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Council chambers mark Indigenous Peoples Day with tribal leaders, commission recognition
Summary
City Council celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day with leaders from Gabrielino‑Tongva, Fernandeno Tataviam and other indigenous communities, and presented a resolution recognizing October 13, 2025, while calling for land‑acknowledgement policy work.
Los Angeles City Council chambers hosted an extended Indigenous Peoples Day ceremony and presentations by leaders of local tribal communities and the Los Angeles City and County Native American Indian Commission.
Councilmember Hernandez led a formal recognition, read a city resolution and invited community leaders to speak. Speakers included native youth leaders, tribal elders and commissioners: Ellie Morales Recalde (San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, Gabrielino Tongva Youth Council) delivered a land acknowledgement and reflections on resilience; Chief Anthony Morales (San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, Gabrielino Tongva) and Mark Villasenor (vice chair, Los Angeles City and County Native American Indian Commission) also addressed the council.
Councilmember Hernandez urged follow‑through beyond ceremonial recognition: she said the city must develop a formal land‑acknowledgement policy that includes Indigenous peoples in decision making and raised concerns about development on sacred sites such as a proposed gondola at Los Angeles State Historic Park. The council presented the city commission with a resolution officially recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day and thanked tribal leaders for their participation.
Why it matters: Council leaders said the acknowledgement should be paired with policy and meaningful engagement, not only ceremony. The session also underscored requests for citywide policy work to protect sites with Indigenous history and increase tribal participation in city decision making.
