Hamiinat Magazine - Winter 2023

amiinat

amiinat

am delighted

the magazine of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The title translates to “hello” in the Maara’yam (Serrano Indian) language, and that is just what we want to extend to you – a warm hello.

Serrano Indians are indigenous to the San Bernardino Mountains and valleys, as well as the High Desert regions of Southern California. The people of San Manuel are the Yuhaaviatam Clan of Serrano Indians, whose rich culture and history are reflected throughout this wonderful magazine. We are most happy to offer you a glimpse into our Tribe and enterprises.

Our cover story is about the Tribe’s biggest intertribal, cultural celebration: pow wow. After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, San Manuel Pow Wow returned in the fall of 2022 and was filled with dancing, singing, competition and friendships. We’re excited to share the beautiful images from the event, stories from those who participated and perspectives from tribal youth who made the pow wow even more memorable.

We meet a team member, a tribal citizen and her husband, all of whom achieved their dreams with dedication, vision and support from those around them. And we spend time with a San Manuel tribal elder who was at the forefront of a momentous change that transformed the reservation and the Tribe and look at the result of that change: Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel!

As the destination resort celebrates its first anniversary, we learn what it means to the Tribe to be able to provide wonderful experiences to its valued guests as well as a future of possibilities for team members, the surrounding community and tribal citizens.

We also focus on philanthropic efforts in Southern California, Nevada and Washington D.C., as well as new state legislation signed into law that will protect the lives of Native Americans.

Finally, we’ll focus on the food, wine and experiences found at both Yaamava’ and Palms Casino Resort: modern takes on steakhouses, award-winning wine lists and the return of one of the most beloved bars in Vegas.

Chairwoman Lynn “Nay” Valbuena San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

I

to share the Winter 2023 issue of Hamiinat,

Puyu’houpkcav

6

HIGHLIGHT

For a tribal citizen and her husband, a lifelong passion becomes a call to preserve and advance a subculture.

8

CELEBRATE

The Tribe welcomed guests from all over North America to San Manuel Pow Wow, its largest and most anticipated event, as a new generation took the reins.

10

PERSPECTIVE

The former Chairman who helped bring gaming to the San Manuel Reservation reflects on the choices he faced along the way.

16

STYLE

Stay warm (and accessorized) this winter with head-turning ensembles and handcrafted jewelry by Native designers.

26

ARTIST PROFILE

Native photographer Cara Romero explores Indigenous truths in her work, and shares what she hopes to do for burgeoning Native artists. 28

NEXT GENERATION

Members of the Youth Committee talk about their experiences at the pow wow, as well as how they contributed to the celebration and, in turn, the community.

36

HISTORY

Tribal mothers helped change the way California children are taught about Native culture, history and people, and now a new law has cemented the change in the school system.

38

HELLO

A team member shares the story of reaching his goal, with the help of San Manuel.

40

CREATING WELLNESS

San Manuel partners with the Redlands Bicycle Classic to bring athletic and safety education to Southern California kids – along with a whole lot of fun.

42

ACTION

See how L.A.’s new pro women’s soccer team creates community in Southern California, and hear about the journey to the professional league from one of the players.

48

PHILANTHROPY

The San Manuel Golf Tournament just keeps getting bigger and better, which means more money for more worthy causes.

50

GIVING BACK

Historically overlooked outside of their culture, Native veterans now have their own memorial in Washington D.C., brought to fruition by generous donations.

54

THANK YOU

What’s it like working for San Manuel? Here’s a peek at one of the ways the organization shows its appreciation for team members.

58

PROGRESS

This new law creates a quick-action system to help protect the lives of Indigenous people when they encounter violence.

62

CELEBRATE

Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel exemplifies resilience as it celebrates one year of unparalleled service and stellar offerings.

64 DRINK

A pie-in-the-sky goal for Yaamava’ becomes a reality when The Pines Modern Steakhouse wins a coveted Wine Spectator award.

66 SAVOR

Discover two steakhouses that have redefined the luxurious dining experience for a new generation of guests.

72 ON TREND

A curated collection of gifts and treats – all available at Yaamava’.

78 PROFILE

Meet the celebrity chef who brought elevated BBQ with a multicultural twist back to Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

80

NIGHTLIFE

Stunning views, shifting atmospheres and handcrafted cocktails make this newly reopened lounge one of the must-have experiences in Las Vegas.

82

PARTNERSHIP

Seeking to uplift community members in the most effective way, San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority supports Las Vegas nonprofits.

CONTRIBUTORS

Robin Alcantara Kyle Anderson Peter Arceo

Elizabeth Brierty Nicole Canfield Yessenia Cervantes

Jacob Coin Erin Copeland Christopher Dennis Tim Evans

Lynn Faraca-Bond Andrea Ferguson Kevin Figueroa Megan Garcia Darcy Gray Celena Haas Serena Harper Juan Herrera Heather Jackson Alberto Jasso Jennifer Johnson Cynthia Kiser Murphey

Hamiinat

Winter 2023

BUSINESS COMMITTEE

CHAIRWOMAN Lynn Valbuena

VICE CHAIRMAN Johnny Hernandez, Jr. SECRETARY Audrey Martinez TREASURER Latisha Casas

MEMBER AT LARGE Laurena Bolden MEMBER AT LARGE Ed Duro MEMBER AT LARGE Karina Torres

Dan Little Chelsea Marek Jorge McConnie Marcus O’Brien Tina Ramos Jared Rapier Eric Reed Crystal Robinson Steven Robles

Robert Rodriguez Brigitte Saria Ryan Sharpe Ken Shoji Frank Sizemore Matthew Smith Sonny Son Missy Stanisz

Michael Symon Kelley Tucky Brandi Vega Milla Voloshkina Oliver Wolf

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING:

Presley Calderon Natahny Chacon Shila Chacon Nathan Collins

Summer Fawn Collins Cheryl Duro Henry Duro Sam Green

Annabella Hernandez Gauge Hernandez Lauren Manzano

Sandra Marquez Cindy Ramos

Gabriella Ramos DeCoud James Ramos Tom Ramos Tom Ramos Jr. Elisa Torres Samuel Torres

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Laurena Bolden MANAGING EDITOR Karina Torres VP TRIBAL BRAND MARKETING Jessica Stops TRIBAL BRAND MARKETING Julie Lopez PUBLISHER Peter Gotfredson CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lauren Clulow EXECUTIVE EDITOR Jessica Villano

Thank you to the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the entire tribal community for sharing their stories: past, present and future.

(puh-mee-ah chah-kee-meev)

OUR HERITAGE

Pümia’ čakimiv: what we came with. The phrase describes our heritage, traditions, culture and all the songs, dances and special things our people have passed down over many generations.

We’re excited to share the things that make San Manuel Pow Wow, the Tribe’s biggest cultural celebration, so inspiring: the people, dancing, singing and regalia. We also learn what the event means to the younger generation. Turning our focus to the arts, we profile a Native photographer who explores the myriad of experiences, possibilities and truths of contemporary Indigenous people and we showcase clothes and accessories for winter by emerging and established Native designers. Finally, we learn how a tribal citizen and her husband turned a passion for lowrider culture into a booming business.

BUILDING AN EMPIRE

Lowrider cars are like fingerprints, each one has its own identity and authenticity,” said Elisa Torres. “Some of them have 17 coats of paint to get just the right color and pattern.”

“You paint the car one color, then tape a pattern and paint it again,” Sam, her husband, continued. “Then you put tape on that first coat and paint it again.”

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians citizen and her husband, Sam Torres, are the founders of Torres Empire, a company that puts on some of the biggest lowrider car shows in California, Texas and Nevada.

Growing up in the lowrider community, it was the colors that first fascinated Sam.

“The color has to impress you to make you want to take a closer look,” he said. “The first car I saw had impressive murals and patterns and I wanted to get closer to see how the shape of the car was defined by the art. It brought a whole new definition of what an automobile was.”

Today, the modifications and artwork on lowriders have reached epic heights, often costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Just go to one of Torres Empire’s shows and you’ll see cars on display, spinning slowly to reveal high-polish chrome, intricate murals and prismatic flakes, even on the undercarriage of the car.

“When you see a lowrider, you’re looking at somebody’s thoughts and ideas,” Sam said.

Torres has a garage filled with talented mechanics and artists who can do those modifications,

but only for a select few. That’s because most of the work being done in his garage is on his own cars.

“I opened the shop to work on my vehicles,” Sam explained. “We have to keep them polished and updated. And we’re building new cars.”

As a kid, Torres knew he was going to put on lowrider shows. “I told my family I was going to throw the biggest show in the world. But I didn’t know how it was going to happen, it was just something that was in my heart.”

Decades later, with the help of his wife, Elisa, Torres has redefined the lowrider show experience, creating a family-oriented event and drawing huge numbers in the process.

The first challenge, however, was getting people to his shows. After struggling with low turnouts, Elisa suggested Sam go after the LA Convention Center as his venue.

“There used to be bad elements at the shows,” Elisa said. “And you have to have a good background to get in at the Convention Center, so it was hard.”

Sam had to convince either the mayor, the city or the police department to agree to a Torres Empire show at the LA Convention Center. But they all shut him down. So, Sam circled back to the police.

“I asked them to please hear me out. I told them that what I really wanted was to build relationships. It wasn’t easy, but they finally agreed,” Sam said and laughed. Now Sam and his friends have great relationships with those same uncertain cops.

Today, Torres Empire’s shows have upwards of 1,000 cars registered, a far cry from the 40 that came to their first one – and the experience is unlike any other on the circuit.

“We’re family oriented. We never sell alcohol,” Sam explained. “We give bibles away. We want you to have God in your life to motivate you, to keep you through your struggles.”

Another thing you’ll find at a Torres Empire show? Lots of bikes, because the Torres family knows the way to get the kids interested is through bikes.

“The first thing I made was a lowrider bike,” Sam said and recalled the wrought-iron roses from his mother’s old porch that he and his brother welded on his bike.

“We need to capture the hearts of the next generation to build the community. They’re our future. We have to get them involved to keep it going.”

How a life-long passion became a successful business – and changed the way people view a culture along the way. By Jessica Villano

POWERFUL MEDICINE for All POWERFUL MEDICINE

BY RICHARD ARLIN WALKER AND KEN SHOJI

The children of San Manuel Pow Wow’s founders had been preparing for the 2022 event most of their lives. They watched how their father and uncle worked with others, learned from their examples and took on responsibilities that grew as they got older.

“When we were younger, it would be my dad, Cruz Chacon, and my uncle, Tom Ramos, running around,” said Shila Chacon, who managed promotions and social media for the 2022 pow wow. “Now that my uncle has all of us for support, we get to see him relax and enjoy the pow wow, eat a little something now and then and actually get to bird sing. Now we have the opportunity to work together and make sure everything goes smoothly.”

Her cousin, Gabriella Ramos DeCoud – who made sure the pow wow team had what it needed each day and served as a liaison to competitive dancers and drummers – added, “This was the first year that I got only 10 minutes to look at the booths, it was so busy. There usually are a lot of people at the pow wow, but people were so eager this year for it to come back. People showed up on Friday, while we were still setting up.”

The 2022 pow wow, held this past September, was the largest in the event’s history. More than 15,000 people were in attendance, up from 10,000-13,000 in previous years; the number of grandstands doubled; and there were more than 100 artisan vendors, 600 dancers and 22 drum groups.

And behind the scenes was a new generation that made sure no detail was missed: Shila’s sister, Natahny, teamed with her on social media management and press relations (livestream coverage set viewership records for the Tribe, Shila said); Summer Fawn Collins and her husband, Nathan, led the team that worked with vendors; Cindy Ramos, a sous chef at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, helped oversee feeding the participants and took part in contest judging, in addition to the preparation of meals for drummers and dancers; and Tom Ramos Jr. was responsible for logistics and pow wow setup.

San Manuel Pow Wow returned after a two-year absence and brought with it community and a celebration of heritage.

The significance of this year’s pow wow seemed to be heralded by nature itself.

Just days before the drum, the songs, the color guard and the parade of dancers from hundreds of tribal nations sounded the beginning of the pow wow, Tropical Storm Kay sent a torrent of flood waters over the venue at California State University, San Bernardino.

This storm could be seen as a symbol of Yuhaaviatam resilience. Anyone familiar with the Tribe’s history knows that the people had endured greater storms than this – displacement, broken treaty promises, discrimination – and survived.

So, after the storm passed and the rains stopped, Assistant Pow Wow Coordinator James Diaz (Western Shoshone) walked onto the grounds in his sandals and found the ground…dry.

“I took a stroll out there and I thought, ‘Wow, this is going to happen,’” Diaz said. “It’s like the water came through, rolled right off and gave it a good cleanse.”

A major storm could not keep the pow wow from awakening from its two-year COVID-induced slumber. The people would gather, the celebration would go on and a new generation would help lead the way.

This pow wow was good medicine for thousands of people needing to reconnect, to remember those

who had walked on during the pandemic and to celebrate with regalia, dance and song.

Tom Ramos Jr. was born in 1997 and is almost as old as San Manuel Pow Wow itself. The people who had been part of it who walked on since the last event made this year’s event heartfelt for him.

“There were people who had been part of this for so long,” he said. “We learned a lot from them and remember the energy they brought. Showing up to this pow wow with people who were filling their roles was different.”

Ramos said he, his siblings and cousins were “anxious to see how this pow wow was going to work out, how the weather was going to play out, whether we were going to be able to pick up after the pandemic and transition smoothly. We knew we had to do the best we could and honor the people who

showed up and trust the people we worked with in the past.”

The result: “The atmosphere and the energy were so positive,” his cousin Shila said. “Everybody was just happy to be there and that translated into every single detail – into everything we did that entire weekend.”

“People are saying this pow wow went smoothly, and that they want to do it again next year,” Cindy Ramos said. “To me, that means I did my job well enough that people on both ends – volunteers and dancers – were happy and want to come back.”

Diaz said he met pow wow participants from Canada, Alaska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. But more tribal nations and regions were represented, as evidenced by the dancers.

Among the men were Northern Contemporary and Northern Traditional dancers, Chicken dancers, Southern Straight dancers, Grass dancers and Fancy dancers. Among the women were Northern Buckskin, Southern Buckskin, Northern Cloth, Southern Cloth, Jingle and Fancy Shawl dancers.

“Many people I spoke to said they had never attended a pow wow this large in California,” said Tom Ramos Sr. “Despite the increase in size and attendance, the event stayed true to its roots: no charge for vendors, no entry fee for competitors and competitors were fed all weekend.”

“Seeing how it worked out gave me the biggest feeling of fulfillment. We were able to do more than we ever had – more dancers, more vendors, more visitors. It was my father and my uncle’s dream for this pow wow to grow like it has, and now I’m hearing people refer to it as the Super Bowl of pow wows because it’s so big,” Tom Jr. said. “The fact we were able to pull this off to this magnitude is a credit to everybody putting

in the time and working together as a team. We just flowed together, just like family should.”

The pow wow overwhelmed the senses. Each evening opened with Bird Singing and dancing by the hosts and their relatives from neighboring tribal nations. Visitors saw elaborate regalia, pieces passed down through generations: headdresses adorned with eagle feathers, deer tails and porcupine quills; eagle-feather back pieces known as bustles; beaded

The fact we were able to pull this off to this magnitude is a credit to everybody putting in the time and working together as a team. We just flowed together, just like family should.

San Manuel Pow

Look at a map of the region and it makes sense that this pow wow would become the largest in Southern California. Travelers from mountains, deserts and coast have been visiting Yuhaaviatam territory for centuries, long before European contact, while en route to centers of trade or to visit relatives. The Yuhaaviatam were always a people who hosted others, or had people walk from the ocean into the deserts through their lands. From life at this crossroads emerged a culture of hamiinat, of hospitality. The Yuhaaviatam became known as the hamiinats, because they really wanted to know how the guests in their ancestral lands were doing. That same spirit, the same curiosity, comes through at the pow wow in a visceral way. Terry Fidler (Cheyenne River Sioux) said of the pow wow in the pre-event video: “It doesn’t matter what nation you come from. It’s a good feeling, a good heart, a good mind and you take away a feeling that’s hard to describe. But you feel so good when you leave.”

belts, cuffs, vests, capes, leggings and moccasins, all intricately designed with family patterns used for generations.

“It’s in our DNA,” David Patterson (Sac & Fox/ Kickapoo), said in a video produced about the pow

“That is one of our traditions,” Priscilla Schrock (Kewa Pueblo) said in the pre-pow wow video. “The family that has gone on is always with you, blessing you, blessing us, giving us strength and guidance. That’s why we keep coming to occasions like this – to be

wow. “Before I was even born, they did this dance and they did this song.”

The spirituality of the event was palpable. Before the event, San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena described the arena as “a sacred space.”

During the pow wow, MC Edmond Navacoy (Comanche) and members of the Pow Wow Committee remembered at length the many loved ones who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic – among them longtime MC Charlie Tailfeathers (Cree/Blackfeet).

together, to support one another.”

Gabriella Ramos DeCoud shared another reason to love the pow wow.

“If you’re lucky enough to squeeze in next to a drum, it’s a totally different experience than hearing it in the stadium,” DeCoud said. “That is my favorite part. When the pow wow is over and pretty much everyone has left, the winning drum will do one last song. That is the best time to sit right next to them and hear them drum and sing one last song.”

Planning for the 2023 pow wow will begin in January.

The atmosphere and the energy were so positive. Everybody was just happy to be there and that translated into every single detail...

No matter where you’re from, you’re home: Why each

Wow is like a homecoming.

GROUP From The

Up GROUND

When former Chairman Henry Duro was a child, the Reservation looked a lot different than it does now: long stretches of dirt roads lit only by moonlight, a handful of small houses across the landscape and hillsides dotted with apricot and orange trees.

“We ate a lot of oranges. But didn’t have to pay for ‘em,” Duro, the father of four, said and laughed. “Never in my lifetime did I have to pay for an orange.”

Today the Reservation is home to Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel: a gleaming 17-story hotel tower with a spa, glistening pool, world-class entertainment venue and high-end restaurants. The resort, a stunning achievement for the Tribe, was possible thanks to wheels set in motion while Duro was Chairman.

“There was nothing but orchards around us,” Duro said. “We were on a hill and, growing up, I noticed the lights below us getting closer – year after year. I knew things were going to change. Things have got to change.”

Tribal elder and former Chairman of San Manuel Band of Mission Indians reflects on his more than two decades of service to the Tribe, and the trials he faced along the way. By Jessica Villano

Back then, about all tribal citizens had were chickens, goats and cows; they maintained the apricot grove with water shares through Bear Valley; and when the Tribe needed money, they’d sell some of the stock – or hold bake sales.

“Growing up was fun, you know?” Duro said. “I liked it more than I do now. We didn’t have much, but we also had less to worry about. That’s the way life is.”

Despite having four siblings, Duro said there weren’t many kids his age, so when he was young, he spent time with the animals and his elders.

“I remember Weesha; she was like a grandmother to me. She helped keep the families together,” Duro recalled. “I used to watch her weave baskets.”

Duro remembered going to the museum in San Bernardino a few years ago and looking at the baskets made by members of the California tribes, including San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. He remarked to his then-wife how Weehsa used to dye the reeds by putting them in a rusty can and filling it with water.

“The lady showing us around stopped to write down what I said. Apparently,

they didn’t know about that way of dying the baskets,” Duro said.

When he was just 21, Duro became Chairman for the first time. His mother, Jane Duro, and sister, Christine, had been Chairwomen before him, so he was familiar with the role.

Nearly one month into his first term, Duro was interrupted at the plastic factory where he worked to complete one of the first big tasks as Chairman: signing the papers to receive funding for housing and improvements from Housing and Urban Development and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

“I asked, ‘Can I take a look at this and get back to you?’ The man said it was like, use it or lose it. So, I signed the papers because the Tribe had been trying to accomplish this for a long time,” Duro said. “I thought, I hope I’m doing the right thing. And it was. We got the first houses in and a few paved roads, not many, but it was a start.”

This theme continued for Duro: he learned as he went, hoped he was doing the right thing and surrounded himself with people he trusted.

“For years people asked, ‘You know what you’re doing?’” he said and laughed. “Maybe not, but that’s beside the point. No one else wanted to do it and I figured it had to be done. All I knew was there had to be something out there for us.”

Duro started his search for that something by looking into available grants. He got a few small grants and, with that money, hired people to help him navigate the waters.

“I needed a few guys to help me figure out what the heck I was doing. One thing led to another, and we got some people here from outside who helped us grow.”

Duro recalled having meetings at McDonald’s, and ordering the cheapest thing on the menu, because it fit their budgets. “Those are the guys we knew from the very beginning. They were in the lowest positions

but that was the kind of groundwork that needed to be done. We just didn’t know it at the time,” Duro explained. “Soon they became the ones on top. We built relationships and it grew from there.”

As Chairman, Duro found himself facing a steep learning curve, including going up against Metropolitan Water District (MWD) to protect the water flowing through their ancestral land. But the biggest challenge, and the biggest reward, came in the mid-‘80s.

“We were looking to see what we could do with what we had, which was nothing. Some people started talking about bingo. And, not knowing anything about it, I just listened,” Duro said. “Soon people started coming in with contracts. I had a stack of contracts five inches, six inches tall.”

Tribal leadership went to other tribes and asked them to come together to learn about bringing gaming to the reservations. They weighed the pros and cons, listened to pitches from investors and finally accepted an invitation to see bingo in action from the group that had set it up with the Seminole Indians in Florida.

“I had never flown in my life,” Duro said and laughed. “I told them the Business Committee members needed to be there too so we could all get an understanding…and the only way they’d go is if they could take their husbands or wives.”

The afternoon Duro and the

Business

Seminole Bingo Hall, they saw an empty parking lot and a big building filled with empty tables and chairs. And they wondered what all the fuss was about.

“But we went back that night, and it was a totally different story,” Duro said. “Nothing but cars. Nothing but people. And the noise! It was an eye-opener. We agreed to give it a try.”

The next few years were rife with challenges: from tussles with the city over location, all-out brawls with the state over rights and threats from investment groups vying for the lucrative contract to bring bingo to the San Manuel Reservation.

“The political fights were a growing experience for all of us,” Duro said. “But bingo was the beginning of something, a stepping stone. All I wanted to do was build something for the future,” Duro said. “Who knows what tomorrow will bring.”

Looking to that future, Duro counsels his children to be independent; to get an education; and to find something they enjoy doing. “I tell them to plan their own futures, the Tribe can’t do it for them,” he said.

And when Duro is given credit for bringing bingo to the Reservation – and paving the way for the casino and later the resort, he said, “It was never about what I did. It was about what the Tribe allowed me to do. This is their Reservation, I just did what they wanted.”

Upon remarrying and having two more children, Duro decided to stay home with the kids. At the time of his retirement, he had held the position for more than 20 years. Looking back the former Chairman said, “I wondered how a guy like me ended up in that position, but I have to say I had fun doing it. Overall, it’s been a good journey.”

Committee members arrived at

Ready for a rustic weekend getaway? This issue we’re showcasing a few Native American designers’ visions for winter days made cozier by the fire. Find surprising pops of electric blue and crimson, a hearty dose of earthy tones and texture for days…

Ready for a rustic weekend getaway? This issue we’re showcasing a few Native American designers’ visions for winter days made cozier by the fire. Find surprising pops of electric blue and crimson, a hearty dose of earthy tones and texture for days…

STYLED BY CHRISTIE MOELLER • STYLE ASSISTANT BY TIFFANY WEEKES • HAIR & MAKEUP BY KRYSTLE RANDALL MODELED BY PESHAWN (STRAY MODEL MANAGEMENT)

Photography by Robert John Kley

Antique and Vintage Bead Bear Medallion with goldplated 13/0 micro-beaded bear portrait with caribou-hair tufted bearberry and a faceted black agate drop stone; Antique and Vintage Bead Earrings with caribou-hair tufted details on smoked moose hide with sterling silver and 14K gold details by Catherine Blackburn x Rykelle ‘Ahlazua’ Kemp available at catherineblackburn.com

The T’ànchày Blazer Dress by Melanie Leblanc available at leblancapparel.com Leather Belt by 4Kinship available at 4kinship.com

The

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Reminiscence Winter Coat by Melanie Leblanc available at leblancapparel.com Otter Boot Moccasins by White Bear Moccasins available at whitebearmoccasins.com

Matten Jacket by Korina Emmerich available at emmestudios.com

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Dyed Embroidered Silk Fiesta Dress and Deconstructed Churro Blanket by Josh Tafoya

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Vintage Nylon Military Quilted Jacket by 4Kinship

Crochet Beanie by Lily Yeung

Vintage Suede ‘70s Prairie Skirt by Jay Smiley

Faux Sealskin ‘60s Boots by 4Kinship all available at 4kinship.com

Otter Boot Moccasins by White Bear Moccasins available at whitebearmoccasins.com

Kori Jacket, Kori Vest and Kori Mini by Korina Emmerich available at emmestudios.com

OPPOSITE PAGE: Adobe Jacket by Josh Tafoya Saani Scarf by 4Kinship all available at 4kinship.com

BY MARIA MANUELA

MAGICAL DREAM SPACE CARA ROMERO

The of

beautiful Indigenous woman with a sharp jawline and long hair is bathed in an alien-like green aura, stark against an orange background. She wears big sunglasses, reflecting pow wow dancers in their lenses. The image by photographer Cara Romero (Chemehuevi) is titled , which means she/he knows, is smart,

Indigenous Futurisms. The focus of these pictures is foretelling. Romero uses her creativity like an oracle, seeing what her people will be like, and what they will take

is coming from a place of present health and wellness,” Romero said from her new gallery space near downtown Santa Fe. “We are healthy enough now to envision healthy futures. The movement is coming out of struggle and saying, ‘We are still here, and we envision a healthy future.’”

Where one culture imagines space travel, amped-up technology, artificial intelligence and domination over new planets, Romero envisions Indigenous people staying true to long-held traditions such as being in harmony with the natural world.

“First teachings, original instructions and Indigenous science are going to heal us in the future. Our corn being safe, our heirloom seeds, the pow wow dances that have been going on for hundreds of years in the woodlands, they are the most sophisticated sciences; how we gather things from the earth, the interconnectedness of ecosystem.”

“Western culture continues to bypass the design of nature and Indigenous ways of knowing. They tend toward a dominance of

The Native photographer shares the inspiration for her current collection as well as her hope for other Indigenous artists.

nature. But really, it is most sophisticated to be in harmony with it, with ideas of reciprocity.”

Romero stands with a cohort of Indigenous artists who have pushed Native art to new heights. Her work has been exhibited around the world and featured at important institutions such as the Heard Museum in Phoenix. She’s won first place at Santa Fe Indian Market multiple times, and her piece Water Memory (2015) hangs in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, part of the permanent collection.

“We are really at this fantastic place as Native American artists being incorporated into American collections for the first time, appearing in a desegregated way. We have platform and we have voice like we’ve never had. We are kind of blowing it up, and it’s so exciting.”

In every photograph Romero creates, her subjects feel like demi-gods. She presents the people she captures with such reverence, the viewer cannot help but be in awe of them. She photographs Indigenous people in the myriad and multidimensional truths they embody in the here and now. And that is incredibly important to her.

“I realized these ideas of being stereotyped, or monolith cultures were really damaging. The more unique the stories in my photographs are, and the more editorial they are, the more they can open minds to how many possibilities there are for contemporary Native peoples to be a thousand things.”

“My first audience is other Native people. As a mixed-race, California Native woman that is both rez and urban, the more vulnerable I am, and the more truthful to my own unique Native identity, the more my own community sees themselves.”

Part of Romero’s prowess as an artist is the ability to use the realistic medium of photography to create supernatural work. She relates the skill to her favorite literary genre, magical realism, and recalls picking up Louise Erdrich’s Tracks in a bookstore in the early ‘90s.

“It made me feel less alone in the universe. That’s when I learned about magical realism. I am a dreamer; my pieces are imaginative and convey powerful stories about women and innate strength and supernatural abilities,” Romero explained. “Photography is so rooted in reality. So, when you’re doing things that are otherworldly in a hyper-realistic medium, it has an extra effect. It’s magic.”

As Romero looks forward to her own future, she has big shows on the horizon in Vienna, Mexico City and a massive solo show at the Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College, opening 2025. Her deepest wish is to inspire more artists to rise from Indigenous California.

“We have such a deep sisterhood and brotherhood in California, from sand to sea,” Romero said. “My hope is to inspire a young Native person to pursue art and storytelling. I want to support young people on that journey.”

gikendasso (2022)

“My hope is to inspire a young Native person to pursue art and storytelling. I want to support young people on that journey.”

Water Memory (2015)

Evolvers (2019)

Connecting Through

CULTURE

By Kolby Kicking Woman

For the last few years, the pow wow trail across Indian Country was still and silent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But in the fall of 2022, the trail came back to life, bringing together dancers, singers, tribal citizens and guests to celebrate the unique Native cultures across Turtle Island.

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians was one of the tribes that returned to hosting its annual pow wow, which is an opportunity for tribal citizens to hang out with family and friends, celebrate their culture and learn about other tribes that attend.

Pow wow is a highlight event for siblings Gauge and Annabella Hernandez, both of whom are on the Tribe’s Youth Committee. Made up of tribal youth ages 12-20, the Youth Committee represents the younger generation, develops activities and coordinates events for San Manuel families.

“One thing I always do at the pow wow is learn one interesting fact about a different tribe,” Gauge said. “That’s what I was excited about this year too.”

Over the course of the three-day event both Gauge and Annabella, along with other Youth Committee members, worked a booth selling homemade crafts, baked goods and other items. All the proceeds were donated to a charity selected by the committee.

In the past, organizations such as Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) were chosen as recipients. The nonprofit helps recently discharged veterans, active-duty military and their families in the Inland Empire build financial self-sufficiency through education, counseling and grants.

This year, the Youth Committee chose Sovereign Bodies Institute (SBI) as the recipient of the proceeds from the booth sales. SBI gathers data to do research on gender and sexual violence against Indigenous people.

Members of the San Manuel Youth Committee share what it’s like to be able to celebrate Native heritage while helping the surrounding community.

Another Youth Committee member, Presley Calderon, recalls all the fun she had with the other members selling cookies, Rice Krispies treats and other goodies at the youth booth for the first time during San Manuel Pow Wow in 2019.

“It’s fun to be involved knowing that my cousins and I can make a difference in our Tribe,” Presley said. “I like working with them because it’s easy to do as family and it’s fun.”

Creating items to sell at the booth is right up Presley’s alley, as she beads in her free time – an art that helps her feel more involved and closer to her Tribe. Presley makes keychains and jewelry using traditional colors such as reds and turquoise, as well as custom pieces for family and friends.

This year, Presley looked forward to working with new members of the Youth Committee and being back at the pow wow for the first time since it was canceled due to pandemic restrictions.

“I was excited to see how the new members of the Youth Committee felt about the pow wow,” Presley said. “I was also looking forward to selling baked goods and handmade jewelry to make money for the community.”

Presley has been to other tribe’s pow wows but admits she enjoys the San Manuel gathering the most. “I like going to our pow wow, it’s like a family gathering,” Presley said. “It’s special when it’s ours and I get to dance with my Tribe.”

The Youth Committee normally gathers inventory and creates items to sell a month or two before the pow wow. Some things they do together and others they do on their own or with family.

This year there was more beadwork than in years past and Presley was happy those items caught the eye of the public.

Interacting with the community and public at large is also a big part of working the youth booth. Presley said people like to inquire about what they do on the Youth Committee and what they’ve learned so far.

“It’s fun to answer those questions because people, even outside the Tribe, get an understanding of what happens here, that there’s more than just celebrating traditions,” Presley said.

Gauge, Annabella and Presley are “veterans” on the Youth Committee, with multiple years of

experience under their belts. All agree they’ve learned so much, become more responsible and gained valuable life-skills from being part of the committee.

“I’ve definitely gained certain qualities,” said Gauge. “I’ve learned about leadership and to speak out loud for myself and others.”

He added he’s learned a lot about the business side of the Tribe as well.

Annabella echoed the sentiments of her brother. “Being on the Youth Committee, I’ve learned leadership skills, to be open-minded and to effectively communicate with other people,” she explained. “I’ve also learned all about the Business Committee and its responsibilities. It’s exciting to get that experience at a young age.”

The Youth Committee provides an opportunity for young people of San Manuel to become the leaders of tomorrow. Gauge, Annabella and Presley encourage

all San Manuel youth to consider joining.

But the big payoff for all the hard work is giving back to the community. “It makes me feel good to give back and to help as much as we can to make our community a better place,” Gauge said.

Through other Youth Committee programs, Annabella has donated to a number of charities and organizations, and the feeling of giving back never gets old.

“Donating makes me feel good because we’re able to help people and help others, so they know we’re there for them, San Manuel is there for them,” Annabella said.

“It feels like we’re doing something right,” Presley said. “I like giving back to the community because it’s a nice thing to do. Not only from the Business Committee, but also from the Youth Committee, just to show that we care.”

“Being on the Youth Committee, I’ve learned leadership skills, to be open-minded and to effectively communicate with other people.”

From Then to Now

A look at the resilience and determination of the Yuhaaviatam to remain self-sufficient and sovereign.

Early to Mid-1900s

Tribe adapts and adjusts to reservation life. U.S. government continues to dictate what the Tribe can and cannot do.

1975

1700s-1820s

Spanish missionaries and military encounter the Yuhaaviatam (one clan of the Maara’yam), which they call “Serrano” or “highlander.” Many Maara’yam are forced into the mission system as slave labor for Spain.

CREATION

Since Time

Immemorial Maara’yam people inhabit the mountains, valleys and deserts of Southern California.

1850s-1860s

American settlers invade Serrano territory. CA governor instructs militias to exterminate Native people. Yuhaaviatam are killed and chased out of their territory.

1880s

Native American boarding schools are established in the U. S. with the primary objective of “civilizing” or assimilating Native American children and youth into Euro-American culture, while destroying and vilifying Native American culture.

TREATY MAKING

THE NEW DEAL

1966

Articles of Association are adopted by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

President Ford signs the Indian SelfDetermination and Education Assistance Act, a federal policy of Indian selfdetermination, first declared by President Nixon.

1866

Raids and bloodshed decimate the Tribe. Kiika’ Santos Manuel makes a decision to courageously bring the remnant of his people from the mountains to safety on the valley floor.

1891

U.S. government passes the Act for Relief of Mission Indians, which recognizes the Tribe as a sovereign nation and establishes the Reservation. The Tribe chooses the name San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

1934

ASSIMILATION

Indian Reorganization Act is enacted by U.S. Congress, aimed at decreasing federal control of American Indian affairs and increasing Indian self-government and responsibility.

A.K. Smiley Public Library, Gerald Smith Collection

1970

In address to Congress regarding the federal policy of terminating relationships with tribes, President Nixon states, “This policy of forced termination is wrong.” He then outlines a policy of self-determination rather than termination.

Photo courtesy of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library

1978

Indian gaming movement begins with Seminole Tribe of Florida.

1986

San Manuel Indian Bingo opens.

1987

California v. Cabazon: U.S. Supreme Court landmark decision affirms right of tribal governments to conduct gaming on their lands.

1990s-2000s

Tribe takes an active role in passing Proposition 5 and Proposition 1A.

1998

Proposition 5 is supported by 63 percent of voters in favor of gaming by Indian tribes in California. A lawsuit by a labor union causes the measure to be struck down by California Supreme Court.

Residence Inn by Marriott opens in Washington, DC. The project is from the Four Fires intertribal economic partnership, which includes San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

2017

Tribe transforms bingo hall into Rockin’ Casino area.

2021

2019

San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority forms to explore economic growth opportunities.

San Manuel Casino becomes Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel.

Yaamava’ expansion project opens, including gaming spaces, new restaurants, lounges and hotel tower, as well as retail, spa and pool amenities.

SELF-DETERMINATION

1988

Indian Gaming Regulatory Act passes, creating statutory framework for Indian gaming.

1994

San Manuel Indian Bingo adds gaming operations and advances goal of economic selfsufficiency.

1980s

SMBMI seeks new business opportunities to strengthen sovereignty and journey towards self-sufficiency.

2000

2006

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians breaks ground on San Manuel Village in Highland, CA, a mixed-use, off-reservation, commercial development.

2007

Residence Inn by Marriott opens in Sacramento, CA. The project is from the Three Fires intertribal economic partnership, which includes San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

2008

Hampton Inn and Suites Hotel opened in Highland, CA, at San Manuel Village, a development of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

STRENGTHENING OUR FUTURE

2018

Opening of the Autograph Collection, The Draftsman Hotel, in Charlottesville, VA, a joint venture that includes the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

2022

San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority opens the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Proposition 1A, supported by 65 percent of California voters, changes the state constitution and provides exclusive right to Indian tribes to operate a limited scope of casino-style gaming on Indian lands, in accordance with federal law.

2016

SMBMI acquires sacred lands in San Bernardino Mountains with purchase of Arrowhead Springs Hotel.

Puyu’houpkcav

(poo-yoo-hope-k-chahv)

TOGETHER

Puyu’houpkčav: together. When all are together as one, we accomplish more. We strive each day towards unity of purpose and spirit.

In this section we touch on three pieces of legislation that impact Native people: a bill encouraging the true history of California’s First People to be taught in schools; one that ensures early action in the face of violence; and a voter proposition that would have limited gaming revenue, and therefore the good California tribes do for the surrounding communities. We see how San Manuel works to improve the lives of others through philanthropic efforts. And finally, we meet a valued San Manuel team member, one of the founders of Angel City FC – the newest team in the National Women’s Soccer Club –and the first Native woman to play professional soccer.

NATIVE TONGUE

The history, and future, of protecting and respecting Indigenous culture within the California education system.

BY KEN SHOJI

Next to parents, educators are the most influential people in shaping the development of children. What happens to families and whole communities when schools ask parents to stop using their native language at school and home?

Indigenous languages are torn away by societal forces directed at the most vulnerable, the children. Faced with the choice to succeed in school at the risk of fracturing one’s identity is a dilemma that directly threatens the cultures and languages of Native Americans in California and across the nation.

At the 21st annual California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference (CICAC) this past September, San Manuel tribal elder, Sandra Marquez, told her story of growing up in an era when it was expected she stop using her native language. The disquieting effect on the audience of San Bernardino area educators was palpable.

Her account of personally contending with this dilemma, and the advocacy it set in motion highlighted the struggle to ensure that future generations of California’s Native children and their parents never face this choice again.

Indian education is a complex and painful topic. Mostly, it is a history of forced indoctrination of Native children and communities by marginalizing and, in many cases, forbidding any expression of Indigenous identities and cultures.

For the peers of Native students, any learning about Indigenous peoples is rife with stereotypes, misrepresentation of history or their total absence from the curriculum. Such an environment creates a state of separation, dividing students from one another, doing lasting harm to Native students and instilling misrepresentations among their peers.

When two groups become so divided, change to restore balance starts slowly with small actions and goodwill.

In the Fontana and San Bernardino School Districts, tribal mothers and grandmothers from the San Manuel Indian Reservation found allies in school leadership to cross these divides. Forty

years ago, San Manuel tribal elders – including Sandra Marquez, Martha Manuel Chacon and Pauline Murillo – forged personal relationships to share local Indian culture with area students while exploring grant pathways to sustain these programs for future generations.

Taking conference teachers back to the 1980s when she was a mother of school-aged children, Sandra discussed a chance conversation between her and the Fontana School District Superintendent that opened the door to bring California Indian culture into Fontana classrooms.

As a Native American working as a teacher’s aide, Sandra helped establish what was then the Title 4A program, which provided funding for Indian Education to create programs and a resource center for the district’s children. Sandra recalled being pleasantly surprised at the positive response from students and teachers, particularly to a day of culture in which schools experienced traditional music, dance and food. Seeing children of all backgrounds enjoying traditional Native culture lifted her spirits and encouraged others in the San Manuel community to continue moving forward for Native children in other area schools.

In San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD), Sandra’s mother, Martha Manuel Chacon, and her sister, Pauline “Dimples” Murillo, partnered with Native educators like SBCUSD’s

Barbara Drake to establish a grant for Indian Education in the district, which is still being used today.

This collaboration expanded in 1999 when thousands of students and their teachers came to California State University, San Bernardino to connect directly to California Native educators. Since then, CICAC has been held the fourth week of September in honor of California Native American Day, providing first-hand, factual information about California Indians.

The program, founded by tribal citizen and now Assemblymember James Ramos, has proved over its 20 years that empowering California Native Americans to teach their history and cultures is the best way to dispel long-held ignorance and misperceptions about California Indians.

What started with mothers finding common ground by speaking to educators, rose to a call for change in the way the state teaches about its more than 100 tribes. In 2021, Assemblymember Ramos heeded this call and introduced Assembly Bill 1703, the California Indian Education Act to improve classroom instruction of Native American history and culture through statewide task forces made up of tribal representatives and educators.

Additionally, AB 1703 calls on schools to identify prevailing gaps between Native American students and their non-Native peers and work to bridge these gaps. On California Native American Day, Governor Gavin Newsom approved the bill committing the state to continue the path forged by Native American elders, educators and parents decades ago.

ALL FIRED UP ALL FIRED UP

BY JESSICA VILLANO

When an 18-year-old Sonny Son walked into San Manuel to apply for a job, he wasn’t looking for a career. The recent high-school graduate just needed to do something until he figured out what was next. And he wanted to buy a car.

“I thought, if I can get that car, I’ll be good. It’s how life goes: you have one goal and when you reach it, you’re onto the next one. You’re never finished,” Son said and laughed.

Son began with San Manuel in Housekeeping and it was during the Christmas party that then-GM Ron Mastandrea came up to his table and asked Son and his friends which departments they worked in. Mastandrea said, “Give it your all because the skill sets you build now will carry on into whatever you do.”

Son took the advice to heart. With a strong work ethic, drive to pursue new goals and his ability to catch on quickly, he moved from Housekeeping to Maintenance and then to the Safety and Loss Department.

Today, he’s landed his dream career, and now shares his story to encourage others to do the same.

A San Manuel team member decided to chase his dream – and change careers – so management pulled out the stops to help him get there.

It was nearly two years ago, during a conversation with friend and coworker, Jack Whittenberger, that the two reflected on what they had achieved thus far in their careers – and what they wanted to do next.

“My wife and I started from the bottom. We’re both firstgeneration Americans; our parents were refugees. We’re very thankful for everything we have, and we love to give back where we can. So, I thought if I could do it over again, I’d want to help people. I’d be a firefighter.”

It was a big dream, but with Whittenberger’s encouragement, Son investigated the certifications, education and medical training he’d need to even be considered for the fire service. And then he went to the biggest advocate of professional and personal development he knew: Heather Thomas, Senior Manager of Safety and Loss.

“Every couple of weeks Heather asked us what we wanted and what she could do to help us find fulfillment in the organization,” Son said. When Son explained he was thinking about changing the entire trajectory of his career to become a firefighter, Heather went to work.

She accommodated Son’s schedule so he could get his EMT license, take classes at night and still earn a living –and she set up a meeting with Chief Michael Smith, Vice President of Emergency Services. “After that meeting, I had an official/unofficial mentor,” said Son. “He gave me his recommendation on how to get into the fire department and every quarter we talked about my goals and progress.”

Today, thanks to the support of San Manuel leadership, Son is part of a team that fights structure, campaign and wildfires as well as responds to traffic collisions, medical calls and HAZMAT incidents, as the only Type 1 HAZMAT team in the area.

“I’m proof you can start from the bottom and bust your butt and make it,” Son said. “I was lucky to have the support of San Manuel and now I share my story to encourage others…but my story is not unique. I’ve met so many successful people who have also grown within the organization. It’s really amazing.”

“The environment and the people I worked with made me want more for myself, to keep growing professionally and personally,” Son said.

The Redlands Bicycle Classic isn’t just about who crosses the finish line first. See how this fun family event promotes health, wellness and safety locally.

BY STEVE BORNFELD

hen it comes to philanthropy and a commitment to uplifting its neighbors, for San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (SMBMI), it’s full speed ahead.

“San Manuel is not simply a sponsor of the Classic, they are our partner,” said Marc Shaw, Executive Director of the Redlands Bicycle Classic, the 36th edition of which hit the pavement last April after a two-year, pandemic-forced hiatus.

Founded in 1985 by a Redlands, California local volunteer group, the Classic is dedicated to promoting cycling health benefits for Redlands and surrounding communities.

Featuring a worldwide roster of cyclists –athletes who flock to the longest running bicycle race in America to prove their abilities over demanding terrain – the five-day, volunteerstaffed event, is dedicated to the core values of health, diversity and the environment, all of which are in alignment with the Tribe.

“The Redlands Bicycle Classic ties together many of the Tribe’s philanthropy priorities including education, health and economic and community development,” said Brigitte Saria, SMBMI’s Chief People and Infrastructure Officer.

That’s why the Tribe was proud to be a presenting sponsor of the 2022 Redlands Bicycle Classic – the Tribe’s 10th year sponsoring at that level. “SMBMI hosted Stage One, the first day of racing, at San Manuel Village in Highland where tribal citizens, team members and Highland community partners

welcomed hundreds of cyclists at the starting line. Our Yaamava’ Food and Beverage team catered the event’s VIP section, showcasing their talents to more than 700 guests,” said Saria.

Beyond thrilling the spectators, the Classic is enhanced by the fun of a free event brimming with community rides, school visits, public races and a downtown food/entertainment expo. Shaw noted that uniting the community is the overarching goal – along with providing a platform for community groups to share causes of importance.

“Our school visit program and youth races are the highlight of each year’s event,” he said. “About six years ago, as a component of our partnership with San Manuel, the organizing committee embarked on a program to take professional cyclists into local elementary and middle schools to encourage an active lifestyle, healthy eating habits and safe bicycling.”

This year, they made it to nearly 30 schools in the Redlands, San Bernardino and Yucaipa school districts. Over the course of the Classic’s

relationship with SMBMI, the number of students impacted overall grew to more than 50,000.

“Our partnership has allowed for the expansion of the event from three days to five and has provided opportunities for professional cycling teams to teach students about overall wellness and bicycle safety,” said Saria.

Describing the value of the Classic’s partnership with SMBMI, Shaw cited how “together, we invest in our community and neighbors. We work to make life better and to provide positive opportunities for those we serve. Their support is a seminal part of our efforts.”

That collaboration is mutually beneficial, as the Classic supports SMBMI’s tribal and community outreach programs.

“Because of our mutual investment in the local community, we’ve attended groundbreaking ceremonies, sponsored the Tribe’s golf tournament and organized a bicycle safety rodeo at a local elementary school where we offered an obstacle course and information on safe routes to school,”

said Shaw. “And with San Manuel’s generous help, we even gave away five bicycles to school children in need. We value San Manuel’s support. We look forward to working together to make our communities thrive for years to come.”

And, as noted by the Tribe in a statement prior to this year’s event, being a presenting sponsor “reaffirms SMBMI’s deep commitment to our region, as we work together to build a stronger community.”

WWhen it debuted in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) 2022 season, there were a few things that made the Angel City Football Club (ACFC) stand out. One was the new and diverse fanbase that is clearly here to stay. The second was the powerhouse women founders: Academy Award-winning actress and activist Natalie Portman, media and gaming entrepreneur Julie Uhrman and tech venture capitalist Kara Nortman.

Portman – who worked with the nonprofit TIMES UP, known for tackling gender equality issues in various industries – was inspired to create change after hearing about two women striving for equality on and off the field: the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association Executive Director, Becca Roux, and ESPY’s Icon Award-winning Abby Wambach, now an investor in ACFC.

Wambach led the U.S. Women’s soccer team to two Olympic gold medals and a World Cup victory – and was declared one of the best athletes in the world alongside Peyton Manning and the late Kobe Bryant at the 2016 ESPYs. Yet she was nowhere near to having financial stability like her male counterparts. That had to change.

According to Uhrman, who grew up in Los Angeles, she and the other co-founders wanted to build an organization that would create pay equity using soccer as the vehicle. Their vision was to help women surpass the current limits in sports, while creating a profitable business that would lead with passion and purpose.

It was during a tech-league basketball game that Nortman pulled aside Uhrman, her 20-plus-year industry colleague, and asked if she was interested in being part of an organization that would upend the traditional view of women’s sports. The answer was an emphatic “Yes.”

“Not having a strong background in sports actually helped us build Angel City,” Uhrman said. “We felt it was a unique time for female athletes and

were able to look at developing the team with fresh eyes. We also wanted to include the community and engage fans, not only from Los Angeles but globally.”

The players who made the cut for ACFC were recognized for their skills on the field and regarded as icons who would bring a cultural shift to sports off the field. “We believe the player comes first, team second and league third,” Uhrman said. “Our question is: how do we tell the stories of our players and have that translate into the emotional connection with the club. And that came from my experience outside of sports.”

Engaging with the public and getting ACFC known in the Los Angeles area took a lot of strategic work, especially after COVID. But the founders have had success with their fans by reflecting the city’s diversity and embracing strong values such as providing essentials for families and children to thrive, equity to create opportunity and education to empower.

“I’ve never worked with a more passionate and deeply invested team of people,” said Catherine Davila, Head of Community for ACFC. “The impact we’re making in the community and the desire to have a positive

effect – not just in L.A. but on all sports in general –has been our driving force.”

Davila said ACFC started by calling around town to hundreds of youth programs, reaching out to everyone they knew and spreading the word that an NWSL expansion team was coming to Los Angeles. Since the season began, the response has grown, and fans from all over California, not just L.A., pack the Banc of California Stadium with an average attendance of 19,105 per game. The team has also sold out four games.

But Davila believes there is still so much ground to cover.

“We’ve only begun to scratch the surface,” she said. “We’re going to reach out to every possible zip code we can in the years to come.”

From Uncertainty to Success

The first Native American player in the NWSL takes the field for Angel City Football Club.

Madison Hammond had no idea she would play professional soccer until attending Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Hammond – who identifies as San Felipe Pueblo, Navajo and African American – said, “I decided at the end

of my sophomore year I wanted to pursue playing professionally. So, I took summer classes to get my credits done, and graduated early in the winter of 2019.”

The world of professional sports was not foreign to Hammond. Her uncle, Notah Begay III, played professional golf and was the first Native American to play on the PGA tour.

“I had someone close to me who was a professional athlete. So, playing professional sports never felt out of the realm of possibility,” Hammond said. “I’ve been able to lean on so many people in my inner community – and it influenced me to become better.”

Hammond first pursued a professional career abroad in Spain, trying out for two clubs before being picked up by the OL Reign in Seattle. Then COVID hit.

“I honestly didn’t know what I was going to do,” Hammond said. “I wanted to keep pursuing this dream.” And even though it seemed the timing to play professionally wasn’t right, Hammond kept her momentum, an asset she attributes to her competitive nature.

“That competitiveness drove me to where I am

today,” Hammond said. “I wouldn’t say I’m the most gifted soccer player, but I’ve continuously worked hard to become as good as I am now. I’ve been willing and able to level up and not settle.”

While the pandemic shut down the league in 2020, Hammond found new ways to get stronger: training for her first half marathon with friends. And it wasn’t long before she got a call from the OL Reign, wanting her to come back and train with the team and possibly earn a contract.

In June 2020, she went to Montana with the OL Reign to train, due to fewer COVID restrictions in the Big Sky Country state. Hammond worked hard in training camp – and was offered a contract, a surreal moment after all the uncertainty.

Hammond didn’t get much playing time during the 2020 season but she loved the friendships she developed and the crazy experience of playing in a “bubble” environment.

“My friends who’ve played professionally for 6-7 years said we would never experience anything like this again,” Hammond said. “My rookie season gave

me a lot of experience in handling adversity. I had to figure things out even when I didn’t know what was going to happen the next day.”

After playing two seasons with the OL Reign, Hammond took a chance on herself and sought a trade to the Angel City Football Club.

“The team identity is so different from the OL Reign,” Hammond said. “Playing with Angel City, I have an opportunity to create something, to be part of a team that sets the foundation and establishes roots and identity.”

Since then, Hammond has partnered with the Nike N7 fund, which has given more than $8 million in grants to more than 270 communities and organizations to help Indigenous people lead happier, healthier lives. Hammond also was highlighted as an influential athlete and featured on two Nike billboards, in Los Angeles and New York City.

While her schedule prevents her from going home to see family and attend ceremonies regularly,

she still draws strength from her community. When she does make it home, it’s a grounding experience because of the support she feels. And now she’s happy to represent and support other Native people.

“This year, I was highlighted by our league sponsor Ally, in their Game Changer series,” Hammond said. “I shared my story and I’ve gotten better at being vulnerable. Because of that, I think my story resonates much more with people.”

A Kick Start

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians teams up with Angel City Football Club to inspire and encourage healthy habits for kids throughout San Bernardino. Angel City Football Club is about influencing and

building a profitable business with partners that give back to the community and, when looking for the right partnership, the founders of ACFC look at values.

From the start, ACFC has shared the same values as the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. At the top of both organizations’ lists are empowering the youth and creating equal access to opportunities and resources in San Bernardino and Riverside.

“It’s about leadership and impact,” said Uhrman. “We wanted to positively impact our community and bring sports to the Indigenous community. I love that

we’re starting with San Manuel from the beginning.”

The partnership aims to inspire and prepare kids for success by improving physical and mental health through soccer clinics. These clinics are a combination of personal development and physical training during which participants learn the fundamentals of soccer, importance of teamwork and how to succeed with the mental aspect of the game.

Thus far, ACFC has donated athletic equipment and provided training for coaches at more than 150 events, held 150 camps across Southern California and hosted clinics accommodating 150 players between the ages of seven and 14. In the future, ACFC looks forward to expanding the programs and making the soccer clinics available throughout the school year, including three clinics in San Bernardino in partnership with San Manuel.

“These are free, high-quality, youth soccer clinics,” said Davila. “We offer them to give access to this sport and break down barriers, and we’re looking forward to expanding the programs in 2023.”

Playing with Angel City, I have an opportunity to create something, to be part of a team that sets the foundation and establishes roots and identity.

—MADISON HAMMOND

Acting on our beliefs

Building a brighter future for all

For generations, our Tribe has answered to Yawa’—the call to act on one’s beliefs. It’s the reason we donated $300M over the last 20 years and why we continue to partner with communities across California.

Because when we work together, we all prosper.

Connect with us at www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov

BETTER EVERY YEAR

When it comes to movies, the sequel is rarely as good as the original. Sure, there’s the occasional outlier, but for the most part, subsequent installments tend to get stale or predictable. The same thing happens with annual events.

Then there’s the San Manuel Golf Tournament held by Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel in partnership with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The tournament celebrated its 23rd rendition this summer – and defied the odds by continuing to go from strength to strength.

What started small more than two decades ago has evolved into a happening: it’s the must-play charity golf event of the season in the gaming industry. Today, the tournament has grown in alignment with the Tribe’s business portfolio and strategic philanthropy program, generating more funds to help more people.

This year, the tournament set both a new attendance record, bringing together more than 1,200 participants, and a new high mark for charitable giving, raising more than $400,000 for eight local and national nonprofits that provide health

services, environmental conservation and cultural development for tribal communities.

So, how does the tournament get better every year?

It’s no easy task, but organizers have developed a winning formula that they say starts with the venue.

“The first question everyone asks when you invite them to participate in your charity tournament is, ‘What course do we get to play?’” said San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Business Committee Secretary Audrey Martinez.

This year, golfers teed off on ocean-view golf courses at Pelican Hill Resort Club, a 36-hole Tom Fazio facility set along the clifftops of Newport Beach, and Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point.

It’s also become part of tournament lore that participants are able to get their hands on swag like shoes, bags and apparel from both established and newly emerging top brands in golf by purchasing nonprofit donation certificates.

In addition, attendees can buy raffle tickets and bid on auction prizes for donated dream prizes like travel, home entertainment centers, memorabilia from sport legends, golf lessons and foursomes and other enviable takeaways – with all proceeds further benefiting the worthy organizations.

In addition to collectors’ items, the tournament also features celebrities and athletes participating in the fundraising efforts by donating their time to shake hands and even swing clubs with guests.

In fact, presenting sponsors of the tournament included Yaamava’s sports partners: LA Dodgers, LA Galaxy, Anaheim Ducks, LA Kings, Las Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders and UCLA. Other sponsors included Penta Building Group, Imagine

Participants in San Manuel’s annual golf tournament teed up to deliver more charitable donations and more fun, which means more help for those who need it. By Adam Schupak

This and Aristocrat Gaming.

Along with pulled pork and salmon BLT sliders, empanadas and the finest delicacies from the culinary team at comfort stations around the course, there were also raffles, silent auctions and drinks to be had at the 19 th hole. In the evening, a DJ and band took turns keeping the dance floor busy.

The annual golf tournament is a festive occasion to gather and have fun in a special setting among friends. But it’s really about giving back to the community that was there for the Tribe when it was in need. And as the tournament has grown, so have the charitable dollars, with this year’s giving growing by $125,000 since 2019.

“I continue to be in awe of the thoughtfulness and generosity of our sponsors and partners who are continuing San Manuel’s mission of supporting organizations that are truly the boots on the ground for making our world a better place,” said Martinez.

Raising money for charity makes a difference for the nonprofits and, just as importantly, raises awareness for causes that are near and dear to the hearts of many of its participants.

“These eight nonprofits are dedicated to improving the lives of so many Native Americans as well as local communities, and we are proud to be in a position where we can help,” said Martinez. “The tournament is just one of the many ways San Manuel embodies a culture of giving back.”

STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY

Supporting nonprofit organizations is part of the Tribe’s commitment to their Giving Pillar under the charitable program known as San Manuel Cares.

In the last 20 years, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has donated more than $300 million to organizations nationally and locally. This year, eight nonprofits were awarded $50,000 each for their commitment to education, health, economic and community development or special projects.

Here’s a look at the recipients and their missions:

• Advocate for Indigenous California Language Survival (AICLS) seeks to revitalize native languages by creating and encouraging new speakers. aicls.org

• Children of the Setting Sun Productions works to protect the environment by sharing Indigenous values of gratitude, generosity, respect and responsibility. settingsunproductions.org

• National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition increases awareness about the Boarding School Policy of 1869 and fosters healing of the generational trauma that resulted from it. boardingschoolhealing.org

• Zuni Youth Enrichment Program connects positive role models with the younger generation, teaches Zuni traditions and offers enriching programs and nurturing spaces to help create strong and healthy adults. zyep.org

• Desert Sanctuary, Inc. provides emergency housing, counseling, groups and empowering classes for domestic abuse survivors and their families. desert-sanctuary.org

• Miracles for Kids provides monthly financial aid, subsidized housing and counseling to families with critically ill children – and is one of the only organizations on the West Coast to do so. miraclesforkids.org

• Working Dogs for Warriors trains and donates service dogs for veterans and first responders who suffer from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury or other service-related injury. workingdogsforwarriors.com

• Youth Mentoring Action Network provides critical mentoring, which means they reframe the mentoring experience as youth-centered while acknowledging race, ethnicity, class, citizenship and gender. yman.org

FOR THEIR SACRIFICE

BY ALIYAH CHAVEZ

Nestled between the sounds of water and drumbeats, prayer cloths sway in the breeze. The colorful strips of fabric carry the prayers and memory of Native American veterans. Just above the trees, the Capitol building sits at a distance, perched as a symbol of the United States and its people.

This scene at the National Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. is decades in the making. The newly constructed memorial is a place to learn about the sacrifice of Native people who served in the armed forces.

Just outside the steps of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, a winding path – sheltered by trees and a small body of water – starts the “path of life.” The path opens to an elevated stainless-steel circle balanced on a carved stone drum. Vibrations on the water give a serene and timeless feeling here.

This memorial honors a tradition of military service – a concept deeply rooted in Indigenous communities but never acknowledged in a way like this before.

Washington, D.C. sits on the ancestral homelands of the Anacostans, Piscataway and Pamunkey people. It is home to three memorials honoring veterans: the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the World War II

Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

For the first time, the National Native American Veterans Memorial honors the service of Native Americans, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiians.

The idea was first authorized by the U.S. Congress to be built in 2013. The legislation, however, didn’t allow federal funding to be used for the construction. That meant all financial backing came from individuals, organizations and tribal nations.

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians contributed $1 million to the planning and construction phases. It also supported a traveling exhibit called “Patriot Nations” to gain early support for the idea.

“It’s our hope the memorial serves as a reminder that the service of our Native American men and women should be valued and honored,” said Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena. “To this day, Native Americans serve in military service in higher numbers on a per-capita basis than any other ethnic group in the country. That fact should be acknowledged.”

In World War I alone, it’s estimated that up to a quarter of American Indian men served. These estimates could be undercounted given that Native people didn’t always check the box for their ethnicity out of fear of mistreatment. It wasn’t until 1924, six years after World War I ended, that Native Americans became citizens of the U.S.

A long-awaited national monument in Washington, D.C. acknowledges the service of Indigenous people in the military.

This memorial was opened on Veterans Day in 2020, during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic, which resulted in a virtual celebration. Two years later in 2022, Native veterans, families and stakeholders gathered in person for a long-awaited dedication ceremony. A livestream of this event can be found online for generations to come.

A WARRIOR CULTURE

Shortly after Congress gave the green light for this memorial, a team from the National Museum of the American Indian started its process.

Rebecca Trautmann, the project’s curator, established an advisory committee made up of Native veterans, family members and tribal leaders to share their perspectives on the memorial. The committee traveled to 16 states, meeting with more than 1,200 Native people over a year and a half, ultimately resulting in 35 consultation meetings.

At almost every stop, Trautmann said it was clear how tribes hold their Native veterans in high regard. Proof of that was seen in individual tribal veterans’ memorials, exhibits in tribal museums and photos of soldiers hanging on the walls of homes and tribal government buildings.

“It was really inspiring to see,” Trautmann said.

The concept of honoring Native veterans is well known to Harvey Pratt, designer of the memorial. A citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma and Sioux, he is one of the Southern Cheyenne’s Peace Chiefs and a veteran himself.

Pratt’s mother made him directly thank Native veterans at pow wows for their service. Once he became of age, Pratt signed up to serve in the Vietnam War to represent his country and tribal nation.

At the heart of the design is the elevated circle structure. Pratt said circles are “universal,” citing the shape in teepees, kivas, hogans and pow wow arenas. The base of the circle has water with vibrations flowing outward. “This is to call people to visit the memorial,” Pratt said.

On the outer banks of the circle are logos of the five branches of the U.S. military. There are also halfbenches for people to sit and reflect. Pratt says he designed half-benches so that veterans, and people in wheelchairs, can feel included in the circle.

This Native veterans’ memorial is believed to be the only one to have a sound system. Veteran songs from the Ojibwe, Menominee, Blackfeet, Ho-Chunk, Kiowa and Lakota Nations play on a continuous loop on the speakers.

The memorial also features lances marking the cardinal directions of north, south, east and west. Each direction includes sculptures of feathers and is colored in the four sacred colors: white for starting a new day, red for the creator, yellow for mother earth and black for our ancestors. Prayer cloths are tied to the lances.

“Not all nations have prayer cloths, but a lot of them do,” Pratt said.

Many of these details came from conversations with Native veterans who shared what they wanted the memorial to be. Many said they felt the memorial should be sheltered outside of the hustle and bustle of the National Mall, which is why Pratt created one path to enter and one path to leave. “This is not a shortcut where people are going in and out to another memorial. I wanted it to be a destination.”

The journey of talking to Native veterans meant he heard many stories. One of which stood out.

“I met a Native woman who was a lieutenant colonel

committees and policymakers who questioned the intention of the memorial. Many asked him why he served in the U.S. military when the nation’s dark history included one where Native people were nearly eradicated. “I told them, ‘This is Indian Country. This is Indian land. I don’t care who owns it, we’ll fight for it.’”

The location of the memorial was moved five times over the course of its planning. On the fifth and final iteration, Pratt stood in the final location when he noticed a hawk flying out of the southwest. It landed near the site and hopped around, staying there for over an hour. “My great-grandfather’s name was Redtail Hawk. I knew then that my ancestors came to approve this,” Pratt finished.

The spirit of “warrior culture” is what prompted Pratt to submit a design for the Smithsonian’s juried competition, which was selected from 120 submissions.

“I’m in awe of how Native people treat their veterans. In some communities, you can’t walk in front of Native veterans,” Pratt said. “Some tribes are so respectful, they won’t step on their shadow, instead they step around.”

BEHIND THE DESIGN

“How do you connect over 500 federally recognized tribes in the United States, Alaska and the islands?” Pratt wondered.

“I dreamt on it and found that ceremony and spirituality are the way to touch all of these people.”

in Afghanistan. She recalled a time when people asked her where she was from. When she said she was Native, they told her ‘Oh no you’re not. All your people were killed off,’” Pratt said with tears in his eyes. “Many people don’t think Native are here anymore.”

Educating non-Native people is part of the legacy Pratt and others hope the memorial has. He wants nonNative people to visit the memorial to see the very real and present celebration of Indigenous people today. “It means something to me as a Native veteran that everyone knows we are still here and we’re still fighting for this country.”

Before construction on the project began, Pratt remembered traveling to Washington, D.C. with his wife Gina Posey Pratt every month. He stood before

It means something to me as a Native veteran that everyone knows we are still here and we’re still fighting for this country.

GROWTH OPPORTUNITY

Find a new career with San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and Yaamava’ Resort & Casino. We have open positions in our Hotel, Resort, Casino, Tribal Government Operations, and more. Benefits include a 401(k) match, $5,250/year tuition reimbursement, educational discounts, and discretionary bonuses. Learn more about the opportunities that await.

sanmanuelcareers.com

FOR ALL YOU DO

BY JESSICA VILLANO

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (SMBMI) knows it’s the team members that make each of the Tribe’s enterprises successful. “It takes everyone to create a best-in-class experience for all. Therefore, it’s crucial we take the time to recognize individual, group and organizational efforts,” said Peter Arceo, General Manager of Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel.

Throughout the year, the Tribe acknowledges the people who work to make the resort, casino and other ventures great: handshake greetings, positive feedback and expressions of gratitude are just part of being on property. There are also programs such as Employee of the Year, High 5 days at Yaamava’ and food truck events at the office spaces that create camaraderie and rapport within the organization. The Tribe has even forged partnerships with local colleges and universities so team members can pursue higher education and personal development while receiving tuition reimbursement.

But when it comes to the most popular recognition event during the year, especially for team members with children? It’s Employee Appreciation Day, because the whole family’s invited along.

The all-expense-paid event is held at one of the most popular attractions in Southern California decided on by vote. For the third time in a row, Universal Studios won hands down.

“My hope is that team members make the most of the day. They take the time to connect with their colleagues and leadership offsite, without the hustle and bustle of work. That they create memories with their family and friends, laugh, relax and have fun,” said Arceo.

Lynn Faraca-Bond, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, noted that team members love the chance to spend time with their families and see other team members outside of work. “And it’s an opportunity for us to show them how much their hard work and dedication matters to the Tribe,” said Faraca-Bond. “We provide this unique experience for our team members and their families because we want the whole family to understand how much we value them.”

This year, like every year, the Tribe covered parking and meals, as well as treated team members to extended hours to explore the park and hit the premier attractions without crowds. A dedicated picnic area provided a chance to relax with friends and family while also enjoying DJ-hosted games and entertainment; photos, face painting, balloon artists, temporary tattoo artists and character visits; and ice-cold beverages and ice cream to beat the heat.

“It’s rewarding to see all the lasting memories being made and knowing the Tribe provided that opportunity,” said Faraca-Bond. “This is a unique benefit that not a lot of other employers in our area take part in – it means a lot to the Tribe to provide this perk and we hope our team members feel how much they are valued.”

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians says thank you to its team members with an epic day of fun for the whole family.

My hope is that team members make the most of the day. They take the time to connect with their colleagues and leadership offsite, without the hustle and bustle of work. That they create memories with their family and friends, laugh, relax and have fun.

It’s rewarding to see all the lasting memories being made and knowing the Tribe provided that opportunity. This is a unique benefit that not a lot of other employers in our area take part in...

!

ON HIGH ALERT

HOW QUICK ACTION CAN SAVE THE LIVES OF FIRST CALIFORNIANS.

BY HEATHER JACKSON

With the greatest population of Native Americans – and the highest rates of violence against that population – California state legislators and California tribes are taking leading roles in advancing policies to protect the lives of Indigenous people.

On September 23, 2022, a significant victory was earned with the passage of AB 1314. The bill, authored by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) and sponsored by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, creates the Feather Alert – an Endangered Missing Advisory (EMA) system that is activated when Native Americans go missing. Two other states have approved similar legislation this year: Washington state in April and Colorado in June.

Currently, law enforcement agencies use the EMA, commonly known as the Amber Alert, to investigate suspicious disappearances of at-risk missing children or other threatened persons. Like the Amber Alert, the Feather Alert is activated by the California Highway Patrol at the request of local law enforcement to enlist the public’s help in locating a missing Indigenous person.

“I am gratified that the governor approved this bill to help stop the violence afflicting California’s Native American communities,” said Assemblymember Ramos. “The Feather Alert will aid law enforcement and families in alerting the public in a broad and

effective manner when a Native individual is missing or endangered.”

The bill was developed after a hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs. Tribal leaders called for legislators to take more urgent steps to provide immediate support when suspected abductions or other acts of violence occur against California Indian people – who, like all Native Americans, experience a disproportionate amount of violence and often fall through the cracks when it comes to receiving assistance from law enforcement or the justice system.

Annabella Hernandez, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians youth advocate, traveled to Sacramento this summer to testify in support of AB 1314. The bill is another way to help fight the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) battle, a nationwide movement that raises awareness about under-reported and under-investigated violence against Native Americans.

“The Feather Alert will enable law enforcement and impacted Native American communities to search for Native people who are missing and put the community on high alert,” Hernandez said. “I am grateful the California legislature is aligned with rectifying this injustice and implementing a system that will save countless Native lives.”

AB 1314 is sponsored by the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians and the Tachi Santa Rosa Rancheria. In addition to San Manuel and Yurok, other supporters include the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, California State Sheriff’s Association, California Tribal Families Coalition, Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla Cupeno Indians, Torrez Martinez Band of Desert Cahuilla Indians and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, California Consortium for Urban Indian Health and California Tribal Business Alliance.

Another Hard-Won,

VICTORY HISTORIC

California tribes defended against a multi-million-dollar political assault –and now prepare for the next one that looms ahead.

BY WALTONA MANION

It’s not every day that you make history. But that’s what the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has done. Again.

Twenty-four years ago, San Manuel, together with the rest of California’s tribes, fought for its economic survival. Prop 5 was on the ballot, and the tribes waited that Tuesday night of November 3, 1998, to find out if California voters were with them. At stake was the tribes’ ability to operate gaming. They had spent precious resources just to get on the ballot. In the end, it was the most expensive campaign in U.S. history.

Until now. Once again, tribes have had to fight to protect what was theirs. Once again, gaming interests – this time giant sports wagering corporations –conceived Prop 27 and spent a record-breaking $170 million to sell it to California voters. Proposition 27 called to change the California Constitution and state law to allow online sports betting over the internet and mobile devices. But, wrapped in false promises, the proposition was just a brazen bid to undermine tribal sovereignty and destroy the tribal gaming exclusivity affirmed two decades ago by the California constitution.

In 1998, Prop 5 marked a historic victory, made possible by millions of voters who stood by California tribes. Now, more than two decades later, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians led a new fight to defend tribal rights. And it took a page from Santos Manuel’s notebook to do it.

Seeking the survival of his Tribe in the perilous 1800s, Santos Manuel made a bold decision: lead his people out of their ancestral land in the mountain pines into a new life in the San Bernardino valley, a choice not without risks.

In 2022, the threat of Prop 27 required a different kind of risk-taking. Tribal leaders met with San Manuel’s team of political strategists, campaign experts, pollsters and lobbyists and arrived at a similarly bold, unprecedented two-pronged strategy –strike early against the out-of-state corporate alliance and create a new ballot option.

The preemptive strike plan turned out to be pivotal. While it gathered signatures for a new ballot measure,

the tribal coalition launched a comprehensive attack against the out-of-state conglomerates. The comprehensive communications effort included an aggressive schedule of TV advertising, direct mail, social media and grassroots organizing.

As a result, the out-of-state sports wagering cabal never established a strong foothold. The early months of polling showed lukewarm voter support that declined over the summer. By August, both the state Democratic and Republican parties had taken a “No on 27” position, as had a bipartisan majority of state legislative leadership and a wide swath of major labor, public safety and nonprofit groups. When the largest labor union in the state, the California Teachers Federation, elected to oppose Prop 27, many key unions and organizations followed suit.

To recover lost ground, the sports betting operators doubled down and spent a stunning $80 million in late summer/early fall. But despite threshold-shattering spending, voters remained dissuaded. Many of the state’s leading newspapers published editorials calling for the defeat of Prop 27.

Speaking at October’s Global Gaming Expo, one of the world’s major gaming conferences, DraftKings founder/CEO Jason Robins admitted that San Manuel’s early opposition, which initiated a strong preemptive offense before Prop 27 even qualified for the ballot, was a significant factor in the failure to win over California voters.

California Nations Indian Gaming Association

(CNIGA) Executive Director James Siva noted that, despite FanDuel and DraftKings pouring vast amounts of money into their assault on tribal gaming rights, it was labeled a misleading and deceptive effort by the California news media and rejected by voters.

Another crucial asset was the coalition’s ability to recalibrate in the face of new challenges. From the beginning, San Manuel’s tribal coalition used survey data more extensively than any other campaign to date to develop its plan and refine it as necessary. This adaptability would prove to be invaluable.

In late May, polling feedback made it apparent California voters had little enthusiasm for sports wagering measures. The economy, COVID, war and other factors had cooled citizen interest. Voter fatigue grew while gas prices and inflation rose. It was clear defeat of the corporate measure took priority.

The campaign filed its signatures to qualify the measure in July. But taking voter interest into account, it concentrated resources on crushing Prop 27’s attack. This decision was key because, while 900,000 Californians signed on to support

the San Manuel ballot measure, it fell short of the threshold to qualify. Fortunately, this doesn’t rule out a fresh effort for a 2024 initiative, which will be a better time for a tribal-led sports betting effort in California according to data. This same data indicated a high likelihood of failure for this year’s corporate measure, which was polling at an all-time low.

In late October, news media predicted Prop 27’s failure. When the November 8 vote was tabulated, the response was overwhelming. Post-election media

reported more than 80% of California voters rejected Prop 27. It was a decisive victory.

In the wake of defeat, DraftKings/FanDuel executives made clear they believe California voters will approve sports wagering in 2024. This means tribes can expect another assault on tribal gaming exclusivity from out-of-state gaming companies.

“The gaming landscape has changed. Right now, the debate is over sports wagering because it promises great potential,” said San Manuel Vice Chairman Johnny Hernandez. “But there will always be the new next thing. At every turn, we must defend against forces that would encroach on tribal sovereignty. San Manuel proved the classic strategy that the best defense is an offense.”

With the successful defeat of Prop 27, tribal leadership is already looking ahead to new options for 2024.

FanDuel’s CEO Amy Howe said her company will keep fighting for sports betting in California.

“If Proposition 27 doesn’t pass this time around, we will live to fight another day,” said Howe.

San Manuel has a message for Amy: So will the spirit of Santos Manuel and the California tribes.

(muh-chish-chk)

FAVORITES

Müčisck: your favorite things. A word to acknowledge all those things in life you find yourself drawn toward.

This section explores the indulgences found at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, and the newly revamped Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Explore one of two ultimate steakhouse experiences, meet a culinary hard hitter who brought his signature flavors back to Vegas, be tempted by an award-winning wine list and then see what kind of creative cocktails await you at a beloved lounge with an iconic view.

Springing

FORWARD

BY DAKOTA KIM

Yaamava’ is the Serrano word for “spring season.” According to San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (SMBMI) Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena, the renaming of San Manuel Casino to Yaamava’ Resort & Casino signifies the rebirth and spring awakening of the fabulous destination.

“At our stage of growth and progress, the name change to Yaamava’ represents a time of renewal for San Manuel, our community, our enterprises and our employees and guests,” Valbuena said. “The time of renewal and new birth also brought new growth and amenities for our gaming and resort enterprise.”

The thriving, remodeled resort and casino, which features high-end and casual dining, gaming, stylish accommodations and entertainment, has good cause to celebrate. Since opening on December 13, 2021, after a much-anticipated expansion, the hotel has welcomed more than 200,000 guests.

The striking design of Yaamava’ – with its 17-floor hotel tower with interior design by elite firm Avenue ID, sparkling pool and luxury spa and entertainment complex designed by accomplished

architects WATG – has made a splash not only in Southern California but across the West.

Another cause to celebrate is that Yaamava’, founded by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, overcame adversity during the pandemic, managing to look toward the future, ensuring selfreliance and a strong foundation for the Tribe.

Though the casino closed for 87 days during the COVID-19 pandemic, SMBMI paid the employees continuously during that time. “There have been periods in our long and distinguished history when challenges and hardships befell our people, but it is the spirit of the Yuhaaviatam and our commitment to planning for the next seven generations that motivate us,” Chairwoman Valbuena said, referencing the spiritual reinforcement of the Tribe’s ancestors.

With a resilient attitude, Yaamava’ managers weren’t discouraged by the challenge of hiring team members, despite the lingering effects of a pandemic. In fact Yaamava’ was able to boost the local economy, hiring more than 4,000 people.

“The resilience and creativity shown were exceptional in reaching the right individuals to join our team and help us establish a best-in-class guest experience,” said Peter Arceo, General Manager of Yaamava’ Resort & Casino.

Now, with white-glove, five-star service in place, Yaamava’ is gearing up to welcome even more guests during the holidays and over the next year. The key to the surge in visitors may be the top-notch service, according to Arceo.

“Our service is unparalleled, and I know a lot of people say that, but I would invite people that have never stayed here before to allow us to show them what Yaamava’ service is all about,” Arceo said. “We like to call it our approachable luxury, where you can be treated with the best, luxurious service that also feels personal in an approachable, likable and down-to-earth way.”

Post-pandemic, guests are emphasizing vacations, entertainment and time spent together. At the recently completed Yaamava’ Theater, guests bond over rousing concert and stand-up comedy experiences, from the Jonas Brothers to Adam Sandler.

The 2,800-seat entertainment venue, in collaboration with music provider Live Nation, features a 3,882-square-foot stage, retractable orchestra section, six seating sections, three concession stands, nine VIP boxes with private restrooms, wet bars, TVs and sound systems and a banquet kitchen.

“This extraordinary venue will allow us to adapt to the ever-changing world of entertainment and give us the flexibility to be successful for many years

Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel blossoms as it celebrates its one-year anniversary.

to come,” Arceo said. “Yaamava’ Theater is a stateof-the-art, world-class facility with the very best in equipment, including top-notch lighting, sound and stage production.”

To Valbuena, creating Yaamava’ has been a spiritual undertaking. “As we marvel at the new Yaamava’ gaming and entertainment center, we are also reminded that the work to secure a future for our people never ends,” Chairwoman said. “This is a responsibility that we inherited from our ancestors; the same responsibility that our descendants will inherit from us. There will be many, many more Yaamava’ seasons in our future. It is our plan to continue our work to take advantage of every Spring season given to us by the Creator.”

Striving for

EXCELLENCE

Step into The Pines Modern Steakhouse at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel and experience a wine list that can only come from the right blend of curiosity, passion, drive and desire. BY JESSICA DUPUY

Guests can get a taste of the premium caliber of The Pines wine list anywhere at the resort with the private label house wine selections. Spearheaded by Director of Beverage Operations Ryan Sharpe, the house wines are a project in partnership with Broken Earth Winery in Paso Robles, home to some of the oldest vines in the region. Guests can sample both a red and white blend, bottled in a simple, yet elegant, design with the resort’s emblematic “Y”.

Those looking for a posh wine and culinary experience in the San Bernardino Mountain area need look no further than The Pines Modern Steakhouse at Yaamava’.

Inspired by the Tribe’s culture and ancestral land, the luxe space features a 182-seat dining room, complete with lounge, private dining area and full-service bar accented by natural elements of walnut and stone. The setting is intimate with subdued lighting, earthy artwork, a woven-basket motif and plush seating – and reservations are booked weeks in advance.

As the name suggests, The Pines Modern Steakhouse focuses on steak, using quality cuts of premium beef, including A5 Wagyu, complemented by other delectable selections such as Colorado lamb, handmade pasta, king salmon and Chilean sea bass. But perhaps the menu’s best complement is the wine list.

Boasting a 4,000-bottle inventory with more than 500 selections of top offerings from Napa, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and more, the cellar at The Pines is nothing if not impressive.

“We’ve built this wine program from the ground up, with the goal to be one of the best in the country,” said Ryan Sharpe, Director of Beverage Operations at Yaamava’.

Starting as a chef and working his way to managing the food and beverage programs at restaurants around the country, Sharpe joined Yaamava’ in 2020 with the explicit instruction to build a wine list worthy of a Wine Spectator Award – a program that includes three levels: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award.

“We literally had three months to build that list,” said Sharpe, who employed the help of the team to bring this to life. “We had a lot of work to do to take a list that was originally 50 wines to 550.”

In 2021, they achieved their goal, earning the Award of Excellence. The honor helped establish The Pines as a great destination for wine, not only in California but across the country.

“Having less than a year to build that list was an achievement in itself, but to earn that award in the first year was a major milestone for the restaurant and the team,” said Sharpe.

But the team wasn’t finished yet. They continued to refine the Pines’ wine list as well as Collection 86 – named in tribute to the year the original San Manuel Bingo hall opened – with unique finds such as a Tawny Port from 1870 and bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Château Mouton Rothschild and Château Lafite Rothschild from the 1986 vintage. Collection 86 also has vertical collections, including the entire lineup of Screaming Eagle, since its inception in 1992 through the 2019 vintage.

In addition, guests have an extensive by-the-glass selection of nearly three dozen labels, including special reserve pours of premium wines via Coravin, a preservation system designed to pour wine without removing the cork.

At first, much of the wine program was built with a strong Napa Valley presence, a strategy that complemented the regional cuisine and steakhouse genre. Once they decided to broaden the strategy, the team retained the help of Master Sommelier Gillian Ballance for guidance.

“We wanted to make sure we had Burgundy, Bordeaux and Italian reds to cover the pairing options for our menu,” said Robert Rodriguez, Sommelier. “Next, we focused on one wine region, pinpointing the top producers and vintages. From there, we built down to bring on mid-tier options and different, cool, niche styles, allowing us to have some fun and diversity on the list.”

The intentional efforts have paid off. This year, the restaurant was bestowed the Best of Award of Excellence.

Though much of the acclaim for building such a robust and iconic list can be attributed to the diligence of Ryan Sharpe, Robert Rodriguez and Jorge McConnie, Manager of The Pines, the investment in

staff training also contributed to the achievement. After all, one of the key components to achieving the award is “presentation,” which reflects the importance of hospitality.

“It’s important to build a team that can speak to the food and beverages. We want them to know the wines and why they’re suggesting a particular bottle,” said McConnie, who heads up training as part of managing the restaurant’s day-to-day operations.

Over the past couple of years, the entire staff has been educated on wine and the breadth of the selections. Many have even started formal education through the Wine and Spirit Educational Trust (WSET).

“We wanted our staff to have a fundamental understanding, so they were comfortable discussing wines,” said Rodriguez. His hope is that they will then get bit by the “wine bug” and seek their own opportunities to learn, which is how Rodriguez started on this path.

“While working in my father’s restaurant I learned that knowing about wine could open a lot of doors. I began just by reading about it, and it developed into a passion. I read everything from the Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil to the Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia,” said Rodriguez, who is certified through the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Over the next few years, the team hopes to earn the coveted Grand Award, a lofty goal that fewer than 100 restaurants earn annually. With such steadfast determination, it’s only a matter of time before The Pines helps establish the region as a sought-after wine destination. And based on the team’s effort so far, Sharpe feels it’s an achievable goal.

“We’re very proud of this list because of its breadth,” said Sharpe. “And we’re determined to be a leader in the industry and create a one-of-a-kind experience for our guests.”

Left to right: Robert Rodriguez (Sommelier), Jorge McConnie (Manager, The Pines Modern Steakhouse), Ryan Sharpe (Director of Beverage Operations)

STAKING

a claim

Meet modern steakhouses that capture old-school cool while firmly positioning themselves for the future.

BY DANNY PALUMBO

As the beating heart of fine dining, the marrow of culinary magnificence, steakhouses have always represented elegance, luxury and gastronomic prowess. And now, we find the great American chophouses are undergoing a renaissance.

Here we look at two newly revamped destinations that are making us fall in love once again with the dimly lit and decadent steakhouse: Scotch 80 Prime inside Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas and The Pines Modern Steakhouse at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel in Highland, CA.

Fit for royalty but accessible to all, both are a marker of excellence in service and dining – and pushing this historied institution forward to exciting new heights.

SCOTCH 80 PRIME

Scotch 80 Prime celebrates what makes a steakhouse great in the first place – luxury. Decadent cuisine is served in a mid-century modern setting with a design that instantly makes your heart flutter. “The rich textures and romantic touches definitely bring a sexy feel to the dining room,” said Marcus O’ Brien, Exective Chef for the Palms. “And the menu is a salute of respect to the classic dishes, approached through a modern lens.”

What else sets it apart? Unique flourishes – such as amuse-bouche welcome bites from the kitchen and table visits from the chef – and aged steaks and chops that are wood grilled to perfection and brushed with a robust French herb butter before plating.

“We source our prime steaks from Kansas and Nebraska and are heavy on the Creekstone Farms program for our bone-in selections,” said Chef O’ Brien. “Our Japanese Wagyu collection is multi-prefecture and focuses on smaller boutique farms; currently we have five prefectures in our portfolio for our guests to select and enjoy.”

Some of the dishes at Scotch 80 have taken years to refine, and the hard work is a marvel to behold. The Chilean Sea Bass – miso glazed and served with shiitake mushroom dashi, tempura matsutake mushrooms and tobiko fish roe – took five years of testing to meet Scotch 80’s impeccable standards. “The coffee-crusted NY steak with black garlic chimichurri is another dish that’s been up our sleeves for a while, and we plan on making it staple,” said Chef O’ Brien.

The sides at Scotch 80 do their best to upstage the impeccable selection of meats. The Lobster and Chinese Sausage Fried Rice is a rich homage to Southeast Asian cooking; the Iceberg Wedge gets a kick from smoked ranch and egg mimosa; and Escargot is elevated with scallop mousse and crispy tapioca guiles.

While steak is an artform, the chefs at Scotch 80 stretch their legs with an enlivened vegan and vegetarian menu. Chef O’Brien explained, “We’ve just launched a very unique and exciting list with beet salad, tempura local mushrooms, cauliflower steak and a vegan biryani to round out our world-cuisine focused vegetable selections.”

Mushrooms also lead the way in a few dishes at Scotch 80, and they know how to capitalize on their earthy intense flavor. Try herby and rich duxelles, roasted mushrooms or a porcini and foie gras foam for enough umami to make our eyes roll over.

Cheers

to you!

At Scotch 80, along with locally sourced ingredients used in the bar program, guests find a world-class selection of wine and spirits. “There are 80 scotches on the menu, and any one of them pairs nicely with a charred steak,” said Nicole Canfield, Director of Beverage Operations for the Palms. “We also have regionally sourced Japanese whisky flights to complement our 5-star Wagyu steak offerings.”

For something light and lovely, the Ruby Slipper is a well-balanced gin cocktail with pomegranate, lemon, ginger beer and champagne. Bolder cocktails such as the Breakfast Old Fashioned is an inspired mix of Hennessy VSOP, Grand Marnier, orange marmalade, Australian bitters and cherry and orange chip. “It’s like a warm breakfast tea without the finger sandwiches,” Canfield said and laughed.

And since the bar team at Scotch 80 is always on the prowl for the unique experience, Canfield said, “Scotch 80 has something for everyone’s palate, from bourbons that are allocated once a year to the last bottle of Scotch made from a particular barrel or distillery.”

THE PINES MODERN STEAKHOUSE

At The Pines, attention to detail leads the way. The team has worked tirelessly to incorporate many elements that create a true modern steakhouse experience, from the design and uniforms to the silverware and glassware.

“I think the big thing that sets The Pines apart from other steakhouses is that we’ve implemented Forbes Five-Star standards,” said Matt Smith, Executive Chef at Yaamava’. “It starts with the reservation and proceeds throughout the entire experience.”

But the star of the show is the ethically raised beef. Chef Smith said The Pines offers hand-trimmed prime cuts of American Wagyu from the prestigious Snake River Farms and Japanese Wagyu from rare prefectures such as Miyazaki, Kagawa and Hyogo.

“We’ve really set ourselves apart with the quality of the beef we procure and present to our guests,” Chef Smith said. A Maldon Sea-salt and Tellicherry-peppercorn crust as well as innovative, labor-intensive cooking techniques pack an extra wallop of flavor.

At The Pines, Kevin Figueroa, Food & Beverage Supervisor, has put together a list of high-end Old Fashioneds inspired by famous authors. Take the Miyamoto Musashi for instance. With Hibiki Harmony Whiskey, plum bitters and shiso leaf, this drink pairs well with one of the A-5 Japanese Wagyu cuts. “The depth and complexity of these spirit-forward cocktails complement the wonderfully rich marbleization of these exclusive steaks,” explained Figueroa.

If you prefer clear-liquor cocktails, the Dirty Martini is made with Rogue Creamery Smokey Blue cheese-infused Haku vodka and mixed with The Pines’ house dirty brine. Another in-house favorite is the More Life, which blends vodka, passionfruit liqueur, citrus and house-made blood orange syrup and then is topped with a passionfruit-aroma filled bubble.

When asked how he goes about recommending cocktails to pair with dinner, Figueroa explained, “I identify what spirits the guest prefers, what flavors and textures they enjoy and then offer guidance based on their order.”

And for the adventurous one seeking a rare experience, dive into Collection 86. This list features some of the most sought-after spirits in the world, including the Last Drop release no.19. The Pines has one of only 240 bottles in the world, poured from an abandoned barrel of bourbon found in the Buffalo Trace Distillery after it was sold to the Sazerac company in 1992.

For the ideal sear, each cut is prepared on the Santa Maria grill. The grill design dates to the mid-19th century and features a deep firebox filled with mesquite wood and charcoal. The result is a smokier, more aromatic steak.

“We finish our steaks with a blend of Plugra butter and Wagyu tallow; the flavors produced are truly unlike anything other steakhouses are offering,” said Chef Smith

The menu at The Pines changes with the seasons and there’s a dish that debuted this fall that Chef Smith is particularly excited about: Hokkaido Scallops and Santa Barbara Uni. “The scallops are presented over Carnaroli risotto with Chanterelle mushrooms, pancetta and a sage-brown butter,” he said.

Steakhouses are famous for their rich sides: creamed spinach,

buttery potatoes and Caesar salads. At The Pines, expect classics like creamed corn, but amped up with fire-roasted jalapeños. Crispy Kennebec fries come double fried to ensure the perfect texture, then are finished with flaky Maldon Sea salt and topped with a rich Béarnaise before being drizzled with white truffle oil.

And it wouldn’t be a steakhouse without theatrics. Take the majestic seafood tower for example. The carousel of buttery cold-water lobster tails, jumbo prawns and briny oysters from the Pacific Northwest is served with saffron tartar sauce, cucumber mignonette and house-made horseradish cocktail sauce. Make it dinner-and-a-show with a Baked Alaska. “We completely deconstruct the dessert,” Chef Smith explained. “Then it’s flambéed tableside with Bacardi 151 rum.”

collected COOL

Each issue we gather a few things that stand out from the rest. This time we’ve been enchanted by a color palette of blushing pinks and rich chocolates. Behold skincare, accessories and fragrances in tempting hues. All available at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAIME BIONDO

Pearl Convertible Handbag, I Want Candy Satchel and L’oven Crossbody by Betsey Johnson available at 1891 Boutique at Yaamava’.

The West Transparent Pink Crystal Sunglasses by Diff Eyewear available at Rock & Brew Merch Shop at Yaamava’.

Spa Shaping Body Lotion and Vitamin Ace Body Cream by BABOR available at Serrano Spa at Yaamava’.

Energizing Pink Grapefruit Bath Salts by MAME + Co. available at 1891 Boutique at Yaamava’.

Bel Air Sparkling Rose Gummy Bears available at Decadence at Yaamava’.

Pretty In Pink

Why take life so seriously? Celebrate your lighter side with candy-colored accessories, a healthy dose of ‘80s motifs and just a sprinkle of sugar.

Petal Perfect

Turn to Mother Nature for a quick boost. Use sage to cleanse your space; cherry blossom and rose quartz for plump, glowing skin; and a scent with floral notes to feel uplifted.

White and Gold Ceramic Candle and Japanese Cherry Blossom, Chypre & Himalayan Musk Candle by MAME + Co. available at 1891 Boutique at Yaamava’.

Prada CANDY, GUCCI Bloom and Sage by Tarot and Tea available at 1891 Boutique at Yaamava’.

Roller and Rose Quartz Antioxidant Oil by Knesko available at Serrano Spa at Yaamava’.

Crystal Butterfly by Baccarat available at HERS at Yaamava’.

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN LUXURY

The Serrano Spa is a place to feel centered and at one with nature’s powerful beauty. Enjoy the Serrano Spa Salon—specializing in hair, nail and makeup treatments. Receive a complimentary gift when you purchase a Serrano Spa service.

First-time guests receive a gift with a $230 purchase. Visit yaamava.com/spa to explore the various wellness journeys available at Serrano Spa.

Warm Spice

The classics are classic for a reason: they elevate any outfit. Here we’ve taken it up a notch by adding rich texture and sheen for even more appeal.

Starz Art Retro Cubico Vegan Purse and Iconic Transforming Wristlet Wallet in Brown by Brangio Italy available at 1891 at Yaamava’.

Everleigh Mini Commuter in Desert Rose by Mytagalong available at Cache & Carry at Yaamava’.

Saddle American Bison Satin Nickel Belt and Wallets by Torino Leather available at HIS Boutique at Yaamava’.

Ladies Bianca Rose-Tone Brown Leather Strap Watch by Citizen available at 1891 at Yaamava’.

Aviator Sunglasses by John Varvatos available at HIS Boutique at Yaamava’.

Assorted chocolates by LeBelge available at Decadence at Yaamava’.

Says

BY LISSA TOWNSEND RODGERS

rom his first after-school restaurant gig to his current celebrity chef status, cooking has made Michael Symon’s world turn.

“Growing up with a Greek and Sicilian mother, food was always at the forefront of my life. There was never a job that I enjoyed more than working at restaurants,” Chef Symon explained.

Over the years, he’s opened a dozen or so restaurants, cooked for three U.S. presidents, authored seven cookbooks, won Iron Chef and a James Beard Award, co-hosted The Chew, and made The New York Times bestseller list… and has done it all with humility and humor.

What’s his secret to success across so many platforms? “I surround myself with people much smarter than me,” he said – all of whom support his genius in the kitchen.

Symon’s latest endeavor is reopening the Las Vegas outpost of his famous Cleveland-born Mabel’s BBQ. The spot at Palms Casino Resort mixes oldschool style and new flavors with the “meat-centric” cooking he’s known for.

“Coming from a fine-dining background, there’s something very special to me about barbecue, because I have the opportunity to use all of my knowledge as a fine-dining chef and apply it to a slightly more casual concept that everyone can enjoy,” he explained.

Symon’s journey as a chef began by learning recipes for his dad’s spaghetti and his mom’s Baklava in the family kitchen. As a teenager, he got a job smoking ribs and grilling chicken at a neighborhood restaurant in Cleveland. And it was these youthful experiences that ignited a passion he pursued at the celebrated Culinary Institute of America, where he earned his degree.

After working his way up through Cleveland kitchens, Symon helped kick off a restaurant renaissance in his hometown: opening Lola’s and a string of other dining spots – and winning a James Beard Award for “Best Chef Great Lakes” along the way. Since then, he’s opened restaurants in Detroit, New York City, Atlantic City, Washington, D.C. and, of course, Las Vegas.

Symon’s many TV appearances have ranged from battling other culinary heavyweights to win the title on the Food Network’s Iron Chef to sharing recipes with millions of viewers on ABC’s The Chew to traveling the nation’s best burger joints on Burgers, Brew & ‘Que. And, while being a famous television personality may be exciting, he is more enthusiastic about how the rise of TV chefs has impacted viewers.

“Cooking shows have changed the ways grocers and farmers supply food, the way people cook food and their knowledge of the products they’re consuming,” he said.

Chef Michael Symon shares his thoughts on the state of culinary affairs and his excitement about being back in Vegas with the reopening of his famous BBQ joint, Mabel’s.

All these experiences have influenced the flourishes of flavor and twists of technique that elevate the dishes at Mabel’s above your standard ribs and links. “We choose to be inspired by the cultures that surround us in Las Vegas, but also want to have options for people looking for something other than just traditional smoked meat,” Symon said. “We have some new items on the menu and are leaning into the diverse flavor of Las Vegas, like our Korean-inspired Pork Belly Burnt Ends with watermelon, mint, sesame seeds and pickled watermelon rinds, Latin-style Pork Shank with horseradish gremolata and all of the favorites from before.”

The menu consists of traditional ‘cue such as pulled pork and pastrami, fun options like a lobster salad, “Stoner” burrito, brisket and pork fried rice and a roster of stylish cocktails and carefully chosen craft beers.

Mabel’s BBQ isn’t just a redux of the Cleveland original, but also a rebirth of the version of Mabel’s that served up barbecue and brews at the Palms for several years. The new restaurant – with its industrial-cool setting, live music and expanded menu – is definitely an upgrade from the previous iteration. “We’re thrilled to be back,” said Symon. “We’ve always felt Palms is one of the more unique and fun boutique casinos in Las Vegas.”

And Palms is thrilled to have him back. “He’s an outstanding partner with a solid commitment to excellent customer service and experience,” said Cynthia Kiser Murphey, General Manager of Palms Casino Resort. “Not only is Michael offering delicious food at Mabel’s BBQ but also live music, a vibrant cocktail scene, craft brews – including many local beers – and a burgeoning sports viewing and tailgating spot,” she said. “And the fact that he’s engaging, down-to-earth and has a great sense of humor doesn’t hurt,” she said and laughed.

But Las Vegas isn’t just a place to take care of business –it’s also a place to have a good time and Michael Symon has indeed had his share of fun here. “My first trip to Las Vegas was 33 years ago and there’s very little that I can remember and nothing that I choose to share,” he said and laughed.

But he does enjoy the time he spends here now, albeit a bit more sedately than he might have during the ‘90s.

“I like to get out and play a little bit of golf, do some hiking at Red Rocks, cruise The Strip and eat at arguably the best selection of restaurants in the country,” he said.

Symon himself is excited to be part of that top-shelf selection. “I look at it as an honor to have a spot in Vegas,” he said, brushing aside the idea that the city’s crowded celebrity chef field adds more pressure to a high-stress business. “As for what the other chefs are doing…I just have to worry about what we’re doing in our restaurant and execute to the best of our ability.”

With restaurants, cookbooks and television, Michael Symon has a lot of pots on the stove, both literally and figuratively. But he’s certainly not ready to slow down.

“We’re working on a new show and cookbook as we speak… and you never know – something new might be popping up in Vegas,” he said and laughed.

gh ostbar REINCARNATED

The famous Vegas bar reopens at Palms Casino Resort, bringing with it whimsical entertainment experiences and an array of show-stopping cocktails –all set against the best views in the city.

BY MELINDA SHECKELLS

If you visited Las Vegas between 2001 and 2017, it was likely you found your way to the panoramic stunner Ghostbar, high atop the 55th floor of Palms.

It took many starring roles in film and television shows, establishing itself as the destination for drinks with a view.

True to the adage that icons never die, Ghostbar is back. The beloved ultra-lounge reopened in August 2022 and, while the electric vista of The Strip hasn’t changed, everything else is elevated to new levels.

“We’ve all grown and evolved and so has the venue and its programming,” said Crystal Robinson-Wesley, Vice President, Entertainment and Activation at Palms. “It’s great to see

folks who have great memories of the past come in and be open to experience something different.”

Every adventure at Ghostbar begins with an elevator ride to the 55th floor. Follow the dark hallway toward the light and see the famous skyline come into sight: from Red Rock to Allegiant Stadium to downtown Las Vegas. But before arriving at the observation deck, spend some time in the interior lounge to explore the other key elements for which Ghostbar is known.

Open Wednesday through Saturday, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., Ghostbar prides itself on being “exclusively inclusive” in contrast to Las Vegas’ mega-club experience. On midweek nights, Robinson-Wesley said there’s a fun relaxed vibe, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with guests coming in either pre- or post-dinner.

“It’s intended to be a relaxed environment, with cocktails and conversation,” she said. “Then around 9 p.m., we have a DJ who plays to the crowd – ’80s and ’90s music and then more current hits as the night goes on. Wednesdays and Thursdays are when the DJ drives the overall entertainment experience.”

On Friday and Saturday nights, live music creates the vibe with DJs, pop-up performances and theatrical elements to surprise and delight revelers. The action starts at 7 p.m. and gets a high-energy kick around 10 p.m.

“The atmosphere changes – there may be a violinist, or the DJ starts beatboxing. It sets the tone for the evening,” she said. “And then the room transforms into an immersive entertainment experience, a live band, a singer, dancers. They’re moving around, they’re interacting with the crowd.”

No matter where you are within Ghostbar, you are part of the experience as the sound system canvases 360 degrees.

Whether you want to have an intimate experience or be part of the show, the night is yours. “I think that’s special. You can’t find that in a lot of venues in Las Vegas,” Robinson-Wesley said. “And then, of course, the indoor-outdoor dynamic; you don’t have a better view in town.”

Robinson-Wesley’s advice on how to best enjoy Ghostbar?

“If you’re looking to come in and have cocktails and conversation, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. is more of that relaxed vibe,” she said. And if you are looking for a party vibe, “There’s no dance floor but each space lends itself for you to bring the party wherever you are.”

Aside from the view, the cocktail experience is the pillar of a Ghostbar visit. The menu features specialty cocktails, large-format libations and one-of-a-kind Ghost Flights. Come pre-dinner or pre-show at Pearl Concert Theater and return for a nightcap after the evening’s festivities. “It’s a total night out in Las Vegas,” said Robinson-Wesley.

Ghostbar is both a cocktail destination and a bottle service-driven lounge, depending on the night.

“It could be Champagne either by the glass or the bottle. Or maybe the vibe is specialty cocktails. You can also get bottle service – both half bottles of liquor and full bottles,” said Nicole Canfield, Director of Beverage Operations at Palms. Canfield developed the cocktail menu that does all the things: draws people in, inspires them to take pictures of the drinks and then brag about the experience.

“But you also need something that tastes good,” she said. “I had the green light to go crazy with my ideas. The view is the star of the show, but we want to make sure the cocktails add to the experience.”

One of Canfield’s creations, The Witching Hour, is a gin-based libation served on dry ice with a beaker of elderflower tonic. When the two are mixed, the cocktail changes color like a science experiment.

“I had fun with names,” Canfield said and laughed.

In the UFO Sighting, order up to six shots with three different flavors. The glasses, which light up, are placed on a silver dish that looks like a blinking UFO as it moves across the room. Another top seller is the Ghost Story, with spicy ghost pepper tequila, strawberry, peach and basil.

One thing’s for certain, no matter when you come or whether it’s for the drinks, the view or the entertainment, everyone will leave with a new ghost story.

A Culture of Giving

BY STEVE BORNFELD

Aparamount belief to the citizens of San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is that, wherever they go, their cultural values and principles follow them. Being a good steward of land and people is a core value of the Tribe.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (SMGHA), which now owns Palms Casino Resort, identified becoming a true community partner in Las Vegas as its priority, even though the Tribe’s Reservation is in Southern California.

Like the Tribe, SMGHA puts its charitable investments where its values are. Reinforcing this commitment to stewardship, the Palms Cares community outreach program, through SMGHA, recently awarded $1.2 million in grants to 30 local charities in Southern Nevada in its inaugural Grant Cycle, as well as a few off-cycle grants.

Revealed in a combination of in-person surprises and personal outreach, representatives

of SMGHA and Palms Casino Resort gifted Las Vegas organizations – including Opportunity Village, Culinary Training Academy, Green Our Planet, Noah’s Animal Foundation and education nonprofit CORE – with grants ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 each.

“We are committed to fulfilling our legacy while aspiring to be a community leader for positive social change,” said Latisha Casas, SMGHA Chairwoman.

“We refer to it as ‘The Spirit of Yawa’ – to act on one’s beliefs. That’s what inspires us to contribute to the Las Vegas community and the organizations here working to create a better tomorrow.”

Grants were awarded to nonprofits that fall within the four giving pillars of this philanthropic program: inspiring our future through education, empowering lives, reinforcing healthy and resilient communities and preserving cultural traditions. The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, the country’s leading nonprofit hospitality training institute, received the

largest individual grant at $250,000.

“We are so appreciative of the generous support from SMGHA and Palms Casino Resort,” said Edmund Wong, Chief Executive Officer of the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas. “This grant will enable us to upgrade our classroom kitchen equipment to provide the best, most industryrelevant training experience and better prepare our students for successful careers in hospitality.”

Other funded programs include: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation for patient and caregiver services; Alliance for a Just Society for its Tribal Minds Governance Project; Project 150 for scholarships and food distribution; and Unshakeable, for its Empower to Employ program.

A grant to Opportunity Village – an organization that provides vocational training, employment and advocacy for people with disabilities – will help more people achieve greater independence. “All of us at Opportunity Village are thankful to San Manuel

For the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority, charity begins at home – and then radiates outward.

Gaming and Hospitality Authority and the Palms family for their substantial financial support for Opportunity Village’s workforce development programs and their strong advocacy for all people with disabilities in our community,” said Chuck Neuwohner, Opportunity Village’s Chief Programs Officer. “It is because of the generosity that OV will be able to support the employment goals of more people.

These inaugural SMGHA grants are a continuation of the philanthropic values the Tribe initiated in Las

“There are so many worthy organizations doing amazing and impactful philanthropic work throughout the Las Vegas Valley,” said Palms General Manager Cynthia Kiser Murphey. “We are thrilled to be able to support their ongoing efforts. Even better, this is just the beginning.”

The process of selecting recipients for the SMGHA awards begins with program officers engaging with the community directly to learn about the various community needs.

for the community.”

For all the careful planning and calculations that go into donation decisions, the purpose has always remained simple. It is not just a matter of corporate social responsibility, even though it does fit that definition. The impulse goes deeper and is hardwired into the tribal values.

Vegas prior to the purchase of Palms. Since January 2020, and leading up to the opening of Palms, the Tribe has awarded $10.3 million to educational institutions and charities in Las Vegas, including $9 million to UNLV for the Boyd School of Law and the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality to fund education programs in tribal law and tribal gaming operations.

“We focus on leveraging our charitable investments to help address critical community needs and support our partners by helping them fulfill their missions,” explained Alberto Jasso, Strategic Philanthropy Director.

Casas added, “San Manuel takes pride in executing its philanthropy program through a disciplined and strategic approach that leads to successful outcomes

“For the Tribe, this is who we are,” said Casas. “It's embedded in our tribal principles and values to give back, to help other people and improve the quality of life for all.”

For more information about SMGHA’s Palms Cares program and to learn about the 2023 grant application process, visit palmscares.org.

For the Tribe, this is who we are. It’s embedded in our tribal principles and values to give back, to help other people and improve the quality of life for all.

Jn Loving Memory

Bianca Nicole Campos

February 21, 1993 – July 14, 2022