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Set at the foot of the beautiful San Gorgonio and San Jacinto Mountains, the Morongo Indian Reservation spans more than 35,000 acres and overlooks the vistas of the Banning Pass. Resilient and resourceful, the Morongo tribe has had to overcome many adversities.

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  • Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health Inc.
    Diabetes Program Presents

  • SoCalGas – High Winter Bills PSA

    LEARN ABOUT FACTORS THAT CAN LEAD TO HIGHER NATURAL GAS BILLS.

    Unprecedented cold weather across the nation in part has caused natural gas market prices in the West to more than double between December and January – to the tune of 128% since December. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), several factors are contributing to higher natural gas commodity prices.

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  • Morongo Donates Winter Coats, Shoes and Toys to Children in Need

    • Santa helper Alana Allen (left) of Perris helps 9-year-old Zander Santos of Cabazon pick a toy.
    • Zineidh Jimenez, 2, of Cabazon picks a pair of new shoes with the help of her mother, Genesis Jimenez Cabazon, (right) and Santa helper Elizabeth Perez.

    Tribe supports Christmas in Cabazon Brunch with holiday gifts to local kids 

    CABAZON, CA – Holiday cheers and smiles were aplenty as hundreds of children from across the San Gorgonio Pass received gifts as part of Saturday’s Christmas in Cabazon Brunch with Santa, sponsored by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians at the James A. Venable Community Center in Cabazon, CA.

    “We are delighted to be able to help children in need in our local communities,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “By partnering with our friends at the Venable Community Center again this year, we are brightening the holidays for over 200 kids.”

    At this year’s event, excited children picked out their own brand-new winter coats, shoes and toys. They also received Target gift cards, enjoyed a visit with Santa Claus and other fun activities. 

    “For many years, our partnership with Morongo has helped thousands of children in need receive holiday toys and winter clothes that will help them brave the winter season,” said Community Center Manager Deana Mann. “We are grateful to have such generous partners in Morongo.”

    Morongo’s support of the Cabazon Brunch with Santa follows the tribe’s efforts to help children in need each holiday season. Morongo contributes more than $1 million annually to support communities and nonprofits across Southern California.

  • Morongo Helps Provide 300,000 Thanksgiving Meals for Those in Need

    • Volunteer Jorge Zamora help loads some of the 15,000 turkeys donated by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.
    • Volunteers gathered at the Morongo Indian Reservation to help pack and load some of the 15,000 turkeys donated by tribe to organizations across the Pass and the Inland Empire.
    • Volunteers Desiree Lima, Banning, and Sylvia Motschman of Murrieta, helped load some of the 15,000 turkeys donated by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.
    • Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin conducts a TV interview at Morongo’s 36th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach Program.

    The Tribe gives away a record 15,000 turkeys to 116 nonprofit organizations across the Inland Empire and Southern California.

    MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians gave away a record 15,000 free turkeys this week to non-profit groups, churches and charities from across Southern California as part of the Tribe’s 36th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach Program.

    The turkeys donated this year will provide nearly 300,000 holiday meals to families, seniors and veterans in need. Since the program began, Morongo has given away more than 175,000 turkeys, which in turn have provided an estimated 3.5 million holiday meals.

    “Morongo launched our Thanksgiving Outreach program more than three decades ago to help those struggling to put food on the table,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “The last couple of years have presented unprecedented challenges for so many, and we are humbled to be in the position to help those in need.”

    Tribal members and volunteers gathered at the Morongo Community Center from Nov. 14 – 16 to distribute Thanksgiving turkeys to 116 nonprofit organizations, such as food pantries, churches, homeless shelters, schools and veteran groups from across 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.

    “The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is busier than ever this year, and with the economy the way it is, we’ve had to double the amount of those we are providing food boxes to,” said Darla Burkett, executive director of the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. “We are so very grateful to the Morongo Band of Missions for their generous support in allowing us to feed hundreds of people in need this holiday season.”

    Other non-profit groups who received turkeys included the Los Angeles Rescue Mission in Los Angeles, Victory Outreach in Banning, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Food Pantry in Desert Hot Springs and Carol’s Kitchen in Beaumont among others.

    The Healing & Hope for the Homeless in Los Angeles received 300 turkeys to help feed the homeless this holiday.

    “During this very difficult and uncertain time, Morongo’s commitment to helping those who are less fortunate is always consistent,” said Karen Collins, Volunteer Coordinator of the Healing & Hope for the Homeless. “We are so thankful for the 300 turkeys that Morongo has gifted to Healing & Hope for the Homeless for those in need of a warm and delicious holiday meal.”

    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 Thanksgiving Outreach Program has been the gift that keeps on giving to the families in need across the San Gorgonio Pass,” Archuleta said. “The blessing of a warm meal from Morongo provides a light of hope to many who are struggling.” 

    For nearly 40 decades, thousands of veterans and military families have benefitted from the tribe’s Thanksgiving Outreach program with turkeys donated to local chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other military support groups.

    “Morongo’s generosity never ceases to surprise our military families, especially during the holiday season,” said Todd Sieja, President and CEO of the Western Eagle Foundation in Temecula. “Year after year, they help provide delicious thanksgiving meals for our veterans to enjoy and share with their loved ones.”

    To receive turkeys, 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 2023. 

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  • Maintenance Power Outage Cancelled – Wednesday November 9, 2022

    THE SCHEDULED OUTAGE HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER

     Wednesday, November 9, 2022 Main
    Outage # 000800179852 – CANCELLED 11/8/2022 Due to Weather
    Estimated Start 3:00 AM 11/09/2022
    Estimated End 3:00 PM 11/09/2022
    Outage Reason pole upgrade
    This is an important safety message from Southern California Edison.Our thoughts remain with all those who have been affected by the Apple Fire. SCE crews are currently deployed in your area to complete damage assessments in all accessible fire-damaged areas. Our crews will then begin clearing fire-damaged equipment (including damaged poles, wires and insulators) and removing downed trees as they prepare to restore the system as quickly and safely as possible.

    We understand how important it is for all our customers and their families to have access to electricity at home at this time. The crews in the field are wearing masks and following distancing health directives to minimize health risks to the public and to themselves.

    SCE is evaluating scheduled outages in areas affected by the fires for possible cancellation. Customers who received a recent notification can check on its status by going to sce.com/outage. 
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  • Morongo Awards $20,000 in Scholarships to Two Native American Students

    The annual Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Scholarship has awarded $550,000 to Native American students, the most underrepresented group in higher education.

    MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – Two Native American students from California have each received a $10,000 scholarship from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians as part of the 17th Annual Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Scholarship Program.

    Since its launch, Morongo’s program has awarded 55 scholarships totaling $550,000 to Native American students attending universities across the nation. The scholarship program is open to enrolled members of any of the more than 100 federally-recognized tribes in California.

    “Through our Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Scholarship program, Morongo is helping reverse the trends that have left Native Americans as the most underrepresented group in colleges and universities,” Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin said. “Students like this year’s recipients will be the tribal leaders of the future, and we are pleased to be helping them acquire the education and skills they need to guide and improve tribal communities for the next generation.”

    …

    Morongo Awards $20,000 in Scholarships to Two Native American StudentsRead More »

  • Professional and Amateur Ropers Kick Up Some Dust at 9th Annual Morongo Rodeo

    Riders competed for prize money and a chance to qualify for the BFI Team Roping at the free rodeo held Saturday Oct. 8 at the Morongo Indian Reservation.

    MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – Amateur and professional ropers and riders competed for cash prizes at the 9th Annual Open Ranch Rodeo, a free family-friendly event held on Saturday, October 8 at the Morongo Indian Reservation.

    For the fourth year, the rodeo featured a qualifying event for the Bob Feist Invitational (BFI) Team Roping, commonly known as ‘’The Feist,” the largest one-day annual open roping event in the country held in Reno.

    “The Morongo Open Ranch Rodeo is always an exciting event,” said team roping champion Derek Begay, a nine-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “I always have a great time here and it’s fun seeing all the fans come out to support the amateur and pro riders.”

    The daylong rodeo at Morongo attracted dozens of riders and ropers who competed for thousands of dollars in prize money in numerous events, including open and team roping, Calcutta, ribbon roping, and ranch-style steer stopping, among others. Competitions for younger riders included mutton busting and youth barrel racing.

    “Morongo’s annual rodeo is a great atmosphere for both fans and families, and we welcome ropers of all skills and ages to compete,” said Morongo Tribal Council Member Brian Lugo, the rodeo president. “Morongo has a long history of cattle ranching, and our rodeo offers a chance to honor our tribe’s past and the legacy of Indian ranching.”

    Hosted by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the Morongo Cultural Heritage Department, the event sponsors include Southern California Edison and the Barona Resort & Casino.

    “The Morongo rodeo is always a first-class event and a great chance for fans to see some of the best riders in the country, as well as some up-and-coming riders,” said Erich Rogers, World Champion Team Ropers at the 2017 National Finals Rodeo.  “It’s definitely one of my favorite stops and I look forward to it every single year.”

  • Indigenous Peoples’ Celebration at San Diego Zoo Safari Park Monday, October 10, 2022

  • Notice of Availability – Final Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Morongo Hotel Project – 11/25 – 12/15/2022

    As the Lead Agency, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians (Tribe) hereby provides this Notice of Availability of a Final Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Morongo Hotel Project.  This EA documents the environmental review of a proposal by the Tribe to develop a 23-acre Project site to accommodate two standalone hotels, approximately four standalone pad (standalone sites typically located within a parking lot upon which a customized space can be built and/or leased for a tenant) type retail outlets, and three standalone office spaces. The EA supports a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The Project site is located in a previously disturbed area on the Morongo Indian Reservation north of the Seminole Drive traffic circle. Surrounding (<1,000 feet) land uses of the Project site include disturbed Reservation lands to the north and northeast, the existing Morongo Travel Center and the existing Morongo Casino Resort & Spa (MCRS) facility to the east and southeast, the I-10 and associated infrastructure to the south and southwest, the existing Cabazon Outlets to the west, and off-Reservation housing to the northwest. The EA and FONSI are available for review on the Morongo Band of Mission Indians’ website at https://morongonation.org/environmentalreview. Hard copies are available at the Morongo Tribal Administration Building, located at 12700 Pumarra Road, Banning, CA 92220. No further action will be taken on the environmental process for at least 20 days after the publication of this notice. For more information, please contact Dana Morey, Director, Morongo Environmental Protection Department, 12700 Pumarra Rd, Banning, CA 92220, telephone (951) 755-5198, email [email protected].  Written comments should be mailed or emailed to Dana Morey at the addresses above and will be accepted during a 20-day public review period beginning 11/25/2022 and ending 12/15/2022.

  • Morongo Celebrates Native American Culture at 31st Annual Thunder & Lightning Powwow

    Over 900 tribal dancers and 20 drum groups from across the U.S. and Canada gathered with thousands of spectators to honor traditional Native American music, dance and art.

    Morongo Indian Reservation – More than 30,000 spectators celebrated Native American music, art, and dancing at the 31st Annual Morongo Thunder & Lightning Powwow, held September 23 – 25 at the Morongo Indian Reservation. 

    As one of the nation’s most highly anticipated powwows, the year’s outdoor gathering hosted by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians attracted over 900 tribal dancers and 20 drum groups from across the United States and Canada.

    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.

    “The Morongo Thunder and Lightning Powwow offers us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our heritage while passing along our traditions to future generations,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “Powwow allows us to share our culture with visitors to our reservation, and to teach others about the 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 was 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.

    At the Morongo Indian Market, artists offered authentic Native American crafts for sale, such as handmade baskets, beadwork, clothing, jewelry, and pottery. Native food vendors offered customary homemade delicacies such as Indian tacos and tasty Indian frybread.

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