The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors officially declared last November to be Native American Heritage Month.

Supervisors Hilda Solis and Lindsey Horvath co-authored the motion, which recognizes the importance of “inclusivity, equity and reconciliation” with the county’s Native American community. The motion also recommends the creation of a county Office of Tribal Affairs, said Rachel Fox, the arts and community services deputy for Horvath’s office.

“I know Supervisor Horvath … wants to be intentional when we approach the work that we do in including our Native peoples, whether it’s policy-making or it’s actual capital projects, and having them be a part of it,” she said.

While the county lacks authority over state curriculums or school district policies, Fox said it can still contribute through initiatives such as library story times and educational programs surrounding the Native American community.

“The county can play a role in the educational piece about informing people about the history of Native people and to bring them up to date about what’s currently happening,” Fox said.

In recent years, Native communities have faced challenges, including disputes over land sovereignty, environmental conservation issues and the push for stronger government representation.

The first Trump administration oversaw several decisions impacting tribal lands – such as those that approved the construction of the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines and reduced the Bears Ears National Monument by 85% in 2017 – that were met with pushback from activists.

Bella Haakanson, who is part of the Sugpiaq tribe and a first-year business economics student, said the declaration feels long overdue. The county and UCLA should raise awareness about Native American Heritage Month through accessible initiatives such as social media campaigns and expanded educational events, she said.

“I haven’t seen people repost stuff from Native American Heritage Month, so I definitely want to see more of that,” Haakanson said. “I haven’t been to any of the Native American museums around here, but I feel like they could do an event – definitely more events.”

Cianna Morgan, a first-year undeclared student and member of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, said there is a need for greater visibility and education about Native American history, especially at institutions like UCLA. She said the university’s reputation could amplify awareness, particularly in a diverse city such as LA, where many remain unaware of Native American histories and perspectives.

Morgan reflected on her history classes, saying the limited scope of curriculum neglects Native American perspectives. She said she wanted to see more accurate storytelling as a way to dismantle misconceptions and to acknowledge the lasting impact of colonization on Native communities.

“So many of the books that you have to read or hear about or be taught about when you’re a kid in history classes are not true at all,” Morgan said. “None of those books are ever true about Native Americans.”

Justice Hudson, a first-year biology student and a member of the Navajo and Eastern Band Cherokee tribes, said she believes everyone should make themselves aware of the history of Native identity and resilience, including those in the Native community.

“It is important to be educated about where we have come from and how far we have come,” she said. “We are still here, and we do exist. Even though we may not show it, and we may not look all Native American, we still are who we are.”