TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager and City Attorney report back to the City Council within 90 days on the feasibility of establishing a Native American Commission similar to the Los Angeles County Native American Indian Commission. The report should include an action plan the Council could consider to implement the commission within 120 days of the report back to Council.
DISCUSSION
Long Beach prides itself in its diversity, promoting equity, and providing residents access to the city’s decision-making. Long Beach is home to the sacred site, Puvungna, of the Gabrieleño/Tongva, whose ancestral lands span the Los Angeles Basin and southern Channel Islands. The Puvungna site at California State University, Long Beach remains as an undeveloped section of Puvungna land. Puvungna remains sacred to the Gabrielino and other Native people as a spiritual center. As such, throughout the city, we have a population of residents of Native American descent and stakeholders who work tirelessly to address the injustices of our history. Some of those voices have expressed interest in the formation of this commission and are ready to volunteer and work in unison with the city to see it formed and operating.
The establishment of this commission would allow for the creation of space for Native American affairs to be heard and discussed. The commission would have the ability to make recommendations on programs, policies, and practices that further improve the well-being of the Native American population throughout the city.
A similar advisory body is housed within the Los Angeles County agency. That commission has supported policies at the county level such as: supporting the creation of the Indian Health Services Liaison Officer in the County Department of Health Services, and establishing Native American Professional Sports Appreciation Nights with the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Galaxy, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Long Beach deserves to have a commission at the local level that can advise the City Council, foster pride, and create awareness of Native American heritage.
STATEMENT OF URGENCY:
No additional Council meetings are scheduled for November 2022, Native American Heritage Month. Adding this item to the agenda will ensure hearing the item prior to the end of the ceremonial month.
FISCAL IMPACT
No Financial Management review was able to be conducted due to the urgency and time sensitivity of this item. The report back to the Council should include costs associated with establishing said commission and an estimated fiscal year operational budget. Council District 4 is committed to using one-time divide by nine funds until structural funding can be allocated to the commission.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DARYL SUPERNAW COUNCILMAN,
FOURTH DISTRICT