The Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission (Commission) was created through a joint effort by members of the Los Angeles Native American community and the Los Angeles City and County governments. The Commission was officially established by the County of Los Angeles on June 25, 1976. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors then established the Commission via Ordinance No. 11409, adopted September 7, 1976, and effective October 8, 1976.
The primary purpose of the Commission, as outlined in County Code, is to increase the acquisition and application of funding resources to the socioeconomic problems of Native Americans in Los Angeles City and County without duplication of any service or activity provided by any other County officer or department.
The first Los Angeles City and County government officials made their respective appointments, including Tim Wapato, Chairman David Lester, Vice Chairman, Al Juneau, Shirley Fiske, Emmett Sarracino, Lincoln Billedeaux, Iron Eyes Cody, Pat Patterson, Sanford Smith, and William Connolly.
Following the governmental appointments of 1976, the Commission held its first county-wide election for the five community elected members. Among the five elected members in 1977 were Rudy Ortega, Sr., District 1, Lila Lewis, District 2, Clifton Roman Nose, District 3, Howard Yackus, District 4, and Delores Hitman, District 5.
The Commission, the first of its kind in the United States, held its first official meeting on June 20, 1977, at the County Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration. The Commission established Personnel Budget, By-laws, Planning, Legislative and Administrative Committees. In addition, the commission voted to support the creation of an Indian Health Service Liaison Officer within the County Department of Health Services.
Past Commissioners
| Rev. Marvin Abrams Seneca |
Hannah Fixico Rosebud Sioux Tribe |
Yvonne Paradise |
| Zoie Adkins-Dungee* | Joan Freeman Seminole |
Patricia M. Patterson |
| Daron Ahhaity Cherokee |
Fred William Gabourie Seneca |
Kathy Pena |
| Glenda Ahhaitty Cherokee |
Michelle L. Garcia Holiday Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma |
Katherine Pollock |
| Karen Allen | Danielle Glenn-Rivera Osage |
Sister Grace Rabideaux Chippewa |
| Iris Allrunner Fort Peck Sioux |
Toni Goodin | David Rambeau Paiute |
| Corrine Beckwith Garbani Pechanga |
Walter Hare Yankton Sioux |
Carol Ramirez Gabrielino |
| Angie Behrns Gabrielino |
Shirley Hendricks | Betty Ransom |
| Lincoln B. Billedeaux Piegan-Blackfeet |
Delores Hinman | Lois Red Elk Fort Peck Sioux |
| Clementine Minnie Bordeaux Sicangu Oglala Lakota |
Janet Honanie Hopi |
Melvin Anthony Rice Luiseno |
| Richard Bouchard | Cecile Johnson Creek |
Clifton Roman Nose Southern Cheyenne |
| Violet Brown | Suzanne Johnson | Rev. Emmett D. Sarracino Laguna-Pueblo |
| Sharon Buckley Lakota |
Andy Jones Tohono O’odham |
Jack Shakely* Muscogee Creek |
| Michael Burgess Comanche |
Alfred Juneau | Ian Skorodin Choctaw |
| Roxanne Burgess Hupa |
Maxine Judkins Apache/Cherokee |
Edward Stewart Sloan |
| Tonantzin Carmelo Gabrielino |
Patsy A. Kruse | Sanford K. Smith Ute |
| John Castillo Apache |
Ronald Leos Luiseno |
Steven Stallings* Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians |
| Dr. Duane Champagne* Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa |
A. David Lester Muscogee Creek |
Dr. Lenore Stiffer Gros Ventre |
| Iron Eyes Cody (Espera Oscar de Corti) | Kevin Lewis Navajo |
Robert Sundance Hunkpapa Sioux |
| Colleen J. Colson Cherokee |
Lila Lewis | Beverly Sweetwater |
| William Connolly | Kathryn Manness Grandstaff Huron (Wyandot) Tribe |
Dennis A. Tafoya* Santa Clara Pueblo |
| Juanita Connors | Chuck Marshall Muskogee Creek |
Charles Toledo Navajo |
| Sallie Cuaresma Muskogee Creek/Cherokee |
Eugene Martinez Choctaw |
Tanya Torres Chiricahua Apache |
| Vincent D’Averso Lakota |
Robert E. Mele Seneca |
Timothy J. Turner, Esq. Luiseno |
| Rusty Deer | Mitch Mitchell Comanche |
Karina Walters Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma |
| Sarah Deer Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma |
Kimberly Morales Johnson Gabrielino |
Sherman Timothy Wapato* Colville Confederated |
| Sandra A. Dooley Osage/Seneca-Cayuga |
Mitch Murdock Navajo-Laguna |
Rose Clark Weahkee Navajo |
| Carolyn Echeveria Gabrielino |
Charles Nacho Maricopa and Tohono O’odham |
Lucy Wilson Choctaw |
| Ira Englander | Father Paul Ojibway Fond du Luc Band of Lake Superior Chippewa |
Ben Lucero Wolf Kiowa |
| Ramon Enriquez Tewa—Nambe Pueblo |
Edward “Rudy” Ortega, Sr. Fernandeno Tataviam |
Howard Yackytooanipah “Yackus” Comanche |
| Tessa Evans-Campbell Snohomish Tribe |
Paula Starr Cheyenne and Arapaho |
Mary York Chiricahua Apache |
| Shirley Jeanette Fiske | Rich Toyon Achjachemen |
*Chairperson
Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Ordinance, the Commission’s primary purposes are to:
- Promote the development of programs and funding resources;
- Advocate legislation and policy, and work with existing federal, state, and local agencies;
- Foster pride in and awareness of Native American cultures among LA County residents;
- Work with the Native American community to develop recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, the Mayor, and City Council.
June 20, 1977 – The LANAIC supported the creation of the Indian Health Services Liaison Officer in the County Department of Health Services.
March 6, 1988 – Steven L. A. Stallings, Chairperson of the LANAIC, was quoted in the Los Angeles Times’ article, “Back to Their Roots for Retirement: Aging Indians Finding They Can Go Home Again”.
1993 – The LANAIC SGB, in partnership with the County Board of Supervisors, became an eligible Community Action Agency (CAA) and began receiving and administering Community Service Block Grant Native American set-aside funds (CSAIBG).
April 15, 2002 – The LANAIC supported AB-2115, a bill to ban all Native American mascots from public schools in California.
June 9, 2004 - The LANAIC supported AB-858, the California Racial Mascots Act: athletic team names and mascots.
September 30, 2004 – The LANAIC supported SB-18 Traditional tribal cultural places.
2009 to 2021– The LANAIC partnered with San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to provide tickets for Native youth and their families to attend professional sports Native American Heritage Appreciation Nights.
March 2012 – The LANAIC discovered that Native youth were being administered psychotropic medication while in foster care without the knowledge of their tribe or relatives and successfully fought to stop the practice in Los Angeles County. The LANAIC worked with national Native organizations to have the Psychotropic Medication to American Indian Youth amendment added to the Indian Child Welfare Act.
2012 – 2016 – The LANAIC, in partnership with UCLA’s American Indian Studies Center, the California Wellness Foundation, and the American Indian Community Council (AICC), developed a series of policy briefs analyzing and reporting on 2010 US Census data. These policy briefs built upon this past work and included a comparative study of the Los Angeles AIAN population trends. All four of the policy briefs addressed the Status of AIAN in Los Angeles, analyzing (1) population changes; (2) economic indicators post-Great Recession; (3) health insurance coverage; and (4) labor. The LANAIC hosted the Urban Indian Roundtable to discuss the findings of the policy briefs.
November 2014 – The LANAIC was heavily involved in the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education (WHIAIANE) – the first-ever school environment listening tour.
2015 – The LANAIC advocated against the sainthood of Junipero Serra.
November 13, 2015 – The City of Los Angeles Arts, Parks, and River Committee passed Indigenous Peoples Day (Motion File No. 15-1343)
November 13, 2015 – The City of Los Angeles Arts, Parks, and River Committee passed the Native American Locations/Report on History and Cultural Impact (Motion File No. 15-1341)
September 2016 – The LANAIC helped organize the community in support of the Los Angeles City Council motion to stand with the Standing Rock Sioux Nation and against the Dakota Access Pipeline project. The LANAIC actively worked with and supported the Oglala and Sicangu Lakota, as well as other successful efforts to convince then-President Obama of the Pipeline’s dangers.
October 5, 2016 – With the strong urging and vocal support of the LANAIC, including testifying at several meetings, the County of Los Angeles Commission on Human Relations voted to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day.
November 2016 - The LANAIC hosted the First Annual LANAIC Pow Wow at Grand Park.
August 30, 2017– With the strong urging and vocal support of the LANAIC, including testifying at several hearings, the Los Angeles City Council passed a motion creating Indigenous Peoples Day as an official City holiday, to be observed on the second Monday of each October.
October 3, 2017 – With the strong urging and vocal support of the LANAIC, including testifying at several hearings, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a motion removing Columbus Day as an official County holiday and replacing it with Indigenous Peoples Day.
November 2017 - The LANAIC hosted the 2nd Annual LANAIC Pow Wow at Grand Park.
September 25, 2018 - The LANAIC hosted the Community Forum on Native American Homelessness at the California Endowment.
October 8, 2018 - The City and County of Los Angeles celebrated the inaugural Indigenous Peoples Day (IPD) as a recognized City and County holiday, replacing Columbus Day. The LANAIC, in partnership with Council Member Mitch O’Farrell, planned, coordinated, and executed the inaugural celebration at Grand Park and City Hall.
November 10, 2018 – The Columbus statue located in Grand Park was removed. The removal of the statue was the result of sustained action by the Los Angeles Native American and Indigenous communities.
November 17, 2018 - The LANAIC hosted the 3rd Annual LANAIC Pow Wow at Grand Park.
December 2018 – The LANAIC conducted key informant interviews with community members who have lived experience of homelessness.
Spring 2019 - The LANAIC SGB collaborated with the Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI) to develop and administer two community needs assessment survey tools for Los Angeles County’s AIAN community and service providers.
March 9, 2019 – The LANAIC co-sponsored the Center for Health Equity’s American Indian and Alaska Native Community in Focus event on March 9, 2019, at California State University, Long Beach.
March 14, 2019 - In partnership with several community-based and local government organizations, the LANAIC released a preliminary report entitled Understanding Native American Homelessness in Los Angeles.
March 2019 – The LANAIC launched the AIAN Homelessness Portal on the LANAIC website.
May 13, 2019 - The LANAIC co-sponsored the LA County Chief Sustainability Office’s Tribal & Indigenous Communities Feedback Session.
June 1, 2019 - The LANAIC co-sponsored the LA River Master Plan’s Native American Community Discussion.
October 13, 2019 – The LANAIC, in partnership with Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell planned, coordinated, and executed the Second Annual Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at Grand Park and LA City Hall. The annual event was an opportunity to uplift the true history of the Los Angeles Basin and push back against the erasure of Indigenous Peoples, including AIAN peoples.
November 2019 – In partnership with the Office of Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, the LANAIC produced the 3rd Annual Native American Heritage Month Bridge Gallery. The 2019 gallery featured eight professional LA based community artists from tribes including Kumeyaay, Apache, Ojibwe, Tejon and Chehallis. Commissioner and artist Dawn Jackson curated the exhibit.
November 1, 2019 – The LANAIC and Councilmember O’Farrell jointly recognized the 2019 Native American Heritage Month honorees at Los Angeles City Hall:
• Spirit of Tradition Saginaw Grant (Sac and Fox Nation)
• Spirit of Creativity Randy Reinholz (Choctaw)
• Spirit of Community Omerlene Thompson (Gila River)
November 5, 2019 – The County Board of Supervisors honored the 2019 NAHM honorees in a presentation given by Supervisor Solis in the Board Room.
November 16, 2019 – The LANAIC hosted the 4th Annual LANAIC Pow Wow at Grand Park.
January 2020 – LANAIC Homelessness Ad hoc Committee Chair Commissioner Dr. Andrea Garcia presented on the LANAIC’s homelessness work at a workshop at the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) conference.
March 23, 2020 – In partnership with several AIAN community-based organizations, the LANAIC hosted a community webinar on COVID-19, which was livestreamed on Facebook. As a result of this positive effort, participating organizations expressed interest in continuing to meet and coordinate throughout the pandemic. As a result, the LANAIC created the ad hoc committee: Natives in LA COVID Response Working Group.
March 23, 2020 – The Natives in LA COVID Response Working Group began meeting every other week throughout the pandemic and, through a collective effort, has supported LAC’s AIAN community in many ways, including food and essential items distributions, a video PSA, culturally supportive educational resources, advocacy efforts, two pop-up vaccine events, and numerous partnerships and linkages to resources.
April 2020 – The LANAIC created and launched a COVID Resources page on the LANAIC website (https://lanaic.lacounty.gov/covid-19-resources/). The page shares resources broken down by offering: AIAN Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Housing & Utilities, Education & Childcare, Health & Mental Health, Employees & Employers, and Food.
April 13, 2020 - The LANAIC submitted a letter of support to the Board of Supervisors for the Ensuring Collection of Full Racial and Ethnic Data of COVID-19 Patients throughout Los Angeles County Board Motion. Included in the letter was a set of recommendations advocating for proper data collection for the AIAN community to ensure that the disparate effects of COVID-19 on the AIAN community were accurately captured. The LANAIC’s letter of support and set of recommendations were referenced and included in the Department of Public Health’s report back to the Board entitled Report on LA County COVID-19 Data Disaggregated by Race and Ethnicity.
June 2020 – LANAIC Homelessness Ad hoc Committee Chair Commissioner Dr. Andrea Garcia presented on the LANAIC’s homelessness work at a webinar presentation in conjunction with the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) and the National Coalition to End Urban Indigenous Homelessness.
July 2020 – FNX, First Nations Experience, aired the AIAN COVID PSA that the LANAIC and Natives in LA COVID Response Working Group produced.
August 2020 – KABC7 aired the AIAN COVID PSA produced by the LANAIC and Natives in LA COVID Response Working Group.
August 18, 2020 - In partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, the LA City Mayor's Office, and Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell, the LANAIC hosted the Native American Connections Webinar. The webinar was an opportunity for community members and City and County officials to learn from Native American Connections (NAC) and how they work with their local Continuum of Care.
September 25, 2020 - In partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, the LA City Mayor's Office, and Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell, the LANAIC hosted the second Native American housing webinar. This webinar served as an opportunity for community members and City and County officials to learn from Chief Seattle Club about how they have developed culturally supportive housing in Seattle, WA.
October 10, 2020 - In observance of Indigenous Peoples Day 2020, the LANAIC partnered with the LA County Library and the LA County Department of Arts & Culture to host a virtual reading and discussion of Waa’aka’: The Bird Who Fell in Love with the Sun with author Cindi Alvitre (Tongva) and illustrator Carly Lake.
October 12, 2020 - The LANAIC hosted a virtual Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration. The virtual event featured remarks from Chairwoman Chrissie Castro (Navajo) and LA City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell (Wyandotte), a land acknowledgment from Julia Bogany (Tongva), a Tataviam welcome song from Vice Chairperson Rudy Ortega Jr. and his son Noe, presentations from Marcos Aguilar (Masewalli Mexicano), Commissioner Dr. Andrea Garcia (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara), and Asena Filihia (Tongan), and a musical performance by singer Kelly Caballero (Tongva).
November 2020 – The LANAIC, the Board of Supervisors, and LA City Councilmember O’Farrell jointly recognized the 2020 Native American Heritage Month honorees during a virtual ceremony streamed to Facebook on November 7, 2020. The ceremony was part of a larger NAHM 2-part virtual program. The second virtual program was streamed live to Facebook on November 21, 2020.
• Julia Bogany (Tongva) - Spirit of Tradition
• Bird Runningwater (Cheyenne and Mescalero Apache) - Spirit of Creativity
• Keith Vielle (Blackfeet) - Spirit of Community
November 21, 2020 – January 4, 2021 - Tongva artist Mercedes Dorame created a temporary art installation in Grand Park, to coincide with the programming of Memory is in the Present, a program supported by the LANAIC and Department of Arts & Culture partnership. The artwork was available for viewing from November 21, 2020 – January 4, 2021, and was located in the second block of the park between Grand Ave and Hill Street.
Spring 2021 - The Executive Director of the LANAIC and the LANAIC SGB submitted a proposal for Measure J funding to enhance and expand housing insecurity and homelessness services provided through the Community Services Block Grant Native American Set-Aside (CSAIBG) funds program. As a result of strong community advocacy, the $500,000 proposal was included in the Measure J Re-Imagine LA Advisory Committee's Spending Plan Recommendations for Year One (Fiscal Year 2021-2022).
May 1, 2021 – The LANAIC and Natives in LA COVID Response Working Group partnered with Kedren Health Centers and Supervisor Solis to host the first of two pop-up vaccine events at LA State Historic Park. The events were targeted at LAC’s AIAN and Indigenous communities and provided a safe and supportive environment to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Food boxes, diapers, wipes, and other items were also distributed at the event. Two local Native artists performed during the event.
May 29, 2021 – The LANAIC and Natives in LA COVID Response Working Group partnered with Kedren Health Centers and Supervisor Solis to host the second of two pop-up vaccine events at LA State Historic Park. The events were targeted at LAC’s AIAN and Indigenous communities and provided a safe and supportive environment to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Food boxes, diapers, wipes, and other items were also distributed at the event.
October 5, 2021 – The Board of Supervisors adopted the Indigenous Peoples Day
2021 - Development of Land Acknowledgment and Land Access Policies motion. The motion secured funding to support the participation, knowledge, and emotional and mental labor of tribal participants throughout the process of developing a Countywide land acknowledgment policy, protocol, and toolkit, and documenting harms inflicted by the County on local tribes and people. The funding also supported the hiring of a facilitator and project management team. The LANAIC, in partnership with the Department of Arts & Culture, ran a competitive RFP process to procure a consultant team. The County entered into an agreement with a consultant on February 3, 2022, to facilitate engagement with tribal leaders and AIAN community members to complete this work.
October 2021 – The LANAIC collaborated with the LA County Library’s Cultural Resources Centers (American Indian, Asian Pacific, Black, and Chicano) and Pride Committee to develop Indigenous Peoples’ Day booklists for the education and enjoyment of LAC residents. The intent of the four booklists (Kids, Teens, Adults & Adults with a focus on California Native Peoples) was to encourage people to consider and rethink their assumptions about Indigenous history and literature and remind them about the power of story to create social and personal change (Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day – LA County Library).
October 14, 2021 & January 26, 2022 - In June 2021, the Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the Proclaim June 25, 2021 as the 45th Anniversary of the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission and Envision the Commission’s Future motion. The motion directed the LANAIC to work with DHR to develop a multi-part DIALogue series to increase County employees' awareness and understanding of the LAC AIAN population. The LANAIC Executive Director produced the following two events, which were video-recorded and are available to all County staff via LearningNet: Combating Erasure: A Conversation with Native American Leaders (October 14, 2021) and Understanding the Indian Child Welfare Act (January 26, 2022).
November 2021 - In 2021, the LANAIC selected three NAHM honorees on behalf of the City and County:
• Angie Behrens (Gabrieleno Tongva) - Spirit of Tradition
• Tazbah Rose Chavez (Nüümü, Diné and San Carlos Apache) - Spirit of
Creativity
• Tracy M. Ball (Diné) - Spirit of Community
The LANAIC, the Board of Supervisors, and LA City Councilmember O’Farrell jointly recognized the 2021 NAHM honorees during a virtual ceremony streamed to Facebook on November 13, 2021. The virtual program included host Krista Hazelwood (Seminole), a welcome song and land welcoming given by Rudy Ortega Jr. (Fernandeno Tataviam) and Mark Villasenor (Fernandeno Tataviam), remarks on the impact of the COVID pandemic on LA’s AIAN community delivered by Commissioner Dr. Andrea Garcia (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara), an acknowledgement of the sacrifices made by Native Veterans provided by Keith Vielle (Blackfeet), the 2021 NAHM honoree program presented by Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell (Wyandotte) which included NAHM Honoree acceptance videos, and videos from numerous elected officials including Board Supervisors Hilda Solis, Holly Mitchell, Sheila Kuehl, Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger.
January 2022 – The LANAIC and LANAIC SGB transferred from the former Department of Workforce Development, Aging & Community Services to the Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors.
February 2022 – April 2023 - The LANAIC was selected by the Department of Arts & Culture as the 2022 host department for the 2022 Creative Strategist-Artist in Residence (Creative Strategist). Jacob Pratt (Dakota) was selected through a competitive solicitation process and began his residency with the LANAIC in February 2022. His residency concluded in April 2023.
During the first phase of his residency, Jacob embarked on a listening tour, meeting with some of the LANAIC’s 15 commissioners and others in the AIAN community. Through these conversations, an idea began to take shape: to use film as a medium to raise awareness and celebrate the diversity of the Native American community in LA County. On April 22, 2023, Jacob debuted his film, Erasure, on the Los Angeles City College campus.
June 21, 2022 - On June 21, 2022 the LANAIC Executive Director Alexandra Valdes submitted and distributed the Report Back on Proclaim June 25, 2021, As The 45th Anniversary Of The Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission And Envision The Commission’s Future And Acknowledge And Apologize For The Historic Mistreatment Of California Native Americans By Los Angeles County (Item No. 61-A, Agenda Of June 22, 2021, And Item No. 16, Agenda Of July 13, 2021).
August 31, 2022 - The California Legislature approved passage of ACR 177 (Bloom/Ramos), removing the “Christopher Columbus” designation on the California segment of the I-10, reversing a previous legislative resolution adopted in 1976. The resolution reflects another significant state and local effort to promote cultural sensitivity. The resolution requires that any efforts to replace the removed signage include public input and feedback, including participation from the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, and the LANAIC.
On October 13, 2020 the County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a motion directing the Chief Executive Office, in partnership with the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission and the Department of Public Works to collaborate with County partners in the state legislature and the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) for the removal of the Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway designation of the Interstate-10 (I-10) freeway and any signage.
October 2022 – The LANAIC and LANAIC SGB transferred from the Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors to the Department of Arts and Culture.
October 10, 2022 - The LANAIC, in partnership with Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell,hosted the 2022 Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at Grand Park. The 4-hour celebration featured performances by the Asosal Ballet Folklorico de El Salvador, Manitoba Metis Federation Red River Metis Jiggers & Fiddlers, Intertribal Dancers, and OneDrumm, screenings of Saging the World, the trailer of Spirit Rangers and One World (We Are One), a vendor marketplace, and food trucks.
October 18, 2022 - The LANAIC recommended to the Board of Supervisors that it adopt the draft land acknowledgment statement developed by the Tribal Planning Group. The Board of Supervisors adopted the land acknowledgment on November 1, 2023.
November 2022 - The LANAIC selected two 2022 Native American Heritage Month (NAHM) honorees. The LA City Council and the LA County Board of Supervisors also honored the NAHM honorees.
• The Phoenix Family (Tohono O'odham) - Spirit of Tradition
• Dr. Carrie Johnson (Wahpeton Dakota) - Spirit of Community
The LA County Board of Supervisors proclaimed November NAHM via Board Motion at their November 1, 2022 meeting.
The LANAIC partnered with Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell and the LA City Department of Cultural Affairs (LA DCA) to host a celebration of the 2022 NAHM honorees. The celebration took place at Clockshop on November 17, 2022, and included performances by Raye Zaragoza and the LA Pow Wow dancers, as well as a community reception. The LANAIC also collaborated with the LA DCA to develop a 2022 Native American Heritage Month e-book.
December 6 & 7, 2022 - Every 4 years, the LANAIC holds County-wide elections for the five community-elected seats on the Commission. Elections were held on December 6 and 7, 2022, at three polling sites: the Department of Mental Health American Indian Counseling Center, Pukúu Cultural Community Services, and United American Indian Involvement, Inc. The LANAIC partnered with the Registrar & Recorder/County Clerk to utilize secure ballot boxes. Eight candidates ran for the five community-elected seats. John Only a Chief, Denise Escoto, Shawn Imitates-Dog, Mona Morales Recalde, and Dawn Jackson were elected to serve four-year terms beginning January 17, 2023.
February 2023 - The LANAIC SGB, in partnership with its home department Arts and Culture, executed a contract with the Center for Non-Profit Management (CNM) to develop a strategic plan. This strategic planning document reflects the work of LANAIC SGB in charting the board’s direction for the next 3-4 years by developing its 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. The priorities align with its vision, values, and purpose to address the reduction of poverty, revitalization of low-income communities, and/or empowerment of people with low incomes to become self-sufficient. The strategic plan also fulfills compliance requirements of CSBG/CSAIBG Organizational Standards Category 6, Strategic Planning.
The 5-month strategic planning process included organizational reviews and planning, strategic planning interviews, and strategic planning sessions with LANAIC SGB members, and the development of strategic plan documents. CNM presented the draft strategic plan to the LANAIC SGB at their June 21, 2023 meeting. The LANAIC SGB took action to adopt the strategic plan at their August 15, 2023 meeting.
March 11, 2023 - The County of Los Angeles issued a pursuit of support for AB1703: California Indian Education Act. In 2022, the LANAIC recommended to the Board of Supervisors, through the State Legislative Agenda process, that they adopt several policy positions, including "support proposals that promote communication and collaboration between local education agencies and American Indian and Alaska Native tribes.” As a result of adopting this policy position, the County was able to pursue support for AB 1703 and advocate for the bill. AB 1703 was signed into law by Governor Newsom on September 23, 2023.
March 21, 2023 - The LANAIC adopted proposed responses to the Office of Management & Budget’s (OMB) request for comments regarding the revision SPD15 -Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity and requested that Board Chair Janice Hahn transmit a letter to OMB supporting these adopted responses. The Board of Supervisors acted at their April 18, 2023 meeting to send a four-signature letter to OMB expressing Los Angeles County’s support of American Indian and Alaska Native data best practices in OMB’s Statistical Policy Directive No. 15. The 4-signature letter was transmitted to OMB on April 24, 2023.
March 21, 2023 - The LANAIC acted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors take a supportive position on AB 776 - 210 Interstate Highway Renaming. On April 18, 2023, the Board of Supervisors directed the Chief Executive Office, through the Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations Branch, to advocate in support of Assembly Bill 776, including sending a five-signature letter in support of the bill to Assemblymember Chris Holden. AB 776 was signed into law by Governor Newsom on October 8, 2023.
September 19, 2023 – LA City Mayor Karen Bass attended the monthly LANAIC meeting. This marked the first time a sitting Mayor of the City of LA attended a LANAIC meeting. During this historic meeting, the LANAIC shared the commission's historical background, the issues facing the American Indian/Alaska Native community, and current funding, programs, and partnerships.
September 19, 2023 - The LANAIC adopted a letter to the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors requesting a sustainability plan following the end of Watson Consulting Group’s contract with the CEO Homelessness Initiative, with a focus on addressing American Indian and Alaska Native homelessness. Additionally, LANAIC adopted an AIAN Homelessness Infographic. The infographic was released on February 5, 2024.
September 23, 2023 - The LANAIC, in partnership with the California Legislative Native American Caucus and the California Native Vote Project, held a town hall to raise awareness of AB 1314 Feather Alert at the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
October 2023 - For 2023 Indigenous Peoples’ Day (IPD), the LANAIC collaborated with the LA County Library’s Cultural Resource Centers (American Indian, Asian Pacific, Black, and Chicano) and Pride Committee to develop IPD booklists for the education and enjoyment of LA County residents.
October 17, 2023 -The LANAIC adopted the content of the “Advancing Indigenous Housing Rights in Los Angeles: International Best Practice and a Legal Framework” report. The report was released on August 5, 2024.
October 17, 2023 - The LANAIC adopted FY24-25 budget request letters to the Board of Supervisors and Mayor Bass. The request to the Board included funding for a dedicated position in the CEO Homelessness Initiative to address AIAN homelessness and funding for County Counsel to retain tribal Indian law expertise. The request to Mayor Bass included funding support for the CEO HI position as well as ongoing funding for Indigenous Peoples’ Day programming.
November 2023 – The LA City Council and the LA County Board of Supervisors honored the three 2023 NAHM honorees selected by the LANAIC:
• Jimi Castillo (Tongva/Acjachemen) - Spirit of Tradition Posthumous
• Robert Javier (Cherokee/Sac & Fox) - Spirit of Community
• Chris “Spanto” Printup (Cherokee/Sac & Fox) - Spirit of Creativity Posthumous
The LA City Council proclaimed NAHM on November 1, 2023, and honored the NAHM honorees. The in-chambers presentation was followed by a community reception at the forecourt coordinated by the LANAIC. LANAIC also collaborated with the LA City Department of DCA to develop a 2022 Native American Heritage Month e-book. The LA County Board of Supervisors proclaimed November NAHM via Board Motion at their November 7, 2023 meeting.
November 21, 2023 - The LANAIC adopted a letter to the LA County Homelessness Initiative, making recommendations to optimize ongoing efforts to address AIAN Homelessness.
April 16, 2024 - The LANAIC selected Weaving Together a Community of Traditions, Cultures & Respect as the 2024 Native American Heritage Month theme to recommend to LA City and LA County.
May 21, 2024 - The LANAIC approved Commissioner Dr. Andrea Garcia to present at the June 13, 2024 County of LA Homelessness Policy Board Deputies Meeting. On June 13, 2024, Commissioner Dr. Garcia presented at the meeting. Her presentation included information on achievements to date and ongoing requests.
May 21, 2024 - The LANAIC took action requesting that the County of Los Angeles Chief Executive Office Legislative Affairs Intergovernmental Affairs (CEO-LAIR) review the proposed recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to oppose HR6859: Gabrielino/Tongva Nation Recognition Act of 2023. At the June 18, 2024 meeting, the LANAIC reviewed and discussed the CEO-LAIR memo on a possible opposition position regarding HR6589, the Gabrielino/Tongva Nation Recognition Act of 2023.
May 21, 2024 - The LANAIC took action to oppose the draft LA City land acknowledgment and recommended that the City request that the State of California Native American Heritage Commission complete proper vetting of documents to identify ancestral tribes within the Los Angeles City geographical area.
May 21, 2024 - The LANAIC adopted a draft letter requesting that the Department of Arts and Culture allocate funding and qualified resources to support the development of a new website for the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission.
June 2024 - The LANAIC partnered with Supervisor Hilda L Solis to bring the 100 Years After the Indian Citizenship Act: The Continuing Struggle to Guarantee Voting Rights to Native Americans exhibit to Los Angeles County. The traveling exhibit, curated by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress, was on display at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration for two weeks in June 2024. The exhibit helped raise awareness and understanding about this critical part of American history.
June 18, 2024 - The LANAIC adopted a letter requesting that the LA City Council designate areas of West Los Angeles, Sawtelle, as Indigenous Cultural Districts.
July 22, 2024 - The LANAIC collaborated with Supervisor Lindsay Horvath and the Pantages Theater to host a Native American community night for playwright Larissa FastHorse’s (Sicangu Lakota) Peter Pan on July 22, 2024. The event began with a reception celebrating Ms. FastHorse.
August 5, 2024 - The LANAIC released the Advancing Indigenous Housing Rights in Los Angeles: International Best Practice and a Legal Framework report. The report release included social media assets, website posting, and formal communications to elected officials.
October 2024 - The Department of Arts and Culture, the home department of the LANAIC, partnered with the Music Center (TMC) to program a 2-day Indigenous Peoples' Day celebration. TMC engaged The Chapter House, a female Native led non-profit to produce the event. The event entitled, The Chapter House Indigenous Peoples' Day Party, created a space on two Saturdays in October 2024 for cultural affirmation and joy among the county’s Indigenous communities to foster greater awareness, respect, and understanding of the ongoing cultural contributions of Indigenous people among Los Angeles County residents.
September 17, 2024 - The LANAIC adopted a letter to Supervisor Hilda Solis requesting free access for Native American residents to County parks and museums during 2024 Native American Heritage Month.
October 15, 2024 - LANAIC approved the body co-hosting a virtual American Indian and Alaska Native Homelessness research symposium on November 21, 2024, in partnership with the USC Homelessness Prevention Institute.
October 15, 2024 - The LANAIC adopted FY24-25 budget request letters to the Board of Supervisors and Mayor Bass. The request to the Board included funding to establish the County Office of Tribal Affairs and to create a dedicated position within the CEO Homelessness Initiative to address AIAN homelessness. Additionally, the letter to the Board included requests for the County to allocate funding to procure training focused on building the County’s workforce's understanding of the unique history and issues facing Native American people in LA, and to develop a new LANAIC website. The request to Mayor Bass included funding support for the CEO HI position, ongoing funding for a dedicated City staff position, and an increase in the City's annual contribution to LANIAC. Additionally, the letter to the mayor included requests for ongoing funding to support an annual Native American Heritage Month reception and Indigenous Peoples Day programming.
October 22, 2024 - The LA County Board of Supervisors proclaimed November 2024 NAHM via Board Motion and included the following directive - direct the Natural History Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Department of Beaches and Harbors, Department of Parks and Recreation, County Library, and other relevant Departments to, in coordination with the Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative, provide free access for one day on or about, and in celebration of, Native American Heritage Month, to appropriate facilities (such as museums and beach parking) for American Indian and Alaska Native community members.
November 2024 - LA City Council and the LA County Board of Supervisors honored the three 2024 Native American Heritage Month (NAHM) honorees selected by the LANAIC:
• Chief Anthony Morales (Gabrieleno Tongva) - Spirit of Tradition
• Cynthia Ruiz (Cherokee) - Spirit of Community
• Kenny Ramos (Barona Band of Mission Indians) - Spirit of Creativity
The LA City Council proclaimed NAHM on November 22, 2024, and honored the NAHM honorees. The in-chambers presentation was followed by a community reception at the LA City forecourt coordinated by the LANAIC. The LANAIC also provided materials to the LA City Department of Cultural Affairs for the 2024 NAHM Cultural Guide & Calendar.
January 25, 2025 – The LANAIC approved sunsetting the Homelessness Committee and realigning the priority initiative back into the regular meeting of the LANAIC. The structural move was also symbolic as it affirmed the body’s commitment to addressing AIAN homelessness.
January 25, 2025 - The LANAIC held a day-long planning retreat at the Natural History Museum. Throughout the day, the LANAIC discussed priorities and developed a 2025 work plan.
February 15, 2025 - The LANAIC hosted a listening session at the Autry Museum of the West for AIAN community members. The purpose of the listening session was for community members to share how they had been impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires, as well as questions and concerns they have about the new Federal administration. 19 community members participated. Participants were divided into 3 small groups and participated in small group discussions facilitated by LANAIC Commissioners. The following three questions were discussed:
1. How are you impacted by the wildfires?
2. What are your concerns about the federal executive orders and policy changes?
3. What support do you need?
March 18, 2025 – The LANAIC adopted synthesized notes from the February 15, 2025 community listening session as well as accompanying memos to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) and Mayor Karen Bass. These documents were transmitted via email to the BOS and Mayor Bass on March 19.
May 20, 2025 – The LANAIC adopted letters to the BOS and Mayor Bass that included formal recommendations, grounded in community reflections shared at the February 15, 2025 Community Listening Session, as well as the findings of A Report on Harms Against Local Tribes (January 2023), developed in partnership with five local California Native American Tribes. The recommendations were rooted in a shared goal of ensuring that the City's and the County’s policies, practices, and partnerships respect tribal sovereignty.
April 15, 2025 - The LANAIC selected Firekeepers: Honoring Tribal Firefighters, Indigenous Stewardship, and Future Ancestors as the 2025 Native American Heritage Month theme to recommend to LA City and LA County.
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