A talk by Anthony Pico, former chairman of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, canceled Oct. 23 because of the area wildfires, has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. today (Nov. 28) in the multipurpose room of the new Student Center at the University of California, San Diego.

Pico’s lecture on Sovereignty in Contemporary Native America comes as a belated segment in UCSD’s 2007 California Native American Day Celebration. It is free and open to the public.

Pico will discuss economic and social progress in Native America in the era of “tribal self-determination” and the role of tribal government gaming in helping Native nations rebuild tribal governments and tribal economies. He also plans to discuss the university’s responsibility in researching and teaching the legal and social status of American Indians.

Pico served as Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians chairman for 24 years and is a voice both for tribal sovereignty and investing in a viable and growing tribal economic base throughout Indian country.

He was a driving force and spokesman for the successful 1998 California ballot initiative that broke the 10 year political road block to tribal state gaming compacts, and served as co-chair of the Proposition 1A campaign initiative which changed the California State Constitution to give Indians the exclusive right to engage in casino gaming on tribal land.

For additional information call (858) 822-0510 or email emunk@ucsd.edu or visit http://helenedison.ucsd.edu