| San Pasqual Reservation Ethnology-Language: Kumeyaay (Diegueño) Established: 1910 County: San Diego Acreage: 1,379 in five non-contiguous tracts Population: 517 Location: Forty miles north of San Diego and twelve miles from Escondido, adjoining the community of Valley Center, on Highway S6. The original reservation site is now occupied by Lake Wolford and the San Diego Wild Animal Park. This resulted in a compensatory land agreement of five divided parcels in the hills east of Valley Center. The tribal hall, new fire department and community building are bustling with activity as plans for a temporary and permanent casino consume the energy of tribal members. The 300,000 square-foot, Mediterranean village-style resort, set to open in a few years, will include a 200-room hotel, and 18-hole golf course, five restaurants and equestrian facilities. The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recognized San Pasqual with a "superior accomplishment" award last year for its good use of public funds. A new Education Center and upgraded water system are underway. Library: The library has recently moved into a new Education Center. The collection has approximately 2,500 volumes, many donated by California Indian Legal Services, California Indian Manpower Consortium and the Tribal Chairman Council. A recently acquired Department of Education "Even Start" family literacy grant is helping to increase library holdings over the three year grant period. Even Start's director spoke of a program that would create family book bags for checkout. Library hours are tribal hall hours with materials used primarily by reservation children. No one person is assigned to the library, but tribal members involved in Education initiatives are Lorraine Orosco and Carlos Ulloa, who provide access, when needed, to the collection. Further funding is being sought to staff the library and enhance its collection. Lorraine Orosco is undertaking a huge project under the Tribal Digital Village and the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association to oversee the establishment of tribal resource centers on twenty-one local reservations. The resource centers will include some print but mostly electronic resources. |
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