are encouraged to share the rich histories of Native peoples and expose historical and current injustices.

 Legislation –
Assembly Bill ACR 96 introduced by the state’s first Native American assemblyman James Ramos, a member of the San Manuel Indian Reservation, recognizes California Native American Day to celebrate the contributions of California’s Indigenous people to the state and draws attention to the resilience of Native peoples despite genocidal attacks and continual resistance to tribal natural resource management and culture.

 Highlights of the Resolution -

  • California is home to more federally recognized Indian tribes than any other state in the United States. The cultural and governmental contributions of the native peoples of California have shaped the course of the state throughout history.
  • California has designated the fourth Friday of every September as California Native American Day. California Native American Day is celebrated in this state by tribes and communities across the state, and is a day for educators of California to teach factual California Indian history in schools.
  • California Indian tribes are committed to contributing to the educational curricula provided by the state and believe in providing new and improved educational resources about the varied cultural histories of, and governance models used by, California Native Americans.
  • This is the third California Native American Day since Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order apologizing for the historical wrongs tolerated, encouraged, subsidized, and committed by state actors against California Native Americans.
  • We can never undo the wrongs inflicted on the people who have lived on this land that we now call California, but we can work together to build bridges, tell the truth about California's past, and begin to heal deep wounds.

For the first time, next year all state court employees will receive California Native American day in place of Columbus Day as a paid holiday. Until this takes place at HSU, the campus will continues to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Week, which will take place October 11-14th. The Indian Tribal and Educational Personnel Program (ITEPP) should have a schedule ready in the upcoming weeks.

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