Press Releases

Lawmaker’s bill is a follow up to AB 1703, the California Indian Education Act

SACRAMENTO—When teaching about the Spanish Mission and Gold Rush Eras, California public schools would be required to teach the true history of the impact on California Native Americans during those periods if AB 1821, is approved. Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino), the first California Native American elected to the legislature, introduced the measure today.  

Ramos said, “This bill builds upon my previous legislation, the California Indian Education Act, approved in 2022. For far too long California’s

SACRAMENTO—Tribal law enforcement agencies and tribal courts are closer to gaining access to a national computer network that provides local and state law enforcement agencies with information used to investigate crimes and a message system maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Motor Vehicles and other agencies after unanimous approval today of AB 44 by the Senate Public Safety Committee. Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) introduced the measure earlier this year.

Ramos said, “Passage of AB 44 is critical to assisting tribes keep their communities safe

California steps up efforts to stem violence against Native Americans as state enacts new Feather Alert system

REDWOOD VALLEY—Today tribal leaders, local law enforcement and lawmakers gathered to learn how the a new tool – the Feather Alert – will work to help law enforcement quickly notify the public about missing Native Americans and enlist their aid. The law, AB 1314, which took effect in January was authored by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino).

Assemblymembers Ramos and Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) and representatives from the California Highway Patrol, the Department of Justice

SACRAMENTO—California’s independent state auditor today reported California State University (CSU) has done little to return Native American remains and cultural items in its possession to tribes after a months-long review requested by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) and the Joint Committee on Legislative Audit.

The auditor surveyed all 23 CSU campuses and conducted on-site review of Chico State, Sacramento State, San Diego State and San Jose State Universities.

Key findings revealed that only six percent of Native American remains and objects at CSU campuses had been returned

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

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

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

SACRAMENTO—As the national day to commemorate Missing or Murdered Indigenous People (MIIP) on May 5 nears, the California Native American Legislative Caucus will mark the first week in May with a round of activities highlighting disproportionate cases of violence against Native Americans. California has two tribes that have declared a state of emergency because of violence against their tribal members.

Round Valley Indian Tribes declared a State of Emergency in April, after two members were founded murdered, the latest victims in Northern California of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People. The

Tribes, educators prepare to implement Ramos’s California Indian Education Act
Bill encourages local tribal family & school engagement, more accurate Native American curriculum, narrowing of achievement gap

SAN JACINTO—Tribal leaders and educators gathered today to discuss how to prepare for AB 1703, the California Indian Education Act, which will take effect in January and that encourages local school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education to engage with regional Native American tribes to develop curriculum and discuss issues of concern. Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D

COARSEGOLD—Feather Alert – a public notification tool to combat an all too deadly epidemic –Missing and Murdered Indigenous People—will be available in January to help law enforcement quickly notify the public about the disproportionate number of missing Native Americans and enlist their aid for timely leads to locate victims and prosecute suspects – and today tribal leaders and others gathered to learn how the system will work and provide their input for effective implementation.

Assemblymembers James C. Ramos (D-Highland), Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) and Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno) and