The Kumeyaay Way - Winter 2008 - (Page 20)

F o c u s o n t h e F u t u r e , r e s p e c t t h e pa s t VIEJAS REPORTS Students from the Viejas Political Internship Program attend a legislative summit at the State Capitol Future in their hands ntil very recently, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians was not involved in the political process. Indeed, they, like most other Native Americans, were the victims of the political process. The Kumeyaay people inhabited southern California for some 20,000 years. For many of those years, they had an effective system of self-governance. Later, Native Americans were placed under the often brutal governance of others. It wasn’t that Tribes were not “at the table” when public policy was determined; rather, they were kicked away from the table, often the victims of a paternalistic system of government. This changed, at least for Viejas, only recently—in the mid- to late-1990’s with the success of tribal government gaming. U Honi Bea Smith and Randy Sandoval discuss presidential polling techniques with David Quintana 20 For Viejas, Indian gaming has been a vehicle for economic self-sufficiency and a return to self-governance and self-determination. With the advent of gaming, Viejas earned a place at the “political table,” protected its own interests and secured its very sovereignty. To ensure its political future for generations to come, Viejas has begun a Political Internship Program. Led by Viejas Political Director David Quintana, the program educates tribal youth on the political process. “Students learn about the complicated process under which a bill becomes law, how the whole system works and how to operate within the system to successfully represent their own interests in a system that has basically been imposed upon them,” said Quintana. The program, started in 2007, has eight students in this year’s class. “This class has been really helpful,” said Viejas tribal member Sonny Espinoza, a member of this year’s class. “It helps to meet the politicians in person and talk to them. What I’ve learned in this class will make me a better person and future leader.” Classroom visitors have included California Assembly Leader Karen Bass, Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, Assemblyman Jim Silva and Assemblyman-elect Nathan Fletcher. In June of this year, students got a first-hand look at the political process when they traveled to the capitol in Sacramento and testified before a legislative committee concerning a bill that would have established a Native American curriculum for California public schools. “The bill passed both the Assembly and Senate but was vetoed by the governor,” said Quintana. “Of course, it would have been better if it had been signed, but it was great to have our students actually take part in the process. This experience probably provided them with more knowledge about the political process than most adults will ever have.” And perhaps at some point, a future state or national political leader from Viejas will look back at the program as the inspiration that started it all.  The Kumeyaay Way  www.viejasbandofkumeyaay.org http://www.viejasbandofkumeyaay.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Kumeyaay Way - Winter 2008

The Kumeyaay Way - Winter 2008 Contents Kumeyaay History Looking Back at the River of Tears Keeping the Borders Open for All Kumeyaay Tribal Security—Safety First Cultural Embrace Viejas Tribal Member Rescues Eagle Education for All Future in Their Hands Viejas Pow Wow Honors Native American Veterans Growing Traditions—Viejas Community Garden Remember When

The Kumeyaay Way - Winter 2008

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