California Native Americans: formal apology

The law makes the Legislature’s first formal acknowledgment and apology for historic wrongs against California Native Americans. It also creates a permanent public memorial and archive record of that apology.

What the law does ​

• Recognizes state responsibility for harms and atrocities committed through policies of violence against California Native Americans.
• States the Legislature’s apology for harms including violence, forced displacement, land theft, family separation, cultural suppression, and erosion of tribal sovereignty.
• Requires a publicly visible plaque containing the apology and related findings in the State Capitol Building.
• Directs the Department of General Services and Joint Rules Committee to design, install, approve, and maintain the plaque, including accessibility and safety planning.
• Requires the Secretary of State to place the final apology in the State Archives for permanent public viewing.
• Allows grants and private donations to fund the plaque and continuously appropriates those funds for this purpose.

Who it affects ​

• California Native Americans and tribal communities.
• State officials and entities responsible for preparing, displaying, archiving, and maintaining the apology.
• Capitol visitors and members of the public who can view the plaque and archived apology.

Context ​

The act is named the Rowena Mae Ramos Act.