November 20, 2024
During Tuesday’s city council meeting, Councilwoman Mayra Vega read a proclamation stating that Native American Heritage Month has been established at national and state levels to celebrate and recognize all cultures, traditions, histories, contributions, and present-day lives of Native Americans.
The proclamation goes on to state that the earliest historical written records were of the Patwin who inhabited land from the hills of the eastern North Coast Ranges up to the Sacramento River, as well as from Princeton south and Suisun bays.
“The Patwin people were forced from their ancestral lands onto rancherias during the early 1900s, where they currently reside, as citizens of three sovereign, federally-recognized tribal governments, today known as the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Kletsel Dehe Band of Wintun Indians and Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians,” the proclamation states. “The city of Woodland is to be acknowledged as historical Patwin territory, out of respect for the Patwin people as the original stewards of the land upon which this City as thrived.”
The proclamation also recognizes their meaningful relationship with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, with whom they work in partnership to address the community’s needs and improve the lives of those in their respective jurisdictions.
“On behalf of Chairman Anthony Roberts and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, we extend our deep appreciation for your support in honoring and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Patwin people in Woodland,” the Tribal Resources Manager in Government Affairs Dr. Gail Totten said. “The deep-rooted connection of the people here, the Patwin people in Yolo County traces back thousands of years, influencing much of the heritage and history of the county itself. The land holds the stories of generations that serves as the foundation of the tribe’s identity, traditions and ways of life.”
Totten goes on to say that the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation has strong ties to the land and people and has contributed significantly to making programs to help build a strong community. She also says that they have partnered up with Cache Creek Conservancy and Restoration as well as federal agencies and nonprofit organizations to help expand the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and co-manage the area known as Molok Luyuk.
Earlier this month, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors passed a similar resolution proclaiming November as Native American Heritage Month.
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