November 19, 2025
FAIRFIELD — Solano County’s very name is the Spanish anointment of the Patwin leader, Sem Yeto.
Solano is derived from sol, which means sun.
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday adopted a resolution recognizing November as Native American Heritage Month and the many and varied contributions those populations have made to society.
Board Chairman Mitch Mashburn called the native peoples of the area “shepherds and stewards” of the land, and preceded that comment by saying it was a “particular honor we get to recognize first peoples.”
“Native people have made and continue to make distinct and significant contributions in many fields, including academic scholarship, agriculture, astronomy, art, business, education, ecology, engineering, environmentalism, economics, forestry, government, language, leadership, literature, mathematics, medicine, military, music, politics, poetry, science, and traditional cultural practices,” the resolution states.
Specifically, the county recognized the Patwin peoples who called the region home.
“The lands hold stories of the generations,” Omar Carrillo, director of Government Affairs for the tribe, said in accepting the proclamation.
“The earliest historic written records of the Patwin (which literally means “people” in the native tribal language) began with the Spanish mission explorations and registers, and ethno-historic records show the Patwin inhabited the lower hills of the eastern
North Coast Ranges to the Sacramento River, and from Princeton south to the San Pablo and Suisun bays, including the city of Vallejo,” the resolution states.
It also notes the close ties the county has with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, specifically its partnership to support a number of health and wellness programs.
“Solano County honors the history of Yocha Dehe and its sister Patwin tribes, in tribute to all the people of Patwin descent whose ancestors once resided in Solano County,” the staff report to the board states.
In other action, the board:
- Recognized the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano celebrating 30 years of service to Solano County.
- Recognized November 17-21 as California Clerk of the Board of Supervisors week in Solano County.
- Approved a $1,000 contribution from the District 3 (Wanda Williams) General Fund account to benefit the Solano County Farm Bureau.
- Reappointed Henry N. Kuechler IV as director, Division 3, of the North Delta Water Agency for a term to end at noon on Dec. 7, 2029.
- Reappointed Gabriel Detar and Ross Rasmussen as trustees of Reclamation District No. 2068 for terms to end at noon on Dec. 7, 2029; and reappointed Dale Crossly to correct an administrative error and fill the unexpired term through Dec. 3, 2027.