A bill to establish California Native American Day—celebrated annually on the fourth Friday of September—as a paid holiday for state employees advanced unanimously today in the Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement. Introduced by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino), AB 989 had previously passed the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee.
Ramos, a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribes, made history as the first California Native American elected to the state legislature in nearly 175 years. He has been advocating for this recognition since 1998.
“I was a San Manuel council member when I started working toward this goal with Senator Joe Baca Sr." Ramos said. “This is one more step forward in recognizing and building knowledge about the history, culture and contributions of California’s Native Americans.”
In 2021, Ramos successfully authored AB 855, which established California Native American Day as a paid judicial holiday. However, that legislation did not extend to other state employees due to differences in statutory authority. “California Native American history is California history,” Ramos added. “The current unpaid designation falls short in honoring the state’s First People and their deep, enduring connection to these lands.”
The bill is sponsored by the California Native Vote Project. Calvin Hedrick (Mountain Maidu), the organization’s Director of Organizing, emphasized the broader significance of the legislation. “Making California Native American Day a paid state holiday is more than symbolic—it’s a long-overdue recognition of Native sovereignty, resilience, and enduring contributions,” Hedrick said. “AB 989 sends a powerful message that California values truth, inclusion, and equity. We are grateful for Assemblymember Ramos’ leadership in advancing justice for Native communities.”
The bill has garnered support from a broad coalition of tribes and organizations, including the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe of California, Cahuilla Band of Indians, California Consortium for Urban Indian Health, Chalon Indian Nation (California and Bakersfield chapters), Elk Valley Rancheria, Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel, Indigenous Justice, Mongo Band of Mission Indians, Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health, Inc., Native Development Network, and the Society for California Archeology.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Lawmakers Push To Expand Tribal Food Sovereignty Program
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Give Tribes Tax Parity with States
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
