Viejas Joins CTBA Board

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians has joined the Board of the California Tribal Business Alliance. 

"We are very pleased to have Viejas once again represented on our Board," said CTBA Chairman Robert Smith, who is also Chairman of the Pala Band of Luiseno Indians.   "While we have never stopped working with Viejas on issues of importance to Indian Country, their formal participation on our Board will further strengthen CTBA's voice in Sacramento and across the country."

Viejas was one of the founding members of CTBA, but had stepped back from having a representative on the Board in 2011 in order to focus on tribal business that was eminent at the time.  The tribe's decision to rejoin the Board followed several weeks of discussion over current policy issues and the Viejas' desire to once again coordinate Native American advocacy efforts with CTBA.

"We have a longstanding relationship with CTBA," said Viejas Vice Chairman Robert Cita Welch.  "Given the many policy issues that we are addressing within Indian Country, including online gaming, the proliferation of internet cafes, sacred sites issues and upcoming compacts, we are eager to once again join the CTBA Board."

SOURCE California Tribal Business Alliance