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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing November 2018 as Native American Heritage Month (Supervisor Hannigan)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Hannigan requests that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing November 2018 as Native American Heritage Month.
SUMMARY:
In 1976, the United States’ bicentennial year, Congress passed a resolution authorizing President Ford to proclaim a week in October as “Native American Awareness Week.” On October 8, 1976, he issued his presidential proclamation doing so. Since then, Congress and the President have observed a day, a week or a month in honor of the American Indian and Alaska Native people.
The Governor of the State of California, Jerry Brown, proclaimed September 28, 2018, as “Native American Day” in the State of California.
Even though Solano County contains no reservations, the County of Solano today enjoys a government-to-government relationship with the closest Patwin tribe, and specifically, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, whose people live in an area now known as the Capay Valley in adjacent Yolo County. Yocha Dehe is recognized by the State's Native American Heritage Commission as the Most Likely Descendent of the Patwin people buried in Solano County, and so it works closely with local governments and agencies throughout the County to protect sacred burial sites from disturbance and desecration.
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is an independent, self-governed nation, one of the 567 sovereign tribal governments officially recognized by the United States today.
Through self-governance, tribes protect their unique cultures and identities, which are a distinct and essential part of the heritage of the nation we today call the United States.
As a federally-recognized sovereign government, Yocha Dehe enjoys constructive government-to-government relations with not only the United States, but with state, regional, and local governments as well.
Pronounced “YO-cha DEE-hee”-meaning “home by the spring water,” in the Tribe's native Patwin language - the Tribe is empowered to regulate its own people and affairs, control its own territory, and pursue self-determination.
Having become economically self-sufficient, and no longer dependent on the United States for survival, the Tribe is committed to providing for the health and welfare of its citizens, preserving its Patwin culture and traditions, and protecting the land and natural resources under its stewardship.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by District 1’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is a sovereign Native American nation which holds ancestral territory within the boundaries of Solano County. Yocha Dehe remains committed to improving the environment, education status, and the health, safety and general welfare of not only its citizens, but Native American and non-Native American people throughout California. Revenues from gaming operations enable Yocha Dehe to help non-tribal communities in a meaningful way, including supporting local jurisdictions.
In August 2016, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation (Yocha Dehe) amended their Tribal-State Compact between the State of California and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. The Compact provides a funding mechanism for Yocha Dehe to fund local government services in counties that Yocha Dehe has ancestral territory (Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Yolo counties) as recognized by the Native American Heritage Commission.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt and present this resolution; however, this is not recommended as this is an opportunity to recognize November 2018 as Native American Heritage Month.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
There is no other agency involvement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION