November is National Native American Heritage Month, where the original peoples of what is now the United States of America are celebrated. California Native Americans have been caring for the land of California since time immemorial. California State Parks recognizes this vital connection as we work together with our Tribal partners to share and protect California’s natural and cultural heritage for generations to come.

State Parks is proud to partner with California Native American Tribal Nations throughout the state. As part of the department’s Reexamining Our Past Initiative, State Parks is actively consulting and working with Tribal Nations to accurately reflect our past throughout the State Park System.

To highlight some projects, in 2021, the name of Sue-meg State Park was restored. The department continues to work with Tribal Nations and the public to identify and rename features in the State Parks System to honor California Native Americans’ connection to the lands and features.

State Parks works with California Tribal Nations to establish Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to establish protocols for successful cooperation and partnership. In the past year, State Parks has signed MOUs with the Yurok Tribe and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band.