California awards $15 million to support tribal economic development and resilience

California has awarded $15 million in grants to 14 Native American tribes, tribal coalitions and tribally led organizations to support job training, environmental protection and economic development projects, according to a June 25 announcement from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Jobs First Council.

The grants include $1.9 million to the Owens Valley Career Development Center for clean economy career pathways and $1.6 million to the Tule River Economic Development Corporation for workforce training. Other awards will support a bioenergy facility, aquaculture center, community centers and land restoration. “Our tribal partners are uniquely positioned to grow their local communities and economies utilizing cultural values and principles of self-determination,” said Tribal Affairs Secretary Christina Snider-Ashtari.