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Welcome to the Office of Tribal Relations

Vision

ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ will be a trusted partner to local Tribal Nations and a destination campus for Native students across Southern California—advancing social and educational justice through relationships grounded in sovereignty, reciprocity, and cultural care. We honor that ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ sits on Tongva Gabrielino homelands and commit to sustained collaboration with the Tongva Gabrielino and neighboring Tribal communities.

Purpose

The Office of Tribal Affairs exists to:

• Uplift Local Tribal Nations. Engage in ongoing, government-to-government consultation with local Tribes (including Tongva/Gabrielino, Tataviam, Chumash, Kizh, Acjachemen, Luiseño, Serrano, and others whose lands and waters encompass Los Angeles County), ensuring Tribal sovereignty, protocols, and cultural stewardship shape campus policies and practices. 
• Serve the Broader Native Community. Los Angeles County is home to the largest number of American Indian/Alaska Native residents of any U.S. county, reflecting one of the nation’s largest urban Native communities. ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ will collaborate with regional Native organizations to meet urban Native needs. 
• Advance Student Success & Belonging. Expand culturally sustaining programming, mentorship, and student services in partnership with the Native American Indian Student Organization (NAISO) and the American Indian Center (AIC); build pipelines from K–12 and community colleges; and strengthen advising, scholarships, emergency aid, and career development tailored to Native students.
• Lead with Accountability. Coordinate NAGPRA and related federal/state compliance; develop ethical research and data practices with Tribal oversight; and report annually on progress and learning.
• Transform Teaching & Scholarship. Support curriculum infusion of Native histories, languages, and contemporary issues; expand faculty and staff development on Tribal relations; and encourage community-led, land- and place-based learning tied to the Tongva homelands. 
• Cultivate Regional Presence. Host flagship Indigenous-centered events (including the Native Gathering), community roundtables, and leadership forums to make ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ regionally known as a campus in service to Native Nations and urban Native communities alike.
• Build Strategic Partnerships. Formalize collaborations with Southern California Native-serving organizations to integrate health, wellness, cultural, and educational supports for students and families. 

Why this matters here

• Place: ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ occupies Tongva homelands and neighbors other Tribal communities; our responsibilities begin with place-based respect and care.
• People: California has the largest Native population of any state, and L.A. County—home to one of the country’s largest urban Native communities—makes ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ a critical hub for access and impact.