Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa officially proclaimed November as American Indian Heritage Month in Los Angeles during a festive outdoor ceremony at City Hall Oct. 27.

"Today we recognize the history, culture and achievements of the American Indian community in this great city," said the mayor before a cheering crowd of a couple hundred people representing numerous Indian nations.

Before the City of Los Angeles was founded by settlers 225 years ago, "we had the Tongva in the L.A. Basin, the Tataviam in the North San Fernando Valley, the Chumash in the coastal areas around the Santa Monica mountains," said Villaraigosa. "These were the first people of Los Angeles and today we acknowledge them.

"Everywhere we go throughout the city and the county our Indian roots still stand," he continued. "But let us not relegate our American Indian history and traditions to the past, because it's part of our present and our future."

Los Angeles is home to the largest urban American Indian population in the country with some 200 Indian nations represented. According to the most recent census, said the mayor, more than 220,000 people living in Los Angeles claim American Indian ancestry.

The city's first environmentalists were American Indians, the mayor said to enthusiastic applause. "It was Indians who respected our mother earth by protecting our land, preserving open space and waterways, issues our city is currently grappling with and making every effort to reclaim," he said.

In addition to numerous speakers recognizing the contributions of American Indians, the ceremony included prayers to the ancestors, drumming and dancing in the traditional dress of diverse tribes.

Rudy Ortega, Sr., Tribal Chair of the Fernandeņo/Tataviam Tribe, told The Tidings he was pleased with the city's proclamation of November as American Indian Heritage Month. "We waited a long time for this and we got it with the mayor's support," said Ortega.

Rudy Ortega, Jr., Tribal Administrator, said that Villaraigosa was building on the work of Mayor Tom Bradley who formed the city's Indian Commission 30 years ago, and President Clinton, who pronounced November as American Indian Heritage month nationally.

Anthony Morales, Tribal Chair of the Gabrieleno/Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, told The Tidings he appreciated recognition of American Indians' past, present and future.

"It's an honor that Mayor Villaraigosa is finally taking note that we are still here, that we're not extinct, and we are going to be here forever," said Morales. The historic day "is in the memory of our ancestors for everything that they've done, for all their struggles. Hopefully our young children will go beyond what our ancestors did."