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About the Native American Caucus

Assemblymember James C. Ramos, ChairAssembly Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon and Assemblymember James C. Ramos announced the formation of the California Native American Caucus in March 2021. Ramos was named as the chair of the new group. The California Native American Legislative Caucus was charged with increasing awareness and education in the Legislature about the culture, history and impact of various social issues on our state’s Native Americans. 

Upcoming Events

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Ramos applauds Supreme Court decision upholding Native American rights in tribal foster youth placement

SACRAMENTO—Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino), the state’s first and only California Native American elected to the legislature, today joined in applauding the Supreme Court 7-2 decision upholding the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), a first-ever reverse assimilation policy.

Ramos said, “California’s tribes today join other Native Americans across the United States in celebrating the reaffirmation of our sovereign right to raise our children in tribal communities where they can maintain their tribal identity, culture and traditions.” He noted that the Court’s majority opinion

Students, state schools leader, lawmakers, advocates tell administrators: Native regalia is legal; stop sidestepping law

Entire event may be found at: https://vimeo.com/830297091/d52a6e41c8 or

https://youtu.be/IqFFQ7fx_fo

Students, state schools leader, lawmakers, advocates tell administrators: Native regalia is legal; stop sidestepping law

SACRAMENTO—State high school administrators don’t have to write on the blackboard 100 times, “I won’t break the law,” but the message delivered to them is clear: obey the law.

With high school graduation ceremonies underway across California, some Native American students are once again facing additional unnecessary burdens: convincing school and district administrators to follow

Solemn Capitol candlelight vigil in memory of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People

Capitol Dome lit up in red as hundreds join California tribes, lawmakers, advocates, Native American cultural performers

SACRAMENTO—Hundreds will join tribal leaders, lawmakers, advocates, and Native American cultural performers for a solemn candlelight vigil at the state Capitol Wednesday evening memorializing Missing or Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). It climaxes a week of activities highlighting disproportionate cases of violence against Native American sponsored by the California Native American Legislative Caucus. As part of the observances, the Capitol Dome is being illuminated in red for first time ever through Friday to commemorate MMIP.

Two California tribes have declared a state of emergency because