TRIBE SEEKS RECOGNITION FROM U.S. RIVALS SUSPECT CASINO PLANS.

Byline: Bill Hillburg Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - For the Gabrielino-Tongva Nation, federal recognition of their San Gabriel Valley-based Indian tribe is all about respect, benefits and righting ancient wrongs.

For their foes, including card club owners and a rival tribal group, it's about bringing casino gambling to Los Angeles County.

Rep. Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, has introduced legislation that would bypass a lengthy certification process and order the Bureau of Indian Affairs to grant federal tribal recognition to the Gabrielino-Tongvas, descendants of the Indians who lived in the Los Angeles area prior to the onset of Spanish colonial rule in 1771.

If the bill is approved, the Gabrielino-Tongvas would become the first tribe in urban Southern California to get official recognition and its members would qualify for federal health, education and other Indian benefits.

Also, under state and federal regulations, the tribe could own and operate two gambling casinos.

``The Gabrielino-Tongva were here first, and they've survived as a group for more than two centuries,'' said Solis, whose bill, now before the House Resources Committee, is co-sponsored by Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena. ``It's fitting for us to support them and give them the recognition they deserve.''

Anthony Morales of San Gabriel, a foe of Indian gambling and chief of an estimated 400 Gabrielino-Tongvas, agrees.

``It's time that the government undoes a wrong,'' Morales said. ``We've been here forever. How can anyone continue to deny our native Americanism?''

Sixty recognized California tribes have obtained state and federal permits to operate or develop casinos. Large gaming venues are already operating on Indian lands in Riverside and San Diego counties.

Other local Indian groups that have filed applications with the BIA for recognition include the Sylmar-based Fernandeno-Tataviam tribe and the Thousand Oaks-based Ish-Panesh United Band.

Solis said she introduced the legislation after being promised by Morales and other Gabrielino-Tongva leaders that they would not set up a gambling casino. However, her bill includes no restriction on gaming operations.

Morales put the pledge in writing in a memo of understanding with Solis.

Although Gov. Gray Davis has said he opposes Indian casinos in urban areas, BIA and state rules allow all federally recognized Indian tribes to pursue casino projects.

Unlike Inland Empire tribes that have built casinos on reservation land, the Gabrielino-Tongvas own no property in Los Angeles County. If recognized, they could acquire land with assistance from the BIA.

Morales said that his tribe is interested only in acquiring a site for a headquarters and cultural center.

However, foes of Solis' bill, including Indians who favor a casino, argue that the no-gambling pledge is only as good as Morales' word and could be quickly overturned by a change in tribal leadership.

BIA regulations require newly recognized tribes to submit membership rolls, set up a government and hold elections to select leaders. Morales' group currently operates as a nonprofit corporation.

Morales' leadership has already been challenged by a newly formed ``tribal council'' that wants to explore casino gambling as a viable economic option for the Gabrielino-Tongvas.

The group is being advised by Jonathan Stein, a Santa Monica attorney with ties to the Indian gaming industry, and is based at his law office.

Stein defined the economic lure of casinos in terms of hard cash.

``Just consider slots for starters,'' he said. ``A machine takes in an average profit of $300 per day, 365 days per year. That's $109,000 per machine each year, and an Indian casino can have 2,000 of them.''

Cindy Alvitre, a Catalina Island resident and a member of the rival tribal council, said Morales' group should be more inclusive, and it should consider gambling.

``I have seen the economic prosperity that has come to other California Indians thanks to casinos, and I don't believe they are any threat to local communities,'' she said. ``How a tribe wants to develop economically is up to the sovereign tribe.''

Also raising concerns is Rodney Blonien, a Sacramento-based lobbyist for the Commerce Club, one of seven gambling card clubs in Los Angeles County that provide substantial revenues to their host communities.

He said Morales' group should not go through Congress for recognition as a tribe.

``There's process and procedure with BIA for obtaining tribal recognition, and this group is trying to use Congress to hopscotch around it,'' Blonien said. ``We don't think that's fair to the more than 50 other tribal groups in California seeking recognition.''

He said those he represents are concerned about new casinos.

``Card clubs are limited to poker games,'' Blonien said. ``Indian casinos can offer a range of games, including blackjack and craps. They can have unlimited gaming tables and up to 2,000 slots. Gamblers like action. If the Indians are able to set up casinos in Los Angeles County, that's where the action is going to be.''