Jamul Sovereignty in Action 2005

By Roy Cook

Jamul, at noon December 10, 2005, is shimmering in the sun. Warm emotions fill the hopes of many of the: visitors, supporters, Tribal members and officials attending this American Indian gathering. Jamul Tribal land is Six acres of uneven ground. Uneven hopes and dreams mark the struggle to make a new future for Jamul. Looking across the dips and valleys of this Federal Reservation land there and over there, in the corners of our vision, we see the bright gems of hope and prosperity in the soil and dust that will support the basis of the Jamul Tribal future. There will be a new Jamul Casino for the San Diego economy. (Proposed view of the Casino below.)

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Jamul Casino offer photo opportunities, entertainment and a public feed for all attending this event. Free shirts, gifts, information and $200,000 in door prizes are offered to visitors in appreciation. Dozens of local Tribal Chairmen and council members attend in support. There are Twenty-three American Indian Reservations in San Diego County.

There is an irony to the day. Non-Indian rag-tag protestors straggle along the Jamul Reservation fence line. It is their First amendment right to voice their opinions. But it causes one to wonder about all those homilies regarding Horatio Alger and America being the land of opportunity. All three past and present Jamul Tribal Chairmen are U. S. Military combat veterans. We served this Nation for the freedom to be what we are. Indian Nations ask for nothing more than the opportunity to succeed but certainly nothing less. We support and defend the constitution of the United States of America.

America, America we are still here. We are American Indian Tribal people. We stand for this land. We bleed for this land. America, too often is like an unruly child unused to its power, and under the illusion that it is the parent of this land. This is Indian Land, eons older than redefined governments in the process of determination. America we are still here. We live RESPECT: The tribe has only four acres open to construction. A tribal cemetery and Catholic chapel take up a third of the reservation. The structure would be about 150 feet from the chapel. Jamul is trying to maintain their tribal ‘Custom and Tradition.’

America, we have been to your schools and served in your military to defend the ‘American’ way. It is our turn to step up to the economic scooter and take it for a spin. Jamul will have a casino soon and all will benefit economically from this action.

Tribal Reflections respectfully reported by americanindiansource.com
Roy Cook: Writer, speaker, singer, curator (Opata-Oodham)