On Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an apology on behalf of the state’s past violence towards Native Americans living in California. The apology encompasses the entirety of California’s practice, which comprised of family separation, slaughter, and slavery. Furthermore, Newsom revealed the beginning of a new commission known as the Truth and Healing Council. The Council will allow Native Americans to address any history of the state’s violence towards them. Although, the apology and the formation of the Commission are not only serving as an appeal to Newsom’s voters, but also to the realm of social justice.
Newsom recognized that an apology would not make up for the entirety of the state’s behavior. The apology was based on the year California became a state and the laws that were enacted during that time. Furthermore, the creation of the missions in California resulted in a high death count of Native Americans, which was also included in the apology.
Some tribal leaders greatly appreciated Newsom’s apology even though they reiterated that California had more strides to take. Specifically, the Chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village, Erica Pinto illustrated her appreciation for Newsom’s apology. Likewise, she appreciated the state putting in the time and effort to try and mend the relationships with the tribes. However, Pinto explained that actions speak louder than words in terms of taking steps to fix the relationships. According to Pinto, the apology is a step in the right direction, but many more actions need to be made.
For the public apology, Newsom took tribal leaders to the future site of the California Indian Heritage Center which will be located in West Sacramento. The California Indian Heritage Center is projected to cost $200 million with half of the funding coming from the Indian tribes and the other half coming from the state of California. It has the intention of hosting programs and showing off thousands of artifacts in the Sacramento area.
