Albany council pauses proposed land‑acknowledgement rewrite after tribal objections and public outcry

Albany—ity Councilmembers on July 21 declined to act on a proposed rewrite of the city—arth/land acknowledgement after numerous members of the Confederated Villages of the Lishan Nation and community allies urged the council to consult the nation first.

The item had been introduced by Mayor Robin Lopez and Vice Mayor Peggy McQuade as a refresh of the city cknowledgement language. Council members said the item was intended to be inclusive of multiple regional Ohlone groups and to update phrasing, but public speakers representing or allied with the Confederated Villages of the Lishan Nation said the proposed change risked erasing an existing, working relationship between the city and that tribe.

Tribal and community objections Tribal Chair Karina Gold (identified in public comment) read a prepared statement urging the council not to proceed without direct consultation: “We strongly encourage the city of Albany not to vote on the changes to the land…