This article about the apology of California to Native Americans in USA
California’s governor made history this week when he formally apologized to Native Americans, acknowledging the brutal genocide and “war of extermination” declared by the state’s first governor in 1851.
While indigenous people across California welcomed the long overdue statement, many had a similar response: now what?
“An apology is great, but what does it look like in terms of moving into action?” said Morning Star Gali, a member of the Pit River tribe, in northern California. “We’re still here. We’re still fighting for recognition. We’re fighting for the protection of our sacred places. We’re fighting for visibility.”
Some Native American leaders and activists are now pushing for Governor Gavin Newsom’s apology to lead to a serious discussion about reparations for indigenous people.
Echoing the debate in Congress this week about reparations for black Americans, indigenous groups argue that government should compensate Native Americans for harms, some of which continue today. The state of California, indigenous leaders told the Guardian, should be looking at land and water rights, education, cultural revival, criminal justice and more.
