Friday, March 27, 2026

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Gov. Gavin Newsom convened a meeting of tribal leaders in 2019 to acknowledge and apologize for the genocide and horrific mistreatment of Native American peoples throughout our state’s history. (Courtesy Asm. James Ramos / Facebook)

A bill in the California legislature seeks a formal apology to Native Americans for the state’s role in atrocities committed against them during the formation of the state, including forced removal from their lands, bounties for their heads, and other violence.

Assemblymember James Ramos (Serrano/Cahuilla/D-CA) introduced the bill seeking the apology from the California Legislature and courts.

The bill also requires a plaque to be displayed in the State Capitol to memorialize the apology.

Asm. Ramos notes Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) issued a formal apology in 2019, but the legislature and courts have yet to apologize, which he says is a stain on California’s history.

He says California’s First People deserve an apology for the harm they endured, and the generational trauma that continues today.The bill is supported by tribes and Native organizations in the state.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Friday it is awarding more than $6 million to tribes across the country.

The funding supports 35 tribal conservation projects.

According to the agency, the Tribal Wildlife Grants program has awarded more than $100 million to tribes since 2003, supporting hundreds of conservation projects.

You can count on it, like the steady beat of a Native drum.

Every Wednesday night, dancers across the generations fill up the hospital lobby at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.

But as KNBA’s Rhonda McBride tells us, the kids are the ones to watch.

These days, we see mostly see Alaska Native dance groups on the stage, but in the hospital lobby, the dancing is not meant to be a performance. Instead, a shared experience.

The rhythms are almost hypnotic, yet the dancers are fully present.

Everyone is seated, within a circle of sound and motion that spirals out from a small group of drummers.

“In Yup’ik, we say Yuraq. Not dance.”

Kyle Watson (Yup’ik), a 12-year-old sixth grader at Mears Middle School in Anchorage, is here every Wednesday.

His movements are precise, as if every fiber of his being snaps to the beat of the drum.

“It just makes me happy.”

Once Kyle is here, he says any anger or sadness fades away. The Yuraq demands his full attention.

“I keep on learning about Yup’ik words. And I keep on learning about dance motions too.”

And then, as if he Is channeling something from another time and place.

The excitement that comes out of Kyle’s throat comes from way-down deep, a throwback to a technique his ancestors used to excite the dancers and encourage them to pick up their pace.

Kyle’s grandfather Percy Alexie usually stands in the back of the room to watch.

“I’m proud of him. He makes it fun. He makes it fun. He goes around and meets people. And I enjoy meeting other people that enjoy watching him too. And I’m proud to say, he taught himself. He taught himself and it’s just over a year now.”

Group leader Ossie Kairairuak (Yup’ik) says this dance gathering is going on its sixteenth year – and by far, the best part is watching kids like Kyle.

“Kids in their most pure form can never do wrong. This kid is purely motivated to learn those songs by heart. And let his body, let his feelings express it. He has that gift. And it’s fun to watch. And it’s fun to embrace. And let him be who he was meant to be.”

Kairairiak says Kyle’s voice is an echo from the spirit world, proof of what his mother always told him – that our ancestors are always with us.

 

 

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Check out today’s Native America Calling episode

Friday, March 27, 2026 – Native in the Spotlight: Aaju Peter