Indigenous Justice

The offices of the ACLU of Northern California exist on the occupied territory of over 100 tribes. In recognition of this reality, our Indigenous Justice work supports tribal sovereignty and self-determination through community-directed processes, recognizing and uplifting Indigenous peoples as they preserve their cultures, dignity, and autonomy.

outline of the state of california overlaid with pictures of people wearing tribal regalia
land acknowledgement illustration

Land Acknowledgment

Read the ACLU NorCal’s land acknowledgement statement, as well as information about the process we engaged in to create this statement and our ongoing learning process to offer land acknowledgements at our internal and public events.

Read More

Student Rights to Tribal, Cultural, and Religious Objects at Graduation

In California, you have a right to wear tribal regalia and other items of cultural or religious significance at your high school graduation.

But every year, we hear from students and advocates that schools are denying students’ rights to wear tribal regalia at commencement. Learn about your rights and our work to defend them.

Learn More
Tribal regalia at graduation

Protection and Preservation of Sacred Sites and Ancestral Lands

We seek to further the protection, preservation, and access to ancestral lands, sacred sites, and other important landmarks critical to tribal sovereignty and Indigenous identity.

One of these places, Juristac, is the heart of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band’s ancestral lands and one of the Tribe’s last remaining sacred sites. Today, private landowners want to turn Juristac into an open-pit sand and gravel mine.

Protect Juristac campaign
california oak wildland
gold chains logo square on white

Gold Chains: The Hidden History of Slavery in California

Gold Chains highlights California’s slavery past, which is not taught in schools. Through narratives, public records, archival material, and images, this project exposes California’s hidden history and the ways in which its legacy persists in the state’s courts, culture, and conscience.

Learn More

The Latest

News & Commentary
student sitting outside on a tree

Stopping the Flood Waters: Native Student Stories of Survivance & Resistance

"Stopping the Flood Waters: A Call to Transform California's Schools in Support of Native American Students" documents how California schools consistently fail to provide Native American students with an equitable and inclusive education. Here, two students share their educational experiences in their own words.
Know Your Rights
orange banner with school supplies

Know Your Rights: Student Rights

As a public school student in California, you have rights at your school. Explore your rights as students, so you can advocate for yourself and your communities.
News & Commentary
Map of the US

Forging Ahead with Clear Eyes and Strong Resolve

News & Commentary
Sonny Tripp

Empowering Native Students Through Advocacy and Support: A Profile of Sonny Tripp

Court Case
Jun 03, 2015

Titman v. Clovis USD (Eagle Feather at High School Graduation)

The ACLU Foundation of Northern California sued a local school district so a Native American high school senior could display an eagle feather on his cap during the graduation ceremony for religious and spiritual reasons.
Court Case
Mar 17, 2014

Humboldt County Schools Litigation

The ACLU Foundation of Northern California and NCYL have charged school officials in two Humboldt County towns with intentionally discriminating against Native American and Black students by allowing the pervasive racial and sexual harassment of these students to go unchallenged.
Court Case
Feb 02, 2005

Kesser v. Cambra