January 20, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations
(877) 378-2300

Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations Re-Elects
Lynn Valbuena as Chairperson

Valbuena will serve her third full term as chair of the tribal coalition

Twentynine Palms, CA - The Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN) yesterday re-elected Lynn Valbuena to a third consecutive term as its chairperson. Valbuena, who has served as chairperson of the tribal organization for the past seven years, will serve a three-year term.

TASIN is composed of federally recognized tribal governments located in Riverside, San Bernardino and Santa Barbara counties. Its members are pioneers in the Indian gaming industry and have consistently taken the lead on statewide issues affecting tribal governments.

"I am deeply honored to once again represent TASIN as its chairperson," stated Valbuena. "In the coming year, we face many new and serious challenges to tribal sovereignty and self-reliance. But I am confident that once again the tribes of TASIN will persevere and overcome these challenges."

As TASIN chairperson, Valbuena has been very active in public policy matters affecting Indian Country, and in implementing TASIN's outreach and educational programs. She regularly meets with state and federal lawmakers to discuss tribal government issues and is called upon to provide testimony to legislative bodies. During her tenure, TASIN has sponsored numerous educational and cultural preservation programs for youth throughout the region.

TASIN sponsored legislation this past year through State Senators John Burton and Jim Battin to appropriate monies from the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund to local governments surrounding tribal casinos. Under Valbuena's leadership, TASIN formed a remarkable statewide coalition of local and tribal governments to support the passage of the bill, which was passed by the legislature and signed by the governor last October.

Valbuena is a member of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and currently serves as secretary of the National Indian Gaming Association, a 184-member tribal coalition representing organizations, tribes and businesses engaged in tribal gaming enterprises around the country.

Valbuena also serves on the board of directors for the San Bernardino Valley Lighthouse for the Blind, a non-profit organization providing critical services and a variety of programs for visually impaired residents throughout the Inland Empire.

About TASIN

The TASIN mission is to protect and promote the tribal sovereign governmental rights, the cultural identity and the interests of its membership tribes. TASIN members include the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Augustine Band of Mission Indians, Cahuilla Band of Indians, Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, Ramona Band of Mission Indians, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Santa Rosa Band of Mission Indians, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians and Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians.

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