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Lake County proclaims May 2025 as Month of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People; tribal leaders and advocates speak
Summary
The Board of Supervisors adopted a proclamation designating May 2025 as Lake County Month of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People. Tribal leaders and advocates addressed the board and read long lists of missing and murdered relatives during a public ceremony and flag dedication.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors on May 6 designated May 2025 as Lake County Month of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People and authorized posting of a flag at the courthouse for the month.
Why it matters: The proclamation recognized national statistics about violence against Indigenous people, acknowledged historical local atrocities and affirmed the county's commitment to working with tribal nations and advocates to seek justice and healing.
What happened: Chair EJ Crandall read the proclamation and asked representatives of local tribal communities to join the dais. Katie Ray, identified as victim services and programs manager for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo, spoke about the intergenerational impact of violence, the need for accountability and culturally appropriate investigations and services. Darnell Aparicio, who introduced himself as Pomo from Manchester/Point Arena, spoke in his native language and read a long list of individuals who are missing or murdered, identifying many names and dates during a multi-minute list. Other tribal leaders and community advocates offered remarks urging action and the rapid completion of investigations that affect tribal communities.
Key context cited in the proclamation: The board's text cited federal measures (Savanna's Act and the Not Invisible Act) passed in 2020 to improve data and coordination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics on lifetime victimization rates, and National Crime Information Center data on missing indigenous persons incidents through 2022. The proclamation also noted Lake County is home to seven federally recognized tribes and memorialized historical events including the Temescal and Bloody Island massacres.
Voices from the meeting: - Katie Ray, victim services and programs manager, Scottsdale Valley Band of Pomo: called for continued partnerships, culturally appropriate responses and for the county to 'seek justice, truth and healing. - Darnell Aparicio, community member and Pomo nation member: read more than 100 names of missing and murdered indigenous relatives and emphasized remembrance and community solidarity. - Supervisor Rasmussen and other supervisors thanked presenters and urged the proclamation be a starting point for further action; supervisors asked staff to invite law enforcement partners to brief the board on investigative practices and coordination with tribal nations.
Action taken: The board approved the proclamation and the courthouse flag authorization by voice vote (recorded as 5-0). Staff said the flag will be hung in May and tribal representatives will be provided copies of the proclamation and flags for each tribe.
What to watch for: Supervisors asked to schedule follow-up briefings, including a potential presentation by the county sheriff on investigative coordination with tribal nations and any procedural changes the board could support to expedite culturally appropriate investigations and reporting.
