Sacramento, California – November is a time to recognize the history and traditions of Native American communities, but Sacramento Councilmember Lisa Kaplan wants residents to think beyond a single month of recognition. Her message is simple: honoring Indigenous peoples should involve meaningful action, not just words.
As communities across the country observe Native American Heritage Month, Kaplan is encouraging Sacramento residents to reflect on the region’s Indigenous roots, support Native voices and consider how everyday decisions can contribute to a more respectful and inclusive future.
In a social media message marking the observance, Kaplan highlighted the importance of recognizing the Native peoples whose ancestral lands include present-day Sacramento.
The councilmember specifically acknowledged the Nisenan, Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains Miwok, and Patwin Wintun peoples, emphasizing their lasting connections to the region and their continued contributions to local communities.
Sacramento’s history stretches far beyond the development of the modern city. For Indigenous communities, the land carries generations of cultural knowledge, traditions and experiences that remain important today.
Kaplan’s message recognized both that history and the resilience of Native peoples, while calling attention to their ongoing role in shaping the Sacramento region.
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Rather than treating Native American Heritage Month as a symbolic occasion, she encouraged residents to use November as an opportunity to learn more about Indigenous communities and understand their experiences.
That includes listening to Native perspectives, recognizing the contributions of earlier generations and making room for Indigenous voices in conversations about Sacramento’s future.
Supporting Native-owned businesses and Indigenous creators was another important part of the councilmember’s message.
Kaplan also stressed the need for meaningful collaboration and respect, suggesting that recognition should influence how people approach decisions affecting their communities.
“It has to be more than lip service,” Kaplan stated.
Her remarks emphasized that acknowledging Indigenous history should not be limited to public statements or annual celebrations. Instead, she encouraged residents to remember those who came before them whenever opportunities arise to make meaningful changes in Sacramento.
The message also drew attention to the importance of building stronger relationships with Native communities through continued engagement rather than occasional gestures.
For Sacramento residents, Kaplan’s appeal offers a broader way to think about Native American Heritage Month. Learning about local Indigenous history is one part of that effort, but supporting Native communities and ensuring their perspectives are heard are equally important.
As November continues, Kaplan is asking residents to carry those values beyond the month itself.
The central message of her social media release is that respecting Indigenous history requires an ongoing commitment, one reflected not only in what Sacramento says about its past but also in the choices it makes for its future.