Clarence Lobo Elementary School Awarded $5,000 Barona Education Grant for Its Lobo Lodge Native American Museum

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Barona Band of Mission Indians has awarded students and teachers at Clarence Lobo Elementary School a $5,000 Barona Education Grant to enhance their hands-on Native American Education program. Located in San Clemente, Calif., the elementary school has a one-of-a-kind Native American museum on campus called Lobo Lodge and this Barona Education Grant will be used to add additional artifacts and educational materials to the museum to enhance the opportunities for the children to learn the history of native and indigenous people throughout California.

"It's a pleasure to congratulate Clarence Lobo Elementary School on being awarded a Barona Education Grant," said Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel). "This grant will help ensure that local students learn the history and culture of California's Native Americans. I thank the Barona Band of Mission Indians for their generosity and their continued efforts to improve academic opportunities for all students."

Barona Tribal Vice Chairman Ray Welch presented the $5,000 check to Principal Cheryl A. Sampson and students.

"Our Tribe is proud to provide the funds to help share Native American culture with the students," said Chairman Romero. "It is unique to have a museum such as this on an elementary school campus. We are passionate about the preservation of the history, culture and traditions of the Barona Tribe and other California Tribes for future generations and are honored to enhance the museum's program."

Since the Barona Education Grant program was launched in 2006, Barona has awarded over $3.2 million to California schools statewide. The program has equipped 641 schools with hundreds of computers, thousands of books, iPads, computer software programs and various other technologies and school supplies. 

The Barona Education Grant program is the first of its kind in California created and administered by a Tribal Government. The goal of the program is to create strong educational opportunities for the children of California building upon the success of the Barona Indian Charter School, which operates under a continuous improvement model. Schools throughout California can apply for educational grants from Barona to purchase much-needed supplies and materials that promote academic improvement. Each grant awarded by the Barona Education Grant Program is $5,000. Applications can be downloaded at http://barona-nsn.gov/education.

About the Barona Band of Mission Indians
The Barona Band of Mission Indians, recognized by the United States government as a sovereign nation, has lived on the Barona Indian Reservation in rural eastern San Diego County since 1932.  Prior to that, the Tribe lived on the Capitan Grande Reservation, which was established by the federal government in 1875. Long before living on a reservation, the Tribe traveled across Southern California in tune with the seasons and what nature provided. Today, the sovereign nation, governed by an elected Tribal Council, is serving its Tribal members, their families, and sharing with the San Diego region. One of the most successful gaming Tribes in the country, Barona also owns and operates the Barona Resort & Casino, San Diego's leading gaming resort, casino and golf course. For more information, visit www.barona-nsn.gov.

SOURCE Barona Band of Mission Indians