Tribal Beat

Exploring the lives of East County's Tribal Community

ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: TRIBAL NATIONS AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING

DA has found no cases on San Diego County tribal lands, but nationally, an estimated 40% of women sex trafficking victims are Native Americans.

By David R. Shorey, East County Program Director, Institute for Public Strategies

March 17, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery that continues to plague communities worldwide. Tribal Nations are not immune. In the shadows of our society, traffickers exploit vulnerabilities. Among the most vulnerable are those grappling with substance use disorders. The correlation between addiction and trafficking is not merely coincidental but deeply intertwined, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation and suffering.


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CHAIR OF PECHANGA BAND SEES GROWING POLITICAL ROLE FOR NATIVE TRIBES IN WASHINGTON ADDRESS

By Ian McKinney, Cronkite News Service

Photo: Pechanga Tribal Chair Mark Macarro speaks in Washington on Monday. Photo by Ian McKinney/Cronkite News

February 14, 2024 (Washington, D.C.) -- Tribal nations are seeing themselves represented more than ever before in the government, but they still need to make their voices heard more loudly at the ballot box, the president of the National Congress of American Indians said Monday.


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GRANTS ANNOUNCED TO HELP LOCAL TRIBES BUILD STRONGER FOOD SYSTEMS

East County News Service

Photo: Indigenous Regeneration

San Diego Women’s Foundation, San Diego Foundation & Avila Fund Award $60,000 in Grants to Help Local Tribes Build Stronger Food Systems

February 8, 2024 (San Diego) – San Diego Foundation (SDF), the San Diego Women’s Foundation and the Avila Fund announced today four $15,000 grants, totaling $60,000, to organizations supporting local tribal communities in building healthy, sustainable and culturally relevant food systems.

“San Diego County has the largest number of tribal governments and reservations in the United States with 18 tribal reservations and four tribal nations - the Kumeyaay, Luiseño, Cupeño and Cahuilla - represented across the region,” said Pamela Gray Payton, VP, Chief Impact and Partnerships Officer of SDF. “These grants represent a collaborative investment in fighting food insecurity, poverty and diet-related diseases in our local tribal communities.”


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JAMUL CASINO CELEBRATED LUNAR NEW YEAR WITH TRADITIONAL DANCE AND EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY TO HONOR YEAR OF THE DRAGON

Jamul Casino gifts new dragon to Southern Sea Dragon and Lion Dance

 Source:  Jamul Casino

February 7, 2024 (Jamul) -- On Saturday, Feb. 3, Jamul Casino celebrated Lunar New Year with a traditional dance and procession through the casino floor, along with a special gift to further honor the tradition of lion and dragon dancing. President and General Manager Mary Cheeks kicked off the evening’s festivities by presenting a new dragon costume to Southern Sea Dragon and Lion Dance, one of San Diego’s most reputable Southern lion dancing groups, at JIVe Lounge. 


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CA TRIBES PRESS TO PROTECT MORE LAND AT WHITE HOUSE TRIBAL NATIONS SUMMIT

Suzanne Potter, California News Service

Photo courtesy of CNS

January 23, 2024 (Washington D.C.)--California tribes headed to the White House Tribal Nations Summit in December, where they asked Congress and the Biden administration to create or expand several national monuments.

The Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla tribe in the Coachella Valley would like the president to establish a new Chuckwalla National Monument and expand Joshua Tree National Park.


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A CAPPELLA GROUP BRINGS “SLEIGHIN’ IT TOUR” TO SYCUAN DEC. 28

East County News Service

December 4, 2023 (El Cajon) – The a cappella group Straight No Chaser, whose fall tour has become a holiday tradition for families around the country, will be performing Dec. 28 at  Sycuan Casino and Resort in El Cajon  The renown singers also just released  “Stocking Stuffer,” an EP with their newest holiday repertoire here, and will also be available for purchase at the concert. 


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SYCUAN TEAMS UP WITH PADRES AND NATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, DONATES 1,000 FREE TURKEYS TO FAMILIES

Source: Sycuan  Band of the Kumeyaay Nation

Photo, left to right:  Tribal Council Member Willie Tucker, Jr., Tribal Treasurer Briana Scharnow, Tribal Chairman Cody J. Martinez, Tribal Council Member Nathan LaBrake, Tribal Council Member Jamie LaBrake, Padres Friar

November 16, 2023 (National City) Today, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation in partnership with the San Diego Padres and the National School District donated 1,000 free turkeys to families living in National City. The donation comes in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday as a way to give back to the community.

“With the cost of groceries, fuel, housing and many basic necessities on the rise, it’s been a really tough year for many people,” said Cody Martinez, Chairman, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. “Through the Kumeyaay spirit of giving, we wanted to figure out a way to directly support the hardworking families in our community. We hope this donation provides a little bit of relief and spreads holiday cheer to those that need it most.”


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VIEJAS ICE RINK IN ALPINE OPEN THROUGH JAN. 7

East Count News Service

November 16, 2023 (Alpine) -- The largest outdoor ice rink in southern California will be open at the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine from November 23rd through January 7th from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Skate rentals are available.

You can also enjoy holiday shopping at the outlet center’s many shops. 


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SAN DIEGANS COMMEMORATE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Screenshot of Indigenous People’s Day video posted by San Diego Miramar College on Facebook.

October 10, 2023 (San Diego) -- Indigenous People’s cultural awareness day was celebrated in different ways in San Diego County in 2023. Here are some of the events and activities that took place:

At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians hosted an all-day event that included tellings of the tribe’s cultural stories and exhibitions of the tribe’s art and craftsmanship. There were also traditional foods available throughout the park. There was an opening blessing ceremony at 10 a.m., a closing prayer at 4 p.m., and live music performed by members of the San Pasqual band.

At San Diego Miramar College, there was an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration with free frybread tacos and a musical performance by the Soaring Eagles of Southern California.


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SDSU PARTNERS WITH TRIBAL COMMUNITIES TO TACKLE WILDFIRES AND PRESERVE INDIGENOUS LAND

By Susanne Clara Bard

 

September 12, 2023 (San Diego) -- A striking black and yellow beetle called the goldspotted oak borer has been decimating oak trees in Southern California for more than 20 years, including on the ancestral lands of the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians on Palomar Mountain. The insects’ larvae burrow into bark, increasing drought stress on the trees. 


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SYCUAN HOSTS POWWOW SEPTEMBER 8-10

East County News Service

 

August 9, 2023 (Sycuan) – The 2023 Sycuan Powwow will be held September 8-10 at the Sycuan Resort, 5577 Dehesa Road in El  Cajon.

The annual celebration will feature tribal dancing contests each day as well as bird singing competitions on Sept. 9. Other activities include peon games at dusk, traditional Native American arts and crafts vendors, and refreshments.


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51ST BARONA POWWOW SEPT. 1-3 HONORS NATIVE AMERICAN TRADITIONS

East County News Service

 

August 9, 2023 (Barona) – For more than half a century, the Barona Band of Mission Indians has been hosting its powwow, a traditional gathering attracting Native American tribal members from across  North America.

The 51st annual Barona Powwow features competitions in tribal dancing and drumming. It will be held on the Barona  Reservation at the Barona Sports Complex, located at 1095 Barona Road in Lakeside.


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JAMUL CASINO BRINGS HOME RECORD NINE 'SAN DIEGO'S BEST' AWARDS IN SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE READERS POLL

San Diegans recognize Jamul Casino for its dining, panoramic views and service

East County News Service

Photo:  Tony Gwynn’s Sports Pub at Jamul Casino, named “Best Sports Bar” for the sixth consecutive year in the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Readers Poll

August 3, 2023 (Jamul) - On Sunday, July 30, the San Diego Union-Tribune announced the winners of its 27th annual “San Diego’s Best” Readers Poll, with Jamul Casino bringing home a personal best of nine (9) awards.  The Union-Tribune Readers Poll reflects the voting audience’s top selections for more than 200 products and services in San Diego—everything from restaurants to entertainment, retail, real estate, legal services, and more.  The winners earn the right to be called “San Diego’s Best.” 


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CRYSTAL GAYLE IN CONCERT AT SYCUAN SEPT. 9

East County News Service

August 1, 2023 (San Diego) - Country music legend Crystal Gayle will perform at Sycuan’s Live and Up Close Theatre on Saturday, September 9 at 8 p.m.

Shel was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2017 by her sister, Loretta Lynn. Her signature songs include Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue, You’ve Been Talking in Your Sleep, When I Dream, Half the Way and her duet with Eddie Rabbitt, Just You and I.


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PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ENTERS FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT WITH STATE OF CALIFORNIA

The historic partnership will amplify the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System

 

Souce: Pala Band of Mission Indians

 

July 23, 2023 (Pala) -- On July 20, the Pala Band of Mission Indians and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) entered into a historic agreement for the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System. Pala is the first Tribal government to contract with CalOES and to be formally recognized as a partner in the State’s overall emergency response infrastructure.


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SENATE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES LAND TRANSFER ACT FOR PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS

Source: Pala Band of Mission Indians

July 22, 2023 (Pala) -- The United States Senate this week passed H.R. 423, the Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2023, by unanimous consent.  H.R. 423, introduced by U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), places approximately 721 acres of sacred land the Pala Band of Mission Indians currently owns into trust.  

“On behalf of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, we thank Congressman Issa, Senator Padilla, Senator Feinstein and their colleagues for supporting this very important piece of legislation,” said Chairman Robert Smith of the Pala Band of Mission Indians. “With the passage of this legislation, our ancestral grounds, which are central to our spiritual and cultural traditions, will be forever protected as part of the Pala Reservation.”


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CROSS COUNTRY TRIBAL RUNNERS REACH PACIFIC OCEAN, HOLD BLESSING FOR ALL WATER

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Francie Alexander

 

June 21, 2023  (San Diego) –Native American tribal members completed a cross-country  Run with the Sun, culminating in a Prayer for All Water on June 14, 2023.

The Water Prayer Blessing included the arrival of runners and walkers at the Pacific Beach Pier, the laying down of the staffs used on the run/walk, and waters carried from across the U.S. to be blessed.

After the blessing, everyone was given the opportunity to pour some of the water into the ocean off of the pier.

The run began in Maine in July 12 last year, with runners collecting water vials from tribal members nationwide. The effort was led and inspired by Robert “Bobby” Wallace of Lakeside and supported by the Barona, Viejas and Sycuan tribes to draw attention to the need to protect our water resources.


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WILDCAT FIRE BURNS A DOZEN ACRES IN RAMONA AT SITE OF RECENT TRAINING EXERCISE

Story and photos by Josh Stotler

Photo, left:SDG&E Helitanker 729 makes a water drop on the Wildcat fire as crews cut brush below.

Photo, right:Flames overtake vegetation and paintball barricades on the Barona reservation.

June 20, 2023 (Ramona) -- On a day that saw four vegetation fires in San Diego County, residents can rest assured that firefighters are ready and able to aggressively attack wildfires. 

At 4:06 p.m., calls came in to 911 dispatch reporting smoke in the area off Wildcat Canyon Road on the Barona reservation. Crews, most of which were coming off other fires, were sent to the area and confirmed a fire was making its way through the brush of a paintball park.

Crews set up quickly and were familiar with this exact area. Only two short months ago, this place was filled with firetrucks, hand crews and firefighting aircraft, not for a fire, but for the 2023 Multi-Agency Wildland  Preparedness Exercise—a three day real world simulation that played out nearly exact to the scenario fire crews faced today.


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FIREFIGHTERS HALT BLACKWOOD FIRE AT 37 ACRES, SAVE HOMES ON RESERVATIONS

Story and Photos By Josh Stotler

June 20, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) --  Federal, state, and tribal fire departments battled the #Blackwood Fire this afternoon, which threatened homes before crews halted the blaze at 37 acres.

The fire broke out around noon on the Campo Reservation just off interstate 8 on Black Wood Rd and Old Mine Rd.  Initial responders confirmed a vegetation fire and immediately upgraded the incident, calling for more ground units as well as air support.


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SUPREME COURT PROTECTS ADOPTION LAWS AIMED AT KEEPING NATIVE AMERICAN CHILDREN WITH THEIR TRIBES

 By Miriam Raftery

June 15, 2023 (Washington D.C.) – By a 7-2 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court voted this morning to uphold the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) provisions which require that Native Americans be given preference to foster or adopt Native  American children. 

The law was enacted to keep children in their Tribal community and protect tribal sovereignty, in response to many decades of Indian children being taken away from their families by both state and federal authorities and given to white families to adopt, or winding up in the foster care system, losing cultural identity. The law gives priority to adoption by others in the Tribal community, if parents cannot care for their own children.

“By ruling on the side of children’s health and safety, the U.S. Constitution, and centuries of precedent, the justices have landed on the right side of the law,” reads a statement issued by  leaders of four tribes involved in the case – the Cherokee Nation, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians in Southern California, the Oneida Nation, and the Quinault Indian Nation.  “With these latest political attacks on  ICWA now behind us, we hope we can move forward  on focusing on what is best for our children.”


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TRIBAL MEMBERS TO COMPLETE CROSS-COUNTRY RUN WITH THE SUN, PRAYER FOR ALL WATER: CONCERT AND CELEBRATION JUNE 16-17 AT SYCUAN

Update: Due to construction on the "barrier- the WALL"  organizers had to make adjustments and have the water merge at Imperial Beach by the pier on June 14. The driving access to the park will be gated. The water that was collected will still be taken/ran to the corner of Mexico and California. This was changed because this event is for everyone and easier for brothers and sisters with disabilities, according to a post on Bobby Wallace's Facebook page. 

By Miriam  Raftery

Photo, left:  Barona tribal members with Passamaquoddy tribal members in Maine

Photo,right: via "Run with the Sun" page of indigenousnetwork.org; Bobby Wallace (right) with run participants

June 1, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) --  Local Native Americans are about to complete the longest  indigenous prayer run in U.S. history. “Run with the Sun” is the brainchild of Lakeside resident Bobby Wallace, a member of the Barona Band of Mission Indians,  in hopes of protecting waters across America.

“It’s been awesome making changes in people’s minds about water everywhere,” Wallace told ECM in an interview today.  “We started running, traveling with the water over every footstep of this continent, over every major waterway, with a prayer for all water.”

The effort is supported by the Barona, Sycuan and Viejas tribes in San Diego’s East County, as well as participants from other tribes across the U.S.


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CONSTRUCTION COMMENCES AT JAMUL HOTEL

East County News Service

May 25, 2023 (Jamul)  -- Construction has begun on a boutique luxury hotel, the Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation (JIVDC), a subsidiary of the Jamul Indian Village (JIV) Tribe, announced on  May 23. 


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WHO KILLED CLAUDETTE POWERS? GENETIC GENEOLOGY IDENTIFIES MURDER VICTIM FOUND IN WARNER SPRINGS CAMPGROUND 37 YEARS AGO

Male body found at same campground remains unidentified, may be related

East County News Service

May 23, 2023 (Warner Springs) — A body found near campsites on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation in Warner Springs on Feb. 16, 1986 has been identified through genetic genealogy as Claudette Jean Zebolsky Powers.


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ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: CULTURE IS KEY WHEN ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES

By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies

May 18, 2023 (San Diego) -- Earlier this month, I had the honor of attending the 2023 National Tribal Health Conference in Anchorage, Alaska. The theme of the weeklong event was “Culture Heals, Culture Knows, Culture Leads” and highlighted the importance of grounding substance use prevention and treatment in American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) culture.


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CALIFORNIA TRIBAL BUSINESS ALLIANCE ADVOCATES FOR MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

East County News Service

May 10, 2023 (Sacramento) - The California Tribal Business Alliance (CTBA) joined other tribal leaders at the California State Assembly to support the first annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Week from May 1 to May 5.


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GRANTS EXPAND SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES

Applications accepted May 1 through May 31

East County News Service

April 19, 2023 (San Diego) -- The Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund: Tribal Facility and Residential Grant Program catalyzes the growth of solar energy and expands solar job opportunities in tribal communities across the United States. TSAF's Tribal Facility and Residential Grant Program provides grants of up to $200,000 for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems.


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JAMUL INDIAN VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT CORP. COMPLETES $515 MILLION DEAL TO FUND HOTEL CONSTRUCTION AND REFINANCE EXISTING DEBT

East County News Service

April 14, 2023 (Jamul) -- The Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation (JIVDC), owner and operator of Jamul Casino® and a wholly-owned enterprise of the Jamul Indian Village of California,announce that on March 29, they closed on $515 million of Senior Secured Credit Facilities with a syndicate of commercial banks led by KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc.  The other lenders included Western Alliance Bank, Nevada State Bank, U.S. Bank, PNC Bank, CIT Bank, and Columbia State Bank. 

Proceeds from the Credit Facilities will be used to refinance existing debt, fund hotel construction, and pay transaction-related fees and expenses.


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SDG&E SEEKING $100M IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO ADVANCE WILDFIRE SAFETY EFFORTS ON OR NEAR TRIBAL LANDS

Federal Funds Would Support the Strategic Undergrounding and Overhead Hardening of Power Lines around Tribal Lands
 
April 13, 2023 (San Diego) – As part of its commitment to reduce the impact of infrastructure costs on electric rates, this month, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) submitted an application to the United States Department of Energy (DOE) seeking up to $100 million in federal funds through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Grant program, which is part of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). If awarded, the grant would help offset the costs of wildfire hardening efforts on and around federally recognized Tribal Nations’ land within SDG&E’s service territory. Pending final approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the federal funds would be matched with an additional $100 million from SDG&E.
 
“Our region has the most federally recognized Tribes of any county in the nation, and all are located in areas facing the highest risk for wildfire. These funds would help us continue to work with Tribes to provide safe and resilient energy in the face of a changing climate,” said Caroline Winn, CEO of SDG&E. “If approved, this grant would not only help advance wildfire safety initiatives planned on Tribal lands which have experienced wildfires and Public Safety Power Shutoffs in the past, but also plays a key role in in our strategy to reduce energy costs for customers.”

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JAMUL-DULZURA PLANNERS ASK COUNTY STAFF TO TAKE ACTION TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OVER CASINO HOTEL PROJECT

By Miriam Raftery

April 7, 2023 (Jamul) – By a unanimous vote, the Jamul-Dulzura Community Planning Group on March 28 approved a letter sent to Mark Slovick, deputy director of San Diego County’s Planning & Development Services.  The letter asks County staff to take action on several concerns to mitigate impacts of  Jamul Casino’s plans to build a hotel and event center.

The planners voice concerns that the tribe’s plans do not adequately address potential traffic, fire safety, environmental and noise concerns.

The recommendations include:


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PASSAGES: FORMER BARONA TRIBAL CHAIR JOSEPHINE BEATRICE ROMERO

By Miriam Raftery

April 2, 2023 (Lakeside) – Born in an era when Native American children were sent off to Indian schools and career opportunities were limited due to prejudice, Josephine "Sister" Beatrice Romero overcame those obstacles to become a Tribal Chair and leader who helped usher in Indian gaming in California and establish a museum to teach tribal history and cultural heritage to future generations.

 On March 26, 2023, she passed away at age 94, but her enduring legacy lives on.


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