The sounds of traditional songs and flute music filled the air in the Long Beach Civic Plaza on Tuesday as local Indigenous residents and city officials gathered for a celebration of Native American History Month.
Mayor Rex Richardson said he had previously met with several tribal elders and leaders in order to learn about their experiences, and that he was the first Long Beach mayor to ever do so.
“That was an incredible conversation,” Richardson said. “I heard firsthand the centuries of challenges and obstacles that their families endured by multiple countries trying to lay claim to their lands.”
The land that is currently considered Long Beach was originally inhabited by the Tongva and Acjachemen tribes, who were enslaved by Spanish settlers and missionaries in the 18th century. After Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, the mission system was disbanded and the Indigenous people who were previously held at the missions were forced to leave and assimilate.
“I was inspired by those stories of resilience and today was the beginning of a much larger moment of collaboration and partnership between the city of Long Beach and the Tongva community, particularly as we look forward and look to the days ahead, highlighting our city in the years to come,” Richardson said.
Richardson thanked three city employees of Native American descent for joining the Native Employees Organization and helping plan the celebration: Deputy Mayor Lucius Martin, firefighter Jake Heflin and Cindy Sanchez of the Economic Development Department.
“We certainly recognize this important moment and we look forward to continuing to deepen our relationships and partnerships as we look forward to highlighting our cultural heritage and history in Long Beach, and as we head into the 2028 Olympics and beyond,” Richardson said.
