Latest News

• Morongo, Marnell Hospitality and Tharaldson Hospitality Break Ground on New HotelJanuary 15, 2025

  New 200-room four-story hotel being built beside the iconic Morongo Casino Resort & Spa will serve business and leisure travelers alike.

  

  The Morongo Band of Mission Indians, in partnership with Marnell Hospitality and Tharaldson Hospitality, recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a new 200-room hotel set to rise alongside the iconic Morongo Casino Resort & Spa near Palm Springs, CA.

  Scheduled to open in early 2026, the dual-branded Hampton Inn and Home2 Suites hotel will bring dozens of permanent new jobs and new economic opportunities to the San Gorgonio Pass. The four-story hotel, a landmark 50-50 joint venture between Marnell and Tharaldson, is being constructed on the Morongo Indian Reservation.

  Designed to meet the needs of both leisure and business travelers, the hotel will circle a relaxing resort-style pool and spa while offering a blend of modern accommodations and conveniences, such as studio suites, plush guest rooms, a bar/lounge, dining, fitness center, two large meeting/conference rooms and ample lobby and lounge areas.

  “We’re beyond excited to be partnering with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians as one of the recognized leaders in tribal gaming and hospitality,” said Greg Wells Manager of Marnell Hospitality. “This new location will enhance the world-class amenities already offered by Morongo, while also providing new accommodations for travelers to the region.”

  The new hotel evolved from a shared vision of the Morongo Tribal Council and the Morongo Economic Development and Planning Committee to continue to advance the Tribe’s retail and tourism offerings along the bustling Interstate 10 corridor.

  “Working together, the Morongo Tribal Council and the Morongo Economic Development and Planning Committee successfully moved this innovative project from concept to reality and identified the perfect partners in Marnell Hospitality and Tharaldson Hospitality,” said Morongo Tribal Council Vice Chair James Siva, who also chairs the Economic Development and Planning Committee.

  About the Morongo Band of Mission Indians

  Located at the foot of the San Gorgonio Mountains of Riverside County, the 36,000-acre Morongo Indian Reservation is home to more than 1,000 members of the resilient Morongo Band of Mission Indians. As a sovereign nation, the Morongo Tribe has overcome decades of adversity to become a model of self-reliance and self-determination. Today the Tribe provides over $3 billion in regional economic activity and more than 2,500 jobs as the region’s largest employer. Morongo has built upon its successes for the benefit of generations to come and the surrounding communities, all while honoring and preserving the rich traditions of its past. For information, visit https://morongonation.org/

  About Marnell Hospitality

  Marnell Hospitality is an affiliate of Marnell Companies who celebrated its 50th year of unparalleled accomplishments in 2024 in the world of Gaming, Hospitality, Master Planning and Real Estate. Delivering a host of iconic projects and executing countless unique ideas into reality, we work as Architects, Designers, Constructors, Consultants, Managers, Owners, and Investment Partners for the industries’ leading companies as well as our own portfolio of real estate and casino assets. Three generations provide Marnell Gaming exceptional experience in ownership and tribal management and provides leadership for continued success. For information visit https://MarnellCompanies.com

  

  

  About Tharaldson Hospitality

  Since 1982, CEO and Founder Gary Tharaldson has opened over 400 hotel properties throughout the United States. He has been instrumental in developing prototype properties for the likes of Marriott and Hilton and has received numerous “Developer of the Year” awards from the same highly respected franchise companies.  Tharaldson Hospitality currently owns and operates nearly 90 hotels in 19 states for some of the world’s most well-respected and beloved brands. For information visit www.tharaldsonhm.com

• Morongo Provides 300,000 Thanksgiving Meals with Free Turkey GiveawayNovember 22, 2024

  The Tribe’s 38^th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach gave 15,000 turkeys to 120 nonprofit organizations to provide holiday meals to families, seniors and veterans in need.

  

  MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians gave away 15,000 free turkeys this week to non-profit groups, churches and charities across the Inland Empire and Southern California as part of its 38^th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach program.

  The turkeys donated this year will provide nearly 300,000 holiday meals to families, seniors and veterans in need from the Coachella Valley to Los Angeles. Over the course of the program’s history, Morongo has contributed almost 215,000 turkeys, which have helped provide an estimated 4.1 million holiday meals.

  “The roots of Morongo’s Thanksgiving Outreach program stretch back decades to a time when our tribe sought to help others even as we ourselves faced adversity,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “This year, we continue our Tribe’s legacy of giving to others by providing tens of thousands of holiday meals to those who are struggling across the region.”  

  Tribal members and volunteers gathered at the Morongo Community Center on Nov.18 and Nov. 19 to distribute the 15,000 Thanksgiving turkeys to 120 nonprofit organizations, including food pantries, churches, senior centers, schools and veteran groups from across the Inland Empire and Southern California. Groups receiving turkeys hailed from Banning, Beaumont, Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Temecula, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, Redlands, Los Angeles, and other communities.

  

  The groups will use the turkeys to provide hot holiday meals to those in need or will distribute the birds in holiday meal gift baskets with additional side dishes to help feed thousands of people who otherwise would not have been able to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner this year.

  Family Services of the Desert in Desert Hot Springs received 300 turkeys to help families in the Coachella Valley this holiday.

  “Morongo’s donation of 300 holiday turkeys truly exemplifies the Tribe’s constant commitment to uplifting our community,” said Dana Johnson, Director of Family Services of the Desert in Desert Hot Springs. “This generosity enables our organization to bring joy and the spirit of the holiday season to over 600 families who are facing challenges. By giving these dinners to families, we’re doing more than just providing food, we’re fostering hope at a time when it’s most needed.”

  Pastor Victor Archuleta of Victory Outreach Church in Banning said the 300 turkeys provided by Morongo will help struggling families enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner together.

  “Morongo’s generous support has made a remarkable difference in our community, and we are truly grateful,” Archuleta said. “The holiday turkeys we receive from the Tribe not only provide nourishment but also bring joy and warmth to the families we serve, helping to create cherished moments during this festive season.”

  Participating groups submitted applications to the Tribe and were notified over the summer that they had been selected. For organizations interested in receiving turkeys next Thanksgiving, applications for next year are due in Spring 2025.

  

  

  

• Morongo Charity Golf Tournament Raises Over $150,000 for Groups Serving San Gorgonio Pass Youth, Preserving Native CultureOctober 29, 2024

  The annual tournament held at the championship Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon has provided more than $2.8 million to local non-profits over the past 28 years.

  BEAUMONT, Calif.  – Hundreds of golfers from across Southern California took to the fairways at the 28^th Annual Morongo Charity Golf Tournament to raise money for local youth, and to help safeguard Indian children and tribal culture.

  The two-day tournament kicked off Monday, October 21 at the beautiful Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon, raising $100,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Gorgonio Pass, $25,000 for the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA), and $25,000 for California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center at California State University, San Marcos.

  

  “From creating positive pathways for local youth and families, to strengthening protections for tribal children and preserving the cultural history of local tribes, the organizations benefiting from this year’s Morongo Charity Golf Tournament each play a vital role in our communities,” said Morongo Tribal Vice Chair James Silva, co-chair of the tournament.

  Megan Grisham, director of operations of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Gorgonio Pass, thanked Morongo for its ongoing support, saying “Morongo’s generous contributions to the Boys & Girls Clubs over these many years have helped thousands of local students and their families. We deeply appreciate the tribe’s support to those in need across the Pass.”

  

  The tournament was held at 36-hole Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon, the local home of the Southern California PGA and host to the annual IOA Championship on the Epson Tour, the official qualifying tour of the LPGA.

  “The significant work of the Boys & Girls Clubs, the National Indian Child Welfare Association and the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center serve to strengthen our region’s future while also preserving our past,” said Morongo Tribal Council Member Brian Lugo, a co-chair of the tournament. “We are grateful to the players and sponsors whose participation ensured our 28th annual Charity Golf Tournament was once again a resounding success.”

  

  Launched in 1997, the Morongo Charity Golf Tournament has raised over $2.8 million to support dozens of local nonprofits that serve children, schools, veterans, and hospitals across the region.

  About the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon

  Set against a backdrop of breathtaking mountain views, the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon offers 36 world-class holes, state-of-the-art practice facilities, outstanding amenities, and professional, personalized customer service. Ranked among the best courses in Southern California, Tukwet Canyon remains the regional home for the Southern California PGA, and host to the SCPGA Professional Championship. Since 2015, Tukwet Canyon has hosted the Epson Tour, the official qualifying tour of the LPGA.

• Morongo-AMR Riverside Air Ground Tribal Alliance wins prestigious CAASE Service Excellence AwardOctober 24, 2024

  Nation’s first-ever EMS-tribal partnership reduces emergency response times by 60%

  

  In a groundbreaking achievement, the Morongo-AMR Air Ground Tribal Alliance — a pioneering partnership between American Medical Response (AMR) of Riverside County and the Morongo Reservation Fire Department, on behalf of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians — has been honored with the 2024 California Ambulance Association Service Excellence Award for Innovation.

  This partnership, the first of its kind between a tribe and an EMS provider in the U.S., has reduced response times by an impressive 60%, dramatically improving access to emergency care for tribal members and the surrounding community.

  Morongo’s Chief Administrative Officer Jason Carrizosa initiated the collaboration to address the challenges of providing EMS coverage in the rural Morongo Reservation. “This partnership has been instrumental in ensuring our community receives faster, more efficient emergency care,” Carrizosa said. “By bringing together the expertise of the Morongo Fire Department and AMR, we’ve developed a model that can transform EMS response in underserved regions.”

  The alliance features a ground ambulance stationed on the reservation and staffed by Morongo Fire Department employees. It works alongside Morongo’s first responders, significantly enhancing the speed and quality of care. The partnership also includes an air ambulance dedicated to serving the San Gorgonio Pass region, with plans to relocate it onto tribal land for even greater impact.

  Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin emphasized the lifesaving benefits of the collaboration.

  “The historic partnership between Morongo and AMR is saving lives on our reservation and across the San Gorgonio Pass by delivering immediate emergency medical care to the injured and ill,” said Martin. “We are humbled that the California Ambulance Association has recognized this collaboration, which we believe can serve as a nationwide model for future partnerships between tribes and forward-thinking EMS providers like AMR.”

  The California Ambulance Association Service Excellence Award recognizes ambulance operators across California for excellence, innovation and resourcefulness in four categories: Community Impact Program, Clinical Outcome Project, Innovation in EMS and Employee Programs.

  To view the partnership announcement video, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xim6rspz7Ug

• Riders, Ropers Stampede into 11th Annual Morongo RodeoOctober 16, 2024

  Yellowstone star Mo Brings Plenty was on hand for the free celebration of Morongo’s cattle ranching history on Saturday Oct. 12 at the Morongo Indian Reservation.

  MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – Amateur and professional ropers and riders competed for cash prizes at the 11^th Annual Open Ranch Rodeo, a celebration of Morongo’s cattle ranching history, held Saturday, October 12 at the Morongo Indian Reservation.

  

  Mo Brings Plenty, star of the hit Paramount Network series Yellowstone, greeted the crowd to kick off the day’s events. An enrolled Lakota who hails from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, his traditional name — given to him as a young boy — is Ta Sunke Wospapi (“catches his horse”); which befits a man who enjoys spending more time on his horses than anywhere else.

  

  

  “The Morongo Rodeo is an amazing experience that holds true to the legacy of Indian ranching and celebrates our deep connection to horses and riding,” said Mo Brings Plenty, who chairs the board of the non-profit Bronc Riding Nation. “Rodeos hold a special place in our culture, symbolizing the rugged and enduring spirit of Indian Country. They embody time-honored values such as strength, perseverance, and the importance of resilience in the face of challenges.”

  Morongo Tribal Council Member Brian Lugo, the rodeo president, thanked Mo Brings Plenty for being part of the annual Morongo Rodeo, and all of the riders, ropers and spectators who came to the event.

  “Morongo’s annual rodeo is always an exciting event that commemorates the long history of cattle and horse ranching on our reservation that began generations ago and continues to this day,” Lugo said.

  The free, daylong event was open to the public as riders and ropers competed for thousands of dollars in prize money in a variety of events, such as open and team roping, Calcutta, ribbon roping, and ranch-style steer stopping. Youth riders also joined in the fun with competitions like mutton-busting and youth barrel racing.

  

  

  

  “As always, this year’s Morongo Rodeo was a great event that gave fans a chance to see some of the best riders and ropers in the country,” said Aaron Tsinigine, a 2015 PRCA Team Roping World Champion. “The Morongo Rodeo is one of my favorite stops as the Tribe always puts on an awesome event.”

  The annual rodeo is hosted by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the Morongo Cultural Heritage Department.

• Morongo Awards $40,000 in Scholarships to Four Native American StudentsOctober 10, 2024

  The annual Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Scholarship has awarded $630,000 to Native American students, the most underrepresented group in higher education.

  MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – Four Native American students from California have each received a $10,000 scholarship from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians near Palm Springs through the Tribe’s 19th Annual Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Scholarship Program.

  Since its launch, Morongo’s Mathews Scholarship Program has provided $630,000 in scholarships to 62 Native American students attending universities across the country. These scholarships are only accessible to enrolled members of the 109 federally recognized tribes in California.

  “Morongo’s annual Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Scholarship program is dedicated to reversing the historical underrepresentation of Native Americans in higher education,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “This initiative provides vital support to scholarship recipients while fostering the development of future tribal leaders. Empowering Native students to advance their education and skills creates pathways for driving meaningful progress that will enhance our tribal communities for generations to come.”

  The 2024 recipients are:

  

  Keseloh McQuillen of the Yurok Tribe, is working on her Master of Arts Degree in the Language Teaching Studies Program at the University of Oregon. She grew up on the Yurok Reservation, which is near the traditional village of Turip in Klamath, California. Her goal is to return to her community in Humboldt County after receiving her masters. She believes that with the knowledge gained from the Language Studies Program, she can add strengthen language development within the Yurok community.

  “Receiving this scholarship from the Morongo Tribe gives me relief. This assistance relieves financial strains and enables me to focus entirely on my academic goals. I am driven to take advantage of this opportunity to succeed and to finish my program in 11 months. I appreciate the Morongo Tribe’s commitment to education,” McQuillen said.

  Cody Goodwin of the Wailacki Tribe, is working towards his bachelor’s degree in Aviation Airport Design at San Jose State. His goal is to join the U.S. Airforce with hopes to one day pilot C-17 Globemasters, the largest military transport aircraft ever developed for Air Force. He also aspires to become a Flight Instructor.

  “For me, this scholarship is very significant since it allows me to continue with my pilot training and earn my commercial and multi-engine ratings. It’s an important step toward achieving my aviation career goals. It also helps with some of my living expenses, which allows me up to concentrate more on my training and studies. I am incredibly appreciative of this support,” Goodwin said.

  Kathleen Keller-Manuelito of the Bishop Paiute Tribe, is pursuing her degree in Nursing at the University of Kansas.  She previously graduated from Haskell Indian Nations University in 2016 with a bachelor’s in business administration. In the past she worked with the American Indian Records Repository, which preserves treaties between the U.S. Government and Native Americans. While obtaining her clinical hours for nursing, she hopes to work with Indian Health Services. Her career goal is to create and open an Indigenous birthing center for women.

  “I want to thank the Morongo Band of Mission Indians for offering the Mathew’s Scholarship to all California Natives. Being awarded this scholarship relieves a great deal of worry for me as a working mom of a toddler who is getting ready to move across the nation. This scholarship will not only help with living expenses such as daycare costs, but it will also provide me the opportunity to devote all my attention to my studies this fall semester. Once again, I want to thank the scholarship committee, the Morongo tribe, and everyone else who made this opportunity for a life-changing award possible,” Keller-Manuelito said.

  Yamahni Duncan of the Berry Creek Rancheria of Tyme Maidu Indians, He is in his final year at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is working towards bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Philosophy. He intends to pursue a doctorate in philosophy or psychology. By advancing his knowledge, he hopes to have an important impact on his Tribal community.

  “I applied for this scholarship from Morongo in part because it would be really helpful in paying for my housing costs. Despite the fact that my college provided funding for my education, I had to deal with the costs of finding housing on my own. That burden has been greatly reduced as a result of receiving this scholarship, allowing me to concentrate more on my education,” Duncan said.

  The Morongo scholarship program honors the late Rodney T. Mathews Jr., a Morongo tribal member and Hastings Law School graduate who passed away in 2004. He worked as an attorney for 20 years before serving as a judge pro tem for more than a decade.

  His mother, Eunice Mathews, said the scholarship program recognizes her son’s lifelong commitment to equity and education. “We are so proud of all that Rodney accomplished and are touched by how the Mathews Scholarship continues to honor his legacy.”

  Scholarship applicants are considered based on their academic success and community service. Candidates must be full-time students at an accredited college or university; complete 60 hours with a designated California Indian agency; and be actively involved in the Native American community.

• 11th Annual Morongo Open Ranch Rodeo | October 12, 2024October 3, 2024

  

  

• 30,000 Celebrate Native American Culture at the 33rd Annual Morongo Thunder & Lightning PowwowSeptember 30, 2024

  More than 900 tribal dancers and 20 drum groups from across the U.S. and Canada gathered to celebrate traditional Native American music, dance and art.

  

  Morongo Indian Reservation – More than 30,000 spectators celebrated Native American music, art, and dancing at the 33^rd Annual Morongo Thunder & Lightning Powwow, held September 27 – 29 at the Morongo Indian Reservation near Palm Springs, CA. 

  As one of the nation’s most highly anticipated powwows, the Morongo powwow kicked off on California Native American Day and attracted over 900 tribal dancers and 20 drum groups from across the U.S. and Canada. Admission to the family-friendly powwow is free.

  Throughout the weekend, dancers wearing intricate, handcrafted regalia of leather, fine beadwork and brightly colored feathers competed in a variety of events that displayed the diversity of Native American dance styles from across North America.

  “The Morongo Thunder and Lightning Powwow celebrates Native American culture while helping tribes preserve our heritage and traditions for future generations,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “Our powwow is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to learn about the richness and beauty of Native American dance, music and art.”

  The highlight of each day, the Grand Entry drew hundreds of dancers dressed in traditional regalia into the powwow arena which transformed into a spectacular display of rhythm, music and motion as men, women and children danced together to the music of competitive drum groups and singers.

  

  

  

  The Powwow included traditional bird singing and peon games of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and other tribes in Southern California.

  More than 115 vendors participated in the Morongo Indian Market, where artists offered authentic Native American crafts for sale, such as handmade baskets, beadwork, clothing, jewelry, and pottery. Native food vendors served customary homemade delicacies such as Indian tacos and tasty Indian frybread.