California’s War of Extermination Against American Indians: Legislation & Litigation

Presented on December 1, 2022

at the San Francisco Historical Society and via livestream

Our distinguished panel addressed California’s history with respect to the local Native American population from the mid-1850s through the present day.  Led by Joe Cotchett, with introductions by Michael Abraham, Thomas Fuller, and Rose Carmen Goldberg.

In conversation with:

  • Benjamin Madley, Professor of History, UCLA & Author of “An American Genocide”
  • Hon. Abby Abinanti, Chief Judge, Yurok Tribal Court, California’s first Native American female lawyer
  • George Forman, Forman Shapiro & Rosenfeld LLP, 2019 California Indian Law Association Outstanding Achievement Law honoree
  • Sharaya Souza, Executive Director & Co-Founder of the American Indian Cultural District
  • Paloma Flores, Director of Community Development & Partnerships at the American Indian Cultural District
  • Merri Lopez-Keifer, Director, Office of Native American Affairs, CA Department of Justice

Land Acknowledgement and opening statements by Gregg Castro, T’rowt’raahl Salinan/Rumsien, Ramaytush Ohlone Association of Ramaytush Ohlone Cultural Director.

Click here to view the program materials.

Co-presented by the San Francisco Historical Society and the Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society; CLE credit provided by Bartko Zankel Bunzel & Miller.

 

Moderator

  • Joe Cotchett
    Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP

Panelists

  • Benjamin Madley
    Professor of History, UCLA
  • Hon. Abby Abinanti
    Chief Judge, Yurok Tribal Court
  • George Forman
    Forman Shapiro & Rosenfeld LLP
  • Sharaya Souza
    Executive Director & Co-Founder of the American Indian Cultural District
  • Paloma Flores
    Director of Community Development & Partnerships at the American Indian Cultural District
  • Merri Lopez-Keifer
    Director, Office of Native American Affairs, CA Department of Justice