L.A. County Supervisors proclaim November as ‘Native American Heritage Month’

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors officially proclaimed November 2024 as “Native American Heritage Month” throughout the County.

The motion was authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and co-authored by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath.

“This month serves as a vital opportunity for celebration, education, reflection, and action,” Solis said in a statement. “By recognizing the narratives of Native American communities, we bring attention to the rich tapestry of cultural practices, languages, and wisdom that have shaped our nation.”  

“There is no Los Angeles County without the Native peoples who are the original inhabitants, caretakers, and stewards of this land,” said Chair Lindsey P. Horvath. “As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month this November, we re-center Native voices in our policymaking to advance inclusion, dignity, and justice for our tribal communities.”   

In 2021, Supervisor Solis authored a motion to acknowledge and apologize for the historical mistreatment of California Native Americans by Los Angeles County, which resulted in a Land Acknowledgement that developed over many months of collaboration with leaders from local tribes. Today, this recognizes Los Angeles County as home to First Peoples, including the Tongva, Kizh, and Chumash, and the ancestral lands we inhabit.    

In addition to proclaiming Native American Heritage Month, the approved motion directs the County to provide expanded access by Native peoples to parks, libraries, museums, and beaches – areas that historically have excluded the Native peoples. Moreover, the motion initiates the establishment of an Office of Tribal Affairs to further address the needs of the American Indian and Alaskan Native community members and tribes and directs the County to commence renegotiations of the Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Los Angeles, which has not been updated since 1980.

The motion also acknowledges LANAIC’s three honorees: Kenny Ramos of the Barona Band of Mission Indians/Kumeyaay Nation, Cynthia Ruiz of the Cherokee Nation, and Chief Anthony Morales of the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians.   

The board also asked the county CEO and the Department of Arts and Culture to determine the feasibility of establishing an Office of Tribal Affairs in the 2025-26 budget.

Additional reporting by City News Service.