SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom has officially proclaimed November 2024 as Native American Heritage Month, recognizing California’s deep-rooted ties with Native American communities and their enduring cultural impact. As home to the largest Native American population in the United States, California continues to be a place where Native people find community and a platform for national influence.
The proclamation acknowledges a dual legacy: the painful history of violence and oppression faced by Native communities and the extraordinary resilience they have shown in overcoming adversity. Governor Newsom highlighted the recent national focus on the legacy of federal Indian boarding schools, including twelve located in California, and the historic apology issued last month by a U.S. President for the atrocities committed at these institutions. This apology, Newsom stated, represents an important step in addressing intergenerational trauma inflicted on Native families.
Governor Newsom also celebrated the achievements of Native Americans in the arts and entertainment. He pointed to this year’s powerful storytelling, such as the critically acclaimed series Reservation Dogs and the historic performance by Osage singers at the Oscars. Additionally, Piegan Blackfeet and Nez Perce actor Lily Gladstone’s Golden Globe win for Killers of the Flower Moon was recognized as a landmark moment.