Deal gives players more ways to win in MEGA Millions plus Viejas to have 22,000 winners in February Lottery promotions; winnings help benefit public schools

 By Miriam Raftery

California Welcome Center at Viejas Outlets to accept donated electronics to help families in need

December 28, 2010 (Blythe, CA)-- La Cuna de Aztlan Sacred Sites Protection Circle, a Native American cultural protection group, filed a lawsuit yesterday in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, challenging the Bureau of Land Management permitting processes regarding six large solar facilities planned for the Mohave, Sonoran and Colorado deserts of Southern California (Case No.10CV2664 WQH WVG), including an Imperial Valley Solar project slated to hook up to SDG&E’s Sunrise Powerlink.

Local representatives split on votes
 

By Miriam Raftery
 

December 4, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)—By a 256-152 vote, the House of Representatives has approved the Claims Settlement Act of 2010, which will provide $3.4 billion to settle a lawsuit which alleged federal mismanagement and loss of billions of dollars in trust funds for Indian tribes and individual Native Americans. Arizona Senator John McCain, former chair of the Senate committee on Indian Affairs, has called the government’s mismanagement “theft from Indian people” and declared that Native Americans are “rightfully owed the money.”

Although the measure had bipartisan support, among San Diego’s Congressional representatives, Republicans Duncan Hunter and Brian Bilbray voted against the settlement. Democrats Susan Davis and Bob Filner voted for it, while Republican Darrell Issa did not vote. 

November 17, 2010 (Alpine) – The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and Padre Dam Municipal Water District today announced an agreement to conduct further tribal cultural resource investigations at a proposed development site which has been declared a sanctified Native American burial ground and ceremonial site.

Sandoval helped lead tribe from poverty to prosperity

“Our people need to understand the importance of honoring our ancestors and our traditions and to never forget the hardship and depravation our people went through to get where we are today.” –Anna Prieto Sandoval
 

By Miriam Raftery
 

November 7, 2010 (El Cajon)—Anna Prieto Sandoval, 76, former chairman of the Sycuan band of the Kumeyaay Nation, died October 28 at her home on the Sycuan reservation from complications of diabetes. She served as Sycuan’s elected chairman from 1972 to 1990 and was a leading voice in bringing Indian gaming to the reservation, helping to create one of the most successful Indian gaming establishments in the nation. Also a historian who advocated for preservation of native traditions, she was inducted into the San Diego Women’s Hall of Fame in March 2010.
 

Top Awards Include Best Overall Casino, Luckiest, Best Blackjack

September 29, 2010 (Sacramento) – Four San Diego County tribal leaders were presented honors by the California Justice Department’s Office of Native Affairs in Sacramento last week during the 43rd Annual Native American Day.

Local honorees were the Honorable Anthony Brandenburg, Chief Judge of the Intertribal Court of Southern California; Bo Mazzetti, Chairman of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians; Daniel Tucker, Chairman of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation; and Bill Denke, Chief of Police, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.

By Miriam Raftery
 

September 12, 2010 (Sycuan) – Tina Santiago, a member of the Conshatta tribe from Louisiana, weaves a basket of willow reeds while onlookers browse her wares at the Sycuan Pow-Wow in El Cajon. “It takes about 25 hours to make this basket,” she said of a finely-crafted, finished basket priced at $250.

By Miriam Raftery

September 5, 2010 (Lakeside) –At Barona’s 40th annual powwow, Barona tribal member and community leader Bonnie La Chappa grilled tortillas at her family’s campsite in preparation for a family feast.
 

Club Barona members can save 50 percent on entrees at Casino restaurants throughout September

By Miriam Raftery

Bill enables tribal police to enforce federal laws, protects Native American rape victims

4 San Diego legislators support law; Rep. Hunter votes “no”
 

By Miriam Raftery
July 30, 2010 (Washington D.C.) - “If the Tribal Law and Order Act had existed 16 years ago, my story would be very different,” Lisa Marie Lyotte said, choking back tears in a White House press conference today. In 1994, Lyotte was raped and beaten on the Sioux Indian reservation where she lived; her children witnessed the attack.  Tribal police had a suspect, but federal authorities refused to prosecute.

Native American women suffer violent crime at a rate more than triple the national average; one in three Indian women is raped during her lifetime, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Calling the situation “an assault on our national conscience,” President Barack Obama today fulfilled a campaign promise made to tribal leaders by signing the Tribal Law and Order Act into law.

June 24, 2010 (Valley Center) -- The Indian Health Council, Inc., (IHC) is celebrating its 40th anniversary June 25 with a festive Open House, featuring health screenings, raffle prizes and giveaways, tours of the facility, and a Fun Zone for children that includes a bike rodeo. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the council headquarters, 50100 Golsh Road, Valley Center (on the Rincon Reservation).

Community leaders testify on Viejas’ behalf, ask Padre’s water board to find alternative solution;
Viejas to ask judge on Friday to extend injunction

By Miriam Raftery

June 24, 2010 (Santee) – Improper. Disrespectful. Inappropriate. Embarassing. Those were some of the terms community leaders used at yesterday’s Padre Dam Municipal Water Board hearing to describe the Board’s refusal to halt construction at a planned reservoir and pipeline site near Lake Jennings.

“I’ve just come from the site,” Leon Thompson testified, drawing an audible gasp from the crow when he added that he shot video showing “desecration continuing” of areas near a circle of rocks marking grave sites.  View video here.