Skip to main content

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. 

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

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

State auditor: CSU campuses illegally hold almost 700,000 Native American remains and objects; number expected to grow

Devastating report to lead to hearing and legislation for lack of compliance with law dating back to 1990; Lawmaker to call for greater enforcement of accountability measures and oversight

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

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

Subscribe to