Descriptive Summary
Administrative Information
Agency History
Scope and Content
Accruals
Organization
Subjects
Related Material
Descriptive Summary
Title:
Native
American
Heritage Commission Records
Dates: 1964-1991
Collection number: R188, F3908:1-61, and F3803:1-2
Creator:
Native
American
Heritage Commission
Collection Size: 17.5 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Abstract: 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.
Physical location: California State Archives
Language:
English
Administrative Information
Access
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
Publication Rights
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.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item],
Native
American
Heritage Commission Records, R188.[series number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary
of State, Sacramento, California.
Agency History
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.
The newly formed NAHC made recommendations to the Legislature about the protection of significant Indian religious and social
site and assisted
Native
Americans
in obtaining access to significant religious and social sites. Additionally, the NAHC made recommendations to the Department
of Parks and Recreation and the California Arts Council about programs of assistance to
Native
Americans
. The NAHC also assisted state agencies in negotiations with federal agencies for the protection of sacred sites located on
federal land. If necessary, the NAHC had the authority to bring legal action to prevent severe or irreparable damage to sacred
sites or ceremonial places located on public land.
Scope and Content
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.
The record group also contains records that date prior to the establishment of the
Native
American
Heritage Commission in 1976. Some records of the California Indian Assistance Program within the State Office of Planning
and Research have been preserved with the records of the
Native
American
Heritage Commission presumably because they were transferred to the Commission soon after its commencement.
The narrow focus of the
Native
American
Heritage Commission resulted in several record series that contain overlapping subject matter and themes: protection of
Native
American
sites and remains. The Subject Files, Administrative Files, Requests for Assistance and Project Files all contain similar
document types: correspondence, reports, news clippings, environmental assessment documents, and maps. Their final arrangement
was based on the original organization set by the
Native
American
Heritage Commission and was preserved during processing by the State Archives. Consequently, the files within each series
the files are arranged differently: chronologically, alphabetically by subject, and alphabetically by county.
Accruals
Further accruals are expected.
Organization
This record group is organized into nine series: Correspondence of the California Indian Assistance Program, Requests for
Assistance, Reference Materials, Correspondence, Legislation Files, Subject Files, Project Files, Administrative Files, and
Meeting and Event Files.
Subjects
California.
Native
American
Heritage Commission
Indians of North America
Indians of North America Antiquities Law and legislation
Related Material
Records of the State Advisory Commission on Indian Affairs and the California Indian Assistance Project