News

More Than $7 Million Awarded to 42 Native American Tribes in 16 States for a Wide Range of Conservation Work

For Immediate Release - February 25, 2010

On Jan. 29, 2010 at 9:30 am, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) President, Jefferson Keel, will deliver the 9th annual State of Indian Nations address. The speech, being delivered on the same day as President Obama’s first State of the Union address, will include directives on Indian Country’s priorities for the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress; economic development; healthcare; the protection of American Indian tribal sovereignty; and homeland security.

Students from Yocha Dehe Wintun Academy were involved in a 2,400 ft. hedgerow planting at Ponotla Piht Ranch on Nov. 16^th, 2009. The planting included a mix of native shrubs, grasses and trees. The Tribe has completed many restoration projects in the riparian areas it owns but this is the first native planting in its agricultural areas. The Tribe plans more restoration work on its farm for 2010.

Local tribal chairman Marshall McKay met with President Obama on Thursday, along with representatives from hundreds of other Native American tribes.

'In this new era of hope,' McKay said after the Washington, D.C., conference, 'we're excited about the idea of collaboration with the administration and actually coming up with some solutions.'

McKay heads the Tribal Council for the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, which owns Cache Creek Casino Resort.