San Diego is home to 18 Native American reservations and 17 tribal governments – more than any other area in the United States . The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) reaffirmed its belief that local Native Nations play a critical role in the growth, prosperity, and cultural landscape of the region.

In a move that should foster greater government-to-government collaboration, SANDAG has voted unanimously to include a representative of the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association (SCTCA) as an ex officio member on the agency’s Borders Committee, chaired by Imperial Beach Councilmember Patricia McCoy.  The role of this member will be to facilitate communication with the sovereign tribal nations in the region.

Because regional decisions and their impacts are not constrained by geographic boundaries and cultures, SANDAG and its Borders Committee continue to emphasize cohesive partnerships with each of the region’s bordering areas — Riverside, Imperial, and Orange Counties, Baja California, and now, tribal governments.

"The Borders Committee has been activley working with San Diego neighbors to foster a more competitive regional economy, and address shared issues related to transportation, housing, energy, land use, and the environment,” said McCoy. “The addition of an SCTCA representative on the committee ensures greater collaboration with the regional tribal governments.”

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

Project Manager:
Jane Clough-Riquelme
619-699-1909