NATIVE AMERICAN CAUCUS

CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Native American Caucus

Meeting Minutes

April 15, 2005

L.A. Convention Center 

1.  CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:15 by Chairwoman Mary Ann Andreas. 

2. Introduction of Executive Board and Committee Chairs

Chairwoman Andreas requested that the proposed slate for the Executive Board be read aloud. The following slate was read. 

Helen Doherty, Chairwoman

Mary Ann Andreas, 1^st Vice Chair

Joley DeLa Torre, 2^nd Vice Chair   

Kyle Crandell, Treasurer

Corrine Hicks, Recording Secretary

Mary Ellen Early, Parliamentarian

Board Members at Large: Chad Gordon, James “Chico” Ramos, Ron Andrade, Danielle Vigil, Geneva Wortman

Andy Macias, Past Chair

Michael Lombardi, Political Director

Paula Starr, Health Issues

Chris Gallardo, Legislative Rep

Shelley Yaborough, Education Rep

Steve Bolinger, Judicial Review 

Chairwoman Andreas asked if there were any more nominations. There was no response from the floor. 

It was moved by Frank Cannon and seconded by Caren Bolinger to close the nominations

Unanimous Approval 

It was moved by Marty Meeden and seconded by Steven Bolinger to adopt the proposed slate    

Unanimous Approval 

3. OLD BUSINESS

Kyle Crandell provided a verbal Treasurers report highlighting the fact that current Mc Cain/ Feingold finance laws do not permit the caucus to raise outside funds, hence the increase in the caucus membership dues to $25 annually. Mr. Crandell also noted the consideration for hardship. 

Mr. Crandall informed the membership that at the present, the caucus has $19,327.87. 

The review/approval of minutes was tabled to the next meeting. 

There were no additional committee reports given.

4.  NEW BUSINESS

Chairwoman Andreas informed the membership present that a lunch meeting was held earlier in the day (4/15/05) with Hilda Solis to plan women’s outreach. The meeting was promising and Helen Doherty covered the cost of the meal. Chairwoman requested approval to reimburse Ms. Doherty $1,000 and thanked her for her willingness to cover the cost. Chairwoman Andreas shared that the Board of Equalization member John Chiang and Congressman Mike Honda had also dropped by to visit. 

It was moved by Ron Andrade and seconded by Steve Bolinger to reimburse Helen Doherty $1,000

Unanimous Approval 

Chairwoman Andreas introduced the Red Lake Resolution and reviewed the background. She requested approval to send a letter and donation in the form of two scholarships, for a boy and a girl, in the amount of $500 each annually. Chairwoman Andreas requested discussion as to the term of the donation. 

After discussion the consensus was to approve the term of the donation for 5 years. 

It was moved by Andy Masiel and seconded by Steve Bolinger to send the letter as read by Chairwoman Andreas to the Red Lake Tribe, and approved to include a donation in the form of two $500 scholarships for a term of 5 years.

Unanimous Approval 

Chairwoman Andreas introduced James “Chico” Ramos and invited him to share a gift given by the San Manuel Tribe and the ABC Extreme Home Makeover to the Piestewa Family in honor of Lorei Piestewa. Mr. Ramos shared the collaboration his tribe has entered into and shared the cultural exchange experienced by members of the San Manual Band and the Hop tribe as the two communities welcomed contractors to build the Piestewa home. 

Chairwoman Andreas read a prayer in honor of the Red Lake Tribe, the Piestewa Family and our troops. 

Chairwoman Andreas informed the membership of the California Department of Education’s History Day. Helen Doherty will continue sharing Native American culture with the Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF), and working to encourage Native American children to participate in History Day. Chairwoman Andreas further informed the membership that she and Joely De La Torre met with JoAnn Burton of CRF in reference to a video on Native American Youth rights to help youth understand their rights. 

Chairwoman Andreas introduced three by-laws changes:

1.  Increase in Membership Dues

2.  Absences

3.  Roles and responsibilities of Board Members

It was moved by Harry Hartman and seconded by Marty Meeden to approve the requested by-law changes.

Unanimous Approval 

Chairwoman Andreas acknowledged Congresswoman Hilda Solis for her work and commitment on behalf of Native American tribes and community. Chairwoman Andreas asked Ron Andrade to speak more on the work of Congresswoman Solis.  

Ron Andrade gave a brief history of the Community Development Block Grant and the Community Service Block Grant and informed the membership that the President’s proposed budget would have an adverse affect on Native American tribes and urban communities. He shared that Congresswoman Solis took the floor of the House and stated that the proposed cut would severely damage tribes ability to develop infrastructure. Mr. Andrade stated that we need to recognize Congresswoman Solis for standing up for us. 

Chairwoman Andreas presented Congresswoman Solis with a “Homeland Security” portrait and frame. Congresswoman Solis expressed her thanks to the membership and urged the membership to fight against the erosion of civil rights. She stated that we need to outreach and oppose Title V of the Energy Bill, that we need to speak out and get involved. 

Chairwoman Andreas requested membership support on five (5) legislative bills. 

1.  SB 678 (Ducheny)

2.  AB 13 (Goldberg)

3.  SB 995 (Florez)

It was moved by Andy Masiel and seconded by Marty Meeden to support the three legislative bills listed above.

Unanimous Approval 

Chairwoman Andreas shared a video on the history of the Morongo Band of Serrano Indians and its economic development ventures. 

5.  Invited Guest Speakers

The following persons addressed the membership: 

Art Torres, CA Democratic Party Chair, State Senator retired

Rita Ramirez Dean, 65^th Assembly District Candidate

Honorable Joe Baca, Member of Congress

Honorable Gloria Negrete, Member of the 61^st Assembly

Ed Hernandez, 57^th Assembly District Candidate

Steve Westly, 2006 Governor Candidate, State Controller

Peter Matthews, Candidate for Congress

Honorable John Garamendi, Insurance Commissioner – 2006 Lt. Governor Candidate

Nao Madden, Nurse

Antonio Salazar, Candidate for CDP Northern California Vice-Chair

Honorable Jackie Goldberg, Member of the Assembly

Honorable Mike Honda, Member of Congress

Honorable Joe Dunn, Member of the State Senate, Candidate for State Treasurer 

Chairwoman Andreas asked Chad Gordon, Esquire, to provide a Legislative Committee Update. Mr. Gordon addressed the membership and informed them that tribes have had some adverse court decisions and that we need to remain vigilant. 

Chairwoman Andreas asked James “Chico” Ramos to address the membership. Mr. Ramos commented on the need for his candidacy to teach the true history of our people and that it starts with education. The true history has to be part of the curriculum. Mr. Ramos is a candidate for the San Bernardino Community College District Board. 

Chairwoman Andreas asked the membership to endorse the candidacy of Mr. Ramos. 

It was moved by Ron Andrade and seconded by Marty Meeden to endorse the candidacy of James "Chico" Ramos for San Bernardino Community College District Board.

Unanimous Approval 

6.  Chairwoman 

Chairwoman Andreas addressed the membership and stated that she enjoyed being chair and thanked all those who helped her in her race for office. She said thank you and everything is the way it is supposed to be. 

Board members presented Chairwoman Andreas with a Pendleton blanket as a thank you and in honor of her hard work and dedication. 

Chairwoman Andreas introduced Helen Doherty, the new Chair of the Native American Caucus.  

Chairwoman Doherty thanked the membership and stated that she and other Board members will be a traveling team and visit all areas of California and all 109 tribes. 

Chairwoman Doherty adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. in memory of Nadine Kerneo and Madge Overhouse, two Caucus members who passed away this year, and in respect of our brothers and sisters of Red Lake.