Proclamation
WHEREAS, during Native American Heritage Month we celebrate the rich tapestry of Indigenous peoples and honor their sacrifices, which we recognize as inextricably woven into the history of this country; and WHEREAS, Native Americans are descendants of the original, indigenous inhabitants of what is now the United States; and WHEREAS, Native Americans have moving stories of tragedy, triumph, and perseverance that need to be shared with future generations; and WHEREAS, the City of Merced and the Greater Central Valley are home to many Native American communities including the Yokuts people, Mono tribe and Miwoks tribe who survived by using the natural resources they could find in the Central Valley and in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains; and WHEREAS, Central Valley Native Americans have enriched our heritage and continue to add to all aspects of our society through their generosity of culture and the continued practice of teaching economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability; and WHEREAS, during the month of November, we honor our native peoples in this, their ancestral homes, and recognize their continued contributions in strengthening the diversity of our society.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MATTHEW SERRATTO, Mayor of the City of Merced, do hereby proclaim November 2024, as Native American Heritage Month in the City of Merced and urge all citizens to join in this observance.
Signed this 18th day of November 2024.
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Matthew Serratto, Mayor of Merced