Viejas Tribal Members Elect Tribal Chairman and Council Members

Members of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians have voted in a new Tribal Council, returning five of seven incumbents, including Chairman Anthony R. Pico.

Voting took place Saturday, December 15, at the Viejas Tribal Hall. Members of the new Tribal Council are as follows (I = incumbent):

Chairman: Anthony R. Pico (I)
Vice Chairman: Robert “Cita” Welch (I)
Secretary: Anita Uqualla (I)
Treasurer: Sam Q. Brown (I)
Councilmember: Raymond “Bear” Cuero (I)
Councilmember: Adrian K. Brown
Councilmember: Ernest “Chuka” Pingleton

The 67-year-old Pico has served for most of the past two decades as the elected leader of the Viejas Band.

“I greatly appreciate the continued vote of confidence from Viejas tribal members,” said Pico. “I remain committed to working to help our tribal community unify around a central goal: to improve the lives of all of our tribal residents, from the youngest to the oldest, and continue to build upon our economic self-sufficiency and secure a strong future for generations to come.”

Newly elected members of the Tribal Council will officially take office on January 7, 2013, and will serve two-year terms.

About Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians

The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians is a sovereign Nation whose people have inhabited Southern California and northern Mexico for thousands of years.

The 1,600-acre Viejas Indian Reservation is located near Alpine, California, approximately 35 miles east of San Diego. Viejas Enterprises operates the tribe’s business entities, including Viejas Casino; Viejas Outlets; Viejas Entertainment & Production (VEP); two RV parks; and Broadcast Company of the Americas, which owns and operates three radio stations. For more information, visit: www.viejasbandofkumeyaay.org.