Welcome to Morongo
Set at the foot of the beautiful San Gorgonio and San Jacinto Mountains, the Morongo Indian Reservation spans more than 35,000 acres and overlooks the vistas of the Banning Pass. Resilient and resourceful, the Morongo tribe has had to overcome many adversities.
Latest News
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Morongo Gives Record $5.6 Million to San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Foundation to Expand Stroke Program
BANNING, CALIF (March 16, 2022) – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians presented a record $5.6 million donation to the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Foundation on Wednesday, March 16 to purchase new equipment and build new facilities that will allow the hospital to become the first certified stroke center in the San Gorgonio Pass.
The donation, which is the largest ever received by the Foundation, will pay for new equipment that is critical for treating acute stroke patients, including two computerized tomography (CT) scanners that allow doctors to diagnose and monitor patient conditions, a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine capable of producing exceptional imagery (at 1.5T), and an entirely new building for the MRI equipment.
The Foundation will also use the funds to purchase a new gamma camera and upgrade the stroke facility’s digital radiography rooms and older pieces of equipment.
“This extremely generous gift from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians will save lives all across our Pass communities for many, many years to come,” said Foundation President Randy Robbins. “Morongo’s donation will bring immediate, life-saving benefits to the residents of the Pass and is an amazing milestone for marking the 40th anniversary of our Foundation.”
Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin praised the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital staff, leadership and Foundation for their unwavering dedication to serving others in need, especially over the past two years during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Your commitment, compassion, and professionalism are nothing short of amazing. Morongo has enjoyed a close relationship with the Foundation and the hospital for decades, and our Tribe is grateful to build upon that partnership to advance the health and wellness of our growing Pass communities,” Martin said.
The funds will strengthen the hospital’s Stroke Program through the purchase and installation of an Emergency Department CT Scanner with Brain Perfusion; a secondary CT Scanner with Cardiac package; rooms to house the new units, as well as a new MRI unit and building.
The new equipment and capabilities will enable San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital to become a Certified Stroke Center, meaning stroke patients in the Pass can receive care faster and will no longer need to be automatically transported to stroke centers outside of the area.
“We are deeply grateful for Morongo’s support, which will allow us to purchase new equipment that is essential for strengthening patient care,” said San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr. Karan P. Singh. “When it comes to strokes, every minute counts. Morongo’s gift puts us in a much better position to save lives and reduce long-term impacts to stroke patients by providing them immediate care.”
San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Board Chair Susan DiBiasi also thanked the Tribe for the donation on behalf of the board, saying “Thanks to Morongo, the future is bright at the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital.” The $5.6 million donation to the Foundation aligns with Morongo’s ongoing commitment to improve the quality of life and well-being of communities across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Over the past decade, Morongo has given over $15 million to support local and regional nonprofit organizations that help seniors, families, veterans, youth and those in need.
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Morongo Air Monitoring Network Plan
Annual Morongo Air Monitoring Network plan is available for review 3/10/2022 to 5/1/2022. Please contact Pamela Atcitty at patcitty@morongo-nsn.gov to make arrangements to view a copy on site.
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Morongo Donates $20,000 to Support Local Youth Baseball
MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – In its ongoing work to support local youth in the community, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians presented the Banning Pass Little League with a $20,000 contribution to help the organization purchase new baseball equipment for its youth players. “Supporting local youth by creating new opportunities for learning and recreation is very important to our Tribe,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “The Banning Pass Little League provides local kids with a safe and healthy environment to learn the great game of baseball and to develop positive qualities, like sportsmanship, teamwork and integrity as they build friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Banning Pass Little League President Johnny Sigala thanked Morongo for the donation which will help the expected 450 local youth who will participate in the league this year by providing new and needed gear and field maintenance equipment.
“We deeply appreciate this generous donation from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians which will help hundreds of children in the Banning area, now and in the years to come,” Sigala said. “Morongo has truly made an essential investment in the future of this league, and we can’t thank the Tribe enough for its efforts to make a difference in the lives of so many young players across the community.” Morongo tribal leaders remain committed to improving the wellbeing of communities across the Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Over the past decade, Morongo has given over $10 million to support local and regional nonprofit organizations that help seniors, families, veterans, youth and those in need.
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The New Morongo Travel Center Now Open
Now open just up the block from the original store is the new Morongo Travel Center. Stop by for you next fill up! Grab your morning coffee, some snacks for the road, or stay and play on the 100 new slot machines at the new location. Great gas prices, all new car wash and a variety of pit stop favorites!
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Assembly Member James C. Ramos was live at California Indian Nations College
California Rep. James Ramos is hosting this roundtable at California Indian Nations College in Palm Desert. The tribal college is working to gain federal accreditation and become one of the more than 30 such tribal higher education institutions in the US. California, which has a high Native American population, does not currently have a tribal college.
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Morongo Gives Away 13,500 Free Turkeys at 35th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach Program
Tribal members and volunteers help package some of 13,500 free turkeys that were given away by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. The Tribe’s three-day turkey distribution provides nearly 275,000 holiday meals to families, seniors and veterans in need across Southern California. MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians is gave away 13,500 free turkeys this week to non-profit groups, churches and charities across Southern California as part of the Tribe’s 35th annual Thanksgiving Outreach program. The turkeys donated this year will provide nearly 275,000 holiday meals to families, seniors and veterans in need. Since the program’s creation, Morongo has given away nearly 160,000 turkeys, which in turn have provided an estimated 3 million holiday meals. “Over the past 35 years, Morongo has remained committed to helping others to provide hope and opportunity to those in need, and that assistance is especially important this year in light of the acute challenges that have left so many families struggling,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin.
…Morongo Gives Away 13,500 Free Turkeys at 35th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach ProgramRead More »
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Morongo Donates $100,000 to California Indian Nations College
The contribution to the growing Palm Desert community college is part of its $3,000,000 Campaign to support its unique program integrating Native curriculum into postsecondary education.
MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – In its ongoing effort to help educate and prepare the next generation of tribal leaders, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians has donated $100,000 to the California Indian Nations College (CINC) in Palm Desert, CA.
The donation is part of the two-year community college’s $3,000,000 Campaign, launched in April with an initial goal to raise $1 million by December 30, 2021. CINC is working to become the first fully-accredited tribal college in the state of California to offer two-year degrees.
…Morongo Donates $100,000 to California Indian Nations CollegeRead More »
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Riders, Ropers Kick Up Some Dust at Morongo’s Annual Rodeo
Riders competed for thousands of dollars in prize money and a shot at qualifying for the BFI Open Team Roping during the Oct. 9 free rodeo at the Morongo Indian Reservation.
MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION, CALIF. – Amateur and professional ropers and riders competed for cash prizes at the 8th Annual Morongo Open Ranch Rodeo, a free, family-friendly event held on Saturday, October 9 at the Morongo Indian Reservation.
…Riders, Ropers Kick Up Some Dust at Morongo’s Annual RodeoRead More »
Riders competed for thousands of dollars in prize money and a shot at qualifying for the BFI Open Team Roping during the Oct. 9 free rodeo at the Morongo Indian Reservation.
MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION, CALIF. – Amateur and professional ropers and riders competed for cash prizes at the 8th Annual Morongo Open Ranch Rodeo, a free, family-friendly event held on Saturday, October 9 at the Morongo Indian Reservation.
…Riders, Ropers Kick Up Some Dust at Morongo’s Annual RodeoRead More »
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Morongo Celebrates 30th Annual Thunder & Lightning Powwow
Competitive dancers and drum groups from across the U.S. and Canada honored ancient songs and dances of Native American tribes.
Morongo Indian Reservation – The beauty and rich traditions of Native American dancing, art, and music were celebrated at the 30th Annual Morongo Thunder & Lightning Powwow, held over three days beginning on Friday, Sept. 24.
To mark its 30th anniversary, the annual powwow hosted by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians was held outdoors under a large, open-sided tent set above a packed field that had served as the powwow grounds in early days of the event.
…Morongo Celebrates 30th Annual Thunder & Lightning PowwowRead More »
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Public Notice: Final Permit Decision to Issue a Permit under the Clean Air Act
Announcement of Final Permit Decision to Issue a Permit under the Clean Air Act Federal Indian Country Minor New Source Review Program
Morongo Travel Center
Source ID #: 63; Application # 2021-001-MNSRPermit: 2021-001-MNSR
Final Action: The United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 (EPA) is issuing a minor New Source Review (NSR) permit for the Morongo Travel Center (“Source”). The Source is located at 48540 Morongo Trail, Cabazon, California 92230, within the Morongo Indian Reservation. TheEPA is issuing this minor NSR permit tothe Morongo Band of Mission Indians, 12700 Pumarra Road, Banning, California, 92220. The contact for the Source is Dana Morey, Environmental Manager, (951) 755-5198.
This final permit decision will authorize the construction and operation of a gasoline dispensing facility (GDF), consistent with the minor NSR regulations for Indian country (40 CFR 49.151-161). The gasoline dispensing facility will dispense both diesel and octane gasoline. It will include 22 fuel dispensers, six underground storage tanks, and a convenience store. This project will increase emissions of air pollutants as follows: 12.27 tons per year (tpy) of volatile organic compounds (VOC). More information on the emission limitations associated with this permit can be found in Section 5 of the technical support document for this action.
Public comments: The public comment period started on August 4, 2021 and ended on September 7, 2021. No comments were received.
Administrative Record: The final permit and all other supporting information are available through www.regulations.gov under Docket ID No. EPA-R09-OAR-2021-0043. If you are not able to access the administrative record through the online docket, please call Catherine Valladolid at (415) 947-4103 to obtain a hardcopy. Catherine Valladolid can also be reached through the EPA Region 9’s toll-free general information line at (866) 372-9378.
Permit Appeal: In accordance with 40 CFR 49.159, within 30 days after a final permit decision has been issued, any person who filed comments on the draft permit or participated in a public hearing may petition the Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) to review any condition of the permit decision. Any person who failed to file comments or to participate in the public hearing may petition for administrative review only to the extent that the changes from the draft to the final permit or other new grounds were not reasonably ascertainable during the public comment period. The 30-day period within which a person may request review under this section begins with service of notice of the final permit decision. A petition to the EAB is a prerequisite to seeking judicial review of the final agency action under Section 307(b) of the CAA. For purposes of judicial review, final agency action occurs when we deny or issue a final permit and agency review procedures are exhausted. Following an appeal to the EAB, the EPA will issue a final permit decision as specified in 40 CFR 49.159(d)(8).
Permit Effective Date: This permit becomes effective immediately upon issuance, unless review of the final permit is requested under 40 CFR 49.159(d), in which case, the permit’s effectiveness will be stayed and construction cannot be authorized under this permit until agency review procedures are exhausted under 40 CFR 49.159(d) and the Regional Administrator subsequently issues a final permit.
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