Commission seeks tribal liaison and reports outreach to tribal leaders

Carol Larson, a commissioner and the commission's treasurer, reported that the Cultural Awareness/Indigenous Peoples committee approved a letter to tribal leaders and a cover letter asking the county to consider a tribal liaison to the Board of Supervisors.

Larson said the committee sent the letter to representatives of the eight tribes in Humboldt County and to three tribes in neighboring Del Norte County to invite input. She described the proposal as an attempt to ensure tribal voices have direct channels into county decision-making, and she cited historical context: "Years back . . . the city of Eureka gave three acres back to the Wiyot tribe," she said, arguing that increased liaison capacity could surface issues including tribal sovereignty, policing jurisdiction on reservation land, and service impacts from state and federal funding changes.

Commission members discussed the proposal and asked whether rancherias would be included; Larson confirmed the outreach includes both tribes and rancherias. Commissioners agreed to continue committee work and to report back with further details and any suggested edits to the letter.

Ending: The commission did not take a formal vote but directed the Cultural Awareness committee to continue outreach and to return with an update at a future meeting.