Governor Newsom proclaims Indigenous Peoples Day 2024

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring October 14, 2024, “Indigenous Peoples Day.”

The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below:

PROCLAMATION

For the sixth year in a row, California declares today Indigenous Peoples Day. In doing so, we reflect on the vibrant cultural diversity and tenacity of the Indigenous peoples who call California home today—including those who come from and have close relationships with these lands and waters, and those who have been relocated here from their sacred homelands Federal policy and those who have crossed oceans and borders in hopes of finding economic stability, community and security in these lands of opportunity.

In recent years, we have witnessed global efforts to untangle the damaging legacies of historical violence and exploitation and restore the positive legacies of indigenous balance, sustainability and reciprocity. This includes a growing understanding of how the doctrine of discovery has historically been used to justify the expropriation of indigenous lands and the subjugation of indigenous peoples, a legacy that has also been linked to exacerbating climate change and other environmental harms.

In the existential need to restore balance, survive climate impacts and preserve biodiversity, we are increasingly turning to indigenous peoples. This year alone, California followed the Klamath Basin tribes' mandate to complete the largest dam removal project in American history; welcoming native beaver, wolf and condor populations; and enacted historic land access, restitution and management mechanisms for Indigenous peoples. Later this month, California will join leaders from around the world to discuss the need to respect, preserve and sustain the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous peoples in the race to halt and reverse biodiversity loss .

As we look to a future in which we continue to support these practices while promoting Indigenous language learning and revitalization, promoting Indigenous sports in mainstream spaces, highlighting Indigenous arts, and integrating governance with Indigenous values, we welcome the opportunity , to showcase this work on the world stage at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. In addition to having a rich community of indigenous peoples of these lands and waters, Los Angeles also has one of the largest populations of Native Americans and diverse indigenous immigrants. Additionally, the Games will feature the Indigenous sport of lacrosse for the first time in over 100 years and provide an opportunity to showcase the Haudenosaunee athletes whose ancestors invented the game.

Today, as we are reminded of the forces of violence, displacement, and oppression that have attempted and failed to eradicate Indigenous communities, I call on all Californians to find meaningful ways to empower Indigenous peoples and cultures on a global scale, to confirm and get in touch with them.

So now it's me, GAVIN NEWSOMGovernor of the State of California, hereby proclaims October 14, 2024, “Indigenous Peoples Day.”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have laid my hand upon this and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed on this 14th day^Th Day in October 2024.

GAVIN NEWSOM
Governor of California

WITNESS:

SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D.
Foreign Minister