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N,...j,AeO" 1 r IVI r. % NATION Sean Acuna Tribal Chair Charlene McNair Vice Tribal Chair Stephanie Whiteman Tribal Manager Jeanine James Tribal Council Rudolph (Rudy) Reyes Tribal Council 8/27/2022 Chairwoman Heidi Lucero Via Email All Tribal Council Members Juaneno Hand of Mission Indians 84A 31411 La Matanza St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 Chairwoman Heidi Lucero and ALL Tribal Council of 84A: I want to bring to your attention the letter that was addressed to Santa Ana College from Chairwoman Heidi Lucero and Council dated August 8, 2022, regarding Lupe Lopez representing herself as a descendant of the Acjachemen Nation. In this letter you are requesting Santa Ana College cease any communication with Lupe, regarding the community of Acjachemen. This claim Is absolutely false. Lupe Lopez has never claimed or identified herself as an Acjachemen. Lupe has worked cross functionally throughout the Acjachemen community, advocating resources and assistance for our membership members within 848, Belardes IP, 84A and non-affiliated Acjachemen. In the Fall of 2021, Lupe worked with local city governments throughout Orange County, presenting herself as a Native American. Requesting each city within the ancestral lands of the Acjachemen Nation, acknowledge the Acjachemen through Land Acknowledgement, Multiple cities provided Proclamations to Lupe, to which Lupe presented to each of the leaders within the Acjachemen community, including Belardes IP Matt Belardes, Heidi Lucero 84A, and myself Sean Acuna 846. During this time Lupe's representation of herself as a Native American never wavered nor raised concerns from any of the Acjachemen leaders, Additionally, you requested a virtual meeting with Lupe on December 18, 2021 along with Chris Lobo where you questioned her accepted position as a Tribal Administrator for JBMI 846. Lupe is within her own right to volunteer with any organization, group, or tribe that she so pleases in the country, Ms. Lucero you are very well aware of Lupe's position with JBMi 84B, that there should be NO reason to target Lupe in any way at all, This letter submitted by you Heidi Lucero was damaging to Lupe and served as it was intended, leading to the Cancellation of a Native event which was being hosted by Santa Ana College and coordinated by members of the community along with Lupe Lopez. The event brings multiple Native Nations together on our ancestral Acjachemen lands. The event provides resources and cultural events for ALL Natives which live, attend school, or visit the area specifically for the event. The impact was not only damaging to the Acjachemen community, but to the entire Native American community planning to attend. The awareness these resource rovided to Native Americans were truly Q 445 Plaza Estival, San Clemente CA, 92672 is jbrnination@gmaii.com