Update January 25, 2025- The fire had modest growth overnight and is now 6,500 acres, per Cal Fire.

Update 8:15 p.m.-- Per CalTrans, State Route 94 is closed in both directions between Honey Springs Rd. in Jamul and State Route 188 (access road to Tecate) due to the fire.

Update 5:55 p.m.-- The fire is now 6,272.7 acres per Cal-Fire. The mandatory evacuation area has been extended to some areas east of State Route 94.

January 24, 2025 (Jamul/Dulzura) -- Evacuation orders and warnings for the #Border2Fire now extend to immediately south of Jamul Casino, including areas east and west of State Route 94, and significant portions of Chula Vista.  Photo left is as of 1 p.m.; click this link for latest evacuation areas and hit the plus sign to enlarge to view details: https://app.watchduty.org/camera/2231   Also see another map here:  https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/23/border-2-fire.

The fire, which started on Otay Mountain yesterday,  is now 5,389 acres and 10% contained per Cal Fire.  An Evacuation Center has now been set up at: Cuyamaca College 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon, CA 92019.

East County News Service

December 18, 2024 (Washington D.C.) -- Today, legislation authored by Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) to place 172 acres of land in East County, San Diego into tribal trust for the Jamul Indian Village passed the House and heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law, after a companion measure authored by Senator Padilla previously passed in the Senate.

The Jamul Indian Village has sought for years to bring tribal members back onto their ancestral land – so they can raise their families, carry forward their culture, and add to their history,” said Rep. Issa. “This is the right thing to do, and it empowers not government, but individuals, to take new charge and best care of their lives. This Fee-to-Trust bill provides that opportunity, securing Jamul’s land, preserving its sacred sites, and protecting Kumeyaay traditions for generations to come. My thanks to Senator Padilla and Congressman Vargas for their support in pushing forth this important legislation.” 

East County News Service

October 26, 2024 (Jamul) -- Mary Cheeks, President and General Manager of Jamul Casino, has received the Excellence in Advocacy Award at the 2024 Freedom Fund Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 19. The NAACP San Diego Branch honored Cheeks along with other notable community members for their ongoing engagement with their communities and continued efforts to create a space that offers equality for all.

East County News Service

August 28, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) --The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation will return with both its annual 35th Sycuan Powwow Sept. 6-8 and 3rd Fashion Show themed “The Fire Within” on Sept. 5. The theme will allow Native American artists to illuminate the beauty, talent and resilience of Native American culture, declaring “we are still here.”

The fashion show’s theme, inspired by the Kumeyaay greeting "may the fire (your spirit) burn bright within you," reflects the enduring spirit of indigenous people. The show will also feature 11 designers from Turtle Island, with their designs available for purchase.

The three-day powwow will showcase champion powwow dancers from across the United States, Canada and Mexico. We will celebrate the beautiful dance style of indigenous people representing their tribes. Chairman Cody Martinez will also be conducting an invocation before each grand entry. Arts and craft vendors will be selling their handmade authentic jewelry, pottery, basketry and paintings, and of course, there will be lots of food vendors.

By Miriam Raftery

July 16, 2024 (Jamul)—The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs heard impassioned testimony on July 11 from  Jamul tribal chairwoman Erica Pinto, speaking in favor of S. 3857,the Jamul Indian Land Transfer Act authored by California Senator Alex Padilla. The measure would place in trust four land parcels totaling 172 acres into the Jamul Indian Village reservation, lands that the tribal chairwoman says are needed for tribal members' housing, reuniiting a scattered community, protecting cultural resources, and providing services for tribal members,such as healthcare and education.

The bill is identical to H.R. 6443, Rep. Darrell Issa’s bill which has already passed the House of Representatives.

But the measures have drawn opposition from the Jamul-Dulzura Community Planning Group, which was not consulted about the measures and was not allowed to present testimony at the July 11 hearing. THE JDCPG Chair sent a letter to the Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman and the authors of both bills outlining the planning group's concerns including whether commercial development could occur, as well as objections over the land transfer process bypassing local input.

By Miriam Raftery

April 25, 2024 (Washington D.C)  – The Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act (H.R.6443) authored by Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48), passed the House of Representatives on April 10.

H.R.6443 incorporates 172 acres of land in San Diego’s East County region into the Jamul Indian Village Reservation, placing the land into tribal trust and preserving it for generations to come. This area also includes a 100-year-old church (photo, left, by Miriam Raftery) and cemetery where their tribal lineage has rested for generations.

The acreage is currently owned by the Jamul Indian Village and includes residential land for homes and council buildings, an ancestral cemetery, and the tribe’s only road for transportation.

If approved by the Senate and signed by President Joe Biden, this would be a dramatic expansion of Jamul’s tribal lands, since the existing reservation has only six acres,  most of which is occupied by the tribe’s casino and a hotel under construction.

DA has found no cases on San Diego County tribal lands, but nationally, an estimated 40% of women sex trafficking victims are Native Americans.

By David R. Shorey, East County Program Director, Institute for Public Strategies

March 17, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery that continues to plague communities worldwide. Tribal Nations are not immune. In the shadows of our society, traffickers exploit vulnerabilities. Among the most vulnerable are those grappling with substance use disorders. The correlation between addiction and trafficking is not merely coincidental but deeply intertwined, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation and suffering.

Suzanne Potter, California News Service

Photo courtesy of CNS

January 23, 2024 (Washington D.C.)--California tribes headed to the White House Tribal Nations Summit in December, where they asked Congress and the Biden administration to create or expand several national monuments.

The Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla tribe in the Coachella Valley would like the president to establish a new Chuckwalla National Monument and expand Joshua Tree National Park.

Source: Sycuan  Band of the Kumeyaay Nation

Photo, left to right:  Tribal Council Member Willie Tucker, Jr., Tribal Treasurer Briana Scharnow, Tribal Chairman Cody J. Martinez, Tribal Council Member Nathan LaBrake, Tribal Council Member Jamie LaBrake, Padres Friar

November 16, 2023 (National City) – Today, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation in partnership with the San Diego Padres and the National School District donated 1,000 free turkeys to families living in National City. The donation comes in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday as a way to give back to the community.

“With the cost of groceries, fuel, housing and many basic necessities on the rise, it’s been a really tough year for many people,” said Cody Martinez, Chairman, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. “Through the Kumeyaay spirit of giving, we wanted to figure out a way to directly support the hardworking families in our community. We hope this donation provides a little bit of relief and spreads holiday cheer to those that need it most.”

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Screenshot of Indigenous People’s Day video posted by San Diego Miramar College on Facebook.

October 10, 2023 (San Diego) -- Indigenous People’s cultural awareness day was celebrated in different ways in San Diego County in 2023. Here are some of the events and activities that took place:

At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians hosted an all-day event that included tellings of the tribe’s cultural stories and exhibitions of the tribe’s art and craftsmanship. There were also traditional foods available throughout the park. There was an opening blessing ceremony at 10 a.m., a closing prayer at 4 p.m., and live music performed by members of the San Pasqual band.

At San Diego Miramar College, there was an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration with free frybread tacos and a musical performance by the Soaring Eagles of Southern California.

East County News Service

August 9, 2023 (Sycuan) – The 2023 Sycuan Powwow will be held September 8-10 at the Sycuan Resort, 5577 Dehesa Road in El  Cajon.

The annual celebration will feature tribal dancing contests each day as well as bird singing competitions on Sept. 9. Other activities include peon games at dusk, traditional Native American arts and crafts vendors, and refreshments.

San Diegans recognize Jamul Casino for its dining, panoramic views and service

East County News Service

Photo:  Tony Gwynn’s Sports Pub at Jamul Casino, named “Best Sports Bar” for the sixth consecutive year in the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Readers Poll

August 3, 2023 (Jamul) - On Sunday, July 30, the San Diego Union-Tribune announced the winners of its 27^th annual “San Diego’s Best” Readers Poll, with Jamul Casino bringing home a personal best of nine (9) awards.  The Union-Tribune Readers Poll reflects the voting audience’s top selections for more than 200 products and services in San Diego—everything from restaurants to entertainment, retail, real estate, legal services, and more.  The winners earn the right to be called “San Diego’s Best.” 

The historic partnership will amplify the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System

Souce: Pala Band of Mission Indians

July 23, 2023 (Pala) -- On July 20, the Pala Band of Mission Indians and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) entered into a historic agreement for the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System. Pala is the first Tribal government to contract with CalOES and to be formally recognized as a partner in the State’s overall emergency response infrastructure.