Hello Everyone,

Thank you for helping make this journey a success.

From the U.S. Board on Geographic Names: https://content.govdelivery.com/.../USDOI/bulletins/3426aa4

Here is a link to a recent Fresno Bee article: https://www.fresnobee.com/fresnoland/article271072387.html

What a great day to rejoice for Indigenous Americans and our non-Indigenous allies. This is the first of many necessary steps toward preserving the truth about Indigenous American history and facilitating healing between the Indigenous communities and both state and federal governments. I can only hope that our plight serves as an inspiration for our future Indigenous leaders and their allies. Never let your elected officials forget that they work for their constituents and that all power belongs to the people.

I would like to recognize that this was a hard thing for many people and they may feel like they are losing something today. But we want to go forward together with them as we make this a great community for all of us.

This is a proud moment of acknowledgement and healing. A catalyst for reconciliation rooted in sharing through community dialogue and the relational power that emerged from those community conversations. Positive transformation of our community can only triumph through constructive and meaningful dialogue, from which we find the fortitude that leads to success: Constructive and critical conversations alike.

You all should be proud of all your hard work and contributions! Thank you seems to fall short for the immense gratitude I have for all of you, but thank you.
Thank you & God Bless,
Roman C. Rain Tree

P.S.
Fresno County is home to the highest population of tribes actively petitioning for Federal Acknowledgement. 170 years ago treaties were broken, never ratified, and today our four decades long struggle for acknowledgement continues.
This is not just a new name for a community. This is acknowledgement of the first stewards of the land and a recognition that we are still here.