On Friday, September 26, 2025, the 58th Native American Day, “Walking in Their Footsteps: Carrying Forward the Legacy of Strength and Sovereignty,” will take place at the State Capitol. The Cal OES Office of Tribal Coordination (OTC) has actively participated in planning and coordinating Native American Day Exhibitions and Ceremonies.
California is home to hundreds of thousands of Indigenous people, including 109 federally and 62 non-federally recognized Tribes, each with its own government, traditions, and ancestral responsibility to care for its lands and people.
OTC continues its commitment to participate, alongside Listos California, in providing informational resources on emergency management initiatives, including disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Through this engagement outreach, OTC is committed to strengthening partnerships and working collaboratively to ensure the safety, resilience, and preparedness of all California communities.
OTC also participated in the 2025 Listos California Regional Disaster Readiness Summit on August 5, 2025, at Blue Lake in Humboldt County. Hosted on Tribal land, it ensured Tribal voices were represented and helped foster relationships before emergencies strike. The event brought together various Tribal representatives, local, state, and community-based organizations to learn from one another about how to better prepare for emergencies together. OTC will continue to participate in future Listos California Regional Disaster Readiness Summit, providing opportunities for in-person discussions with Tribal Nations.
Additionally, OTC developed a Tribal Workgroup, bringing together Tribal Emergency Managers and Subject Matter Experts to review the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) Guidelines and draft a Tribal Annex. This workgroup ensures Tribal inclusion in the SEMS Guidelines, which directly shapes policies and best practices that affect communities.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Office of Tribal Coordination (OTC) is dedicated to enhancing and sustaining collaboration with Tribal Nations throughout California. As sovereign governments, Tribal Nations are vital in emergency management planning and preparedness for a resilient California.
The Office of Tribal Coordination is devoted to honoring Tribal sovereignty and strengthening partnerships through collaboration, respect, and building a safer future for all.