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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. 

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Newsom signs Ramos bill banning use of slur against Native women as name for California public lands, landmarks, geographic locations

SACRAMENTO—Gov. Newsom today signed a proposal to prohibit the use of the word “squaw” (S-word) for geographic features and place names in California by January 1, 2024. The measure, AB 2022, was introduced by Assemblymembers James C. Ramos (D-Highland), the first California Native American elected to the state legislature and Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus. AB 2022 was part of a five-bill Ramos tribal package sent to Newsom and which he has approved.

In the release announcing approval of the tribal measures, Newsom said, “As we lift up the

Ramos, Yabuno commemorate historic, first ever paid California Native American Day holiday for court workers

SAN BERNARDINO— Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) and Presiding Judge R. Glenn Yabuno of the San Bernardino Superior Court today commemorated the first ever paid California Native American Day holiday extended to staff of a state entity – court personnel. This year the holiday falls on Friday, September 23.

Ramos successfully introduced AB 855 in 2021 to permit court personnel to switch Columbus Day for California Native American Day. The Judicial Council sponsored the bill.

The lawmaker, a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe, is the first California Native American lawmaker elected in