Approved as to Form and Legality
________________________
City Attorney’s Office
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. _______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER NOEL GALLO
ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING NOVEMBER 2022 AS NATIVE
AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN THE CITY OF OAKLAND TO
HONOR AND CELEBRATE THE CULTURE, TRADITIONS, AND
CONTRIBUTIONS OF NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES
WHEREAS, District 2 is honoring Gilbert Blacksmith, whose roots in Native Oakland are indisputable, where for decades, he has been a guide for Urban Indians in the Bay Area seeking access to American Indian culture by teaching about pow wow dancing and protocols, volunteering through community blessings and gatherings with the Intertribal Friendship House in District 2; his consideration for others is resounding and his ability to connect with community is a craft that can only be obtained through enduring devot ion and faithful adherence to traditional values; and his contribution to the vibrant and flourishing community is a blessing that will be felt for the generations to come; and
WHEREAS, In honor of the City of Oakland’s 2022 Native American Heritage Month Celebration, District 3 is proud to honor, Manny Lieras, The Title VI Indian Education Coordinator for the American Indian Child Resource Center (AICRC). Manny has established himself a s an influential and invaluable role model and change agent in the Oakland Intertribal community.
District 3 is truly grateful for the many years of service and dedication to our community. ; and
WHEREAS, District 5 is honoring the Native American Health Center, headquartered in Oakland, celebrating its 50 years of service to the Oakland community and greater Bay Area. The Native American Health Center headed by CEO, Martin Waukazoo, is a major employer in Oakland, employing over 300 individuals and the largest employer of Native Americans in the Bay Area, with 100 Native American employees. The Native American Health Center annually offers 15,000 members with a range of medical, dental, community wellness services, c ultural promotion, and workforce development services and will buid a 14,000 square -foot community and clinical facility at 3050 International Boulevard , including 76 units of affordable housing in Oakland’s Fruitvale District; and
WHEREAS, District 6 is proud to recognize the exceptional life and legacy of Melinda Micco.
After putting herself through UC Berkeley, as a 39-year-old single mother of two, Melinda became the first Native woman to receive tenure at Mills College. A notable giant in her field, her work focused on the often- overlooked intersection of Seminole Indians and African Freedman in Oklahoma. Melinda was a multi -hyphenate, with many publications, directing credits, and speaking engagements at Oxford, the Smithsonian, Harvard, UC Berkeley, the DeYoung, and other
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prestigious institutions. Although our community lost Melinda last year, her beautiful legacy lives on through her family, friends, and world-recognized academic body of knowledge. ; and
WHEREAS, District 7 is honoring Eloy Martinez who proudly represents his Ute (YEWT) roots.
Eloy was born and raised in Colorado and moved to California in 1966. He is nationally known for his participation in the Occupation of Alcatraz, and the United Farmers Worker Movement, and has dedicated his life to fighting the oppression of Indigenous communities. As a senior Eloy continues to uplift the Indigenous American community by hosting ceremonies, leading the preservation of Indigenous history, and fighting against the incarceration of youth.
Eloy was a board member in the historic Intertribal Friendship House from 2000 to 2007, and after decades of activism, continues his involvement in the community through supporting rematriation, cultural revitalization, and land restoration through the Sogorea Te’ (SOW -GOR-RUH-TAE) Land Trust.
He is a proud great grandfather and has resided in District 7 for the past several decades; and
WHEREAS, District 8 (At- Large) is honoring Mary Trimble Norris, a Oglala Lakota Nation citizen, is the Executive Director of the American Indian Education Center (AICRC); Mary has served as the Executive Director and senior management of the AICRC for the last 26 years; previously, she was in senior management of California Indian Legal Services for more than two decades ; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED:
There are currently 574 federally recognized Native nations and at least an additional 200 tribes that do not have federal recognition —each with unique languages, beliefs, and lifeways that have been passed down through generations.
FURTHER RESOLVED: The first to live on this land, Native Americans and their traditions and values inspired and continue to inspire many aspects of our communities . Oakland and the entire Bay Area is Ohlone land; As we reflect on the role of Native peoples in Oakland, the U.S. and the world, it is important to not only learn and honor the true histories of indigenous communities, but also to highlight the richness, vibrancy, and diversity of Native cultures today; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: Despite historical injustices that have been happening to indigenous people throughout the world, indigenous peoples are taking their destinies into their own hands and they are strengthening their own communities; and the State of California, the Bay Area and the City of Oakland are fortunate to have a diverse community of many indigenous cultures; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED : American Indians, Native Hawiaiians, Alaska Natives and all indigenous people have made distinct and important contributions to California, the United States and the rest of the world in many fields, including medicine, science, music, art, spoken word, language, food, environment sustainability, agriculture and these Native Americans have distinguished themselves as community leaders, inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leade rs and scholars; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people, foster awareness about the unique challenges Native and other Indigenous people have faced both historically and, in the present, and the ways in which Native communities are working to conquer these challenges; now therefore be it; and be it
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FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City of Oakland, City Council recognizes November 2022 as Native American Heritage Month to honor and celebrate the heritage, cultures and contributions of Native American communities and individual; and be it
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - FIFE, GALLO, KALB, KAPLAN, REID, TAYLOR, THAO AND PRESIDENT
FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of
the City of Oakland, California