California Secretary of State, Dr. Shirley N. Weber

Indigenous Wisdom Fortifies Our Democracy

Dr Shirley Weber

Shirley Nash Weber, Ph.D. was nominated to serve as California Secretary of State by Governor Gavin Newsom on December 22, 2020 and sworn into office on January 29, 2021. She is California’s first Black Secretary of State and only the fifth African American to serve as a state constitutional officer in California’s 170-year history.

79 special election

If you live in the 79th Assembly District and want to vote in the April 6 Special Primary Election, you must register by Monday, March 22 to receive a mail ballot. Otherwise, you will need to make a trip in person to the Registrar’s office in Kearny Mesa or your polling place to register conditionally and vote provisionally.

The April 6 election is open only to those who live in the 79th Assembly District. The area encompasses southeastern San Diego, the cities of La Mesa and Lemon Grove, and parts of Chula Vista, Bonita, and National City. Not sure if you live in the 79th Assembly District? You can find out here.

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America’s Backbone Awakens 

Dedicated to Preserving Our Legacy:
A Brief History of SISCA and an Interview with Its President

by Windy Goodloe, SISCA secretary

“Why didn’t I learn this in school?” is a phrase that we hear often when a person first learns about the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts. The story of these brave men often leaves people scratching their heads. They find it hard to believe that a story filled with so much action and adventure and conflict and triumph hasn’t been made into one hundred movies, let alone one. As descendants, we’ve wondered why our history wasn’t (and still isn’t) taught in our local schools. It hasn’t been for lack of trying. One of our most prominent members was a school teacher who dedicated her life to telling the story of her people to anyone who would listen, and if it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t be writing this article right now.

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Native American Spirit Meets Covid 19

BY  ALASTAIR RUNNING BEAR

I recently had the opportunity to interview Emerson, founder of Native.Inc, who has been organizing donation runs to Indian Country to alleviate some of the suffering brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. While the White House balked and stalled, Emerson of the Navajo Nation and Daniela of the Mapuche Nation sprang into action in the warrior way. Their North American and South American indigenous unity in action is perhaps another manifestation of the prophecy of the Eagle and the Condor, signaling better times to come.  Making monthly donation runs, through rain and snow, to Monument Valley and the surrounding areas since May of 2020, they have uplifted the spirits of native communities in need. And before returning to California, a self-imposed two-week quarantine is endured somewhere out there. Emerson is preparing for the next trip to the Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indians. Over 250 families have benefited from the donations, which have ranged from winter clothing, food, and water, to face masks, cleaning supplies, and toys. Emerson gives thanks to many for their assistance with the runs, including: San Pasqual Fire Dept., City of Indio, the greater communities of Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego, Victorville, San Jacinto, North Hollywood, Hesperia, and relatives from Morongo Reservation, Soboba Reservation, Pala Reservation, Pechanga Reservation, Rincon Reservation, La Jolla Reservation, Santa Ysabel Reservation, Viejas Reservation, Mountain Source Dispensary on the Santa Ysabel Reservation, Her Native Voice nonprofit of Los Angeles, and a special thanks to the Soboba Indian Youth Council. 

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