(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) released the following statement following the blessing event at the California Indian Heritage Center site in West Sacramento with Governor Gavin Newsom.
“As the first California Indian elected to the State Legislature, I applaud the executive order signed by Governor Newsom today to issue a formal apology from the state for past cruel treatment of Native Americans. This action will go a long way to start the healing process between the state and Native American communities throughout California.
“I grew up in a mobile home on the San Manuel Indian reservation and experienced poverty firsthand that many generations before me have lived through. The reservation was formed following the Battle of 1866, when my great-great-grandfather Santos Manuel saved our remaining 30 tribal members from slaughter and founded the San Manuel Reservation.
“This is a history of genocide and oppression that so many Native American tribes share – under attack, families separated, culture stolen or destroyed, displaced from land. That is why tribal knowledge is sacred, and its preservation tantamount to our survival as a people.
This historic acknowledgment by the Governor marks the beginning of a new relationship between the state and the more than 700,000 Native Americans who make the State of California their home.”
Assemblymember Ramos performing inter-tribal bird songs at his swearing-in reception (February 9, 2019)
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For Immediate Release
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Contact: Brendan Wiles (909) 476-5023
Follow Assemblymember Ramos on social media: Facebook @AsmJamesRamos / Twitter @AsmJamesRamos / Instagram @asmjamesramos
Assemblymember James Ramos proudly represents the 40th Assembly district which includes Highland, Loma Linda, Mentone, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, and San Bernardino.