Northeastern California Workshop for California Indians

What:  To Provide Comments on the "Draft White Papers" For Improving the Practice of Archaeology in California

When: Wednesday, September 3, 2008, 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. - Potluck Lunch

Where:  Yellow Creek Campground in Humbug Valley, Plumas County (near Chester and Lake Almanor, off Highway 89)

RSVP & Info Contacts:
Janet Eidsness - 530-629-3153;
Cassandra Hensher - 916-813-8468;
Anthony Madrigal - 916-653-4082;
Melany Johnson - 530-251-5633;
Beverly Ogle - 530-597-2070

 

California Supports Winnemem Wintu Tribe:
Senate passes Joint Resolution urging restoration of federal recognition status

The Winnemem Wintu Tribe drew one step closer to righting years of historic wrongs today. The Senate passed a Joint Resolution urging the federal government to restore federal recognition status to the Winnemem Wintu Tribe. The resolution, authored by Assembly Member Huffman, passed with 24 votes.

"California has sent a clear message today: our state stands in solidarity with the Winnemem Wintu Tribe to correct a terrible injustice by the federal government," said Assemblymember Jared Huffman. "It's not time for the federal government to acknowledge its mistake and once again recognize the Tribe."

The Winnemem were mysteriously dropped from the list of federally recognized Tribes in the 1980's. For years, the Winnemem received benefits from the federal government, such as housing and educational assistance. They abruptly stopped receiving benefits, ending access to local healthcare, housing assistance, and cutting families off from scholarships they had only years before used to pursue college degrees. To this day, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has failed to provide an adequate explanation for what happened.

"This resolution is long-overdue. For years, we have struggled to maintain our traditions on our own," explained Caleen Sisk-Franco, leader of the Winnemem. "Recognition would enable us to maintain our spiritual lifeways, get our youth scholarships and healthcare. To have the State of California declare their support for us sends a message that we are no longer alone on this issue."

The Winnemem are a traditional, non-gaming Tribe from Northern California. They have been unable to get a clear answer as to why the federal government stopped recognizing the Tribe, and the resolution will aid the Tribe in rectifying the historic injustice. The Winnemem Wintu, together with and the Natural Resource Defense Council and the Environmental Justice Coalition for Water, introduced AJR 39 in 2007. The Resolution documents the state of California's long history with the Winnemem Wintu and urges the Federal government to fix an incomprehensible mistake that has drastically impacted the Tribe.

State agencies and many other organizations maintain relationships with the Tribe, but recognition can only be granted by the federal government. The Native American Heritage Commission lists the Winnemem as a California Tribe. Agencies such as the California Department of Fish and Game hold Memorandums of Understanding with the Tribe. Even federal agencies maintain a relationship with the Winnemem; the Tribe has legal agreements with the U.S. Forest Service, and their leaders receives religious protections and rights only guaranteed to Tribes under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act.

"We will be taking this resolution to Washington D.C. We hope it will be impetus for our Congressional representatives to help us," said Mark Franco, headman of the Winnemem. "Recognition impacts our very survival as a people. California is in danger of losing a part of its cultural heritage if we do not act on this now."

The resolution comes at a particularly important time for the Winnemem. The US Bureau of Reclamation is investigating the possibility of increasing the size of the Shasta Dam, which would flood the Winnemem's few remaining sacred sites and ancestral lands. Recognition would force the Bureau to negotiate directly with the Tribe throughout this process.

The vote today signaled the growing support for the Tribe and the overwhelming need to address this long-standing inequity. The resolution will now be memorialized in federal Congress as a permanent statement on the California Legislature's support for the Winnemem Wintu Tribe.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Governor’s Exempt Appointment

ASSISTANT DEPUTY SECRETARY NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTREACH

FINAL FILING DATE: Open Until Filled 

SALARY:   Exempt Level L. ($7261 - $7852/Month)

LOCATION:   1227 O Street, Sacramento Headquarters

WHO SHOULD APPLY:
Individuals who possess strong leadership skills and knowledge and experience working with Native American communities and veterans; experience in implementing outreach programs; is well versed in veterans benefits and claims processes; is familiar with veteran organizations; experience working with Federal, State, County and community agencies; policy development and implementation experience; database development experience; and has a current established network with Native American commissions, boards, health agencies, and agencies that serve the Native American population.  Native American veterans are encouraged to apply.

All interested applicants must file a standard state application (Form 678), resume and a separate "Statement of Qualifications" specifying how the candidate's background and experience relates to the applicant's ability to perform in the specified position.  The "Statement" should be no more than three pages in length. Submit these documents to:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Human Resources Office
1227 O Street, Room 404
Sacramento, California   95814
Attention:  Danette Baker

IN ADDITION, YOU MUST SUBMIT THE ON-LINE GOVERNOR’S APPOINTMENT APPLICATION, DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE.  

Questions regarding the application process may be directed to Danette Baker or (916) 651-7799.

 

West Sacramento City Council
Approves Agreements with California State Parks for  
California Indian Heritage Center

The West Sacramento City Council has approved an agreement with California State Parks for the development of the California Indian Heritage Center in West Sacramento. 

            At its meeting on June 18, the Council voted 4 – 0  for an agreement that places the new State Park museum and cultural heritage complex at the 43 acre “East Riverfront” property located along the Sacramento River. The property is currently owned by the city of West Sacramento and its’ Redevelopment Agency. 

 “We are pleased by the twin opportunities of bringing safe public access to one of the most treasured natural places on the urban waterfront by honoring the culture and heritage of its first people,” said West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon. “With these key agreements in place, we bring together the city’s spectacular site with a significant investment in a statewide project by State Parks and the CIHC Task Force/Foundation.  West Sacramento proudly welcomes the CIHC to our riverfront."

“The West Sacramento site, at the confluence of two major rivers, is a place of significance to California Indian people.  This beautiful and distinctive location along the river will honor our heritage by placing the CIHC within California’s state capital region.  We are honored to partner with the City of West Sacramento, California State Parks and the California Indian community on this exciting opportunity to create a home befitting the important contribution of California Indian culture to our state,” explained Larry Myers, chairman of the California Indian Heritage Task Force and Foundation.

The CIHC is a collaborative partnership among the CIHC Task Force, California State Parks, California Indian people, the City of West Sacramento, the City and County of Sacramento, and a new nonprofit foundation (CIHC Foundation) established to support the project. Following the completion of the General Plan, the project will move into specific design development and construction, with anticipated opening of phase one within five to ten years.

The West Sacramento site is planned to include a library, archives, tribal treasures exhibit space, resident artist space, offices, classrooms, a café, museum store, amphitheatre and event space, indigenous gardens, trails, public access to the Sacramento River, and parking. The CIHC will also make use of the Northgate property in the American River Parkway, within the City and County of Sacramento, for certain outdoor interpretive components of the project.  The Northgate area is envisioned to be an outdoor interpretive center, with trails, native gardens, and demonstration areas. 

 

 

 

 

CA INDIAN COMMEMORATIVE SEAL

“Honor the Past, Envision the Future,” the 25-minute video on the California Indian and Spanish and Mexican Commemorative Seals installed on the State Capitol’s West Steps in 2002, will be shown twice daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the State Capitol Museum Theater located in the basement.

The Indian Seal portrays the humanity of the Indigenous people of California. This seal represents an artistic symmetry and harmony, which is reflective of Indian culture.

Artist Robert Freeman, a Luiseno Indian born on the Rincon Indian Reservation in San Diego County, designed the seal.