Tribes help each other during fires

Tribes band together to fill gaps in wildfire aidHundreds of Native evacuees remained on the reservations of other tribes, in hotels and shelters.

Viejas provided meals to evacuation centers and evacuees being housed at the Pechanga Resort, and opened its recreation center and its casino's buffet to firefighters, said spokesman Robert Scheid.

The Santa Ysabel gym has become a hub for donations, said Vice Chairman Brandie Taylor. Some Santa Ysabel evacuees are staying on the Soboba, Borrego and Pechanga reservations, but a majority have left to be housed at the Yavapai/Apache reservation in Verde Valley, Ariz.

"Their tribe will be taking care of lodging and food," Taylor said. "We are extremely grateful."

At Soboba's The Oaks Retreat lodge, in the foothills of the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley, about 60 Santa Ysabel, La Jolla and Rincon evacuees were being served hot meals and provided gift cards and services at its IHS clinic, said spokesman Mike Hiles.Comment:  So much for the aspersions I've read about "rich tribes" not helping poor tribes. Actually, Indians seem to be doing at least as much to help as non-Indians.