Native American Caucus

E-Board Meeting

April 15^th, 2005

L.A. Convention Center 

Caucus Chair, Helen Doherty welcomed the new E-Board Members and asked each to share a little about themselves and specific issues they would like to see the NAC address during 2005-2007. 

Chad Gordon- Bond Issue- Dangerous precedent being set where tribes are being faulted for not brining issues to court earlier. 

Chico Ramos-  Concerned that students are not given factual information about Native American issues. 

Ron Andrade- Protection of Sovereign Nation Rights- Legislative Tracking- Use of a different SAT- Cultural Issues and Education. 

Corrine Hicks-  Urban Issues- Health Services- Work Force- ICWA- Urban Outreach- Number of Native American Children in foster care- Grant Writing. 

Danielle Vigil-  Cut back in funding- War between trustees and BIA- Media, negative press for tribes 

Genevieve Wortman- Yurok- Education; 68% drop out rate for Del Norte City School District- Klamath River Environment- Fish Kill 2002- 70% no phones, no electricity.- No compact for non-gaming tribe. 

Joely DeLa Torre- Education- Curriculum- Urban Tribal Outreach- Mentoring Our Young People- Utilize Web Page better. 

Mary Ann Andreas- Working with the Party to raise visibility and viability for the NAC within the CDP- running for office- Educating the elected- Professionalizing our Caucus. 

Kyle Crandell- Educating our People and the people of California. 

A discussion ensued where E-Board Members felt our young people needed to become involved in voting. Ron Andrade suggested exploration of an on-line registration. Chad discussed California Reading Conference to be held in November in Riverside. Helen discussed how she, Mary Ann, and Joely would work with E-Board to set up visits to California Tribes to illicit important issues. A discussion followed involving exploration of Tribal Sponsorships for NAC to encourage greater participation by tribes and development of a yearlong calendar. Bio and picture due to Renee by the end of the month at latest. Helen encouraged E-Board Members to maintain their high level of enthusiasm. She said there would be either an outreach meeting or phone conference every month.