Thursday, October 22, 2026 SACRAMENTO—The first and only California Native American elected to the legislature today called upon Imperial County District 5 Supervisor John Hawk to apologize for offensive language he used to describe Native American constituents expressing concerns about reconstruction of the Picacho Road Bridge at a transportation commission meeting.In news stories, Hawk is quoted as stating the meeting with constituents was “brutal” and that he felt “scalped” after 75 members of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe spoke at a recent transportation commission meeting urging repairs of the bridge. Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino), chairperson of the California Native American Legislative Caucus and the Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs, said Hawk’s “words and the history evoked by his choice of words carry harmful connotations and are unacceptable.”Ramos noted that Hawk himself had depicted the bridge as a “lifeline” and said elected officials should not be surprised when constituents are concerned about an issue of vital concern to them. Ramos added that he also strongly urged meaningful respectful inclusion and consultation with the tribe because it is essential for emergency responders and for economic vitality.Hawk’s remarks came to light when Michael Jack of the Quechan Indian Tribe addressed the Board of Supervisors to emphasize that those who spoke at the transportation meeting wanted to urge the supervisors’ support for reconstruction of the bridge.Ramos concluded his letter to the Imperial County supervisors by stating, “As elected officials we must all respond to contentious situations and anger, but we are elected to represent and serve all our constituents. Again, I call for an apology to the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian People and for meaningful inclusion and consultation with the tribe as work on the bridge moves forward.”###Read Letter