California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) apologized Tuesday for the state’s history of violence and “genocide” against Native Americans, saying he hoped the belated gesture could help “tell the truth about our past and begin to heal deep wounds.” Newsom issued an executive order that contained an official apology to Native Americans on behalf of the citizens of California. “The State of California hereby recognizes that the State historically sanctioned over a century of depredations and prejudicial policies against California Native Americans,” the order reads, “[and] apologizes … for the many instances of violence, maltreatment and neglect California inflicted on tribes.” The order also called for the creation of a Truth and Healing Council to produce a report on the historical relationship between the state and Native Americans.

It’s important to acknowledge the dark moments in our history.



Native American peoples suffered violence and exploitation sanctioned by our state. We cannot undo those wrongs, but together we can tell the truth about our past & begin to heal those wounds. https://t.co/YooLsFuWdV — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 19, 2019

Newsom also apologized in person during a blessing ceremony at the development site of a future Native American heritage center in West Sacramento on Tuesday. More than 100 tribal leaders were present at the event, the Los Angeles Times reported. Some said they were “glad” to hear Newsom’s words of contrition, but noted it was “just the first step” in healing wounds and bridging divides. “The words he kept using, ‘respectful,’ ‘meaningful,’ ‘collaborative.’ When I hear this, it gives me hope. He wants to make things right,” Erica Pinto, chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village, told the paper. “To me and a lot of the tribes, we’re going to be glad to hear this apology, but the real results will live in his actions,” Pinto added. “This is just the first step.” In his address, Newsom acknowledged that California could “never undo the wrongs inflicted” on the state’s tribes, but he stressed the time had come for Californians to “reckon with our dark history.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS Gov. Gavin Newsom addresses a meeting with Native American tribal leaders from around the state at the future site of the California Indian Heritage Center in West Sacramento, Calif., on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Newsom took the occasion to formally apologize to tribal leaders from around California for the violence, mistreatment and neglect inflicted on Native Americans throughout the state's history.