Remarks by Julie Huff, Tribal Member, To the Lincoln City Council

Council members, good evening. My name is Julie Huff and I am a member of the United Auburn Indian Community. Although I am a tribal member, my family and I have established our home in Lincoln. I am appealing to you both as a resident of this community and as a tribal member to support the memorandum of understanding negotiated with the City.

As you are aware, the United Auburn Indian Community 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 the Tribe states that it wants to reach its goal of economic self-sufficiency, some people ask why tribal members do not just return to school or get better jobs. While there are members who have furthered their education or received promotions in their career, there are many more who have not. The simple answer to the question then is that many tribal members have found it difficult to trust people outside the Tribe — a reaction resulting from years of persecution. In fact, over 40 years passed before Congress decided that the United States made a mistake in terminating our land and recognition.

We have struggled for many years, but despite our struggles, we realize the importance of cooperating with local governments because this is our neighborhood too.

For five years, we have worked with Placer County, neighboring cities, and citizens to select an appropriate site for our economic and residential developments. We selected land that meets the needs of both tribal members and our neighbors. We selected two new parcels — one for gaming and the other for residential purposes — to meet the County's zoning ordinances. We selected the gaming site at Athens Ave. and Industrial Blvd. in the industrially zoned area of Placer County because it adheres to Federal law requiring a separation of at least two miles to the nearest homes or schools.

Now, the United Auburn Indian Community wants to work with you to mitigate any potential impacts of our proposed developments on the City of Lincoln. Members of the community are here today to voice their concerns over the effects of introducing a gaming facility in to a community. These concerns are addressed in the agreement signed by Placer County and in the contract on which you will vote today. By approving this contract, you will provide Lincoln with specific protections that are enforceable.

It is only through the MOU that Lincoln will receive these protections. The statewide compact negotiated with Governor Davis, approved by the Legislature and signed by over 50 tribes does not require a community participation agreement. The Congress, Governor, State Legislature, and California voters, however, all support the rights of Indians to develop gaming facilities. The Tribe could move ahead with this project without reaching any agreement with the county or neighboring cities, but we do not believe this is the right approach.

So just as I once encouraged my tribe to work with our local governments, I am now encouraging you to work with us. As a resident of this community and a member of the United Auburn Indian Community, I appeal to you to do what is right for Lincoln and approve the MOU.

Now I will introduce David Zweig with Environmental Science Associates who will address the Tribe's project in more detail.

Thank You.