City Of Pasadena Seeks Native American-Owned Businesses For Social Media Campaign

The City of Pasadena is launching a social media campaign to showcase Native American-owned and operated businesses throughout November, coinciding with Native American Heritage Month. The initiative seeks to increase visibility for Indigenous entrepreneurs while acknowledging the city’s location on land historically inhabited by the Tongva, Tataviam, Serrano, Kizh, and Chumash peoples.

Interested businesses can apply through the city’s designated portal at Bit.ly/SmallBizVidPasadena. Several qualification requirements apply: businesses must operate within Pasadena city limits, and chains and franchise businesses do not qualify. Applicants can only fill out the form for their own business. The City emphasizes that submissions do not guarantee a feature.

The campaign launches amid broader civic efforts to recognize Indigenous heritage in Pasadena. The City has adopted a formal Land Acknowledgment statement honoring the original tribal inhabitants.

The Pasadena Public Library is hosting numerous events throughout November, including:

Fry Bread: A Native American Storywalk and Scavenger Hunt

Monday-Thursday & Saturday, Nov. 2 – 30 • 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.

Jefferson Branch Library, 1500 East Villa Street.

Danza Mexikah Cultural Presentation by Kalpulli Temachtia Quetzalcoatl

Saturday, Nov. 9 • 3:00 p.m.

Hastings Branch Library, 3325 East Orange Grove Boulevard.

Stories to Share: Children’s Picture Books by Native Authors

Wednesday, Nov. 13 • 10:30 a.m.

Santa Catalina Branch Library, 999 East Washington Boulevard.

Native American Poetry with Pasadena Rose Poets

Monday, Nov. 18 • 5:00 p.m.

Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 South Altadena Drive.

Special craft activities include:

 Take & Make: Baked Pumpkin Treat (Starting Nov. 1)

Hastings Branch Library, 3325 East Orange Grove Boulevard.

Indigenous Lands Poster Design (Nov. 1-15)

Hastings Branch Library, 3325 East Orange Grove Boulevard.

Take & Make: Dream Catcher (Starting Nov. 12)

Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 South Hill Avenue.

The area’s Native American history runs deep, with the Hahamogna tribe having lived along the Arroyo Seco before Spanish colonization began with the establishment of the San Gabriel Mission in 1771.

While specific numbers of local Native American-owned businesses are not available, broader support for Indigenous enterprises exists through organizations like the California Tribal Fund, which has awarded over $3.7 million in grants to 150 Native-led California organizations.

The City’s Public Affairs and Economic Development Divisions will be featuring Native American-owned businesses throughout the month on social media. Follow @CityOfPasadena on Facebook and Instagram, and @PasadenaGov on Twitter (X).