Pleasanton, California — California has officially established Native American Day as a paid state holiday under a comprehensive legislative package signed Friday by Gov. Gavin Newsom, capping years of state efforts to codify tribal government partnerships and recognize Indigenous history.
The centerpiece measure, Assembly Bill 1841, authored by Assemblymember James C. Ramos, designates Native American Day as an annual paid state holiday. Alongside the holiday measure, Newsom approved Assembly Bill 2115, titled the Rowena Mae Ramos Act, under which state lawmakers and the judicial branch formally acknowledge institutional culpability for past injustices and systematic violence inflicted upon Indigenous populations in early California history.
Assemblymember Ramos noted that establishing the official observance honors the enduring contributions of Indigenous communities to the Golden State's history, while emphasizing that the formal apology builds on prior executive declarations to foster accountability across all branches of state government.
The legislative package also enacts Assembly Bill 2507, authored by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen, which permanently secures the Governor's Office of Tribal Affairs in California statute, charters a statewide advisory panel, and establishes clearer standards for tribal consultation across state government. Additional measures in the slate strengthen tribal law enforcement authority, enhance child welfare protections in guardianship proceedings, and support tribal colleges and universities statewide.
