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Assembly adopts resolution recognizing California Native American Day, honors tribal leaders and students
Summary
The California Assembly adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution 102 to recognize California Native American Day and held a floor ceremony honoring tribal leaders, educators and students. The resolution passed by voice vote after the measure gathered dozens of coauthors.
The California State Assembly adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution 102 on June 4, 2025, recognizing California Native American Day and opening the chamber for a ceremony honoring tribal leaders, educators and high school students.
The resolution, presented by Assemblymember James Ramos as chair of the California Native American Legislative Caucus, drew multiple floor speeches and a ceremony featuring traditional songs and honorees from across the state. "California is home to the most Native Americans than any other state in the nation," Ramos said in remarks before the vote, calling for truthful teaching of the state's history and listing recent legislative steps aimed at tribal partnerships and protections.
ACR 102 acknowledges the annual California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference and the observance of California Native American Day in September. Supporters highlighted recent state actions they said advance tribal co-governance, missing-and-murdered Indigenous persons initiatives, education reforms and repatriation of remains and cultural artifacts from public university systems.
Assemblymembers from multiple caucuses described the resolution as more than ceremonial. "By recognizing California Native American Day, we do more than honor heritage. We affirm a commitment to visibility, to justice, and to the dignity of every life," Assemblymember Heather stated during debate. Speakers recalled historic injustices — including references to early California laws and the governor's 2019 apology — and noted recent policy changes such as the creation of a Feather Alert for missing Indigenous people and new co-management authority for the Natural Resources Agency.
After debate, Ramos requested the first roll be opened for coauthors; the clerk recorded 71 coauthors. The body adopted ACR 102 by voice vote. "Ayes have it. The resolution is adopted," the clerk announced, and the chamber moved into the Native American Day ceremony, which included traditional songs, remarks about honorees and a reception scheduled for the evening.
Honorees recognized during the ceremony included Judge Abby Abinanti (Yurok Tribe), Councilwoman Catalina R. Chacon (Pechanga Band of Indians), the late Rosemary (Rose) Salgado (Serrano/Luiseno communities) and Chairman Frederick Quintin Beau Massetti (Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians), among others. The chamber also publicly recognized three Clovis Unified School District students who asserted their right to wear tribal regalia at graduation.
The Assembly set a reception for honorees later that day and directed members to printed biographies and program materials made available on members' desks. No fiscal action or regulatory change was enacted by adopting the resolution; the measure is a formal recognition and ceremonial observance adopted by the Assembly.
The ceremony and adoption took place on the Assembly floor and were followed by additional routine business.
