San Francisco, March 11 — The Governor’s Office of Tribal Affairs offers a first look at the work of the California Truth and Healing Council (CTHC), including up-close footage of the years-long process, on March 25 at the San Francisco Main Library. This presentation comes ahead of the release of the Council’s final report later this year, which will detail a holistic understanding of the historical relationship between California Native Americans and the state. 

In partnership with California Native American tribes, CTHC launched in late 2020 after Governor Newsom formally recognized and apologized for the state-sponsored genocide of California Native Americans in the early days of statehood. In addition to revisiting state documentation, the Council has recorded oral testimony of Native communities across the state. 

“The Council’s efforts to provide a more inclusive consensus narrative around the beginnings of the State of California, along with several remedial recommendations aimed at historical restorative justice, are just the beginning of a long-term, ongoing and iterative relationship between Californians and the first people of this place,” said Christina Snider-Ashtari, Tribal Affairs Secretary to Governor Newsom and one of the program speakers. “We hope that this will provide a roadmap for those seeking to understand the role they can play in the spirit of truth and healing.” 

The program includes remarks by Secretary Snider-Ashtari and Loretta Miranda, Deputy Tribal Affairs Secretary, and also features a sneak peek at documentary footage of the years-long CTHC process. The independent documentary project aims to educate and engage wider audiences about the diverse histories and nuances of California Native American tribes, while featuring irreplaceable personal narratives from California Native people navigating the difficult process of restorative justice in the state that sought their extermination. 

“This initiative by the State is a tremendous educational opportunity for all Californians to understand the history we’ve inherited, and the lives of California Native Americans today,” said Vaile Fujikawa, San Francisco Public Library's Government Information Center Program Manager.  

This broad examination of California’s geography, past and present is not to be missed. 

California Truth and Healing Council – Tuesday, March 25, 5 p.m., Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room, Lower Level 

Christina Snider-Ashtari serves as Tribal Affairs Secretary to California Governor Gavin Newsom and leads the Governor’s Office of Tribal Affairs. As a member of the Cabinet, she oversees effective government-to-government consultation between the Governor’s Administration and California tribes; informs, develops and implements policy directives related to tribal governments and Native American communities; oversees the California Indian Heritage Center Task Force and the Tribal Nation Grant Fund Program; and leads the California Truth & Healing Council, an effort aimed at shifting the California narrative and providing historical restorative justice for the first people of California. Secretary Snider-Ashtari is an enrolled member of the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians in Sonoma County, California. 

Loretta Miranda is a first-generation descendant of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and was raised on the Morongo Indian Reservation in Southern California. She currently serves as Deputy Tribal Affairs Secretary & Special Counsel for the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom. Loretta previously served as General Counsel and was also a legal fellow at Berkey Williams LLP. Prior to law school, she worked as the Outreach Coordinator for the Friendship House Association of American Indians, Inc. in San Francisco. Loretta also serves on the Board of Directors for the California Indian Law Association.