HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-10 - AGENDA REPORTS - FEDERAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE FERNANDENO TATAVIAM (2)0
Agenda Item: 5
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CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:1
DATE: March 10, 2020
SUBJECT: FEDERAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE FERNANDENO
TATAVIAM BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PRESENTER: Masis Hagobian
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council support the Fernandeno Tataviam Band of Mission Indians petition for Federal
Acknowledgment and transmit position statements to the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at
the United States Department of the Interior, Santa Clarita's congressional delegation, and any
other federal agencies or offices, as appropriate.
BACKGROUND
The Fernandeno Tataviam Band of Mission Indians (FTBMI) is currently under active
consideration by the United States Department of the Interior for federal recognition. The Tribe
requests a letter of support from the City of Santa Clarita (City) in its efforts to receive Federal
Acknowledgment as a Native American tribe. Federal Acknowledgment establishes a
government -to -government relationship between a Native American tribe and the United States
and allows for a Native American tribe to be eligible for services and resources from the United
States Bureau of Indian Affairs, including resources to preserve historical, archeological, and
cultural materials.
The Tribe has received support for Federal Acknowledgement by various federal, state, and local
public agencies and offices. Most recently, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
unanimously approved to support FTBMI's petition for Federal Acknowledgement at their
regular meeting on February 18, 2020.
FTBMI is a sovereign Native American tribe of northern Los Angeles County and traces its
ancestry to a coalition of lineages originating in present-day Antelope Valley, San Fernando
Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Simi Valley, and parts of the Angeles National Forest.
FTBMI adopted by-laws in 1953 and has since adopted a Tribal constitution, directly elects a
Tribal president, and maintains a legislature, an Advisory Tribal Elders Council, and
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administrative departments and programs that focus on education, cultural learning, wellness,
and resource protection. Despite displacement and territorial loss, FTBMI has maintained its
cultural and traditional governance and strong partnership with local, state, and federal
governments.
FTBMI has collaborated with the City in various capacities, including preserving Native
American cultural resources and developing community -based programs to educate the public on
the heritage of Native American communities. To ensure the protection and preservation of
cultural resources, the City works with FTBMI to monitor grading and excavating activities on
City projects. Additionally, the City's Public Library partnered with FTBMI to provide
educational opportunities, including creating the Yawayro: Indigenous Awareness & Literacy
Development, which equips each of the library branches with book kits that honor Native
American heritage in an interactive and enriching way.
The City Council is recommended to support FTBMI's petition for Federal Acknowledgment.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action, as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The resources required to implement the recommended action are contained within the City of
Santa Clarita's adopted FY 2019-20 budget.
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