Efforts to Change Offensive Street Names in Northern California

In a significant move to address historical injustices, California is actively working to revise offensive street names and educational narratives related to Native American history. Tribal members from across the state gathered at the capitol to celebrate Native American culture, highlighting ongoing initiatives aimed at recognizing the mistreatment of indigenous peoples. Assemblymember John Ramos emphasized the need for a narrative that includes the voices of California's first inhabitants, as many current historical accounts have overlooked their perspectives. As part of these efforts, several counties, including West Sacramento, Woodland, and Sacramento, are in the process of renaming streets that bear derogatory terms historically used against Native American women. Terisa Yonemura, a tribal member, pointed out the derogatory nature of these names, which were perpetuated by settlers during the gold rush era. The deadline for submitting proposed name changes is approaching, with West Sacramento already voting to rename one of its streets to Tebti. In addition to street renaming, California is taking steps to honor Native American culture through various initiatives. A new monument has been erected in Capitol Park, and several schools have undergone name changes. Government meetings now frequently begin with a land acknowledgment, and Sutter's Fort is revising its interpretive plan to better reflect the impact of early pioneers on indigenous communities. Tribal leaders advocate for these changes as a means to honor the longstanding history of Native Americans in the region.