Robert H. Smith, Chairman
Pala Band of Mission Indians
Pala Casino – Pala, CA
palacasino.com / palatribe.com
BENEFITS OF GAMING: Gaming revenues have been instrumental in shaping the economy of both the Pala Band of Mission Indians and our surrounding community. These revenues have provided essential funding for education, healthcare, housing, and infrastructure development within our tribe. We’ve been able to invest in various community programs and initiatives, such as our historic partnership between the Pala Fire Department and the California Office of Emergency Services. Our gaming enterprise has also created employment opportunities, contributing to the overall prosperity of the region. Additionally, our revenues have enabled us to offer assistance in achieving higher education. For too many Native Americans, a college education is either a crippling burden or a seemingly unattainable dream. We commit ourselves to making education more accessible by seeking out new funding sources and expanding our educational programs at all levels. We continually try to empower individuals within our tribe and neighboring communities to pursue their educational and entrepreneurial aspirations. By reinvesting a significant portion of our gaming revenues back into the community, we’re enhancing the quality of life for our tribal members and for our neighbors.
GOALS & INITIATIVES: Our primary initiative is to continue to develop, create, and expand new tribal business enterprises that will ensure the sustainable growth and diversification of our tribal economy. We continuously seek out new avenues for tribal enterprise development, such as gaming, entertainment, and real estate. We are also committed to preserving our cultural heritage and promoting tribal sovereignty through education and advocacy efforts. To achieve this, we’re focusing on initiatives that promote economic self-sufficiency and environmental stewardship. For example, our Pala Environmental Department includes programs for air and water quality monitoring, wildlife and habitat conservation and restoration, and protection of cultural and archaeological sites, among others. Overall, we hope to continue investing in sustainable business practices and prioritizing initiatives that align with our long-term vision for tribal development. By embracing innovative approaches to enterprise management, we aim to position the Pala Band of Mission Indians as a leader in both the tribal gaming industry and sustainable economic development.
LEGISLATIVE: We closely monitor legislative developments at both the state and federal levels to safeguard our tribal interests and ensure that our rights are protected. We actively engage with policymakers to advocate for policies that promote economic development, environmental stewardship, and social justice for Native communities, such as our continuous advocacy for missing and murdered Indigenous people. We have also come together with other tribes as one body to fight for our water rights, address tribes’ water needs, and help tribes develop and use their water appropriately. Additionally, we believe the future of healthcare for Native Indians is intertwined with policy decisions at the federal level, and we pay close attention to this in order to provide a full range of health services to our tribal members. Through proactive engagement, legal advocacy, and community action, we strive to address any challenges that may arise while preserving the rights and interests of the Pala Band of Mission Indians for generations to come.
