Minutes of Native American Caucus Meeting - CDP Executive Board Meeting.

June 27, 2003, Oakland, CA.

Meeting Called to Order at 6:25 pm
Welcome by Chair Mary Ann Martin Andreas.

Introduction of Executive Board.
Mary Ann Martin Andreas provided introduction of the caucus board members.

Review of last election of officers and appointments.

Update on mascot issue/legislation:
Caucus Communication secretary, Raven Lopez Workman, provided an update that the Goldberg sponsored bill (D) AB 858 - California Racial Mascots Act regarding athletic team names and mascots did not pass.

The bill just needed six more votes to be approved. 100% of the support votes came from Democratic Assembly members. This legislative issue may be revisited at a later date. At this point, historically, California would have been the first state to past such a bill and set the example for other states. Lopez Workman requested that all caucus members, friends, families and supporters of this legislation should thank Assembly member Jackie Goldberg for her support of this bill. Handouts were provided which showed the caucus letter of support, copies of two resolutions of caucus support and a copy of the federal commission on civil rights statement regarding the use of mascots.

This caucus information, at the request of the chair, was forwarded to Assemblywoman Goldberg and her staff for distribution to the assembly members. It is also noted, that only Democratic members of the assembly supported this bill. Lopez Workman also requested that all members who have or know Republican members of the Assembly should contact their member and ask why the entire Republican membership of the Assembly voted as a block to oppose this legislation. A reminder was also made that blanket partisan rejection of a bill does not happen in a vacuum. There are reasons for that kind of partisan action and President Bush's treatment of Native American's in Texas and his stance on civil rights issues can not be left out of the picture.

-Report on sacred sites legislation:
Vice Chairwoman Joely De LaTorre provided an update.

Other legislation updates:
SB 41 California Indian Curriculum bill faced several challenges but that the bill is back on track.

Candidate announcements from the floor:
Caucus member Bob Kent asked Congressional candidate (3rd Congressional District), Gabe Costilla, to introduce himself to the members and describe his background. Gabe would like to switch the 3rd Congressional district from a Republican to Democratic base. Caucus member Donna Begay also stated that Costilla had an interest in the Native American Sacred lands issues. He showed up on June 20th for the sunrise ceremony held in connection with the sacred sites legislation at the State Capitol.

During the meeting, other candidates were given a moment to introduce themselves. Donna Begay announced her candidacy for the 9th Assembly District (greater Sacramento area). This primary race includes six Democratic candidates.

Update on Indian health care:
Caucus member Begay provided a brief update on the state's May revised budget. It did include the "restoration" of public health program dollars, which include the Indian Health program ($6.9 million). These funding issues are now in the hands of the legislatures for FY-04 budget process.

Update on delegate selection process:
Caucus Parliamentarian and DNC member Mary Ellen Early provided an update on the process of becoming a delegate for the Democratic National Convention, to be held in Boston in July 2004. Early pointed out that in registration packets is a copy of the DNC western region newsletter published and produced by our California DNC members.

Early also announced that she would be available for workshops on how to become a delegate for those that are interested. In short, California will have 440 delegates and 61 alternates (male/female represented) out of the 4,325 national delegates. There are five categories of delegates: Super delegates (Congressional level), District-Level Delegates (Caucuses rank these), At-large Delegates (any registered Democrat who is committed to a candidate who has won delegate slots in a primary), and Pledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials (i.e., city Mayor, state legislator) PLEOs. April 2004 - Delegation meets, 241 District-level delegates will meet and confirm the PLEOs and statewide alternates.

Update on INDIAN EDUCATION CONFERENCE
Report on meeting with Jack O'Connell - Joely De La Torre, Helen Doherty Caucus member and CDP Regional Director Helen Doherty provided an update on a recent Indian Education conference and Native American low educational achievement rates for public school participation. Helen Doherty, Caucus Vice Chair De La Torre and others attended a recent meeting in LA County with State Superintendent of Education Jack O'Connell to discuss the inclusion of appropriate education materials on California Indians and American Indians in state curriculum, forming an American Indian advisory board/task force through legislation to work on Indian education issues in the state.

Doherty relayed that educational deficit impacts our tribal survival and economic development. States still not involving tribes in policymaking process - required by the 1970 Federal Educational Policy.

U.S. Department of Education and Department of Interior do not have any educational funding. "Doherty stated if Bush's educational stance is leave no child behind, we need to work harder on leave no Indian child behind". California School Board Association now has a Native American on the Board - this particular Board needs more input from Native Americans.

Helen Doherty discussed sending a few board members to the November meeting of the National Indian Education Association.

Also introduced was caucus member Shelly Yarbarough, from the city of Perris in Riverside County. Shelly is Native American, an elected school board member where she serves as president of the Val Verde School Board.

Campaign Announcement:
Caucus Chairwoman Mary Ann Martin Andreas, announced her March primary candidacy for the 80th AD (Riverside and Imperial County). Republican Bonnie Garcia is the incumbent.

Caucus member Poppy Demarco proposed that the NA caucus offer a caucus resolution of endorsement and a financial contribution for the Chairwoman's campaign. After discussion, and according to state party bylaws, impact from current McCain/Feingold legislation contribution limits and regulations it was understood that, currently as a caucus we could not make financial contributions; it was unanimously supported that as individual caucus members we support Andreas' campaign.

BAPAC announced, from the floor, their endorsement and support for the Chairwoman's 80th AD race.

Discussion on the destructive recall campaign:
Eric Bauman (Chair of the Los Angeles County Central Committee) presented an informative discussion on the anti-recall efforts to counter the Republican grab to negate our vote of last November. Eric provided a hot-line number for us to call when we observe the accosting Republicans pushing their petitions. Call the rapid response line. Discussion followed about the tactics we can all use in our local areas, clubs, caucus and individually to oppose the recall.

Guest Speaker:
Caucus member and friend, Senator Joe Dunn, made a presentation on energy related legislation (SB 888). This legislation is design to re-establish the regulatory energy process.

Motion made by Bob Handy, Region 10 Director, to support Senator Dunn and his proposed Energy Regulation legislation (SB 888). Motion 2nd, no opposition - MOTION CARRIED.

Members from the floor::
Donna Begay requested signatures and form letters of support for California Indian announcement on the www.ca.gov web site. Several letters of support were gathered, including one from Senator Dunn.

7:30 Meeting adjourned.
Next caucus to be held at the next CDP executive board, the party will notify us of date and location in Southern California.