Source:  Cuyamaca College

Photo:  A participant in the 2018 Cuyamaca powwow

January 16, 2019 (El Cajon) - Native American tribes from throughout the West will be well represented at Cuyamaca College’s 5th Annual Powwow on Feb. 2 – a free, public event celebrating American Indian culture complete with bird singing, gourd dancing, storytelling, and more.

Source: Pala Band of Mission Indians

December 3, 2018 (Pala) -- The Pala Band of Mission Indians has filed suit in federal court against an array of pharmaceutical companies and drug distributors seeking to hold the companies accountable for the devastating effects prescription opioids have had on the tribe.

By Miriam Raftery

November 1, 2018 (Alpine) — A grand reopening of  Viejas Casino & Resort in October celebration completion of a seven-year expansion project. The property now includes three hotel towers, a gleaming new center bar and high limit gaming area.

Popular destination unveils renovation results; launches new center bar and high limit gaming area

East County News Service

October 10, 2018 (Alpine) -- Viejas Casino & Resort has announced the completion of its seven-year renovation and expansion. Since initiating the project in 2011, the popular destination has constructed three hotel towers, redesigned the entire property, and launched a new and extensive center bar and high limit gaming area. The project completion follows closely behind the opening of Viejas Casino & Resort’s recently developed adult-only destination, Willows Hotel & Spa.

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (Alpine) – Viejas Outlets Center in Alpine will transform its roller rink into the largest outdoor ice-skating rink in Southern California once again. The winter wonderland with glow of holiday lights will open for the season on November 2^nd.

“Myself, I’m one of the generations.  My mother is one of the generations, wandering out there in alcoholism, and death, and murder and domestic violence, and thinking there’s no way out…like I tell my grandchildren, ‘You don’t have to walk the road of alchcolism and addiction. I walked that road. I took all those beatings for you guys. You don’t have to walk that road.’” -Verna Bartlett, Ph.D. Native American Elder and sexual abuse survivor.

September 17, 2018 (Alpine) -- For American Indian people interested in healing addictions, social and family relations, as well as other physical and emotional illness that infect native communities, and are resistant to Western healing programs, a conference entitled, “Calling upon the Warrior Spirit, inspired by our Creator, to Heal Historical Trauma among Native America through Indigenous Wisdom,” will offer presentations and ceremonies from the indigenous perspective.

“The Creamery” features ultra creamy, extra rich homemade ice cream

East County News Service

September 8, 2018 (Lakeside) – Barona Resort & Casino recently unveiled The Creamery, a 1932-era ice cream shop serving super-premium, incredibly delicious house-made ice cream. It is the latest eatery to be unveiled as part of Barona’s Welcome Home expansion.

East County News Service

August 6, 2018 (Alpine) – The Alpine Historical Society and Alpine Woman’s Club invite you to a potluck luncheon on Sunday, August 19 at 2156 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine. The lunch and general meeting starts at 1 p.m. with program at 2 p.m. featuring anthropologist/author Michael Wilken-Robertson, who will speak on the interdependence between native peoples and native plants in Southern California and Baja.

See attached flyer for information on reservations and details.

East County News Service

August 1, 2018 (Jamul) - The Jamul Indian Village broke ground Tuesday on road improvements at the intersection of Lyons Valley Road and Campo Road.  The Tribe marked the occasion with a groundbreaking ceremony that included Jamul Tribal Council members. The improvements are part of the Jamul Indian Village’s $3.7 million commitment to the County of San Diego for improvements to county roadways.

Backcountry hidden pleasures:   Our guide to unique lodging adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Miriam Raftery

May 27, 2018 (Lakeside) – The Barona Resort & Casino offers luxury and comfort, with plenty of amenities onsite at the Barona Native American reservation, as well as a wealth of activities nearby including spectacular county parks, lakes and reservoirs all in Lakeside, the Lakeside rodeo in season, and nearby attractions including wine tasting in the Ramona wine region.

Lawsuit alleges tribal development corporation breached contract in cannabis operation

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

May 16, 2018 (Santa Ysabel) – The Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel has had a troubled history achieving its goal of gaining financial stability and independence for its 300-member tribe near Julian, some 40 miles east of Escondido.  Now, the Santa Ysabel Tribal Development Corporation is in hot water.

East County News Service

April 14, 2018 (Pala) - Leaders of Native American tribal governments convened at the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association last Friday at the Pala Casino, Spa and Resort, where they were joined by representatives from the San Diego Association of Governments, or SANDAG.

East County News Service

March 26, 2018 (Alpine) -- Viejas Casino and Resort in partnership with Goldenvoice today unveiled its 2018  Viejas Concerts in the Park lineup. This summer’s performers will include Wynonna Judd, Loverboy, Three Dog Night, Little River Band, Los Tigres Del Norte, Jeff Foxworthy, Eddie Money, Jeff Dunham, Peter Cetera, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, and King of the Cage, with more performers to be announced soon.

Penn Gaming parts ways with tribe; SEC filing cites concerns over unpaid loans

By Miriam Raftery

March 1, 2018 (Jamul) – In a press release issued tonight, the Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation, a wholly owned entity of Jamul Indian Village, announced termination of Penn Gaming and a transition to a new management team at the Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego, which will be rebranded as Jamul Casino.

The JIVDC press release describes the transition as a “natural next step toward economic self-sufficiency for JIV.”  Penn Gaming’s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 018 does affirm that the decision for Penn’s local entity, San Diego Gaming  Ventures LLC, to cease management of the casino effective May 28, 2018 is a “mutually agreed” upon decision. 

But the filing also indicates serious financial difficulties, including outstanding loans that Penn suggests it may be unable to collect.  The filing states:

Backcountry hidden pleasures:   Our guide to unique lodging adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 9, 2018 (Alpine) – At the grand opening last week of The Willows Hotel & Spa, an adults-only luxury high-rise  at the Viejas Casino & Resort in Alpine, located in San DIego's inland region, tribal chairman Robert Welch reflected told the crowd to "put on your sunglasses, because the future of Viejas has never looked brighter!”

The entire facility is reserved for adults only (families may stay at the original Viejas Hotel nearby). Each suite is sumptuously appointed and attention to architectural and design details are evident in craftsmanship throughout.

The Willows features a tower with 159 suites, a saltwater swimming pool, spa and salon facilities, restaurants, fitness center, and business center.