[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 14265]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            INTRODUCTION OF THE GABRIELENO/TONGVA NATION ACT

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, a long time ago the Gabrieleno and Tongva 
Nation of California occupied the entire LA Basin and the islands of 
Santa Catalina, San Nicholas and San Clemente, from Topanga Canyon to 
Laguna Beach, from the San Gabriel Mountains to the sea. It was their 
land.
  The California Gold Rush and railroad expansion assured that their 
land was taken and today is one of the largest urban centers in the 
world, but some things have not changed.
  According to the Census figures, California's Native American 
population of over 309,000 became one of the largest in the State of 
California. Many of these Native Americans populate the area, making it 
the city with the largest concentration of Gabrieleno Indians. Yet they 
are not a federally recognized tribe.
  It is not because they are not there. They are. They have been there 
for many centuries. In fact, dating as far back as the 1700s, 1771 to 
be exact, this Federal Government recognized the Gabrieleno and Tongva 
Nation.
  Back in 1851, the U.S. Government sent Commissioner Barbour to 
establish a treaty with the Indians of Los Angeles but was suddenly 
called away, so that effort failed.
  Back in 1852, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, E.F. Beale, noted 
numerous Indian populations within Los Angeles County.
  Numerous scholars and academics have also noted the existence of this 
nation, namely, Helen Hunt Jackson. In the mid-1880s she noted that the 
Gabrieleno/Tongva were continuing to live in the San Gabriel area as 
day laborers.
  At the turn of the century, Hart Merriam and J.P. Harrington 
indicated that there were some groups of the nation living at the Tejon 
Reservation. It was further noted that one of the tribes represented at 
the reservation was the Tongva of San Gabriel.
  In the early 1900s, the Federal Government allowed nation members, 
most of whom were one-half Indian blood, to register at the Sherman 
Indian School in Riverside, California.
  The United States purchased land for the nation back in 1913, but by 
1928 many nation members were still living in their traditional areas 
of San Gabriel and identifying themselves as tribal members, as 
evidenced by the California Indians' Jurisdictional Act.
  Since 1928, the nation has participated in lobbying Congress via the 
Mission Indian Federation and was even a plaintiff in the Indian Claims 
Commission case.
  Therefore, today I stand here to hopefully recognize and formalize 
this relationship that Commissioner Barbour was sent to treat back in 
1851. Over and over again the Gabrieleno Indians have been the victims 
of bad timing or unfortunate circumstances, but nevertheless they exist 
today.
  The bill federally recognizes the Gabrieleno Indians as a federally 
recognized tribe that will be eligible for current grants and services 
awarded to these entities. In a district like mine, this is a very 
significant and historical piece of legislation. In the 31st District 
of California, which is where I live and represent many, many 
constituents who live in poverty, this is no strange thing for us to be 
here today to recognize this very important tribe.
  While Federal recognition would not guarantee necessarily food on 
their table, it would make this community eligible for housing, 
education, funds to clean the environment, and healthy care grants that 
would undoubtedly make their lives better.
  It is important to note that this State-recognized tribe is not 
interested in gaming. In fact, they have turned away large companies 
that would have paid for their attorneys to fight for this Federal 
recognition. The tribe wants what is rightfully theirs, the recognition 
that they are always and have always been original citizens and we 
should treat them as such.
  I ask my congressional colleagues here today to join me in providing 
Federal recognition of the Gabrieleno/Tongva Indians.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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