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Wednesday, November 5, 2003

Some Indians in southern California say anti-Indian bias may have played a role in one of two fires that caused serious damage on 14 reservations.

The Paradise and Cedar fires burned 30,000 acres of tribal land. The San Pasqual Reservation was completely destroyed and others lost homes and structures.

The Paradise fire was started by a lost hunter, officials say but there is no explanation yet for the Cedar fire. "We got calls during the fire saying, `That's what you Indians deserve,'" a council member for the Rincon Indian Nation told The New York Times.

President Bush, outgoing California Gov. Gray Davis (D) and incoming Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) have toured the area but none have set foot on any reservations. "All the attention is being paid to Scripps Ranch and those million-dollar homes," Bobby Barrett, vice president of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, told The Times. Barrett and other tribal leaders were able to meet with Bush and the others.

The California Nations Indian Gaming Association has set up a fund to help the tribes affected.. Donations can be made to:
The Disaster Relief Fund for Tribes
Borrego Springs Bank
ATTN: Joanne McBride
7777 Alvarado Road, Suite 114
La Mesa, CA 91941

Get the Story:
In Scorched Hills, Tribes Feel Bereft and Forgotten (The New York Times 11/5)
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