Under general supervision of the Chief Deputy Executive Secretary, the Office Technician is responsible for a broad spectrum of clerical and administrative duties in order to support the Environmental and Cultural Division, Administrative Division, Chief Deputy Executive Secretary, and Executive Secretary. The OT will be required to work closely with Cultural and Environmental staff to perform education and outreach efforts and be expected to complete tasks utilizing high originality of creativity to contribute to NAHC strategic goals. The OT (T) will need to have the ability to exercise a high degree of initiative and independent judgment to carry out assigned tasks with minimal supervision and direction. The OT (T) must work in a team environment, have strong communication skills, work well under pressure, and meet short deadlines.
CalCareers: JC-390210 Office Technician (Typing)
The 56th Annual Native American Day is returning to the West Steps of the Capitol on September 22, 2023. This year’s theme is “Protecting Our People Through Sovereignty: Past, Present, and Future”. This event is free and open to the public.
We are happy to share this year’s official poster, featuring artwork by Eric Wilder/Kashaya Pomo.
We hope to see you there!

On June 29, 2023, the State Auditor completed and filed its findings regarding the California State University System’s progress in repatriating its collections. The audit found that out of 21 CSU’s with NAGPRA collections, more than half have not repatriated any remains or cultural items to Tribes. More than half don’t know the extent of the remains and cultural items in their collections, and as a whole, the system has only repatriated 6 percent of its collections.
A full report on the findings and the State Auditor’s recommendations can be found at the following link: http://auditor.ca.gov/reports/2022-107/index.html#section3
In October of 2021, San Jose State Professor Elizabeth Weiss posted a picture of herself posing with a skull and handling it without gloves. This post stirred outrage in the Native community and received heavy backlash, as well as a response from the Native American Heritage Commission deeming the post unacceptable. She had originally been locked out of the school’s collection of skeletal remains and filed a lawsuit, claiming the University retaliated against her; however, she lost her battle to regain access to the collection. Instead, she and the University have reached a settlement to have her voluntarily submit her resignation. She will retire at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
The full story can be read at the following link: https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/06/26/controversial-san-jose-state-prof-who-posed-with-native-american-skull-to-resign-after-settlement-reached/
The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) has launched a $101 million grant program. This program, developed in response to consultations with tribes and backed with funding approved by Governor Newsom and the Legislature, supports tribal initiatives that benefit their communities while progressing the state’s climate and conservation goals. The Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant Program will support tribes in reacquiring ancestral land, addressing climate change’s impact on their communities, and protecting the environment’s biodiversity.
To learn more, please visit the following link: Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Program (ca.gov)
Under the administrative direction of the Executive Secretary, the Chief Counsel serves as the principal legal adviser to the Executive Secretary and the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) providing advice and counsel to ensure internal compliance with control agency laws, regulations, and policies.
The Chief Counsel plans, directs, organizes, and manages NAHC’s Legal Department staff in enforcing state laws that protect Native American cultural resources on public and private lands; approves high-level policy decisions for the rule making process; responsible for overseeing administrative hearings required under CalNAGPRA and enacting policy and regulations implementing those administrative hearings; and oversees outside litigation counsel regarding any NAHC litigation matters.
CalCareers: Chief Counsel CEA JC-380272

Under the administrative direction of the Executive Secretary, the Chief Counsel serves as the principal legal adviser to the Executive Secretary and the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) providing advice and counsel to ensure internal compliance with control agency laws, regulations, and policies.
The Chief Counsel plans, directs, organizes, and manages NAHC’s Legal Department staff in enforcing state laws that protect Native American cultural resources on public and private lands; approves high-level policy decisions for the rule making process; responsible for overseeing administrative hearings required under CalNAGPRA and enacting policy and regulations implementing those administrative hearings; and oversees outside litigation counsel regarding any NAHC litigation matters.
CalCareers: Chief Counsel CEA JC-380272

The deadline to submit an exhibitor application for the 56th annual California Native American Day has been extended to August 18, 2023. Please complete this form if interested in becoming an exhibitor.
The 56th annual California Native American Day is coming back to the State Capitol on Friday, September 22nd, 2023. This event is hosted by the California Tribal Chairpersons’ Association in partnership with the State of California, and is a great opportunity to celebrate the rich history and culture of California Tribes. This year’s theme is “Protecting Our People Through Sovereignty: Past, Present, and Future.” The Native American Heritage Commission is looking for more exhibitor applications to help make this another fantastic Native American Day.
For more information, please visit https://californianativeamericanday.com/ or contact us at nahc@nahc.ca.gov.
Introduction
This is a virtual trainings series on topics of Tribal Cultural Resources Law. This training series includes ten (10) distance learning units designed to work as standalone units, or a comprehensive training series that participants can complete at their own pace. The series was filmed over two (2) days in August 2021 on the UC Davis Campus. The training was broadcast live over a YouTube channel while it was being recorded. All of the units for this training series are available in a distance learning format utilizing video and webinar style presentations.
The Tribal Cultural Resources Law Training materials include:
- One (1) Training Series Outline with descriptions and length of each of the units. This is to enable viewers to decide if they want to view every unit or just one or a few and budget their time accordingly.
- Ten (10) Executive Summaries, one for each unit that includes Unit Title, Outline of Training, Target Outcomes, and Discussion Questions. These are meant to be used as guides to assist viewers in navigating the material that will be covered in each of the units.
- Ten (10) Videos, one (1) for each unit with a split screen of the trainer and the PowerPoint showing at the same time. These provide instructions on the topics covered in the corresponding PowerPoint slides developed for each unit.
- Ten (10) Handout Versions of the PowerPoint slides, one (1) for each unit. These are provided for those viewers who may want to follow a handout version of the slides while they listen to or watch the video presentation.
- Eight (8) Law Libraries that correspond to the law cited in each relevant unit beginning with Unit 2 and ending with Unit 9. These are to facilitate viewers referencing the code sections, if they choose to, that are mentioned in each unit.
The Tribal Cultural Resources Law Training may be accessed here.
The California Water Boards is looking for applicants to showcase cultural practices at the 56th Annual California Native American Day Cultural Heritage Pavilion.
The Cultural Heritage Pavilion is an opportunity for cultural practitioners to share cultural practices, wisdom, language, and history with Native American Day attendees. Cultural Practitioners will prepare a cultural practice demonstration to attendees in a spacious tent on the capitol grounds, as well as receive an honorarium for their time and expertise. Day-of logistics and planning will be provided. This is a great opportunity to bring the rich and diverse cultural knowledge of California Native American Tribes to Native American Day.
There will be ten cultural practitioners selected. The deadline to submit an application for consideration is August 18, and selected practitioners will be notified by late August. The form to apply can be accessed using this link.
For more information, please read the below flyer.
Cultural Practitioners Invite – NAD 2023
Under the administrative direction of the Executive Secretary, the Chief Counsel serves as the principal legal adviser to the Executive Secretary and the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) providing advice and counsel to ensure internal compliance with control agency laws, regulations, and policies.
The Chief Counsel plans, directs, organizes, and manages NAHC’s Legal Department staff in enforcing state laws that protect Native American cultural resources on public and private lands; approves high-level policy decisions for the rule making process; responsible for overseeing administrative hearings required under CalNAGPRA and enacting policy and regulations implementing those administrative hearings; and oversees outside litigation counsel regarding any NAHC litigation matters.
CalCareers: Chief Counsel CEA JC-380272
PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA
CALIFORNIA NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE COMMISSION
Office Phone (916) 373-3710
Email: nahc@nahc.ca.gov
Location: CNRA Auditorium
715 P Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Friday, July 14, 2023
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Notices, Agendas, and supporting documents for Native American Heritage Commission Meetings and Public Hearings will be provided at the event and may also be accessed at http://www.nahc.ca.gov or by written request to nahc@nahc.ca.gov. Confidential materials exempt.
Live video streaming and archived video of this Commission Meeting may be accessed at https://videobookcase.org/nahc/2023-07-14.
The Native American Heritage Commission complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need additional information or assistance, please contact the Commission at (916) 373-3710 or via email at nahc@nahc.ca.gov.
Agenda items may be taken out of order.
AGENDA
9:00 AM — CALL TO ORDER
- Welcome
- Roll Call
- Introduction of Commissioners, Staff, and Attorney General’s Representative
- Traditional Opening
ACTION
- Approval of Meeting Minutes
- January 19, 2023, Open Session
- January 20, 2022, Open Session
- May 5, 2023, Open Session
- City of Corona WRF Lift Station No. 3 Project (Mario Pallari, NAHC Legal Counsel)1
- Update on City of Corona’s progress, Most Likely Descendant (MLD) recommendations, and tribal concerns
- Discuss and consider Commission recommendations to landowner, City of Corona, concerning compliance with Most Likely Descendant (MLD) Statute (Pub. Res. Code, § 5097.98)
- Commissioners to consider drafting a Letter to the City of Corona
- Appointment of Commissioner Buffy McQuillen as Lead Commissioner for this matter
- Commissioners to consider offering Mediation to all parties pursuant to Pub. Res. Code, § 5097.94 (k)
- Commissioners to consider the potential for designating the Corona WRF Lift Station No. 3, Project location a Native American sanctified cemetery and burial ground
- Calendar Dates for FY 2023-24 Public Commission Meetings (Raymond Hitchcock, Executive Secretary)
- Commissioners to approve the following Commission Meeting dates:
- Friday, October 20, 2023, Location TBD
- Friday, January 19, 2024, Location TBD
- Friday, April 19, 2024, Location TBD
- Friday, July 19, 2024, Location TBD
- Draft Contact List Regulations Update (Raymond C Hitchcock, Executive Secretary)
- Commissioners to consider duration of Formal Tribal Comment & Consultation Period for the eventual release of these Draft Regulations
- Commission Sub-Committee Update (Raymond Hitchcock, Executive Secretary)[List of NAHC Subcommittees]
- Commissioners to consider filing Sub-Committee vacancies
- Most Likely Descendant Regulations Sub-Committee (Commissioner Bojorquez, vacant)
- UC NAGPRA Policy Sub-Committee vacancies (Commissioner Rodriguez, vacant)
- Commissioners to consider changes to existing Sub-Committee assignments
- Contact List Regulations (Commissioner McQuillen, Commissioner Nelson)
- UC Systemwide/Campus Committee Nominations Sub-Committee (Chairman Pagaling, Commissioner Rodriguez)
- CalNAGPRA Regulations Sub-Committee, (Secretary Dutschke, Chairman Pagaling)
- CalNAGPRA Mediation Regulations Sub-Committee (Secretary Dutschke, Chairman Pagaling)
- Commissioners to consider additional Sub-Committee assignments
- Sacred Lands File Regulations Sub-Committee
- NAHC Strategic Plan Sub-Committee
- NAHC Budget and Contracts Sub-Committee
- Commissioner Officer Elections (Raymond Hitchcock, Executive Secretary)
- Commissioners to elect Officer positions for the following positions:
- Chairperson
- Vice Chairperson
- Secretary
INFORMATIONAL
- Digital Atlas (Raymond Hitchcock, Executive Secretary)
- Update Commissioners on relocation and modification options for the Digital Atlas
- 2023-2027 Strategic Plan Update (Raymond Hitchcock, Executive Secretary)
- Review Summary of 2018-2023 Strategic Plan
- Executive Secretary Report, (Raymond Hitchcock, Executive Secretary) [Executive Secretary Report]
- Commissioner Reports
PUBLIC COMMENT – Public comment will be limited to 3 minutes for each speaker, unless otherwise determined by the Commission.
Please email any public comments to nahc@nahc.ca.gov by 4:00PM Thursday, July 13, 2023, to be read into the record. All submissions should include “Public Comment” in the subject line, your name, who you represent, and the subject you wish to address.
The public may comment on any item on the agenda before action is taken on the item.
4:00 PM — ADJOURNMENT – At the end of Public Comment or 4:00 PM, whichever is first.
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[1] City of Corona, lead agency, CEQA project: https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/2020060417/2 where Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 5097.98 is also applicable.
*The Native American Heritage Commission complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need additional information or assistance, please contact the Commission at (916) 373-3710 or via email at nahc@nahc.ca.gov. Our website address is: www.nahc.ca.gov. Follow us on Twitter: @CA_NAHC