Native American News

A FULL PARTNERSHIP WITH INDIAN COUNTRY

By Barack Obama

October 24, 2008 (Indian Country Today) Washington D.C. --
For 20 months now, I’ve traveled this country, often talking about how
the needs of the American people are going unmet by Washington. And the truth
is, few have been ignored by Washington for as long as American Indians. Too
often, Washington pays lip service to working with tribes while taking a one-size-fits-all
approach with tribal communities across the nation.

That will change if I
am honored to serve as president of the United States.

My
American Indian policy begins with creating a bond between an Obama administration
and the tribal nations all across this country. We need more than just a government-to-government
relationship; we need a nation-to-nation relationship, and I will make sure
that tribal nations have a voice in the White House…

TRIBAL EQUITY IN THE WIND

October 17, 2008 (Kumeyaay.com) -- Last week, The New York Times covered two
stories outlining the need of two American governments to acquire equity in
contemporary economic development enterprises: One was about the federal government’s
response to the need for equity in $700 billion national bank bailout and the
other was about a tribal government’s response to the lack of equity
in $58.6 million wind project on an Indian reservation.

Congress changed the
terms of the so-called “bailout bill” to include
provisions for the federal government (i.e., taxpayers) to obtain equity positions
in failing banks as investments rather than bailouts. The amended bill happened
to also extend federal incentives for just about everyone in the renewable
energy economy, except for Indian tribes. The federal wind production tax credit,
or PTC, incentive was extended for one year, but again, with no language to
provide for tribal equity in Indian reservation projects. That failure is a
primary basis for the difficulties in renewable energy development on impoverished
Indian reservations.

BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS RESPONDS TO SCHOOL BUDGET CUTS

Despite a Tumultuous Economy, Barona Awards Over $600,000 to
Schools
Oct 24, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) San Diego — After historically
high statewide budget cuts in education this year have left programs underfunded
and resources sparse, the Barona Band of Mission Indians continues to lessen
the blow with its innovative Barona Education Grant Program. Barona has awarded
a total of $610,000 to 122 schools statewide since the program’s 2006
inception.

NIGA ACKNOWLEDGES PASSAGE OF NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY BILL

Friday after Thanksgiving designated day of tribute

Oct 24, 2008 (Kumeyaay.com, reprinted from Indian Country Today) WASHINGTON
-- The National Indian Gaming Association acknowledges the passing into law
of House Joint Resolution 62, which designates the Friday after Thanksgiving
as Native American Heritage Day 2008.

The Native American Heritage Day 2008
Bill encourages the people of the United States, as well as federal, state
and local governments and interested groups and organizations, to observe Native
American Heritage Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.
The bill is supported by the National Indian Gaming Association, the National
Congress of American Indians and Indian tribes across the country. The resolution
was introduced by Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif., and Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii,
who helped move the resolution through the Senate.

TRIBES GEAR UP FOR CHILD WELFARE PROVISIONS

October 24, 2008 (Kumeyaay.com) WASHINGTON - With the Fostering Connections
to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act signed into law Oct. 7 by President
George W. Bush, tribes now have just under a year to prepare for provisions
of the legislation that will affect them.

The law, which made it through Congress
in mid-September, allows tribes or tribal consortiums to apply directly to
the federal government to operate the government’s largest source of
child welfare funding, known officially as Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption
Assistance.

It’s the first time tribes will have direct access to the
program since it was enacted in 1981.

VALLEY VIEW BEGINS NEW HOTEL

October 22, 2008 (Valley Roadrunner) Valley Center -- Valley View Casino held
a groundbreaking Monday for its Four Diamond all-suite casino—scheduled
to open in early 2010.  Designed exclusively for adults, the hotel will
feature lavish suites, expanded guest services and luxurious amenities.

NEARLY 1,200 ACRES OF FEDERAL LAND RETURNED TO PECHANGA TRIBE

Issa’s 4-year effort to transfer land culminates with
president’s
signature

October 16, 2008 (North County Times) Pechanga Indian
Reservation —-
After four years of trying to get federal land transferred to the Pechanga
tribe, U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa’s legislation to hand over 1,178 acres
was signed into law by President George Bush this week.

The Pechanga Band of
Luiseno Mission Indians Land Transfer Act will take land in Riverside and San
Diego counties out of the stewardship of the federal Bureau of Land Management
and put it into a land trust for the tribe.

JAMUL TRIBE SUES, CLAIMS CALTRANS IS MEDDLING

October 9, 2008 (San Diego Union-Tribune) Jamul - A tribe fighting to build
a casino on a tiny reservation next to a curvy state highway is taking its
battle to court.

The Jamul Indian Village sued the California Department of
Transportation last week over the state’s threat to block a driveway
to the reservation if the roadway is used as access to a gambling hall.

Barona, Sycuan, Viejas Award Funds to San Diego Fire-Rescue Department

These Three Tribes Have Contributed Over $17.5 Million To Special
Distribution Fund For San Diego Region Since 2003
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--Tribal
government representatives of the Barona Band of Mission Indians, the Sycuan
Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and representatives
from the Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee, have come together
to help the City of San Diego fight fires. As part of the Indian Gaming Special
Distribution Fund, the group has awarded the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department
(SDFD) $177,898 to help purchase a portable live fire training unit, which
was demonstrated at a ceremony attended by Fire Chief Tracy Jarman and representatives
from the three tribes on Thursday, July 31.

Native Americans: Court Rejects Claims for Justice

In early
August, a
federal judge ruled that the federal government only has to pay $455 million
to the 500,000 American Indian plaintiffs who had sued the federal government
for mismanaging the collection of oil and gas royalties for over a century.
The court agreed with the Native Americans that the government has completely
mismanaged the collection of land-use royalties, but it did not agree with
the plaintiffs’ estimate that the government owed them $47 billion.

House Needs to Act on Indian Health Care

The House could vote soon on the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (H.R.
1328). The bill, which governs the health care provided to 1.8 million
Native Americans, has not been reauthorized since 1992.

The Senate
voted on February 26 to approve the legislation. The House
should act now to give American Indians and Alaska Natives access
to services long available in the rest of the country. The programs include
mental health services, long-term care, and hospice.

Find
out more about efforts to improve health care for Native Americans.

California Casino (Sycuan) Still Searching For Elusive Alcohol License

Sycuan Casino is the only tribal casino in the country that does not
have a liquor license. They hope that is about to change.

County OKs $38 million agreement with Pauma (Includes $25 million
to widen Highway 76)

Annual payments would pay for law enforcement, problem gambling treatment

The county Board of Supervisors on Wednesday approved an agreement with
the Pauma Band of Mission Indians worth $38 million in road improvements.

The
North County tribe is scheduled to build a $300 million high-rise hotel and
casino to replace its small operation about 20 miles north of Escondido. As
part of its agreement with the state, the tribe is required to pay for off-reservation
impacts of the casino before construction can begin.

Pauma Tribe Pays County For Road Upgrades, Buys Firetruck for Cal Fire

PAUMA INDIAN RESERVATION -- The Pauma Indian band has reached
a tentative agreement with county officials to pay $38 million for road improvements
and take other steps to mitigate the impact of a luxury resort and casino it
is building…The tribe will provide its own fire protection by forming
its own fire department with two new fire engines, and it will buy a new fire
truck to give Cal Fire, the newspaper reported.

Pala Celebrates New Fire Station

PALA — On Saturday, July 26, the Pala Band of Mission Indians held a
grand opening ceremony for the new $9 million, 45,000-square-foot Pala Fire
Station.

The state-of-the-art facility will house personnel and equipment,
function as an emergency operations center and provide a training center for
regional firefighters.

Grand Opening of Behavioral Services Wing at Campo Southern Indian
Health

The Southern Indian Health Council Inc. is celebrating the grand opening of
its Kumeyaay Family Services Wing.

Rincon opens courthouse that will serve several tribes

The Intertribal Court of Southern California was unveiled Friday afternoon
on the Rincon Reservation.

BIA Threatens to close Valley View Casino

The tribal rift that started with an attempt by one tribal member to suspend
about 50 members of the 300 member San Pasqual tribe threatens to close Valley
View Casino, probably Valley Center’s largest employer.

TRIBE HIT BY DISASTERS SEES NEW HOMES

Valley Roadrunner (August 20, 2008) VALLEY CENTER -- Last October, during
the Poomacha wildfire, most of the La Jolla Indian Reservation burned, and
13 homes managed by the All Mission Indian Housing Authority (AMIHA) were lost.

A
14th home was lost during the mudslides that came several weeks later.

Last
Friday afternoon AMIHA hosted an “Open House” at the La Jolla
Tribal Hall. All of the nearby tribal councils and their own housing authorities
were invited to the event.

They were there to celebrate the rebuilding of the
homes on the reservation, which will be completed by the end of August—which
is a record.

More local and national Native American news: www.indianvoices.org or
www.kumeyaay.com.