IN SUPPORT OF THE YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION'S INITIATIVE TO CREATE A TRIBAL COLLEGE IN CALIFORNIA

Yolo County Board of Supervisors
Resolution No. 10-153
IN SUPPORT OF THE YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION'S INITIATIVE TO CREATE A TRIBAL COLLEGE IN CALIFORNIA

WHEREAS, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, as a federally recognized sovereign nation, whose Capay Valley
homeland or "home by the spring water" remains at the heart of their culture and whose heritage brings them
to lead an initiative to establish a tribal college to serve Native American people in California; and

WHEREAS, nineteen California tribes have already passed resolutions supporting this effort and authorizing
the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation to pursue the establishment of a Tribal College, while many other tribes in
Northern and Central California have responded positively to the idea of a tribal college; and

WHEREAS, the first tribal college created by American Indians for American Indians was established in 1968
and there are now thirty-seven tribal colleges and universities in fourteen states US states and Canada
serving over 27,000 American Indians; and

WHEREAS, as of 2010, there were no tribal colleges operating in California; and

WHEREAS, California has an unfortunate history of failing to provide proportionate access to quality higher
education opportunities to Native Americans, California Native Americans are underrepresented among all
entering college freshman, and there is a striking higher education disparity between California Native
Americans and other California residents; and

WHEREAS, tribal colleges play a foundational role in the economic, social, cultural and political
advancement of many Native Communities; and

WHEREAS, a California tribal college is necessary to fight poverty, assist in research and economic
development, serve students of all ages and backgrounds and preserve tribal culture, history and language;
and

WHEREAS, the continued diversification of tribal economies has increased the need for higher education
programs for Native American Students that create the additional human capital required for tribal
administration, business, hospitality, management, economic development, agriculture, natural resources,
sustainability and education; and

WHEREAS, the Yolo County seal bears the words "education, agriculture and industry," reflecting the
County's deeply-held commitment to preserving and enhancing these fundamental sectors of our local
economy; and

WHEREAS, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors supports efforts to offer a broad array of educational
services that meet the needs of the diverse population of Yolo County residents.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Yolo does hereby
support the initiative led by Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation to create a tribal college to better meet the
educational needs of Native Americans in Yolo County and throughout California.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 9th day of November 2010 by the following vote:

AYES: Rexroad, Provenza, Chamberlain, McGowan, Thomson.
Helen M. Thomson, Chairwoman
Yolo County Board of Supervisors

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Tribal
• College
• Resolution