You Play to Win the Game

(The Election)

Continuing to stay with the theme of Tribal elections, I’d like to briefly touch on partisan politics. The Native voting landscape and strategy hasn’t quite caught up with the U.S. political game just yet. Although, you have to give us some credit, the U.S. citizenship act has only been around for 100 years, which finally gave this country’s original people the right to vote. In reality, some states fought the outcome making it difficult for Natives to vote all the way up to the early 1970’s.

Being that it’s Super Bowl sunday, let’s break it down in football terms.

Imagine you're playing in a football game. Your team is trying to win against another team. Now, within your team, there are players who compete against each other during practice to see who gets to be the quarterback. This is like political opponents within the same party who have different ideas and compete for leadership roles or to be the party's candidate in an election.

 One day, of the big game comes. You're now facing the rival team, and you want to win more than anything. Even though you and some of your teammates have had disagreements or competitions among yourselves, you realize that beating the rival team is more important than any of those disagreements.

 So, what happens? You and your teammates, even those you compete with, start working together closely. The quarterback throws passes to the best receivers, even if they argued about who is the fastest during practice. The linemen protect the quarterback and open up paths for the runners, working as a single unit, despite any previous competitions for who is the strongest.

In this game, your team represents a political party, and the rival team represents the opposing political party. The internal competitions among teammates are like the differences and competitions among members of the same political party. But when it comes to the big game (which is like an election), everyone on the team puts aside their personal ambitions and works together. They do this because they all share the same ultimate goal: to win the game (or the election) against the rival team (or the opposing political party).

Just like in football, where teamwork and cooperation are essential for victory, in politics, members of the same party team up against the other party to try to win elections. They understand that they have a better chance of implementing their policies and making changes if they work together to win against the other side.

I’m hoping that we can implement a some strategy on team building and come together for the right purposes. I’m also hoping that we can put aside our differences in hopes of defeating our true enemy. Which is, if you haven’t guessed it already, any individual against the progression and evolution of Native people.

As always, If you don’t know now you know, a Native!

Voter Registration Party

Location: Robinson Rancheria Conference Center

In partnership with Kno’Qoti Native Wellness INC. and Robinson Rancheria. California Native Vote Project is hosting a Voter Registration Party on Wednesday, February 15, 2024 from 5-8pm.

 Join them for a night filled with music, raffles, important information around upcoming elections and the opportunity to connect with the community. They will be registering people to vote as well as answer any questions you may have about voting. 

California Native Vote Project, or CNVP, is the first-of-its-kind statewide effort to engage Native American communities across dozens of counties to build political power through an integrated voter engagement strategy. We launched three months prior to the 2016 presidential election to educate Native American voters, and has since expanded into integrated voter engagement and census advocacy and outreach.

 California Native Vote Project has deep partnerships with California Indian Tribes and Native-led nonprofits throughout California and is a member of national Native American groups: Native Voice Network, the Native American Voting Rights Coalition, and Advance Native Political Leadership. It is also a part of several statewide multi-racial, multi-issue tables, including Youth Organize California, Power California and California Calls.

Hope to see you all there.

Lou Diamond Phillips - Cherokee

Lou Diamond Phillips, born on February 17, 1962, in Subic Bay Naval Station, Philippines, is a versatile and acclaimed actor known for his diverse range of roles and his contributions to the world of film, television, and theater. His journey from a humble upbringing to Hollywood stardom has made him an iconic figure in the entertainment industry.

 Phillips' cultural heritage is a fusion of Filipino, Scottish-Irish, Cherokee, and Hispanic roots. He has also recently been adopted into two Tribes, the Cheyenne and Lakota Nation.

 His breakout role came in the 1987 biographical film "La Bamba," where he portrayed the legendary rock 'n' roll musician Ritchie Valens. The film's success catapulted Phillips to fame and established him as a talented actor capable of carrying emotionally resonant performances.

 Lou Diamond Phillips' career expanded to encompass a wide range of film genres, from action-packed thrillers like "Young Guns" to intense dramas like "Stand and Deliver." His ability to immerse himself fully in his characters and deliver authentic portrayals has garnered critical acclaim and made him a respected figure in the industry.

 In addition to his film work, Phillips has demonstrated his versatility on television, appearing in popular series like "Longmire" and "Prodigal Son." His talent for adapting to various roles, from crime-solving sheriff to brilliant criminal profiler, showcases his enduring appeal and adaptability as an actor.

 Beyond his acting career, Lou Diamond Phillips is an advocate for cultural understanding and representation in media. He has used his platform to raise awareness about issues related to diversity, inclusivity, and the importance of accurate portrayals of marginalized communities in entertainment.

 In a world where representation and cultural understanding are essential, Lou Diamond Phillips' legacy underscores the transformative power of storytelling, the importance of embracing diversity, and the enduring value of honoring one's heritage while breaking down barriers in the entertainment industry.

 As an actor, advocate, and cultural ambassador, Lou Diamond Phillips' contributions continue to inspire and enrich the world of entertainment, reminding us of the power of artists to shape perceptions, challenge stereotypes, and foster greater understanding.

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Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians

The Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians (Redwood Valley Rancheria) is a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Redwood Valley, Mendocino County, California. For several thousand years the Tribe’s ancestors lived along the West Fork of the Russian River, located north of Calpella, CA. The Tribe interacted with other Pomo tribes located within the Russian River watershed, the Eel River watershed, and tribes found along the coasts of the Clearlake and the Pacific Ocean.

 Much was lost with the advancement of European settlers before and after the California Goldrush.  In 1908 Redwood Valley Rancheria was established as a home for "Homeless Indians." However, In 1958 the United States Congress terminated Redwood Valley Rancheria and many other tribes by enacting the California Rancheria Termination Act. In 1983 this act was declared illegal as a result of the Tillie Hardwick, et al. v. United States of America, et al. Case. Redwood Valley Rancheria and many other rancherias had their tribal status restored.

 The Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians is a sovereign indian tribe with the powers of self-governance. Its tribal members elect a Tribal Council which acts as the governing body. The Council is authorized to write and enact ordinances and resolutions, conduct tribal business, and perform other actions that are commonly delegated to local governments.

​Today, Redwood Valley Rancheria has 159 acres of land in trust. It manages a wide array of social, educational, environmental and infrastructure programs. Click on the menu above to find out more about these programs.

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