Story Published:
Jan 29, 2010
Story Updated:
Jan 29, 2010
HIGHLAND, Calif. – The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is contributing $1.7 million to the American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders to assist with ongoing relief and recovery efforts in earthquake ravaged Haiti.
The contribution will enable these organizations to continue to provide critical services as survivors recover in the aftermath. The gift will be provided as a $1.5 million donation to the American Red Cross with an additional $200,000 given to Doctors Without Borders.
“At this time of unimaginable grief and destruction we are called to act to prevent the further loss of life and ease the suffering of survivors,” said San Manuel Chairman James Ramos. “We stand behind and support the American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders as they remain on hand with their volunteers to assist those who are impacted.”
San Manuel has a long history of supporting relief efforts following natural disasters in its home state of California, along the gulf coast and on reservations across the United States. In 2005, the tribe donated $700,000 to help in the relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, followed by a $1 million donation in 2007 to aid in wildfire recovery in southern California. Additionally, the tribe has supported relief for Sudanese refugees by donating a total of $1 million to relief groups in war-torn Darfur.
“The entrusted partnership with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is critical to the ability of the American Red Cross to provide help and hope for the people of Haiti during their time of need,” said Gail McGovern, American Red Cross president and CEO. “Because of the generosity of donors like the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, people in Haiti will recieve more than immediate relief – they will receive, support and training from the Red Cross that will help them recover and rebuild for years to come.”
As a concerned and responsive tribal community, San Manuel continues to evaluate and monitor the situation as it unfolds, offering continued community and staff support. Emergency service professionals from the San Manuel Fire Department are on active standby to be deployed to Haiti to assist in recovery, and the youth of the reservation are holding fundraisers to provide additional contributions to the Haitian relief effort. The tribe calls for the continued support for Haiti and implores individuals to also contribute to the ongoing humanitarian mission.
Saturday, Feb 6 at 1:51 PM sammi wrote ...
when something devasting has happened, we should see everybody as people not different countries or natives we are all people and we should be thankful for the people that do try and assist all that they can. we should be thankful here in indian country that we are still alive and well.
37125892Friday, Feb 5 at 12:03 PM jim bo, wrote ...
In your heart you know the WAY. In your sprit you will fill the shine. WE ARE ALL BROTHERS. THE FATHER OF ALL KNOWS YOUR DEEDS. YOU WILL KNOW HIS GIFT. JUST ANOTHER BROTHER. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR GOOD DEEDS.
37058724Wednesday, Feb 3 at 2:38 PM Dine' in California wrote ...
Very Good, San Manuel. Thank you for helping the Hatian people as they suffer through the earthquake aftermath, every bit helps. This is a good way for all. Our structures remain standing, their whole world has been destroyed almost all at once. Detractors: show some compassion, I'm sure you would be hoping for help if this happened to you and yours. You wouldn't be sitting comfortable, that's for sure. People have died by the hundreds OF THOUSANDS! The help being provided is a positive thing and it's timeliness is paramount. So, set aside your pettyness about who San Manuel helps and allow them to express their humanitarian ideals. They have struggled hard to get where they are now and it is noteworthy that they DO contribute when very few people were there for them before they established their casino enterprises.
36928649Wednesday, Feb 3 at 12:12 AM Skinwalker wrote ...
turkey,cotton seed,bullets and guns,membership to the mission band,but red cross agents doing what hand to hand exchange could be is true seed was in future. Dollars are not getting any larger and worth has put slave wage bill clintons enfection setting george bush asking for money not blankets. What is a misson band playing social popularity game. Get some of your wisdom in the front lines and see,smell,life being sold as donation for what end. It's so sick just promoting dollars as tribal way to help beauty way. Mission indian band go make some music and give the talent show to some survivors who can spin themselves on site. This long distant pow wow version of red cross numbers is no tax deal. So hire some as future casino operators who make slot machines we all can pull. Better yet send a real idea that makes all or relations move past the sick dollar enfection island people do not have enough of. It's real white of you mission indian band to play good indian for red is not
36891652Tuesday, Feb 2 at 7:34 PM WhiteBuffalo wrote ...
Kudos to San Manuel Band for their generosity. Still, I have to wonder..why not help other Tribes who are in dire need? Like Crow Creek etc.? I'm by no means criticizing them, I'm just surprised that although most of us are doing well, still there are so many going hungry, going with out heat and still live in third world conditions..we know that in many cases, it is not because they haven't tried to succeed, it is because too often they don't get heard..broken promises! Shame on America! This should not happen in this country...to Anyone!! But it does and it happens too often to us. One reason that we as Native peoples need to help each other in times of need..we cannot count on anyone but ourselves.
36876912Tuesday, Feb 2 at 5:16 AM Sean Tsosie wrote ...
Yes, Indian Country could use money for services to our people. Wake up people! we are not dying in the thousands. Be greatful that we are living in the land of opportunity! Don't just WHINE from the reservations! Go out into the world and make something of yourselves! There are colleges and universities across the country that are willing to accept natives at lower tuition rates! come on people! wake up!
36825449Monday, Feb 1 at 9:47 PM Danielle wrote ...
Wow thats pretty amazing. Indian people need help yeah we do but were not dying in the hundreds of thousands! This Californian Tribe owes absoulutely nothing to anyone. They are a soveriegn nation just like what ever tribe you come from. They can do as they please with THEIR money. I applaud them for such having such generosity for HUMAN KIND.
36805739Monday, Feb 1 at 8:45 PM What About Helping DQ-University? wrote ...
What About Helping DQ-University?
36801252Monday, Feb 1 at 5:06 PM Apache Bella wrote ...
I'm sorry, but I really do appreciate the fact that San Manuel is helping out. The focus should not be on why them and not us, but on the fact that they are helping. I understand that there are many issues in NDN Country, but that's not something they can fix all on their own. Until more tribes are able to help themselves, throwing money at the problem won't do any good.
36782929Monday, Feb 1 at 2:03 PM Informed wrote ...
I think it is a good gesture. Yes Indian Country has issues as well, both should be addressed and we must always remember that if we want others to help us, we must also help them. I am not all that hurt by this little donation. How about we start coming together as people and quit finger pointing. To keep casinos open or tribes alive they have to engage in political stuff, this may be one of those. Remember to be more aware of that situation before adding criticisms.
36768912Sunday, Jan 31 at 10:41 PM Julia V. wrote ...
What about the NDNs in South Dakota whose electricity is being shut off in winter weather? What about the Miwok tribe losing their 1.5 acre of land? Billions of dollars is being sent to Haiti from many sources. How 'bout taking care of U.S. citizens as well?
36740244Sunday, Jan 31 at 4:58 PM educmicaatd native wrote ...
the elders on the navajo reservation need help ute mnt utes n colorado cud use donates money for police force know has high crime rate sioux nation cud use help to help w alcoholic addiction
36729554Friday, Jan 29 at 3:23 PM rez II wrote ...
San Manuel Band donated THOUSANDS of dollars to assist my tribal nation with a devastating wildfire one year and who were the only rich tribe who responded. The then Chairman Henry Duro said at the time, "When we heard of the conditions that our brothers and sisters were having to endure, our first thought was, 'How can we help.'" Now, that is a sincere act of kindness. Thank you San Manuel.
36623582Friday, Jan 29 at 1:47 PM rezzie wrote ...
Some tribes in the US could of used some help too.
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