By Jessica Tavares
Lincoln News Messenger
For five years, the United Auburn Indian Community has attempted to secure land for housing and gaming in Placer County. Now, opposition groups have emerged with the intention of delaying our efforts. It seems that citizens are rarely pleased with the formation of new Indian reservations — especially those with gaming facilities — near their communities. But, do they ever stop to realize that we never asked to be stripped of our land and identity; clearly, the answer is no.
United Auburn has only 2.8 acres left from our original reservation outside of Auburn. The rest of our land was sold to individuals and developers in 1953 when the United States enacted a policy of termination. In addition to housing the tribal church and cemetery, the remaining land on the original reservation is now home to some tribal members, many of whom live in poverty.
When we tell people that we want to gain economic self-sufficiency, a typical response is, "Why don't you return to school or get a better job?" The plain fact is that tribal members have found it difficult to trust people outside the Tribe — a simple reaction to years of persecution to which few can relate.
We have struggled for years. Over 40 years passed before Congress decided that the United States made a mistake in terminating our land and recognition. In 1994, it passed the Auburn Indian Restoration Act restoring the Tribe's federal recognition and allowing us to "acquire any land located in Placer County" to reestablish our reservation.
For the five years since the Act passed, we have faced still more struggles. The tribe fully realized that acquiring land would be a difficult process, but little did we realize how fundamentally opposed citizens would be to our efforts. Despite the reaction, we moved forward.
United Auburn firmly believed that we should work with Placer County to identify a location meeting the needs of both tribal members and neighboring communities. Therefore, rather than selecting one parcel, Placer County decided to split the reservation between three parcels — one each for gaming, residential and recreation purposes — the perfect solution to meeting the County's zoning ordinances. Many tribes, in contrast, do not consider local zoning ordinances; rather, they acquire one parcel and ignore the ordinances altogether in order to build both homes and a casino on one site. Neither United Auburn nor the County saw this as the right approach.
The County and Tribe thus selected the proposed gaming site near the corner of Athens Ave. and Industrial Blvd., the Sunset Industrial area, in the unincorporated area of Placer County. While opponents like to suggest that the site borders on homes, schools, and churches, this is not the case. Immediately surrounding this industrially zoned land are railroad tracks, a landfill, and Highway 65, a freeway that will soon expand to four lanes.
We realize that a large development creates impacts on surrounding communities, so United Auburn decided to negotiate a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Placer County. This historic agreement, signed by the County Supervisors in August, mitigates the potential burdens of a new casino at this location. Specifically, it funds several road improvement projects, and Sheriff, fire, and emergency services; requires adherence to local zoning, building and design guidelines; and provides a $50,000 annual donation to the California Council on Problem Gambling.
The MOU is historic because it is completely voluntary on the part of the Tribe. The MOU represents how tribes and communities can reach equitable solutions. Furthermore, it is more comprehensive than the statewide compact negotiated with Governor Davis and approved by the Legislature. The compact, signed by over 50 tribes, does not require a community participation agreement.
The Congress, Governor, State Legislature, and California voters have all voiced their support for Indian gaming. We, as a collective group, voted to support the rights of Indian tribes to operate casinos. This policy must be implemented throughout the State, not only in areas that supported Proposition 5. We live in a democracy and must act accordingly.
Placer County citizens have had five years to voice their concerns over the location. We have treated every citizen and local government with dignity and respect; now it is time to reciprocate this gesture and support this acquisition by the United Auburn Indian Community.
Jessica Tavares is Chairperson of the United Auburn Indian Community.
Copyright © 1999, Lincoln News Messenger
