Inventory of the
Native
American
Heritage Commission Records
Processed by Sara Kuzak
California State Archives
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone: (916) 653-2246
Fax: (916) 653-7363
Email: archivesweb@sos.ca.gov
URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/
© 2009
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Inventory of the
Native
American
Heritage Commission Records
Collection Numbers: R188, F3908:1-61, and F3803:1-2
California State Archives
Office of the Secretary of State
Sacramento, California
- Processed by:
- Sara Kuzak
- Date Completed:
- April 2009
- Encoded by:
- Sara Kuzak
© 2009 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
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
Records of the State Office of Planning and Research - California Indian Assistance Program
1973-1974
R188.001, Box 1, Folders 1-2
Series 1.
Correspondence.
1973-1974
Physical Description:
2 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
These two files were created prior to the establishment of the
Native
American
Heritage Commission in 1975. In 1973 and 1974, the California Indian Assistance Program functioned within the State Office
of Planning and Research and served as the state's primary entity responsible for addressing the needs and issues of native
Californians. The files contain correspondence to Governor Ronald Reagan from citizens concerned about the treatment of
Native
Americans
in California and other states. Inquiries also address the disbursement of federal grant funds to local
native
American
organizations Attached to the original correspondence sent to the Governor is the response signed by the Director of the
California Indian Assistance Program.
See also records of the State Advisory Commission on Indian Affairs and the California Indian Assistance Project, F3716.
Records of the
Native
American
Heritage Commission
1964-1991
R188.002 and F3908:1-9, Box 1-2, Folders 3-3
Series 1.
Requests for Assistance.
1977-1988
Physical Description:
30 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Restricted Records
This series is restricted because it contains explicit locations of
Native
American
graves, cemeteries, and sacred places, which are restricted per California Government Code section 7927.000 (formerly section
6254 (r)).
Scope and Content Note
The duties of the Executive Secretary included reviewing and approving the cultural and archaeological sections of Environmental
Impact Reports filed with the Governor's office of Planning and Research. The Executive Secretary used the confidential Sacred
Lands File to verify that
Native
American
gravesites and other cultural and spiritual sites would not be adversely affected by proposed developments. In most cases,
the Executive Secretary's response state he had failed to find a significant site in the proposed development area, however,
he would caution that remains might still be found and instructed the developer on how to legally handle any remains or artifacts
that are found.
For Request for Assistance files (1977-1981) see F3908:1-9 and for Request for Assistance files (1986-1988) see R188.002,
box 1, folder 3 - box 2, folder 3.
R188.003, Box 2, Folders 4-6
Series 2.
Reference Materials.
1977-1990
Physical Description:
3 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by document date.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains reference materials collected and used by the
Native
American
Heritage Commission. Records include selected and annotated bibliographies, reports, publications, and pamphlets concerning
Native
American
history and ethnography in California.
R188.004, Box 2-3, Folders 7-1
Series 3.
Correspondence.
1977-1983
Physical Description:
12 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by agency name then chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
R188.005, Box 3-4, Folders 2-4
Series 4.
Legislation Files.
1964-1984
Physical Description:
23 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
F3908:10-25
Series 5.
Subject Files.
1977-1985
Physical Description:
16 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Restricted Records
This series is restricted because it contains explicit locations of
Native
American
graves, cemeteries, and sacred places, which are restricted per California Government Code section 7927.000 (formerly section
6254 (r)).
Scope and Content Note
These files reflect the
Native
American
Heritage Commission's (NAHC) interest in particular geographic sites and archaeological work performed at the sites. Subjects
include Diablo Canyon, Marysville Lake, Newman burial site, and San Pablo village site. Files include correspondence, memoranda,
cultural resources inventories, environmental impact reports, archaeological studies, and maps.
This series is similar to Series 6, Project Files (R188.006), which were processed at a later time.
R188.006, Box 4-9, Folders 5-19
Series 6.
Project Files.
1977-1987
Physical Description:
119 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by county.
Restricted Records
This series is restricted because it contains explicit locations of
Native
American
graves, cemeteries, and sacred places, which are restricted per California Government Code section 7927.000 (formerly section
6254 (r)).
Scope and Content Note
Project files maintained by the
Native
American
Heritage Commission highlight places of concern to the Commission and
Native
American
organizations where development threatens a
Native
Americans
site of cultural and spiritual significance. In other instances, the files reflect the Commission's commitment to have human
remains and artifacts previously removed from burial sites repatriated to the closest ancestor for proper reburial. The most
common document type found in this series is correspondence between the Commission and private research organizations,
Native
American
groups, local historical organizations, state legislators, and federal and state agencies. Supporting documents include news
clippings, reports, meeting agendas and invitations, maps, memoranda, resolutions, environmental impact reports, archaeological
site survey records, and coroner's reports. These files most likely served as the working file for a region or site that would
later be recorded in the Sacred Lands File, the Commission's private inventory of spiritually and culturally significant sites
in California. Some files contain photographs of sites and people.
This series is similar to Series 5, Subject Files (F3908:10-25), which were processed at an earlier time.
R188.007, F3908:26-61, F3803:1-2, Box 10-13, Folders 1-18
Series 7.
Administrative Files.
1969-1991
Physical Description:
122 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Restricted Records
Some files in this series are restricted because they contain explicit locations of
Native
American
graves, cemeteries, and sacred places, which are restricted per California Government Code section 7927.000 (formerly section
6254 (r)). Restricted files have been stamped "Restricted Records".
Scope and Content Note
F3803:1-2. "Protection of
Native
American
Sacred Places in California" legislative report (1969) and a Cultural Resources Handbook (1980).
F3908:26-61. Administrative records of the Commission. Subjects include California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Bureau
of Land Management, State Department of Transportation, D-Q University, Energy Commission, herbicides, Heritage Commission,
Department of Parks and Recreation, Society of California Archaeology, Valley Fever, Warm Springs Dam, and the Department
of Water Resources.
R188.007. Box 10, folder 1 - Box 13, folder 18. Administrative Files processed at a later time contain reports, background
materials, and correspondence. Files may also contain maps, photographs, and environmental assessments. Prominent subjects
include the South Fork Trinity River Bridge; burial issues; ceremonial hunting, fishing and gathering; intaglio study; and
geothermal resources. Reports to the Legislature and newspaper clippings and articles are also included in this series.
Restricted files have been stamped "Restricted Records".
R188.008, Box 13-14, Folders 19-5
Series 8.
Meeting and Event Files.
1977-1980
Physical Description:
11 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of meeting or event.
Scope and Content Note
The Meeting Files series contains records from the public meetings of the
Native
American
Heritage Commission. The meetings allowed the commission to gather and discuss issues affecting
Native
Americans
in California. Some issues the Commission brought forth at the meetings include: burial laws; traditional hunting, fishing,
and gathering projects; archaeological resources protection act; and the annual artists conference. Meeting files contain
meeting agendas, public announcements, attendance lists, meeting minutes, meeting handouts, and correspondence to Commissioners,
speakers and guests. Five file folders of photographs document some of the Commission's meetings, banquets, and other events
including the 1977 NAHC swearing-in ceremony held in Capitol Park and attended by Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr.