The Los Angeles City Council on Friday read a land acknowledgment and proclaimed November as Native American Heritage Month, highlighting tribal partnerships after this year's wildfire season.

Councilmember Nithya Padilla read the council’s land acknowledgment on the chamber floor, saying the statement recognizes “the lands occupied originally and that still care for the Tongva, Tataviam and Fernandeño peoples,” and acknowledging “promises broken, relocation and trauma” tied to colonization.

The council hosted tribal singers and invited remarks from Shipred Anthony Morales of the tribal delegation, who opened the ceremony with a prayer and traditional song. Commission members and tribal representatives thanked 14 tribal nations that provided personnel and fireline resources during January wildfires and urged integration of traditional ecological practices into city resilience planning.

John M. H. Stock, speaking for the city’s Native American Commission, said Los Angeles is now home to people from more than 200 tribes and described the commission’s 49-year history of cultural programming. He and other speakers linked cultural recognition to practical steps — including shared stewardship of land, water-management practices and cultural-fire protocols — as tools to reduce catastrophic fire risk.

Tribal performers and community award recipients followed the formal remarks; several speakers described outreach, cultural programs and arts projects that connect Indigenous communities with public spaces and schools. The Department of Cultural Affairs highlighted a city cultural guide that lists Indigenous artists and events and invited residents to upcoming programs.

The presentation closed with council expressions of thanks and an invitation to participate in the commission’s year-50 activities. No formal ordinance or code change was proposed during the presentation.