Amah Mutsun Has A New Leader: Raymond Hitchcock Aims to Protect

COMMUNITY NEWS Amah Mutsun Has A New Leader

Raymond Hitchcock Aims to Protect Sacred Sites, Mentor Youth

The new executive director of the Amah Mutsun Land Trust is Raymond Hitchcock, who came from Wilton Rancheria, where he was tribal chairman and CEO.

Hitchcock is the first Native in this post, succeeding EkOngKar Singh Khalsa.

“He understands firsthand the challenges Native people face every day,” Valentine Lopez, president and chairman of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, said of Hitchcock.

Lopez said Hitchcock led Wilton Rancheria through the federal process to put land into Trust for the Tribe after being landless for almost 60 years, enhanced internal tribal capacity, and led the effort to permit, fund, and start construction of a $600 million gaming facility in Elk Grove while successfully running a local countertop business.

“His strength has been his ability to build and maintain effective relationships within his community, and we know he will do this here, while car- removal from their lands by the rying out our many programs Spanish. The goal is to redisand projects,” Lopez said. cover Mutsun history, culture

Amah Mutsun Land Trust, and identity and to share this established in 2014, holds a information with the Tribe and 96-acre conservation easement the general public. near Año Nuevo State Park, In Wilton, Hitchcock was a cultural easement at Mid- the leader and spokesman for Peninsula Regional Open Raymond Hitchcock the Tribe and dealt with everySpace District’s Mt. Umunhum thing from expanding tribal and works closely with California’s resources and managing nine departments Department of Parks and Recreation at and a staff of 27 to lobbying the State LegQuiroste Valley, a designated California islature and Congress to award the Tribe 36 State Cultural Preserve. acres in 2017, its first property since 1958.

The Amah Mutsun Land Trust also He served on the executive board of the manages native plant gardens at San Juan California Nations Indian Gaming AssoBautista State Park, Castle Rock State Park, ciation, was appointed by Gov. Newsom to UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, and at Pie the Tribal Nations Grant Fund, and served Ranch on the Santa Cruz coast. on the California Department of Social

The Land Trust is committed to Service’s Tribal Advisory Committee on working with university scholars and Indian child welfare issues. others to better understand Mutsun Groundbreaking on the casino and history, culture, traditions, and ceremonies 300+room hotel complex with a ballroom, spa that were lost starting with the brutal and meeting facilities, was March 9, with the project estimated to create 1,600 jobs during construction and 1,750 full-time job when it opens, according to Casino News Daily.

Hitchcock, who began his new job April 19, is passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of Indian people and believes this can be accomplished through hard work, determination, and persistence.

He said he is “humbled and honored to be offered this opportunity” to work for Amah Mutsun Land Trust and “to create opportunities for tribal youth to protect and restore the places most sacred to the Mutsun people. I will do everything in my power to ensure that these places are protected and accessible to the Mutsun Tribe, and other Tribes, while working hard to expand and enhance AMLT’s flagship program, the Native Stewardship Corps, which employs Native youth.”

He added, “I am also very excited to mentor our Native youth so they become the next generation of land trust leaders.” n

Refi Your Auto Loan

We have financing that can help your budget! Refinance your auto loan from another financial institution and enjoy more money in your pocket with no payments for 90 days. Take that Spring road trip, stash the cash, or pay down other debt – the choice is yours! Visit a branch or apply online at

www.bayfed.com.

Save up to $1,068!*

831.479.6000 • www.bayfed.com • 888.4BAYFED

* $1,068 is the difference between the amount paid in interest between Bay Federal Credit Union’s lowest auto loan rate of 2.49% APR compared to 3.84% APR for the

California Bay Area market average over the life of a $25,000 auto loan for 72 months. This example is based on a credit score of 730+ and includes a 0.25% rate reduction for setting up automatic payments when the loan is funded. Rate comparison provided by Informa Financial Services as of April 2, 2021. Actual savings may vary. First payment deferred for 90 days. Interest will continue to accrue from date of loan disbursement and becomes due once payments begin. Offer available on the refinance of a 2011 or newer vehicle currently financed at another financial institution. Refinances of current Bay Federal loans and purchase transactions are not eligible for this offer. Minimum loan amount is $10,000. All loans subject to credit approval with credit score (Experian FICO V9 Auto Score) of 640+ and income verification per

Bay Federal Credit Union lending requirements. Your final APR may be higher depending upon the age of the vehicle. Bay Federal Credit Union membership required at the time of closing. Loan must be funded now through June 30, 2021 in order to qualify for this offer. This offer is subject to change without notice. For more information, visit any Bay Federal Credit Union branch or call us at 831.479.6000 or toll-free at 888.4BAYFED, option 3. Federally Insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender.