Traffic on 210 (Photo – Steve Hymon, thesource.Metro.net).
On Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Governor Newsom signed Assemblymember Chris Holden’s legislation, AB 776, which will rename Route 210 and require the California Department of Transportation, through the erection of highway signs, to identify locations of historical and cultural importance to the California tribes.
By News Desk
“All along Route 210, an unseen history has gone unacknowledged for decades. It is too easy to jump in your car and cruise down the 210 without thinking of the sacred lands once untouched by modern industrialism. It is not only important to continue fostering change but also to acknowledge the vital impact of change, and whose immeasurable suffering played a part in where we are today,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden.
“This bill is important to the Southern California Native American Community because it provides visibility of our continued presence. Acknowledging this route acknowledges our ancestors who established the route. We are the First People of Los Angeles. There are many contributions our ancestors made on our ancestral homelands, this provides honor and awareness. We are still here,” said Mona Morales Recalde, on behalf of the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians.
“I want to thank Assemblymember Holden for introducing AB 776 which I coauthored. I especially appreciate that Assemblymember Holden requires Caltrans consultation with area tribes so that they have a voice and input in the sharing of their history and contributions,” said Assemblymember James Ramos.
AB 776 is another step in California’s effort to increase the visibility of Local Tribes in Los Angeles and San Bernardino by creating a process within the Department of Transportation to identify tribal lands along Route 210. Southern California tribal cultural affiliations along the freeway include Cahuilla, Chumash, Gabrieleno/Tongva, Fernandeno/Tataviam and Serrano.
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