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Lake County proclaims November 2025 National Native American Heritage Month, highlights tribal collaboration
Summary
The Lake County Board of Supervisors voted to designate November 2025 as National Native American Heritage Month, naming local tribal nations and emphasizing ongoing collaboration — including a tribal liaison and a planned co‑management agreement for Clear Lake.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors on the dais read and adopted a proclamation designating November 2025 as National Native American Heritage Month in Lake County.
The proclamation, read by Chair EJ Crandall, notes the county has been home to Indigenous peoples for more than 12,000 years and specifically recognizes the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California; the Koi Nation of Northern California; the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians; the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians; the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake; the Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California; and the Elem Indian Colony. The reading also acknowledged federal and colonial policies that deprived Indigenous peoples of land and liberty and cited earlier national observances dating to the 1970s and a 1990 presidential declaration establishing the month-long recognition.
Guest speaker Kyle Bill, who said he works with Kanokitai to provide public education about tribal history, thanked the board for the proclamation and urged continued engagement. "We're still here, that we have a long legacy, and that there's still much more to do together," Bill said, adding that proclamations matter when they are accompanied by tribal inclusion in county decision‑making.
Chair EJ Crandall thanked Bill for his educational work on behalf of Kanokitai and for helping the broader community understand local tribal histories beyond school curricula. Supervisor Brad noted the county has increased collaboration with tribal governments, said the county maintains a tribal liaison, and added, "we're gonna be working on a, co management agreement for Clear Lake with the tribes," pointing to an ongoing effort to formalize joint stewardship.
The board adopted the proclamation and signed it; the transcript records the proclamation as passed and adopted but does not record a roll‑call vote. No binding policy changes or budget votes were made during this agenda item. The board and attendees concluded the presentation with a group photograph.
The county did not specify a timetable or implementation details for the Clear Lake co‑management work during the remarks; those items remain in discussion and may require further staff reports or formal agreements.
