California State Capitol Park in Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

California Native American Monument

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 7, 2025

1. California Native American Monument Marker

Inscription. We honor California's Native American tribes who preserved their families, language, culture, and religion despite a history of great evils committed against them. They confronted state sponsored genocide, forced assimilation, family separation and other heinous crimes.

Portrayed here is a Northern California native singer and dancer who is representative of tribal members who safeguarded their traditions and history by teaching the songs and dances of his people.

California honors the resilience and strength of its tribes with this monument established through AB 338, authored by the state's first California Native American legislator, James C. Ramos, in 2021.

Erected 2023 by State of California.

Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Political Subdivisions. A significant historical year for this entry is 2021.

Location. 38° 34.598′ N, 121° 29.468′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in California State Capitol Park. It can be reached from L Street west of 13th Street, on the

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left when traveling west. The memorial is on the grounds of California State Capitol Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and monument is in Sacramento Valley

and in the Central Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: El Camino Real Bell (here, next to this marker); Pioneer Camellia Grove (within shouting distance of this marker); Sequoia Sempervirens (within shouting distance of this marker); The Civil War Memorial Grove (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Starr King (within shouting distance of this marker); Liberty Bell Replica (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Symbol Yields To Time (within shouting distance of this marker); The California State Insectary

California Native American Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 7, 2025

2. California Native American Monument

(within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Father Junipero Serra (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. This statue and plaque sit on the previous site of a 1967 memorial to Father Junipero Serra, the 18th century Franciscan missionary. Serra's statue at Capitol Park was toppled by protestors in 2020 after George Floyd's murder, and it ultimately was put in storage. All told, eight statues of Serra came down in California after Floyd's murder, including three that were toppled by protestors.

Some of the style elements of the Franklin monument mirror what had been part of Serra’s. The plaques for both memorials are triangular, and both statues stand over a depiction of the map of California.

Regarding California Native American Monument. The memorial is also known as the William Franklin Sr. Monument, named after a Miwok Indian community leader whose likeness is depicted in the statue of a Native American dancer. Franklin taught native dancing classes and played a role in the

William Franklin Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 7, 2025

3. William Franklin Statue

creation of California Native American Day in 1998. Franklin died in 2000.

James C. Ramos, the California assembly member whose bill led to the creation of the memorial, has lived his whole life on the San Manuel Indian Reservation in San Bernadino County.

Also see . . .
1. AP: California unveils Native American monument at Capitol, replacing missionary statue.

Excerpt: "It is one of several moves that California lawmakers have made in recent years to acknowledge the history of Native Americans in the state. In 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a formal apology for the state’s legacy of violence against Native Americans, saying it amounted to genocide. Newsom has also signed laws to promote the teaching of more Native American history in schools and to remove a derogatory slur from sites across the state."

(Submitted on February 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Spectrum News 1: Family of honored Miwok leader reflects on progress in California.

Excerpt: “Terisa Yonemura, William Franklin Sr.’s daughter, says her father was a well-known leader of the Miwok Indians. He taught native dance classes
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 7, 2025

4. California Native American Monument
during a time when it was controversial. He also helped build three roundhouses and played a role in implementing California Native American Day.

“'My dad taught us to be honorable and to be proud of Miwok and what you do,' Yonemura said.”

(Submitted on February 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

3. California Native American Monument. (Submitted on February 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 298 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.