Description
The records of the Native American Heritage Commission and its predecessors, the California Indian Assistance Program, document
California's efforts to address Native American concerns and issues in California. This record group contains 17.5 cubic
feet of textual and photographic records covering the period 1964-1991 and includes requests for assistance, meeting and event
files, reference materials, correspondence, legislation files, subject files, project files, and administrative files.
Background
In the 1970s, it was becoming apparent with the increasing number of land development project, which were encroaching upon
archaeological sites and places of special significance to Native Americans, that an agency at the state level could be of
assistance in preservation and protection of those sites. In 1973 and 1974, the California Indian Assistance Program functioned
under the Governor's Office of Planning and Research. The program sought to find workable solutions to urban, rural, and reservation
Indians problems; maintain and improve the communication network between people and organizations interested in the advancement
of the Native American; and encourage self-sufficiency for tribal organizations and individuals. More specifically, the program
coordinated state programs with federal and local program to insure maximum benefit from available resources, worked to prepare
a state plan and development policy for federal trust land and establish a clearinghouse for Indian assistance programs.
Restrictions
For permission to reproduce or publish, please consult California State Archives staff. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, as the owner of the physical
items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement that may arise from reproduction or publication
of materials from the California State Archives' collections.
Availability
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.