Tribal representation signals growing collaboration

In a move to foster government-to-government collaboration, SANDAG unanimously approved a proposal to add a San Diego County representative from the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association (SCTCA) to its Board of Directors, and Transportation, Regional Planning, and Public Safety Policy Committees. The decision was finalized with an SCTCA vote on December 19, 2006.

A representative from the SCTCA has served as an advisory member on the agency’s Borders Committee since June 2005. This expanded participation at the policy level took effect on January 1, 2007.

The decision to include representatives of this intertribal council as advisory members on the SANDAG Board and its Policy Committees stregthens the growing cooperation and collaboration among the region's jurisdictions and tribal governments.

“San Diego is home to 18 Native American reservations governed by 17 federally-recognized tribal governments – more than any other area in the United States,” said Gary Gallegos, SANDAG Executive Director. “SANDAG has reaffirmed its belief that local Native Nations play a critical role in the growth, prosperity, and cultural landscape of the region.”

The SCTCA is a well-established intertribal consortium of 19 federally-recognized Indian tribes in Southern California (including all of the tribes in San Diego County).

Project Manager:
Garry Bonelli, Communications Director
gbo@sandag.org; (619) 699-1960