Memorandum
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Eddie Crandell, Supervisor, District 3
Subject: Adopt Proclamation Designating November 2026 as National Native American Heritage Month in Lake County
Executive Summary:
DESIGNATING NOVEMBER 2026 AS NATIONAL
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN LAKE COUNTY
WHEREAS, Lake County has been home to people for greater than 12,000 years, and the richly diverse cultures of the seven Tribal Nations indigenous to Lake County, Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Elem Indian Colony of the Sulphur Bank Rancheria, Koi Nation of Northern California, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California, Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, and Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California have informed every aspect of our community’s history. Policies and practices of the United States and earlier colonial governments deprived Indigenous People in the State of California and Lake County, specifically, of landholdings, liberty, even life, itself; and
WHEREAS, Native Americans have helped to make our community stronger and more prosperous. On August 3, 1990, President of the United States George H. W. Bush declared the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month, thereafter, commonly referred to as Native American Heritage Month. The bill read in part that "the President has authorized and requested to call upon Federal, State and local Governments, groups and organizations and the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities”; and
WHEREAS, this landmark bill honoring America's tribal people represented a major step in the establishment of this celebration which began in 1976 when a Cherokee/Osage Indian named Jerry C. Elliott-High Eagle authored Native American Awareness Week legislation, the first historical week of recognition in the nation for native peoples. This led to 1986 with then President Ronald Reagan proclaiming November 23-30, 1986, as "American Indian Week." President Barack Obama made an annual Presidential Proclamation on the 31st of October stating that each respective November would be National Native American Heritage Month. We celebrate the richness of the County’s unique Tribal history and traditions, and the impact Native American cultures have had on every American; and
WHEREAS, Lake County is committed to protecting the Sovereign right of Native American Tribal organizations and institutions to strengthen their own communities. In observance of Native American month, the County of Lake encourages all citizens to join in recognizing the many accomplishments and contributions Native Americans have made to our County and express deep appreciation for those who have sought to honor the important role of Tribal leadership in our County’s past, present, and future.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, the Lake County Board of Supervisors, does hereby designate the month of November 2026, National Native American Heritage Month in Lake County.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 10th day of November 2026.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☒ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: Adopt Proclamation Designating November 2026 as National Native American Heritage Month in Lake County