Tribes assembled at the former St. Boniface Indian School and Cemetery to recognize the landmark ruling affirming the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).

(BANNING, CALIF. June 15, 2024) – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians gathered with tribal members from across the Inland Empire at the ruins of the St. Boniface Indian School and cemetery to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that affirmed the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).

In a ceremony imbued with renewal and resilience, tribal members recognized the June 15, 2023 victory for tribes, tribal families, and Indian children when the Supreme Court overwhelmingly rejected arguments that sought to dismantle ICWA and undermine tribal sovereignty. Morongo was one of five tribes in the nation who defended ICWA before the Supreme Court.

“The watershed Supreme Court decision was a momentous victory for tribes, tribal sovereignty, and the best interests of Indian children,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “It protected Native American culture and heritage, and it guaranteed that tribes will continue to have a voice in our children’s future.”

Before Congress passed ICWA in 1978, an estimated one-third of all Native American children were being removed from their parents, extended families and tribal communities by state child welfare and private adoption agencies – even when safe homes with relatives were available. ICWA sought to end these devastating practices.

St. Boniface was one of the 367 Indian Boarding Schools that operated in the U.S. between 1860 and 1978 under federal policies of forced assimilation that sought to eliminate Indian people and culture. Studies show that by 1926, more than 80% of Indigenous school-age children were attending boarding schools run by the federal government or religious organizations.

“As we honor the importance of ICWA and the Supreme Court decision, we should pause to honor the victims, survivors, and descendants of Indian boarding schools,” said Morongo Tribal Councilmember Mary Ann Andreas, a former St. Boniface student. “We should acknowledge the generational trauma of these federal policies and we should remember the children buried here who did not have the protections of ICWA, and the parents and tribes who lost their children.”

The St. Boniface school site, cemetery and the rubble of the former Catholic church are being transferred to Morongo in perpetuity for care and preservation.

The tribal celebration included the planting of an olive tree among the rows of olive trees that have grown at the school for generations. A procession of tribal members from Morongo and other tribes took turns watering the tree as a powerful reminder of their commitment to nurturing and protecting Native children.

“This tree symbolizes new life, new hope, and the enduring resilience of our people. It symbolizes our ongoing obligation to care for future generations, to safeguard the wellbeing of Native families and to protect tribal sovereignty,” Chairman Martin said.

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The Tribe provided grants to 79 organizations serving others in the San Gorgonio Pass, the Coachella Valley and across Riverside & San Bernardino counties.

MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians awarded a record  $500,000 in grants to dozens of non-profit organizations serving local communities as part of the 3^rd Annual Morongo Community Outreach Awards Luncheon, held Thursday, April 18.

The 79 non-profits groups receiving grants represented a wide array of organizations across Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including those involved with Native American culture, social services, education, hospitals or health organizations, and groups supporting veterans and military families.

This year’s grants totaled $500,000 – the largest amount ever given through Morongo’s annual Community Outreach Awards program. In 2023, the program gave nearly $200,000 in grants.

“At Morongo, our commitment to giving has always defined our Tribe as we help address societal needs, foster a sense of community, and bring about positive change,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “Our annual Community Outreach Awards program allows us to live our values by providing support to dozens of inspiring non-profit organizations who selflessly serve others in need throughout the Inland region.“

Launched in 2022, the Morongo Community Outreach Awards Program supports the work of  non-profit organizations across the Inland Empire and Southern California by providing grants of up to $5,000 each to recipient groups. With this year’s awards, the program has awarded nearly $900,000 in grants in three years.

“We are so thankful to the Morongo Band of Mission Indians for their generous support of our work to provide low and no-cost services to support local patients, care partners and families navigating the challenges of dementia-related conditions,” said Dominick Calvano, Board President for Alzheimers Coachella Valley.

“We are honored to receive the Morongo Community Outreach Awards Grant which will help us provide educational youth programs, social-emotional development, food outreach services, health and wellness resources, and creative arts to underserved communities,” said Brittany Hunter, Founder/CEO of Power Speaks Louder of Moreno Valley.

Groups that received awards from Morongo hailed from across the Inland region, ranging from Carol’s Kitchen in the San Gorgonio Pass communities to Rainbolt RiteCare Childhood Language Center in San Bernardino to the Galilee Center in Mecca to Olive Crest of Palm Desert and Angel View of Cathedral City.

During the luncheon, award recipients were recognized for their exceptional service to strengthening the quality of life in the San Gorgonio Pass, the Coachella Valley and across Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

“Morongo’s generosity will enable our group to continue our work to offer fun, welcoming activities to people with special needs in our community and their families to gather, socialize and support each other in a caring and safe environment,” said DeAnn Dobbins, president of DeAnn’s PAASS Kids in Banning, Calif.

Morongo’s Community Outreach Awards Program aligns with the Tribe’s ongoing philanthropic efforts. Over the past decade, the Tribe has provided more than $20 million to support local and national non-profit organizations that serve the San Gorgonio Pass and the surrounding regions, as well as greater Southern California.

For information about the 2025 Community Outreach Awards program, groups are encouraged to visit www.morongonation.org/donations/

The donation will help establish a comprehensive Women’s Health Program; it follows Morongo’s record-breaking $5.6 million donation in 2022.

BANNING, CALIF (March 14, 2024) – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians presented a $5 million donation to the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Foundation today to help the hospital establish a comprehensive Women’s Health Program and enhance its obstetrics, gynecology, breast health, and women’s wellness programs.

The $5 million donation is the second largest donation ever received by the Foundation, following Morongo’s record-breaking $5.6 million contribution to the Foundation in 2022.

“San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital is profoundly grateful for Morongo’s generous $5 million donation,” said Foundation President Allen Koblin. “This $5 million donation is a testament to Morongo’s commitment to the health and wellness of our community and will bring transformative change to the wellbeing of women and families across the San Gorgonio Pass.”

Most of the Tribe’s donation will be dedicated to establishing a comprehensive Women’s Health Program at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital. This program will offer specialized services, including obstetrics and gynecology, breast health, family services, and women’s wellness programs. The donation will also upgrade critical patient monitoring systems, with $1.4 million dedicated to enhancing technological capabilities and patient care efficiency.

“Morongo is delighted to be building on our partnership with the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Foundation to advance healthcare in the Pass,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “It is crucial that we continue to support new advancements at our community hospital to ensure women, mothers and families have access to high-quality care that addresses their unique healthcare needs.”

Dr. Karan Singh of San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital highlighted the significance of the Tribe’s donation, saying “Today’s gift by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians will bring profound and positive changes to local healthcare, allowing us to expand our services and improve the wellbeing of women of all ages in our community. Morongo is helping us set a new standard for healthcare excellence across the San Gorgonio Pass.”

San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Board Chair Susan DiBiasi also thanked the Tribe for the donation, saying “Words can’t express our thanks to Morongo and for the incredible support you continue to offer to our Foundation and our hospital.  This donation will improve the lives of women and children across the Pass communities and puts our hospital in a position to provide innovative new healthcare services to our patients.”

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians’ continued generosity not only fortifies the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital’s capabilities but also underscores a shared commitment to fostering healthier, more resilient communities across Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

This latest donation aligns with Morongo’s long-standing tradition of supporting vital community resources and services. Over the past decade, Morongo has given over $20 million to support local and regional nonprofit organizations that help seniors, families, veterans, youth and those in need.