Attitude Makes a Difference

Unlike much of the country, tribes in California have no treaties with the United States. In fact, in the early days of statehood, California’s government paid a bounty on murdered Indians.

So it comes as a relief to all that the new governor of California, Jerry Brown, has made cooperation with Indian tribes a priority. One month into his term, California Fish and Game has reversed the former governor’s policy of denying fishing and gathering rights to North Coast tribes.

While battles over water and salmon habitat remain to be resolved, the tone in the state capitol has changed dramatically. That attitude makes a big difference.