Tribe celebrates cultural connection to Indian Gaming

Secretary/Treasurer Moraino Patencio, at the July 14 unveiling of Agua Caliente’s new peon games statues by artist Doug Hyde, explains why the games were significant. “It’s how we taught our people to gather knowledge and power.”

PALM SPRINGS, CA (July 15, 2008) – The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians have unveiled in Rancho Mirage a granite sculpture by renowned artist Doug Hyde depicting the traditional peon (pronounced pay-OWN) games played by Cahuilla people.

Tribal members gathered at sunset Monday, July 14, as Chairman Richard M. Milanovich unveiled the 16-foot sculpture depicting the popular game of chance historically played by Native Americans around a campfire. A plaque commemorating the sculptures was also installed at the corner of Bob Hope and Ramon in Rancho Mirage.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (May 15, 2008) – The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians continues its commitment to the United States Marines by offering free accommodations at the Tribe’s Palm Springs resort, Spa Resort Casino to personnel who find themselves stranded between travel connections at Palm Springs International Airport.

The Agua Caliente Tribe launched the Marine hotel room program at Spa Resort Casino in December of 2005. It includes transfer to and from the airport, a free night’s stay, plus dinner and breakfast for each Marine. In the calendar year 2006, an average of 19 rooms were donated to US Marines each month. Last year that number grew by more than 30 percent, with an average of 26 rooms donated monthly.

One of 300 construction workers and subcontractors signed the top beam for the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa's new headliner room as construction reached a new milestone in the project, due to open early in 2009.

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif., May 1, 2008 — Less than two weeks after the grand opening of its new luxury hotel at Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa, the property celebrated the placement of the last construction beam of its new headline entertainment venue.

Some 300 construction workers were feted at a special luncheon to honor their work in building the 35,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art entertainment venue which reached its highest point today. The final steel beam was signed by workers, then raised by a giant crane and placed atop the new facility.

Chairman Richard M. Milanovich re-elected to serve in 13th term

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. April 3, 2008 — The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians announced Tribal Council election results today, naming one new councilmember, along with the re-election of two officials.

Tribal Chairman Richard M. Milanovich was re-elected to serve another two-year term on the five-member Council. He is the longest-serving Chairman for the Agua Caliente Tribal Council after 24 years in office. In prior years, he served in various Council positions, starting as a proxy in 1978.

Nationally Recognized Expert on Economics of Indian Gaming Releases Findings

SACRAMENTO – The Coalition to Protect California’s Budget & Economy has released the results of a study conducted by Alan Meister, Ph.D., an economist with Analysis Group, Inc., on the potential economic and fiscal benefits of Propositions 94, 95, 96 & 97. Dr. Meister’s findings show the net direct total statewide fiscal benefits over the life of the amended compacts included in the initiatives are approximately $16 billion, including:

• $10.2 billion in revenue sharing payments to the State’s General Fund;
• $5.4 billion in State and local taxes;
• $275 million in revenue sharing payments to local governments and;
• $128 million in revenue sharing payments to non-gaming tribes.

Tribal Habitat Conservation Plan opens for 90 day review

PALM SPRINGS, CA – October 12, 2007: The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, after seven years of study, has released for public review its Tribal Habitat Conservation Plan (THCP) and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), which formally determines the conservation of the Tribe’s 31,500 acres of Reservation land in and around Palm Springs.

The Plan identifies plants, animals and habitat that need to be preserved or protected. It also lays out procedures for mitigation of future land development and determines under what circumstance an “incidental take” can be permitted on the Reservation.

“This is the culmination of a long effort by our planners that ensures the Tribe’s ability to manage its lands properly,” said Tribal Chairman Richard M. Milanovich. “Rather than hand over this job to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, we’ve taken the steps to guarantee the Tribe’s self-reliance, as well as our sovereignty.”

For the full story and access to Tribal Habitat Conservation Plan documents, follow the link below.