Prior to the Prior to the start of the sixth annual California Indian Cultural Awareness event in Sacramento, the California Native American Legislative Caucus recognized several Native Americans for their contributions during a Floor Ceremony at the Assembly Chambers in Sacramento, Aug. 18.
Soboba Tribal Member Rose Salgado was among the nine Class of 2025 honorees. Her sister Frances Diaz and sister-in-law Claudia Salgado accepted the posthumous award on her behalf. Rose, who passed away in 2021, was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and Tribal leader, born and raised on the reservation of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, of which she was a member and where she served on the Council for 28 years. She served on numerous nonprofit and educational boards as an advocate for educational equity for American Indian students. She was a Trustee of the San Jacinto Unified School District.
“Our family was very honored to witness this plaque being awarded to my sister Rose,” said Diaz. “She comes from a family of many leaders and throughout her lifetime followed in their footsteps. This event was very emotional for me, always reminding me of the loss I feel with her moving on in her journey.”
“The honor that was granted to Aunt Rose was very emotional,” said Baseemah Arlene Salgado, daughter of former Chairman Robert J. Salgado Sr. who was Rose’s brother. “Her work ethic and dedication to the community have been inspiring. To also have the honoring in the Assembly as ‘something’ passed by a landslide 71 yeas 0 nays, I was honored to be in the presence of such an incredible day.”
Also attending the ceremony were Soboba Tribal Chairman Isaiah Vivanco, Vice Chairwoman Geneva Mojado and Secretary Monica Herrera.
“I was honored to be a part of the whole floor ceremony; recognizing the different individuals made it an awesome event,” Vivanco said. “I’ve been invited multiple times but always had something going on. But this time having one of our own being recognized, I wasn’t going to miss that.”
He said it was a very proud moment to have a Soboba Tribal Member recognized for their contributions over the span of a very accomplished career.
“I was even more proud because Rose was someone I served alongside for many years and being able to witness firsthand her will to make things better for all is something I will never forget,” Vivanco said. “So, couple this with the opening of a new school in her name just a couple weeks ago, I’d say her legacy is having a pretty good year.”
On Aug. 1, San Jacinto Unified School District held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Rose Salgado Elementary School, which saw its first 450+ students on campus, Aug. 7. It honors Salgado’s profound impact and legacy in education, especially for Native American students.
The California Native American Legislative Caucus is chaired by Assemblymember James C. Ramos. Among the goals and objectives of the Caucus are to increase awareness and education among non-Californian Native American legislators about California Native cultures, history, and social impacts; to identify and prioritize issues for joint advocacy that the California Native American Legislative Caucus members, representing California Native American constituents, and tribal governments, can bring before the state legislature; to support the establishment and maintenance of the tribal-state communication and policy processes; to encourage open dialogue, understanding, and cooperation between the sovereign California Native American governments and state governments based on respect for individual and sovereign rights; and to work with the California Tribal governments, state and other governments, legislative caucuses, and issue-focused organizations on issues of mutual concerns.
The proclamation cited the commitment of California Indian tribes to contribute to the educational curricula provided by the State because they believe in providing new and improved educational resources about the varied cultural histories of, and governance models used by, California Native Americans. It further mentioned the cultural and governmental contributions of the Native people of California that have shaped the course of the State throughout history.
The document also served to officially recognize the importance of California Native American Day, celebrated this year on Sept. 26, and the annual California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference to the enhancement of awareness of California Indian culture.
Starting at 5 p.m. on Aug. 18, the sixth annual California Indian Cultural Awareness event began with a Land Acknowledgement and a Blessing at the Native American Monument in Capitol Park, honoring the history and enduring presence of California’s Native communities. Assemblymember Ramos was instrumental in the establishment of the monument.
“The highlights from the cultural awareness event being at the Native American Monument in the Capitol Park included Assemblymember Ramos having local Native Tribal representation to be a part of the ceremonies and to share their songs,” Baseemah Arlene Salgado said. “There was also representation of the Southern California Intertribal Birdsingers and dancers. One dancer was from Soboba, Su’la Arviso, and a local resident, Art Lopez, Torres Martinez tribal member. The words spoken by all the speakers were very inspiring. It was a proud moment. The resilience of our people had a strong presence that could be felt.”
Other Class of 2025 California Legislative Native American Caucus Honorees are Judge Abby Abinanti, a citizen and Chief Judge of the Yurok Tribe; Councilwoman Catalina R. Chacon, a citizen of the Pechanga Band of Indians, where she has served on the council since 2012; Chairman Frederick Quinton “Bo” Mazzetti was born, raised, and lived on the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indian Reservation, where he served as Tribal Chairman since 2007 (posthumous); and Clovis Unified School District graduates from the Class of ‘25, Bella Garcia, Ethan Molina, Jesse Reza, and Lily Hawkins—and Class of ’24 graduate Jennie Rocha displayed courage and persistence as they sought to exercise their right as Native American students to wear adornments and regalia representing their distinct tribal cultures during their high school graduations.
Photos courtesy of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
