2023-08-15 CC Agenda - Public Communications - Land Acknowledgement 2I::1UUI...II�,:A COMM UIINIICATIONS - If...ANI:) AC 2
Harada, Patricia
Subject: FW: Strong Support of Land Acknowledgement
From: Mona Recalde <mona.recalde hotmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 202311:20 AM
To: ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS else undo.or >
Subject: Strong Support of Land Acknowledgement
Good morning,
I am writing in strong support of the current land acknowledgement adopted by the El Segundo Arts
and Culture Committee:
"We acknowledge that we are holding this meeting on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded
territory of the Tongva. We recognize the Tongva people as the traditional caretakers
of Tovaangar (Los Angeles Basin, So Channel Islands). We also acknowledge that Los Angeles County
is the home to the largest Indigenous Populations in the US."
This acknowledgement best reflects the objective and accepted historical record - The land under the Los
Angeles area, the dirt under our feet, holds our history, our ancestors, our stories, and our hearts. Despite
the best efforts of settlers, missionaries, and politicians in early California, we (the Tongva people)
survived. We are rebuilding our identity and traditions, and we appreciate this ceremonial
acknowledgement of our continued existence and dignity.
As a resident of Los Angeles County, with family records that go back to 1771 at the San Gabriel Mission, I
am asking you to recognize our history.
Keep the acknowledgement. We are still here, and we see you. If you are interested in our tribe educating
the City or officials about the history you represent, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Mona Morales Recalde
Enrolled Tribal Member- San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians Gabrieleno/Tongva
www.eabrieleno-nsn.us
Instagram: @sgbmigt
Harada, Patricia
Subject: FW: El Segundo Arts and Culture Committee Land Acknowledgement
From: Joel Garcia <joel meztli ro"ects,or >
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2023 11:06 AM
To: ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@eNs undo.or >
Subject: El Segundo Arts and Culture Committee Land Acknowledgement
Dear El Segundo City Council,
As cities and states look to account for and reconcile with past and current harms towards Indigenous communities as
well as build partnerships with them, it is important to incorporate in our day to day work the worldviews and
perspectives of Indigenous Peoples especially the First Peoples of the places we live in.
The idea that a Land Acknowledgement "may expose the City of El Segundo to potential litigation from the Tongva
people" as stated by Assistant City Attorney Joaquin Vazquez is part of the increase in fear mongering we have seen
inflamed by individuals like Donald Trump. If a land acknowledgment had the power to trigger litigation we would have
precedent for this and I challenge Assistant City Attorney Joaquin Vazquez to provide proof of a precedent within
California where a land acknowledgment resulted in litigation.
Additionally, to swap one city's land acknowledgment to read as another city's statement is lazy, fear -based and
completely in contrast to what these statements are meant to do. These statements are meant to bring people together
and build understanding. Assistant City Attorney Joaquin Vazquez suggestions if anything adds more fractures to already
frail relationships between cities and First Peoples.
I encourage the City Council to keep the El Segundo Arts and Culture Committee Land Acknowledgement and expand
that statement across all other Commissions, Committees, and Boards (CCBs) agendas to achieve the consistency
Assistant City Attorney Joaquin Vazquez desires.
Joel Garcia
Director
Meztli Projects (an LA County arts and culture organization)
Harada, Patricia
Subject: FW: Comment/Letter of support.
From: Kimberly Johnson <kim a maailcoom>
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2023 10:49 AM
To: ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFI'icIALS else undo.org>
Subject: Comment/Letter of support.
Good morning,
I am writing in strong support of the current land acknowledgement adopted by the El Segundo Arts and
Culture Committee:
"We acknowledge that we are holding this meeting on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of
the Tongva. We recognize the Tongva people as the traditional caretakers of Tovaangar (Los Angeles
Basin, So Channel Islands). We also acknowledge that Los Angeles County is the home to the largest
Indigenous Populations in the US."
This acknowledgement best reflects the objective and accepted historical record - The land under the Los
Angeles area, the dirt under our feet, holds our history, our ancestors, our stories, and our hearts. Despite the
best efforts of settlers, missionaries, and politicians in early California, we (the Tongva people) survived. We
are rebuilding our identity and traditions, and we appreciate this ceremonial acknowledgement of our
continued existence and dignity.
As a resident of Los Angeles County, with family records that go back to 1771 at the San Gabriel Mission, I am
asking you to recognize our history.
Keep the acknowledgement. We are still here, and we see you.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Morales Johnson
Gabrieleno/'on 'va
Tonava.land
UC Davis, Native American Studies PhD Student
Harada, Patricia
From:
Weaver, Tracy (City Clerk)
Sent:
Tuesday, August 15, 2023 10:35 AM
To:
Harada, Patricia; Sandoval, Lili
Subject: Fw: Comment in support of Tongva land acknowledgement
Council received email below. Please post to the website.
Tracy
From: Andre Barthelemy <agmb1214@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2023 10:12 AM
To: ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org>
Subject: Comment in support of Tongva land acknowledgement
Good morning,
I am writing in strong support of the current land acknowledgement adopted by the El Segundo
Arts and Culture Committee:
"We acknowledge that we are holding this meeting on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded
territory of the Tongva. We recognize the Tongva people as the traditional caretakers of
Tovaangar (Los Angeles Basin, So Channel Islands). We also acknowledge that Los Angeles
County is the home to the largest Indigenous Populations in the US."
This acknowledgement best reflects the objective and accepted historical record - The land under the
Los Angeles area, the dirt under our feet, holds our history, our ancestors, our stories, and our hearts.
Despite the best efforts of settlers, missionaries, and politicians in early California, we (the Tongva
people) survived. We are rebuilding our identity and traditions, and we appreciate this ceremonial
acknowledgement of our continued existence and dignity.
Keep the acknowledgement. We are still here, and we see you.
Thank you,
Andre Montoya -Barthelemy (Morales), MD MPH
afgmb12 4@97 a il.con1. // 505-980-5788
Harada, Patricia
From: Weaver, Tracy (City Clerk)
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2023 10:34 AM
To: Harada, Patricia; Sandoval, Lili
Subject: Fw: Land acknowledgement
Council received email below. Please post.
Tracy
From: Rachel Brewster <rachel.brewster@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2023 10:11 AM
To: ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org>
Subject: Fwd: Land acknowledgement
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Rachel Brewster <rachel.brewster@gmail.com>
Date: July 25, 2023 at 1:55:18 PM PDT
To: amancini@elsegundo.org
Subject: Land acknowledgement
Please continue to include the land acknowledgment to the Tongva people. This is highly relevant
information that our community should be continuously be made aware of.
Regards,
Rachel Erne
Sent from my iPhone