For Immediate Release

September 6, 2001

Contact: The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
www.nativeamericanday.com

New web site acquaints Californians with Native American holiday

Highland, CA - The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians' Tribal Unity and Cultural Awareness Program has created a web site to educate and inform Californians about the state's Native American Day. The site at www.nativeamericanday.com celebrates the history and the culture of California's Indian tribes and provides valuable information about the program's annual California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference.

"The web site gives people the opportunity to learn more about this important holiday. Native American Day enables everyone to discover and celebrate the culture, heritage and traditions of the California Indians," said Vincent Duro, Vice Chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

For the last few years, the San Manuel Tribal Unity and Cultural Awareness Program has partnered with the San Bernardino Unified City School District, the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, California State University San Bernardino and the California Superintendent of Public Instruction to organize a weeklong conference that exposes students and educators to the history, culture and governments of the California Indian nations. The conference concludes on the state's Native American Day, the fourth Friday of September.

"California has more than 100 recognized tribes, and each has a unique and fascinating history," concluded James Ramos, Tribal Member and California Native American Day Project Director. "The conference and the web site introduce children and adults alike to the cultural diversity of this state."