Now in its 20^th year, the annual Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Scholarship has awarded $670,000 to Native American students across California.

MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – Four Native American students from California have each received a $10,000 scholarship from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians near Palm Springs through the Tribe’s 20th Annual Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Scholarship Program.

Since its launch, Morongo’s Mathews Scholarship Program has provided $670,000 in scholarships to 66 Native American students attending universities across the country. Open to enrolled members of federally recognized tribes in California, these scholarships aim to reverse the long-standing underrepresentation of Native students in higher education where American Indian and Alaskan Native students still make up less than 1% of U.S. undergraduates.

“The Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Scholarship reflects Morongo’s commitment to supporting Native students who are overcoming obstacles to secure a higher education,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “Each recipient represents the strength and promise of our tribal communities. By investing in their education, we’re addressing generations of inequity and honoring our shared responsibility to uplift the next generation.”

The 2025 Mathews Scholarship Program recipients are:

• William Feather, an enrolled member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes is pursuing his Doctor of Education (EdD) at Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii. A resident of Ukiah, California, he currently serves as a Special Education–Mental Health Counselor at Ukiah Unified School District. His goal is to serve as a school-to-prison prevention specialist and lead systemic reforms prioritizing Indigenous teachings and intergenerational healing. He previously received a Mathews Scholarship in 2019.

“My doctoral work is hard and often lonely—no one in my program looks like me. But I walk a bit taller today knowing that Morongo believes in me and has believed in me for years. I cried when I found out I had won this scholarship. It means everything to me,” Feather said. “I can’t wait to give back to Morongo one day and meet the people who made this possible.”

• Gabriella Salgado, an enrolled member of the Cahuilla Band of Indians, has lived her entire life on the Morongo Reservation in Banning, California. She will continue her education at Cal State University Monterey Bay, where she is majoring in Marine Science. Salgado’s goal is to travel the world studying ocean life and return to her community to educate younger generations about marine ecosystems.

“This scholarship from Morongo not only makes it possible for me to continue my education, but it reminds me that there are people who believe in my potential and are invested in my future,” Salgado said. “Their support motivates me to work even harder and make the most of this opportunity.”

• Mary Pojas, an enrolled member of the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, lives on the La Jolla Indian Reservation in Pauma Valley, CA and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in American Indian Studies at San Diego State University. Her future goals include working in tribal law and serving on her tribal council. She currently serves on her tribe’s Youth Council, where she helps organize events for elders and youth. Pojas also participates in cultural exchange programs, traveling across the country and abroad to share her tribe’s traditions.

“This scholarship opportunity means so much to me,” Mary Pojas said. “My entire family is pursuing college degrees, and this support gives me access to more resources and helps lighten the load. I’m so thankful to the Morongo Band for believing in students like me.”

• Nusun Pojas, also a member of the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, lives in Valley Center and will attend San Diego State University this fall to major in American Indian Studies with a focus on business and marketing. She plans to return to her community to help develop accessible health services for the tribe. Nusun has been actively involved in intertribal sports, first as a participant, and now as an aide and serves on the Youth Council.

“This means so much to me,” Nunsun Pojas said. “Coming from a family of six siblings and as a first-generation college student, I want to set an example and build a better future for my community. This scholarship is helping make that a reality.”

The Morongo scholarship program honors the late Rodney T. Mathews Jr., a Morongo tribal member and Hastings Law School graduate who passed away in 2004. He worked as an attorney for 20 years in Banning and served as a judge pro tem for more than a decade.

His mother, Eunice Mathews, said the scholarship program recognizes her son’s lifelong commitment to equity and education. “Rodney dedicated his life to justice and learning. We are very proud of all that he achieved, and it means so much to see his legacy live on by helping Native students pursue their own dreams.”

Scholarship applicants are considered based on their academic success and community service. Candidates must be full-time students at an accredited college or university; complete 60 hours with a designated California Indian agency; and be actively involved in the Native American community.

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians gathered with public safety and elected leaders to usher in a new era of public safety with a modern new Fire Station serving the Reservation and the Pass.

MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION (July 18, 2025) – A new chapter in public safety began today as the Morongo Band of Mission Indians officially opened the doors of its new, state-of-the-art Fire Station #1 which will enhance public safety on the Morongo Reservation and throughout the San Gorgonio Pass.

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Morongo Celebrates Grand Opening of New Fire StationRead More »

As part of a long-standing tradition, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians is celebrating the academic achievements of its 2025 high school and college graduates by displaying large commemorative banners along Morongo Road, the main throughfare into the Morongo Indian Reservation.

The large banners featuring the names and photos of all 27 Morongo graduates have been installed to honor their hard work, perseverance, and academic success, and the support and encouragement of their families and loved ones.

The display pays tribute to both high school and college graduates, some of whom earned degrees from Stanford University, Harvard Business School, Arizona State University, and the University of Redlands, and stands as a public testament to the Tribe’s deep commitment to education.

“For decades, Morongo has honored our students with banners to show them—and the entire tribal community — how proud we are of their academic excellence, and how much we value education,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “Supporting the academic success of Native youth and adults is a top priority for our Tribe, and we believe in recognizing those who are taking bold steps toward brighter futures for themselves, their families, and our community.”

The students included:

In addition to the banner tribute, Morongo also offers robust educational support programs, including scholarships, academic enrichment services, and higher education assistance, as well as a tribally-centered curriculum at the accredited Morongo School, the first college preparatory school of its kind on an Indian reservation.

The banners will remain on display throughout the graduation season as a source of pride and inspiration for all who pass through the heart of the Morongo Reservation.

 MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians awarded nearly $400,000 in grants to dozens of non-profit organizations serving local communities across Riverside and San Bernardino counties as part of the 4th Annual Morongo Community Outreach Awards Luncheon, held Wednesday, May 14.

The 80 non-profit groups, which each received grants of up to $5,000, provide a wide array of services across the San Gorgonio Pass, the Coachella Valley, and the cities of Riverside, San Bernardino, Redlands, Palm Springs, Palm Desert and elsewhere. The Morongo program focuses on groups that provide social, education, or healthcare services, support for military and military families, or that preserve Native American culture.

“The Morongo Community Outreach Awards are about celebrating and supporting the life-changing work performed by dozens of remarkable non-profit organizations dedicated to the service of others across the region,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “At Morongo, giving back to the community has always been a part of who we are, and our hope is that these grants will advance the missions of many deserving groups in local communities.”

Launched in 2022, the Morongo program has awarded over $1.3 million in grants to nearly 300 non-profit organizations with diverse missions and backgrounds.

“The grant from the Morongo Community Outreach Program is truly a blessing that will strengthen our work to help feed those experiencing homelessness in the San Gorgonio Pass,” said Pastor David Kieffer of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Banning. “This support allows us to extend compassion and dignity to our neighbors in need and reflects the strength of community partnerships in addressing hunger and hardship.”

Groups that received grants from Morongo hailed from across the Inland region, from Carol’s Kitchen and the Friends of Banning Library in the San Gorgonio Pass to the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center and the Riverside Police Foundation in Riverside; to Destiny Care Foundation in Moreno Valley, Cruz Chacon Foundation in San Bernardino, Assistance League of Redlands, Shelter from the Storm in Palm Desert, California Indian Nations College in Palm Desert, and the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City.

“We are excited to be receiving a grant again this year from the Morongo Community Outreach Awards Program which will support the health and wellness programs we offer to enrich the quality of life of those 50 and older in the local community,” said Janice Peguero with the Janet Goeske Foundation of Riverside.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Morongo Band of Mission Indians for their generous grant, which will have a meaningful impact on the children and families we serve,” said Heidi Maldoon, executive director of Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert in Palm Desert. “This grant will help support our programs and services that promote mobility, independence, and inclusion for children with special needs throughout the Coachella Valley.”

Morongo’s Community Outreach Awards Program aligns with the Tribe’s ongoing philanthropic efforts. Over the past decade, the tribe has provided more than $20 million to support local and national non-profit organizations that serve the San Gorgonio Pass and the surrounding regions, as well as greater Southern California. For information about the 2026 Community Outreach Awards program, groups are encouraged to visit www.morongonation.org/donations/

The funds will support the first major expansion of the Beaumont Library in 60 years, which will help the facility better serve the region’s growing population.

(BEAUMONT, Calif. – April 21, 2025) – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has donated $250,000 to the Beaumont Library District to support its first major expansion project in 60 years which will nearly double the library’s size and provide critical educational resources to a fast-growing region.

The Beaumont Library has served the community for more than a century, with the oldest part of its current structure dating back to 1914, built with a $10,000 grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The only addition occurred in 1965, when the local population was just 6,500. Today, that number exceeds 65,000 — yet the library still operates out of the same limited space.

Despite its limited size, the Beaumont Library continues to be the busiest library from Calimesa to Cabazon, with nearly three times the number of materials checked out to the public as the other three public library locations in the San Gorgonio Pass Area.

“Libraries are more than just buildings filled with books — they are hubs of knowledge, opportunity, and community that provide a variety of diverse resources and services,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “We are delighted to support the Beaumont Library’s expansion to help empower students, families, and lifelong learners across the region.”

Beaumont Library is the only “Family Place Library” between Rancho Cucamonga and the Arizona border with developmental play spaces for children and their caregivers, and training classes for parents.  It is also considered the best library from Redlands to Rancho Mirage, providing many services that others do not, such as literacy tutors for adults, activities to promote family literacy, and conversation classes for adults who are trying to learn English as a Second Language. 

“The incredible support from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians brings us significantly closer to realizing our vision of a modern, inclusive library for all,” said Beaumont Library District Board President Margaret Coleman. “We appreciate this contribution, which reflects Morongo’s dedication to strengthening the communities of the Pass.”

“Morongo’s support of our Expansion & Renovation Project is a testament to their commitment to preserving local cultural heritage and supporting programs that enhance the quality of life for the residents of our region,” said Beaumont Library Director Kelly Van Valkenburg.

The library’s expansion, which broke ground on February 12, will be completed in two phases. Phase one, adding 8,300 square feet, is expected to finish late this year. Phase two—set for completion by mid-2026—will restore and preserve the historic 1914 Carnegie building. New amenities include an all-new children’s room, family area, teen space, multiple study and conference rooms, a Friends of the Library bookstore, and a large community room for up to 100 people.

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BANNING, CA – The Banning Chamber of Commerce recently honored Morongo Tribal Historian and Cultural Advisor Ernest Siva with a Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating his lifelong dedication to preserving and sharing Native American culture, history, and language.

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Morongo Tribal Elder Ernest Siva Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Banning Chamber of CommerceRead More »

Patella’s career spans 26 years of police experience with a variety of leadership positions at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION, Calif. – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has named veteran Orange County Sheriff’s Captain AJ Patella as the Chief of the Morongo Tribal Police Department, effective immediately.

A 22-year resident of the San Gorgonio Pass, Patella joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in 1999 and worked as a deputy sheriff, serving in Custody and Patrol Operations as a Drug Recognition Expert, a Field Training Officer, and the Administrative Deputy, coordinating public safety for special events. As a Sergeant and a Lieutenant, he worked numerous details including Internal Affairs, the Sheriff’s Response Team, and the All-Hazards Incident Management Team.

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Morongo Names Veteran Lawman AJ Patella as Tribal Police ChiefRead More »

The Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health Inc.’s state-of-the-art clinic will improve access to healthcare for Native Americans by offering comprehensive services.

Returning to where it all began, leaders from the Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health, Inc. and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians recently gathered to break ground on a new 10-acre clinic on the Morongo Indian Reservation.

Scheduled to open in late 2026 near Hathaway Street and Morongo Road, the state-of-the-art Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health, Inc (RSBCIHI) clinic will span nearly 61,000 square feet. Funded by RSBCIHI, the $55 million clinic will nearly triple the size of the existing Morongo Indian Health Clinic and will include larger medical exam rooms, a drive-thru pharmacy, an x-ray ward and expanded dental, optometry and behavioral health services.

“RSBCIHI began our journey in 1968 on the Morongo Reservation, and we are excited to be returning with a new clinic that will strengthen Indian healthcare services across our two counties,” said Sherri Salgado, president of the RSBCIHI Board of Directors. “This important project furthers our mission to provide culturally sensitive healthcare services that respect the traditional customs of our Indian communities.”

Now the largest Indian health program in the state, RSBCIHI provides healthcare services to federally recognized Native Americans and Alaskan Natives across Riverside and San Bernardino counties through its network of eight Indian health clinics.

“This groundbreaking marks a historic step forward in ensuring that Native Americans across our two counties have access to high-quality healthcare and preventative services that promote health and wellness,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “By investing in healthcare, we are investing in the wellbeing of our people and building a healthier future for generations to come.”

The recent groundbreaking celebration began with a blessing by Morongo Tribal Elder Walter Holmes as dozens of Morongo and RSBCIHI officials gathered beside the rocky field where the clinic will be built by S+B James Construction.

“Our new clinic will allow greater access to health care services for our patients in a setting that is comfortable, culturally important, and designed to provide a comprehensive healthcare experience,” said Bill Thomsen, CEO for RSBCIHI. “Providing healthcare to Native Americans is an obligation of the federal government under treaty commitments. RSBCIHI is dedicated to fulfilling this responsibility and ensuring access to quality healthcare for Native communities.”  

New 200-room four-story hotel being built beside the iconic Morongo Casino Resort & Spa will serve business and leisure travelers alike.

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians, in partnership with Marnell Hospitality and Tharaldson Hospitality, recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a new 200-room hotel set to rise alongside the iconic Morongo Casino Resort & Spa near Palm Springs, CA.

Scheduled to open in early 2026, the dual-branded Hampton Inn and Home2 Suites hotel will bring dozens of permanent new jobs and new economic opportunities to the San Gorgonio Pass. The four-story hotel, a landmark 50-50 joint venture between Marnell and Tharaldson, is being constructed on the Morongo Indian Reservation.

Designed to meet the needs of both leisure and business travelers, the hotel will circle a relaxing resort-style pool and spa while offering a blend of modern accommodations and conveniences, such as studio suites, plush guest rooms, a bar/lounge, dining, fitness center, two large meeting/conference rooms and ample lobby and lounge areas.

“We’re beyond excited to be partnering with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians as one of the recognized leaders in tribal gaming and hospitality,” said Greg Wells Manager of Marnell Hospitality. “This new location will enhance the world-class amenities already offered by Morongo, while also providing new accommodations for travelers to the region.”

The new hotel evolved from a shared vision of the Morongo Tribal Council and the Morongo Economic Development and Planning Committee to continue to advance the Tribe’s retail and tourism offerings along the bustling Interstate 10 corridor.

“Working together, the Morongo Tribal Council and the Morongo Economic Development and Planning Committee successfully moved this innovative project from concept to reality and identified the perfect partners in Marnell Hospitality and Tharaldson Hospitality,” said Morongo Tribal Council Vice Chair James Siva, who also chairs the Economic Development and Planning Committee.

About the Morongo Band of Mission Indians

Located at the foot of the San Gorgonio Mountains of Riverside County, the 36,000-acre Morongo Indian Reservation is home to more than 1,000 members of the resilient Morongo Band of Mission Indians. As a sovereign nation, the Morongo Tribe has overcome decades of adversity to become a model of self-reliance and self-determination. Today the Tribe provides over $3 billion in regional economic activity and more than 2,500 jobs as the region’s largest employer. Morongo has built upon its successes for the benefit of generations to come and the surrounding communities, all while honoring and preserving the rich traditions of its past. For information, visit https://morongonation.org/

About Marnell Hospitality

Marnell Hospitality is an affiliate of Marnell Companies who celebrated its 50th year of unparalleled accomplishments in 2024 in the world of Gaming, Hospitality, Master Planning and Real Estate. Delivering a host of iconic projects and executing countless unique ideas into reality, we work as Architects, Designers, Constructors, Consultants, Managers, Owners, and Investment Partners for the industries’ leading companies as well as our own portfolio of real estate and casino assets. Three generations provide Marnell Gaming exceptional experience in ownership and tribal management and provides leadership for continued success. For information visit https://MarnellCompanies.com

About Tharaldson Hospitality

Since 1982, CEO and Founder Gary Tharaldson has opened over 400 hotel properties throughout the United States. He has been instrumental in developing prototype properties for the likes of Marriott and Hilton and has received numerous “Developer of the Year” awards from the same highly respected franchise companies.  Tharaldson Hospitality currently owns and operates nearly 90 hotels in 19 states for some of the world’s most well-respected and beloved brands. For information visit www.tharaldsonhm.com