◈ Homepage — https://www.soboba-nsn.gov/Skip to main content ABOUT US » Tribal Council History Departments » Cultural Elders Environmental Family Services Fire Department Gaming Commission Housing Human Resources Information Technology Parks and Recreation Preschool Public Safety Public Works T.A.N.F. Tribal Credit Noli School EVENTS » Pow Wow NIAA Soboba Fiesta ENTERPRISES » Soboba Casino Resort Soboba Roadrunner Express Soboba RX Soboba Crossroads Soboba Economic Development Corporation Legacy Bank SPONSORSHIP NEWS/PRESS » Soboba hosts its 20th Earth Day event Soboba Tribal Preschool teaches generations of the Salgado family Oral History Project makes stop at Soboba Soboba golf tournament delivers on the green EMPLOYMENT » Tribe Job Openings Casino Job Openings SEDC Job Openings MEMBERS 1 2 3 4 5 6 Míiyuyam, Şuláaqaxam chamkíyk (Luiseño) Míyaxwe, páxam chémkiyka’ (Cahuilla) Hello Everyone and Welcome to Our Home Since time immemorial the people of Soboba have lived within the present day San Jacinto Valley and surrounding areas. The Soboba Indian Reservation, home to both Luiseño and Cahuilla people, is nestled in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains near the city of San Jacinto, CA. Today, the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians is a federally-recognized tribal government that exercises our right to self-governance and self-determination. The results of exercising these rights can be seen in both our tribal government and our business enterprises. Diversification within our many business enterprises have allowed us to support the well-being of our Tribal Members by providing a wide range of services through tribal government programs. This is seen through our Tribal Administration such as the Soboba Fire Department, Public Works, Cultural Programs and many others. We welcome you to learn more about the people of Soboba – both our rich history and current progress – and see how we have supported not only our Tribe, but our surrounding communities as well.   ROADRUNNER EXPRESS READ MORE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS READ MORE FRONTIER RESIDENTIAL INTERNET READ MORE PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 23906 SOBOBA RD SAN JACINTO CA 92583 CONTACT US   MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 487 SAN JACINTO CA 92581 ADMINISTRATION FORMS ROADRUNNER EXPRESS TEL: 951-654-5544 TEL: 951-654-2765 FAX: 951-654-4198 SOBOBA CASINO RESORT SOBOBA RX SOBOBA  BAND  OF  LUISEÑO  INDIANS  ©  ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED ◈ Interior Pages — 10 pages crawledHousing | Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Skip to main content Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians ABOUT US Tribal Council History Departments Cultural Elders Environmental Family Services Fire Department Gaming Commission Housing Human Resources Information Technology Parks and Recreation Preschool Public Safety Public Works T.A.N.F. Tribal Credit Noli School EVENTS Pow Wow NIAA Soboba Fiesta ENTERPRISES Soboba Casino Resort Soboba Roadrunner Express Soboba RX Soboba Crossroads Soboba Economic Development Corporation Legacy Bank SPONSORSHIP NEWS/PRESS Soboba hosts its 20th Earth Day event Soboba Tribal Preschool teaches generations of the Salgado family Oral History Project makes stop at Soboba Soboba golf tournament delivers on the green EMPLOYMENT Tribe Job Openings Casino Job Openings SEDC Job Openings MEMBERS You are here Home HOUSING About Us Soboba Housing Department provides the following services: Prepare & Process paperwork to Transfer Land Surveys - Work with GIS and Morongo Reality Contractors IHS Septic Tank Utility hookups SCE, SoCal Gas, Frontier Work with Soboba Tribal Credit, and Morongo Reality to record Residential Leases in TAAMS (Trust Assets and Accounting Management System) with the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) Home Warranty Mission Soboba Housing Department’s vision is to ensure the Tribal Members receive the best support to secure a Tribal Home Loan in order to fulfill their dream of building a new home or renovating their existing home to live a happy and fulfilling life on the Soboba Indian Reservation with their families for many years to come. Contact Us Dondi Silvas Housing Specialist Soboba Housing Business: (951) 654-5544 ext. 4145 Fax: (951) 755-8853 [email protected] Getting Started Housing Process Checklist PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 23906 SOBOBA RD SAN JACINTO CA 92583 CONTACT US MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 487 SAN JACINTO CA 92581 ADMINISTRATION FORMS ROADRUNNER EXPRESS TEL: 951-654-5544 TEL: 951-654-2765 FAX: 951-654-4198 SOBOBA CASINO RESORT SOBOBA RX SOBOBA BAND OF LUISEÑO INDIANS © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Events | Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Skip to main content Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians ABOUT US Tribal Council History Departments Cultural Elders Environmental Family Services Fire Department Gaming Commission Housing Human Resources Information Technology Parks and Recreation Preschool Public Safety Public Works T.A.N.F. Tribal Credit Noli School EVENTS Pow Wow NIAA Soboba Fiesta ENTERPRISES Soboba Casino Resort Soboba Roadrunner Express Soboba RX Soboba Crossroads Soboba Economic Development Corporation Legacy Bank SPONSORSHIP NEWS/PRESS Soboba hosts its 20th Earth Day event Soboba Tribal Preschool teaches generations of the Salgado family Oral History Project makes stop at Soboba Soboba golf tournament delivers on the green EMPLOYMENT Tribe Job Openings Casino Job Openings SEDC Job Openings MEMBERS You are here Home EVENTS PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 23906 SOBOBA RD SAN JACINTO CA 92583 CONTACT US MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 487 SAN JACINTO CA 92581 ADMINISTRATION FORMS ROADRUNNER EXPRESS TEL: 951-654-5544 TEL: 951-654-2765 FAX: 951-654-4198 SOBOBA CASINO RESORT SOBOBA RX SOBOBA BAND OF LUISEÑO INDIANS © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED About Us | Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Skip to main content Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians ABOUT US Tribal Council History Departments Cultural Elders Environmental Family Services Fire Department Gaming Commission Housing Human Resources Information Technology Parks and Recreation Preschool Public Safety Public Works T.A.N.F. Tribal Credit Noli School EVENTS Pow Wow NIAA Soboba Fiesta ENTERPRISES Soboba Casino Resort Soboba Roadrunner Express Soboba RX Soboba Crossroads Soboba Economic Development Corporation Legacy Bank SPONSORSHIP NEWS/PRESS Soboba hosts its 20th Earth Day event Soboba Tribal Preschool teaches generations of the Salgado family Oral History Project makes stop at Soboba Soboba golf tournament delivers on the green EMPLOYMENT Tribe Job Openings Casino Job Openings SEDC Job Openings MEMBERS You are here Home ABOUT US Soboba - A Proud Nation Tribal Council The Soboba Tribal Government consists of five Tribal Members who are elected by the general membership to Tribal Council for a staggered two year term. The Chairman is elected by a majority vote of the general membership but the positions for Vice-Chair, Tribal Secretary, Tribal Treasurer and Sergeant at Arms are decided by the elected council. Most tribal members vote in person on Election Day but to ensure representation of the complete general membership absentee ballots are available upon request. Isaiah Vivanco Chairman Geneva Mojado Vice-Chair Monica Herrera Secretary Adona Salgado Treasurer Daniel Valdez Sergeant of Arms Dione Kitchen Executive Assistant to the Tribal Council Mobile: (951) 663-0362 Office: (951) 654-2765 Ext. 4115 [email protected] History Sovovatum The People of Soboba Since time immemorial the descendants of the Soboba people are those whom have lived on and occupied the land that is presently known as the cities of San Jacinto, Hemet, Valle Vista and Winchester. Today the Soboba Indian Reservation lies in the lower reaches of the San Jacinto Mountains, across the San Jacinto River from the city of San Jacinto. Soboba’s Tribal members have a rich and diverse Tribal history as members come from both Cahuilla and Luiseño ancestry. Prior to both Mexican and American settlement in the valley the people of Soboba were virtually self-sufficient. The Soboba people farmed land that was irrigated with surface water from the San Jacinto River, two of its tributary streams, Poppet and Indian Creeks, and from more than forty perennial springs. These water sources sustained gardens, animals and orchards. During the Spanish and Mexican rule in California, the Soboba Indians were recognized as an established Indian community. In approximately 1815, Mission San Luis Rey established Rancho San Jacinto as their furthermost cattle ranch and Luiseño Indians were brought with them as laborers for the ranch. Some of the original Cahuilla inhabitants of the valley who were present in the valley during this time intermarried with the Luiseños. After the missions were secularized the San Jacinto Rancho Viejo was granted to José Antonio Estudillo in 1842, with a stipulation that the new land owner “shall not in any manner prejudice the Indians who are established on said land.” For as long as he lived Jose Antonio Estudillo and Jose Antonio Estudillo Jr. respected the rights and well-being of Soboba Indians. Starting in 1868 the heirs of the Estudillo family began selling various portions of the Rancho San Jacinto Viejo and by 1880 most of the rancho lands had been sold and the Soboba people were left with no legal claim to their land or water. It was during this time that Matthew Byrne of San Bernardino was awarded 700 acres on the northeastern side of the San Jacinto Valley, including the village of Soboba, its cultivated fields and all the water. Mr. Byrne planned to graze sheep on his land and at first allowed the Soboba people to remain living there; however a few months later he changed his mind and threatened to evict the Indians unless the U.S. Government paid him for his 700 acres. On June 19, 1883, President Chester Arthur by Executive Order established the Soboba Indian Reservation, a 3,172-acre tract which included the Soboba village and the adjacent hills. The President had limited authority as he was only able to set aside public land for the establishment of a reservation and had no authority to take private land. Thus the Soboba village; cultivated lands and major springs were part of Rancho San Jacinto Viejo and belonged to Matthew Byrne. In November 1883, Byrne was granted his eviction order to have the people of Soboba removed by the San Diego Superior Court. An appeal was filed before the California Supreme Court. In the case Byrne v. Alas, it was argued that the people of Soboba had been given the right to remain on their lands by a provision of the original grant to Estudillo in 1842 and that the United States was bound by the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, under which California became part of the United States, to honor the original Spanish and Mexican land grants. It was also argued that the people of Soboba should not be forced to give up their lands because they failed to present their claim to the land Commission within the prescribed years of 1851 to 1853, and that the patent issued to Byrne in 1882 did not preclude the Soboba right of occupancy. In a landmark decision rendered on January 31, 1888, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the Soboba people. The Court upheld their right of occupancy based on the provisions of the original Rancho San Jacinto land grant and their “continuous use and occupancy” of the land in question. The justices further stated their belief that “Congress did not intend the rights of Indians should be cut off by a failure on their part to present their claims before the Land Commissioners.” For the first time, the state’s high court voted to uphold the land rights of an individual Indian tribal group. Unfortunately, the California Supreme Court decision was reversed, a year later. In the ruling of Botiller v. Dominquez (1889), the United States Supreme Court upheld the supremacy of the claims confirmed by the Land Commission as opposed to claims based upon provisions of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. “The Court is bound to follow the statutory enactments of its own government,” the majority decision affirmed. Since Native Americans failed to present their land claims before the Land Commission in the prescribed years, they held no valid title to their lands, even if they could prove continuous use and occupancy going back hundreds of years. The people of Soboba remained on their lands but their ordeal was not over. They did not have legal title; Byrne and later his heirs, the legal owners in the eyes of the San Diego Supreme Court continued to litigate and paid taxes on the property until 1902. In 1903 the State of California seized the Byrne and Soboba lands he claimed, for non-payment of taxes. The California Legislature was persuaded to sell the Soboba part of the seized lands to the federal government for $775. The deed was recorded on September 11, 1911, and, at last legal title was held in trust for the Sobobas by the Department of the Interior. From 1865 to 1891 upstream diversions of the San Jacinto River and its major tributaries by new settlers eliminated nearly all river surface flow through the Soboba land. Deprived of the river’s perennial water supply, the Tribe’s gravity-flow irrigation system became useless by 1899. In an attempt to improve the Tribe's dire situation, the U.S. Indian Service constructed a well system on our Reservation in 1909, utilizing the waters of an underground aquifer beneath the Reservation. By the early 1930s, however, the wells had become largely unproductive because the Reservation's water table had been drawn down substantially by the upstream diversions of the San Jacinto River and by intensive withdrawals by non-Indians of the groundwater sub-basins lyi Soboba hosts its 20th Earth Day event | Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Skip to main content Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians ABOUT US Tribal Council History Departments Cultural Elders Environmental Family Services Fire Department Gaming Commission Housing Human Resources Information Technology Parks and Recreation Preschool Public Safety Public Works T.A.N.F. Tribal Credit Noli School EVENTS Pow Wow NIAA Soboba Fiesta ENTERPRISES Soboba Casino Resort Soboba Roadrunner Express Soboba RX Soboba Crossroads Soboba Economic Development Corporation Legacy Bank SPONSORSHIP NEWS/PRESS Soboba hosts its 20th Earth Day event Soboba Tribal Preschool teaches generations of the Salgado family Oral History Project makes stop at Soboba Soboba golf tournament delivers on the green EMPLOYMENT Tribe Job Openings Casino Job Openings SEDC Job Openings MEMBERS NEWS/PRESS You are here Home » NEWS/PRESS Soboba hosts its 20th Earth Day event May 7, 2026 ◆ By Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Soboba’s 20th Earth Day Celebration on April 23 was officially its largest. Christian Aceves, who serves as Environmental Director for the Soboba Tribal Environmental Department said that after comparing notes with Environmental Administrative Assistant Naomi Silvas, they finalized the count at 62 vendors and roughly 740 attendees, making it their most successful event to date. “For the 20th anniversary, our goal was to make the event feel truly rooted in the community,” Aceves said. “We focused on bringing in as many local vendors as possible to showcase the talent, culture, and spirit we have right here at home. More than anything, we wanted people to come together, enjoy a beautiful day, and celebrate what Earth Day is all about. In the end, we really did love the Earth together—and that sense of unity made the milestone feel extra special.” Birdsingers from Torres Martinez started off the morning in traditional fashion while students from the Soboba Tribal Preschool performed “We Love the Earth” a little later to a very enthusiastic audience. “We were thrilled to welcome community favorites like Gil’s Critters and the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, who always draw big smiles while teaching families about our native wildlife,” Aceves said. “Our food vendors included Native-owned gems like Frybread Kitchen and Papa Langos, who kept everyone happy with delicious handmade tortillas and Indian tacos.” The Soboba Youth Council provided root beer floats throughout the day. The Green Coalition’s Wiggs and Ginger Mendoza were making their 20th appearance at the Earth Day event, providing free take-home succulents such as aloe vera to help promote the growth of native and sustainable plants. “Giving away plants is part of our mission and part of what this day should be about,” Wiggs said. He explained to those at their stand that the aloe plant can be used as a moisturizer or hair treatment and explained how it can have medicinal properties for cuts and burns. “The Green Coalition has been our longest-standing partner, and we’re incredibly grateful for their continued presence and support at Soboba Earth Day,” Aceves said. “Their commitment has really helped shape the event into what it is today.” For more information, https://greensanjacinto.org . EMWD Public Affairs Specialist Allan Freetage shared the importance of not letting certain items go down household drains and offered sink strainers to visitors to help with that. “Our Hydration Station van is a great educational tool to show that tap water can be good,” he said as he offered free cups for guests to fill with cold water. Climate Science Alliance made a strong showing with informative handouts for adults and fun activities for children at their booth. The organization’s goal is to work with communities to help Native lands survive. “We have trainings with different community partners to help share knowledge,” Grants and Partnership Manager Edgar Carrillo said. Education Program Manager Sarah Morgan said the most important thing is to stay connected as community-based solutions are best. “There was also strong representation from neighboring Tribal Environmental Departments of Santa Rosa, Morongo, Pechanga, Augustine, and 29 Palms, highlighting the unity and collaboration across our Tribes,” Aceves said. Pechanga’s Director of Environmental Helen Waguiu was passionate about explaining the damage being incurred to local oak trees due to the invasive Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB). She shared details of how to look for them so they can be reported and dealt with before causing further harm. She readily explained how the impact of this pest is far reaching. A reduction in oak tree population threatens cultural practices; Coast Live Oak, which is one the GSOB targets, is known as a keystone species and plays a vital role in the local ecosystem; oaks provide food and habitat to thousands of species; and dead and dying oak trees contribute to dangerous levels of wildfire fuel. Local universities such as CSUSB, UCR, and University of Redlands showcased their environmental programs, inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders. “Alongside them were essential partnerships with local utilities, nonprofits, and agencies,” Aceves said. “It truly was a vibrant mix of organizations, creating a space where our community could learn, connect, and get inspired. Having such a wide variety of vendors made the day feel full, energized, and incredibly meaningful.” Soboba Cultural Resource Department representatives Renee Rhodes, Jessica Valdez, and Lily Brandt shared how their Cultural Garden at The Oaks is rooted in tradition and why it’s important to protect the earth. “Tribal culture is land based,” Valdez said. “Once depleted, we cannot practice our traditional way of life.” Aceves spent much of his time at the STED check-in area to greet guests and make sure they got their tickets for a free meal, a raffle prize chance and a vote for the best student poster. He also visited each vendor to personally thank them for their participation. Silvas interacted with guests, vendors and others throughout the four-hour event. She said she received a lot of positive feedback about the food, the 39 raffle prizes and all of the different activities for children to do, especially the bird walk that was provided by Robin Roberts. She enjoyed seeing community members interact with all the different vendors and seeing how large the event has grown. “Another highlight for me was all of the community members, employees, and different departments that volunteered to help us put this all together,” Silvas said. “I’m very appreciative to have their support and we couldn’t have done it without them.” The standout moment for Aceves was the sheer number of people who showed up. “Every year our event grows, and with it, Soboba’s commitment to environmental stewardship shines even brighter,” he said. “Seeing the community arrive in droves—families, students, elders, everyone—really exemplifies their dedication to learning, caring for the land, and celebrating the earth together. That kind of turnout is the best reminder of why we put so much heart into this event.” Activities leading up to the celebration included the invitation to have Soboba departments design creative displays using all recyclable materials and Noli Indian School science students collaborating on posters that depicted the theme of this year’s event. One of Sabrina Smith’s classes won first place scoring a fun pizza party while all other classes were treated to an ice cream party. The winner is chosen by attendees who each receive a ticket to be placed in the bucket set up next to their favorite poster. Soboba Housekeeping won first place once again this year with their “McLovin’ the Earth” McDonald’s restaurant theme. Aceves said that as the event has grown, so has the planning timeline. “These days, we’re preparing earlier and earlier to make sure everything comes together seamlessly,” he said. “For Employment | Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Skip to main content Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians ABOUT US Tribal Council History Departments Cultural Elders Environmental Family Services Fire Department Gaming Commission Housing Human Resources Information Technology Parks and Recreation Preschool Public Safety Public Works T.A.N.F. Tribal Credit Noli School EVENTS Pow Wow NIAA Soboba Fiesta ENTERPRISES Soboba Casino Resort Soboba Roadrunner Express Soboba RX Soboba Crossroads Soboba Economic Development Corporation Legacy Bank SPONSORSHIP NEWS/PRESS Soboba hosts its 20th Earth Day event Soboba Tribal Preschool teaches generations of the Salgado family Oral History Project makes stop at Soboba Soboba golf tournament delivers on the green EMPLOYMENT Tribe Job Openings Casino Job Openings SEDC Job Openings MEMBERS You are here Home » EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT Thank you for visiting the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Employment Page! We appreciate your interest in joining our team! Benefits of Working for the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians We realize that our employees play an important role in our success. Soboba offers a comprehensive benefits program to Full-Time employees. Employees are invited to participate in a variety of programs such as: 100% Employer Paid Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and AD&D for employee only coverage Buy up options for Medical and Dental available at a cost to employee for higher levels of coverage, spouse and dependent coverage 401k Plan with employer match Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, Holidays (or float time for some departments) Employee Assistance Program Wisely Paycard Direct Deposit Various discount programs (amusements, entertainment, retail, service) Wellness Program Annual Health Fair Wellness Education & Incentive Programs Discounts to local Fitness Centers Again, thank you for including The Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians in your career considerations. Position Location Administrative Assistant III Accounting Administrative Assistant Environmental Environmental Specialist Soboba Environment Kindergarten Teacher Soboba Preschool Patrol Officer Public Safety Mechanic Public Works On-Call Staff Human Resource Fire Apparatus Engineer/Paramedic Soboba Fire Fire Fighter Paramedic Soboba Fire **All positions require a successful review of employment verification, education verification, background check results and drug screening. Some positions may require additional reviews of driving record, credit report, physical and finger printing. Soboba Tribal Administration is an equal opportunity employer, but does place special emphasis on the employment of American Indians as allowed by Federal Law. Interested in a Career at Soboba Casino? Click Here for More Information and View Additional Job Openings! PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 23906 SOBOBA RD SAN JACINTO CA 92583 CONTACT US MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 487 SAN JACINTO CA 92581 ADMINISTRATION FORMS ROADRUNNER EXPRESS TEL: 951-654-5544 TEL: 951-654-2765 FAX: 951-654-4198 SOBOBA CASINO RESORT SOBOBA RX SOBOBA BAND OF LUISEÑO INDIANS © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Oral History Project makes stop at Soboba | Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Skip to main content Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians ABOUT US Tribal Council History Departments Cultural Elders Environmental Family Services Fire Department Gaming Commission Housing Human Resources Information Technology Parks and Recreation Preschool Public Safety Public Works T.A.N.F. Tribal Credit Noli School EVENTS Pow Wow NIAA Soboba Fiesta ENTERPRISES Soboba Casino Resort Soboba Roadrunner Express Soboba RX Soboba Crossroads Soboba Economic Development Corporation Legacy Bank SPONSORSHIP NEWS/PRESS Soboba hosts its 20th Earth Day event Soboba Tribal Preschool teaches generations of the Salgado family Oral History Project makes stop at Soboba Soboba golf tournament delivers on the green EMPLOYMENT Tribe Job Openings Casino Job Openings SEDC Job Openings MEMBERS NEWS/PRESS You are here Home » NEWS/PRESS Oral History Project makes stop at Soboba April 30, 2026 ◆ By Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) is traveling around the country to gather boarding school survivors’ stories. This historic project aims to create a permanent oral history collection that will be housed in the Library of Congress. Survivors have been given the opportunity to share their experiences to help others understand the true history of the boarding school experience. Through a cooperative agreement with the Department of the Interior, this unprecedented effort is a crucial part of the DOI’s Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative. From March 30-April 3, Oral History Project Co-Directors Charlee Brissette (Sault Ste. Marie Ojibwe) and Lacey Kinnart (Sault Ste. Marie Ojibwe) were part of a 15-member team at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center. There were also three oral historians, three mental health supporters, three supporters, three videographers, and one portrait photographer. As Co-Directors of the Oral History Project, Kinnart and Brissette lead the strategic direction, implementation, and oversight of a national initiative to document Indian boarding school survivor histories. They manage monthly, week-long site visits across the country, each including an Opening Ceremony, an average of 24 survivor interviews, and a Closing Ceremony. Their responsibilities include national outreach and partnership development, coordination with Tribal Nations and federal partners, staff, and logistics management, and ensuring all work is conducted in a culturally grounded, healing-informed, and survivor-centered manner. They also oversee interview protocols, consent processes, and post-production efforts, including transcript review, video editing, and archival preparation for permanent collections. “All interviews we received were a gift - Indian boarding school survivors and alumni do not owe their stories to anyone; however, our Oral History Project team provides a safe and sacred space to share their stories,” Brissette said. “We hear from relatives that have dealt with extreme trauma, and we hear stories of profound resilience and hope. We know and honor that ALL stories deserve to be heard. All our elders have stories to share.” Soboba Housing Specialist Dondi Silvas attended as a board member of the Soboba Foundation since they sponsored food for the week-long event. She believes it is always important to hear both sides of the story and what better way to do it than to interview actual Native Americans who lived it. She said the Coalition did a great job with their process of bringing healing to those who shared. She added that it was a great honor and a privilege to host this healing event at Soboba. “There were counselors on hand to debrief, crafts, a quiet room and finished up with a glamor photo shoot for the participants to cherish,” Silvas said. “They took what might have been a tragic situation and gave them hope for healing. Seeing pictures on a slideshow and hearing actual stories through the eyes of those that attended these boarding schools was very heartfelt. I pray these families can start to heal.” Silvas said her grandmother, Frances Grace Linton from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians attended the Sherman Institute in Riverside. “Although she didn’t share many stories with us about her time there, she did tell us that her roommate was Sophie ‘Cuca’ Salazar of Soboba,” she said. Mike Madrigal from the Cahuilla Band of Indians provided the opening and closing prayers for the week-long project. He thought it was nice that the opportunity was offered to those who wanted to share so they could process their experiences. “Because of our Native ways, we know that gathering has a spiritual impact for everybody. It’s up to Creator to give people insight into whether they were going to participate and find a healing journey,” he said. “It’s about both healing and celebrating positive experiences; they can share all sides.” Soboba Tribal Council Vice Chairwoman Geneva Mojado said although both of her parents attended boarding school at Sherman Indian School, her mother was too young to give testimony and her father did not want to participate. “Both had good experiences though; they have built relationships with other Natives across the United States,” she said. “It’s important to tell the true history of what occurred at boarding schools. Sometimes sharing helps with the trauma. It’s time we tell our own stories and not let Hollywood or anyone for that matter speak on our behalf.” Mojado said the project representatives shared a map of all the boarding schools in California, and she was shocked about how many there were. NABS created a first-of-its-kind interactive digital map that shows all the Indian boarding schools in the United States as well as all the residential schools in Canada. This major project took many years and was in partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. “The work they are doing is really leading the movement for truth, justice and healing!” she said. “THE NABS crew mentioned that Soboba was one of the best hosts; Soboba Casino Resort staff and the facility were top notch.” Each team member at the Coalition is connected to Indian boarding schools. Charlee Brissette’s mother, uncles, and cousins attended the boarding school in Harbor Springs, Michigan, known as Holy Childhood of Jesus School. That school ran until it was finally closed in 1983. Charlee, who started working with NABS as an Oral Historian, was fortunate enough to interview her mother for the Oral History Project. Lacey Kinnart’s grandmother, great aunts and uncles, and cousins attended Indian boarding schools including Holy Childhood of Jesus School, Mt. Pleasant Industrial School, Flandreau Indian School, and Carlisle Industrial School. The Oral History Project began site visits a little over two years ago - in March of 2024. The recording of oral histories is set to be completed at the end of June, at which point the team will transition to post-production to finalize and deliver all the interviews. At its conclusion, NABS will have visited 22 sites across the country in 19 states, with nearly 400 survivors sharing their stories. The time where all interviews will be made available to the public through the Library of Congress has yet to be determined. The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) was officially incorporated in 2012 and was created to address the impacts of the U.S. Indian boarding school system. “Our Education and Research Department has a project creating Volume 2 curriculum for elementary, middle, and high schools,” Brissette said. “The high school curriculum that matches education standards for Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington was recently released. Grade school and middle school are coming soon.” The National Indian Boarding School Digital Archive (NIBSDA) is a large ongoing living being as the digital archive team continues to travel to archives About Us | Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Skip to main content Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians ABOUT US Tribal Council History Departments Cultural Elders Environmental Family Services Fire Department Gaming Commission Housing Human Resources Information Technology Parks and Recreation Preschool Public Safety Public Works T.A.N.F. Tribal Credit Noli School EVENTS Pow Wow NIAA Soboba Fiesta ENTERPRISES Soboba Casino Resort Soboba Roadrunner Express Soboba RX Soboba Crossroads Soboba Economic Development Corporation Legacy Bank SPONSORSHIP NEWS/PRESS Soboba hosts its 20th Earth Day event Soboba Tribal Preschool teaches generations of the Salgado family Oral History Project makes stop at Soboba Soboba golf tournament delivers on the green EMPLOYMENT Tribe Job Openings Casino Job Openings SEDC Job Openings MEMBERS You are here Home ABOUT US Soboba - A Proud Nation Tribal Council The Soboba Tribal Government consists of five Tribal Members who are elected by the general membership to Tribal Council for a staggered two year term. The Chairman is elected by a majority vote of the general membership but the positions for Vice-Chair, Tribal Secretary, Tribal Treasurer and Sergeant at Arms are decided by the elected council. Most tribal members vote in person on Election Day but to ensure representation of the complete general membership absentee ballots are available upon request. Isaiah Vivanco Chairman Geneva Mojado Vice-Chair Monica Herrera Secretary Adona Salgado Treasurer Daniel Valdez Sergeant of Arms Dione Kitchen Executive Assistant to the Tribal Council Mobile: (951) 663-0362 Office: (951) 654-2765 Ext. 4115 [email protected] History Sovovatum The People of Soboba Since time immemorial the descendants of the Soboba people are those whom have lived on and occupied the land that is presently known as the cities of San Jacinto, Hemet, Valle Vista and Winchester. Today the Soboba Indian Reservation lies in the lower reaches of the San Jacinto Mountains, across the San Jacinto River from the city of San Jacinto. Soboba’s Tribal members have a rich and diverse Tribal history as members come from both Cahuilla and Luiseño ancestry. Prior to both Mexican and American settlement in the valley the people of Soboba were virtually self-sufficient. The Soboba people farmed land that was irrigated with surface water from the San Jacinto River, two of its tributary streams, Poppet and Indian Creeks, and from more than forty perennial springs. These water sources sustained gardens, animals and orchards. During the Spanish and Mexican rule in California, the Soboba Indians were recognized as an established Indian community. In approximately 1815, Mission San Luis Rey established Rancho San Jacinto as their furthermost cattle ranch and Luiseño Indians were brought with them as laborers for the ranch. Some of the original Cahuilla inhabitants of the valley who were present in the valley during this time intermarried with the Luiseños. After the missions were secularized the San Jacinto Rancho Viejo was granted to José Antonio Estudillo in 1842, with a stipulation that the new land owner “shall not in any manner prejudice the Indians who are established on said land.” For as long as he lived Jose Antonio Estudillo and Jose Antonio Estudillo Jr. respected the rights and well-being of Soboba Indians. Starting in 1868 the heirs of the Estudillo family began selling various portions of the Rancho San Jacinto Viejo and by 1880 most of the rancho lands had been sold and the Soboba people were left with no legal claim to their land or water. It was during this time that Matthew Byrne of San Bernardino was awarded 700 acres on the northeastern side of the San Jacinto Valley, including the village of Soboba, its cultivated fields and all the water. Mr. Byrne planned to graze sheep on his land and at first allowed the Soboba people to remain living there; however a few months later he changed his mind and threatened to evict the Indians unless the U.S. Government paid him for his 700 acres. On June 19, 1883, President Chester Arthur by Executive Order established the Soboba Indian Reservation, a 3,172-acre tract which included the Soboba village and the adjacent hills. The President had limited authority as he was only able to set aside public land for the establishment of a reservation and had no authority to take private land. Thus the Soboba village; cultivated lands and major springs were part of Rancho San Jacinto Viejo and belonged to Matthew Byrne. In November 1883, Byrne was granted his eviction order to have the people of Soboba removed by the San Diego Superior Court. An appeal was filed before the California Supreme Court. In the case Byrne v. Alas, it was argued that the people of Soboba had been given the right to remain on their lands by a provision of the original grant to Estudillo in 1842 and that the United States was bound by the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, under which California became part of the United States, to honor the original Spanish and Mexican land grants. It was also argued that the people of Soboba should not be forced to give up their lands because they failed to present their claim to the land Commission within the prescribed years of 1851 to 1853, and that the patent issued to Byrne in 1882 did not preclude the Soboba right of occupancy. In a landmark decision rendered on January 31, 1888, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the Soboba people. The Court upheld their right of occupancy based on the provisions of the original Rancho San Jacinto land grant and their “continuous use and occupancy” of the land in question. The justices further stated their belief that “Congress did not intend the rights of Indians should be cut off by a failure on their part to present their claims before the Land Commissioners.” For the first time, the state’s high court voted to uphold the land rights of an individual Indian tribal group. Unfortunately, the California Supreme Court decision was reversed, a year later. In the ruling of Botiller v. Dominquez (1889), the United States Supreme Court upheld the supremacy of the claims confirmed by the Land Commission as opposed to claims based upon provisions of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. “The Court is bound to follow the statutory enactments of its own government,” the majority decision affirmed. Since Native Americans failed to present their land claims before the Land Commission in the prescribed years, they held no valid title to their lands, even if they could prove continuous use and occupancy going back hundreds of years. The people of Soboba remained on their lands but their ordeal was not over. They did not have legal title; Byrne and later his heirs, the legal owners in the eyes of the San Diego Supreme Court continued to litigate and paid taxes on the property until 1902. In 1903 the State of California seized the Byrne and Soboba lands he claimed, for non-payment of taxes. The California Legislature was persuaded to sell the Soboba part of the seized lands to the federal government for $775. The deed was recorded on September 11, 1911, and, at last legal title was held in trust for the Sobobas by the Department of the Interior. From 1865 to 1891 upstream diversions of the San Jacinto River and its major tributaries by new settlers eliminated nearly all river surface flow through the Soboba land. Deprived of the river’s perennial water supply, the Tribe’s gravity-flow irrigation system became useless by 1899. In an attempt to improve the Tribe's dire situation, the U.S. Indian Service constructed a well system on our Reservation in 1909, utilizing the waters of an underground aquifer beneath the Reservation. By the early 1930s, however, the wells had become largely unproductive because the Reservation's water table had been drawn down substantially by the upstream diversions of the San Jacinto River and by intensive withdrawals by non-Indians of the groundwater sub-basins lyi Frontier Residential Internet | Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Skip to main content Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians ABOUT US Tribal Council History Departments Cultural Elders Environmental Family Services Fire Department Gaming Commission Housing Human Resources Information Technology Parks and Recreation Preschool Public Safety Public Works T.A.N.F. Tribal Credit Noli School EVENTS Pow Wow NIAA Soboba Fiesta ENTERPRISES Soboba Casino Resort Soboba Roadrunner Express Soboba RX Soboba Crossroads Soboba Economic Development Corporation Legacy Bank SPONSORSHIP NEWS/PRESS Soboba hosts its 20th Earth Day event Soboba Tribal Preschool teaches generations of the Salgado family Oral History Project makes stop at Soboba Soboba golf tournament delivers on the green EMPLOYMENT Tribe Job Openings Casino Job Openings SEDC Job Openings MEMBERS You are here Home Soboba now has an agreement with Frontier to provide all Soboba residents with an internet speed of 1000/1000Mbps and also includes one wireless router per household. FiOS Internet offers a next generation state-of-the-art fiber network that provides connection speeds greater than those available today with Verizon High Speed Internet, and equal to or greater than those speeds currently offered by other types of Internet access. Benefits include: Multiple family members can be online at the same time doing their own thing—playing games, sharing photos, listening to music, or watching videos—using their home network to share their broadband connection. Users can download and view high quality full-length movie or play games in real time. Streaming video capabilities. Interested? Soboba Presentation Ordering Instructions PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 23906 SOBOBA RD SAN JACINTO CA 92583 CONTACT US MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 487 SAN JACINTO CA 92581 ADMINISTRATION FORMS ROADRUNNER EXPRESS TEL: 951-654-5544 TEL: 951-654-2765 FAX: 951-654-4198 SOBOBA CASINO RESORT SOBOBA RX SOBOBA BAND OF LUISEÑO INDIANS © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Soboba Tribal Gaming Commission Soboba Tribal Gaming Commission STGC Home FAQ Licensing Forms Badge Replacement-Payroll Deduction Form Certification Change of Address & Living Situation Name Change Disclosure Form Release & Disclosure Authorization Voluntary Statement Form Contact Us Phone: (951) 665-1000 ext 1267 Fax: (951) 487-0042 23333 Soboba Rd P.O. Box 610 San Jacinto, CA 92581 Staff Directory Fraud Tipline: (951) 665-1337 - OR - Submit a Report Online The Soboba Tribal Gaming Commission (STGC) is the primary independent regulatory agency for the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, a sovereign Tribal Nation. The STGC provides regulatory oversight of any and all Class II and Class III gaming conducted on Soboba tribal lands. The STGC is comprised of the following divisions, which are responsible for regulating and enforcing all tribal, federal and state gaming regulations: Licensing, Regulatory Compliance, Surveillance and Internal Audit. STGC Division Overviews Licensing The Licensing Division is responsible for processing and investigating backgrounds of all casino employees, ensuring that all applicants meet established standards for licensure. The Licensing Division also performs background checks on certain vendors desiring to conduct business with the gaming operation. The Licensing Division processes hundreds of applications every year. Regulatory Compliance The Regulatory Compliance Division is typically considered the face of the STGC. Compliance Officers are responsible for working hand in hand with casino representatives on the gaming floor while ensuring that all regulations are being adhered to. One major responsibility of the Regulatory Compliance Division is to certify all gaming devices, which is done prior to being offered to the general public for play. Compliance Officers also work directly with local law enforcement and representatives from numerous federal, state and local jurisdictions, in addition to helping casino guests with TORT claims or complaints. Surveillance The Surveillance Division is responsible for monitoring the casino via surveillance video technology. Known as the “Eye in the Sky”, surveillance’s role is to ensure casino representatives and guests are not violating any established rules or regulations. Hundreds of surveillance cameras are deployed in order to effectively monitor all casino activity. Internal Audit The Internal Audit Division plays a huge role in the effective regulation of casino operations. The STGC is responsible for ensuring that regular audits of the casino operations are performed as required. Internal Audit works as a pro-active evaluator, testing operational compliance with all regulations and holding casino operations accountable for gaining and maintaining full compliance. For any questions or inquiries, please contact the STGC offices at 951-665-1000 ext. 1267. To report any suspected fraud or suspicious activity, you may call 951-665-1337 or submit via email at [email protected] Members | Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Skip to main content Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians ABOUT US Tribal Council History Departments Cultural Elders Environmental Family Services Fire Department Gaming Commission Housing Human Resources Information Technology Parks and Recreation Preschool Public Safety Public Works T.A.N.F. Tribal Credit Noli School EVENTS Pow Wow NIAA Soboba Fiesta ENTERPRISES Soboba Casino Resort Soboba Roadrunner Express Soboba RX Soboba Crossroads Soboba Economic Development Corporation Legacy Bank SPONSORSHIP NEWS/PRESS Soboba hosts its 20th Earth Day event Soboba Tribal Preschool teaches generations of the Salgado family Oral History Project makes stop at Soboba Soboba golf tournament delivers on the green EMPLOYMENT Tribe Job Openings Casino Job Openings SEDC Job Openings MEMBERS You are here Home We are excited to announce Soboba Tribal Member Online Email! This is the first step in enhancing our Tribal Member communication while ensuring items remain confidential. This is a web-based communication tool that will allow the Soboba Band of Luiseño general membership to obtain access to private tribal events, general membership meeting notes/information, and necessary tribal related information provided by Tribal Administration Front Staff. We have set up all the email accounts with a RECEIVE ONLY option for all active Tribal Members over the age of 18 years old using the first name initial and full last name with a Tribal ID# for the username. Ex: [email protected] . Soboba Online Email Access How-to-Guides: General First Time Use How to login for the first time to your Tribal Member email account General Basic Guide Tribal Member Email Basic User Guide General Password Reset How to reset your Tribal Member email password Stay Connected by downloading the Soboba app. Search for "Soboba Tribe" in your app store or click on the link below for your device specific operating system platform. IOS (iPhone/iPad) Android "Google Play" PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 23906 SOBOBA RD SAN JACINTO CA 92583 CONTACT US MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 487 SAN JACINTO CA 92581 ADMINISTRATION FORMS ROADRUNNER EXPRESS TEL: 951-654-5544 TEL: 951-654-2765 FAX: 951-654-4198 SOBOBA CASINO RESORT SOBOBA RX SOBOBA BAND OF LUISEÑO INDIANS © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED