The Native American Heritage Commission wishes to express gratitude and a sincere seasonal greeting to all California tribal communities. May you and your loved one’s ring in an abundant, joyous, and safe new year! Warm wishes for peaceful and joyous days as we close out 2025.
The Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) will be hosting an in-person workshop to review the Sacred Lands File (SLF) and what should accompany a submission to the SLF.
Date: January 15, 2026
Time: 11am – 1pm
Location: California Natural Resources Agency
715 P Street, Sacramento
Room: 221B
Commissioners and NAHC staff will discuss the purpose of the SLF, the current submission process, and the following question:
What documentation should be required to support a submission to the Sacred Lands File Inventory?
Tribal traditional knowledge
Tribal histories
Traditional stories
Ceremonies
Religious practices
Oral traditions
Treaties
Archeological and anthropological studies and reports
Scholarly histories
Documentation of oral testimony from tribal elders
PUBLIC COMMENT – Public comment will be taken at the end of the workshop and is limited to 3 minutes for each speaker.
*Any person who has a disability and requires accommodation to participate in this meeting should contact the Native American Heritage Commission at (916) 373-3710 or via email at nahc@nahc.ca.gov no later than five days prior to the meeting. Our website address is: https://nahc.ca.gov.
On December 11, 2025, the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) voted to extend the Contact List Regulations comment and consultation period. Details regarding this extension can be found in this attachment.
Under the general direction of the NAHC Executive Secretary, the Staff Services Manager I (SSM I) will oversee all related aspects of the Environmental and Cultural Division (ECD). The SSM I will provide advice and analysis on topics relating to the ECD. The SSM I will support the NAHC as the main point of contact for intradepartmental projects impacting the ECD. The SSM I will be responsible for maintenance of the Native American Land Information System (NALIS) by obtaining and analyzing information provided by California Indian tribes and public agencies. The SSM I will ensure ECD staff fulfills the necessary statutory responsibilities under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The SSM I is assigned to direct and supervise ECD staff on the essential day-to-day programs, including but not limited to, the NAHC Sacred Lands File Inventory (SLF), NAHC Contact List, Most Likely Descendant (MLD) determinations, and the NALIS database.
To view the full job posting and application instructions, please visit: JC-497529 STAFF SERVICES MANAGER I
The Native American Heritage Commission will be conducting two additional in-person listening sessions. Details regarding these in-person listening sessions can be found in this attachment.
The Native American Heritage Commission will be conducting its first in-person listening session on November 6, 2025. Details regarding this in-person listening session can be found in this attachment.
The Native American Heritage Commission will be conducting two virtual listening sessions regarding the revised draft contact list regulations. Details regarding these virtual listening sessions can be found in this attachment.
On Friday, October 17, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of Andrew “Dru” Alejandre, of Corning, as Executive Secretary of the California Native American Heritage Commission. Alejandre has been Tribal Liaison at Emic Health Services since 2024 and Co-Founder and Vice President of the Tribal Leadership Council since 2024. He was the Chairman of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians from 2016 to 2025, and Council Secretary from 2014 to 2016. Alejandre is the Board Chair of Tepa Companies and the Tribal Leadership Council Foundation. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Sacramento.
The Native American Heritage Commission’s (NAHC) upcoming Commission meeting originally scheduled for Friday, October 17, 2025, has been rescheduled to Friday, October 10, 2025. The address and facility information will be provided on the NAHC’s homepage upon the finalization of the agenda.
For more information, please feel free to contact us at nahc@nahc.ca.gov.
The Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) and the California State University (CSU) will be hosting an in-person workshop to review and discuss comments received during tribal consultation on the Interim Systemwide NAGPRA Policy.
Date: Monday, September 22, 2025
Time: 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Location:
621 Capitol Mall
Sacramento, CA 95814
The CSU has issued their Interim Systemwide NAGPRA Policy. At the recommendation of the NAHC, the policy was adopted in interim status to allow for further Tribal consultation. At this workshop Commissioners and NAHC and CSU staff will discuss and review critical sections of the policy.
The CSU Interim Systemwide NAGPRA Policy is available on the CSU website.
To ensure smooth building access the day of the workshop, please RSVP to NAHC@NAHC.ca.gov. Individuals who did not RSVP will still be welcome but will be required to register through security.
PUBLIC COMMENT – Public comment will be taken at the end of the workshop and is limited to 3 minutes for each speaker.
* Any person who has a disability and requires accommodation to participate in this meeting should contact the Native American Heritage Commission at (916) 373-3710 or via email at nahc@nahc.ca.gov no later than five days prior to the meeting. Our website address is: https://nahc.ca.gov.
The California State University (CSU) has issued their Interim Systemwide NAGPRA Policy. At the recommendation of the Native American Heritage Commission, the policy has been adopted in interim status to allow for further Tribal consultation. Please find the outreach schedule, resources, and tribal consultation session dates at the CSU website.
The Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) will be hosting an in-person workshop to review the history, purpose, and use of the Sacred Lands File (SLF).
Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025
Time: 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Location:
East End Complex Hearing Room 72.167
1500 Capitol Ave
Sacramento, CA 95814
Commissioners and NAHC staff will review the history and purpose of the SLF along with the current submission and notification process. Additionally, NAHC staff will review questions related to the current process with Commissioners.
PUBLIC COMMENT – Public comment will be taken at the end of the workshop and is limited to 3 minutes for each speaker.
The outline for this workshop is available in this document; Sacred Lands File Workshop Outline – Questions or by written request to nahc@nahc.ca.gov. Confidential materials exempt.
* Any person who has a disability and requires accommodation to participate in this meeting should contact the Native American Heritage Commission at (916) 373-3710 or via email at nahc@nahc.ca.gov no later than five days prior to the meeting. Our website address is: https://nahc.ca.gov.
