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Council recognizes Nisenan people; vice mayor urges annual tribal contribution
Summary
Nevada City Council acknowledged the Nisenan people and discussed making a prior one-time $5,000 grant an annual contribution; Vice Mayor Lou suggested $2,500 annually from the community agency fund and asked staff to prepare wording for a future council debate.
The Nevada City Council opened its March 11 meeting with a land acknowledgement for the Nisenan people and a recognition of the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan tribe.
Gary led the acknowledgement, saying the council meets on Nisenan land and expressing support for the tribe’s efforts to stabilize their community and seek federal recognition.
During council comments on the budget item, Vice Mayor Lou proposed converting a previously approved one-time $5,000 grant to an annual contribution. ‘‘We gave the tribe a $5,000 grant and at the time we said it was a one-time grant but the council could decide to make it an annual contribution,’’ Lou said, proposing an annual amount of about $2,500 to come from the city’s community agency fund (cited as having a balance of approximately $180,000). Lou asked staff to prepare formal wording so the council can consider a future vote.
Several council members expressed support for the idea as a form of ‘‘homelands reciprocity,’’ but no formal motion or vote on the annual contribution took place at the meeting; the matter was referred to staff for future action.
The council’s acknowledgement and the proposal for recurring support highlight a continuing conversation about the city’s relationship with local tribal communities and the use of community agency funds.
