Sadly, new from the Pechanga Reservation in Temecula is that Norman Pico Sr., Pechanga elder, a longtime member of Pechanga's Gaming Commission and brother of the late tribal chairman Gabriel Pico has passed at age 70.
 |
| Norman Pico Sr. |
Mr. Pico had lived in Perris and on the reservation most of his life, family members said.
Mr. Pico is survived by his wife, Deborah; two sons, Randolph and Norman Jr.; a daughter, Kathy; 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In 2004, Mr. Pico ran for tribal chairman against the current tribal chair, Mark Macarro, whose council is well known for terminating tribal members to expand the per capita payments of those they allowed to remain in the tribe. Mr. Pico did not support the ouster of families, while Macarro was supported by the CPP, who wanted to remove hundreds from the tribe.
In fact, in Dec. 2002, there was an exchange of emails where Macarro contends the tribe's bylawas were "screwy" and in a subsequent email, Macarro states "I could care less about your heart". "If you want to pop your cork, that's fine by me." An example of the Macarro temper that is well known on the reservation. (and YES, we do have copies of the emails.)
Mr. Pico worked hard to help the tribe move forward, he stood up for what is right. He fought against the wrongs perpetrated by the splinter group, the CPP, that has usurped power over rightful blood Pechanga people.
Norman James Pico Sr., Pechanga Gaming Commissioner, passed quietly away Friday, October 8, 2010, on the Pechanga Indian Reservation in Temecula, California. Born, December 17, 1939 in Arlington, California along with twin brother Gabriel, they were enrolled members in the Temecula Band of Luiseno Mission Indians (often referred to as the Pechanga Band).
Norman was elected Gaming Commissioner and served 10 of his sixteen years in office as chair. The National Indian Gaming Association noted, “Pechanga is one of the top 10 regulated facilities in the United States”. Norman lived in Perris, California and Pechanga most of his life. He attended Perris High School, graduating in 1957.
After high school Norman served in the US Army, as a member of the famous 82nd Airborne Division, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment “Devils in Baggy Pants.” His career included being a journeyman, Operating Engineer Union AFL-CIO local 12.
He retired from the Southern California Gas Company in 1994 as a field locator in the Damage Control Department. Norman, 70, was considered a heavyweight in Pechanga politics and was involved for decades as a tribal council member, Silver Feather (Vice President), the Tribal Water Board and helped draft the tribe’s constitution and bylaws.
He was also involved in Indian Education, and a Board member of Riverside San Bernardino County Indian Health (Executive Board, Finance, Grievance and Retirement committees) and Board member of Indian Child and Family Services.
During the past 15 years, Norman, chaired the Pechanga Pow Wow committee. The 4th of July Pow Wow is considered one of the most publicly attended American Indian gatherings in the country, hosting an estimated 70,000 guests during the three-day event. Norman was initiated into the Golden State Gourd Society and enjoyed participating as a member of the society at Pow Wows and Gourd Society events; he truly cherished and respected the traditions and rich history of the Pow Wow.
Norman is a descendent of several notable Temecula Valley historical figures such as, Luis Flores and Carlos Pico who played football at Carlisle Indian School for “the” Pop Warner; Daniel Pico (Pechanga tribal chair for 25 years), leader of the Southern California Mission Indian Federation; Luis Wolf merchant, magistrate and postmaster of Temecula.
Norman was predeceased by his mother, Evelyn Clarice Pico, Father Carlos J. Pico, and brother Gabriel Pico. Sisters Germaine Arenas, Milless Shores and Marie Russell are still with us.
Norman is survived by his wife of over fifty years, Deborah Pico, and three children; Randolph (Livermore, Ca.), Norman Jr. (Temecula, Ca.) and Kathy (Temecula, Ca.). A fourth child, Daniel, was tragically lost at the age of 17 years.
Randolph is married to Paulette Thomas and has three children, Elias, Cheyenne and Randolph Jr.; Norman Jr. is married to Kristen McKnight and has six children, Sheila, Cody, Megan, Randi, Savanah and Ella; Kathy is married to Harbhajan Saglania with three children, Brittaney (husband Victor) Retana, Brooke, Hardeep and great grandchild Leo Retana, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He will be greatly missed by many for his leadership, guidance, wisdom and love.
The family welcomes the public to attend his ceremony at the Pechanga Indian Reservation Government Center at 2:00 pm on Thursday, October 14, 2010, with a memorial dinner to follow. Evans Brown Mortuary (951) 679-1114.
29 comments:
This is truly a sad time for the Pico family and for the true decedents of Pechanga, for Norman Pico Sr. believed in the history of the people and understood the dangers of sudden wealth. In one conversation that I had with Mr. Pico we discussed the issues of the day in that the people needed to learn that tradition and history were more important than money and that if he won the elections he would implement more programs that would assist the elders of the tribe as well as encourage the youth to go to college so that they could become more productive citizens within the tribe. It is my belief that Norman Pico Sr. would have won the elections in 2004 if we had not been disenrolled. I often wonder what the tribe would be like now if we were not disenrolled and that Mark would have lost. With saddened heart I pray Norman that your spirit finds peace as you walk with our ancestors who remembered the way the creator, may your family’s circle be unbroken.
I am very saddened to hear about the loss of a true tribal elder spokesman who sided with what is right.
Mr. Pico went to bat for our family, the Hunters, at risk to himself and his family's status in the tribe.
It is great loss to our people.
My prayers and hopes go out to his family in their time of loss.
Thank you Mr. Pico for your many years of service to our tribe.
Rest In Peace Norman Pico Sr.
Thank you for believing in our Family.
You will meet your old friend Lawrence Madariaga when you reach the pearly gates.
My condolences to his family.
corrupt old goat
Indicent comment anonymus.
Heaven welcomes Norman. We was an admirable man and his wisdom and values were an inspiration to all. He will dwell with the Love and Holiness of God and Jesus. He will never again have to put up with the dark forces that inhabit the souls of Pechanga leadership.
Please support the Pico family on Thursday at 2:00pm at Pechanga.
sorry hunter are not welcome!!!
God Bless you Mr. Pico, for standing up for what is right. Standing up against Mary Bear Magee, that pathetic woman and for standing up to Mark Macarro.
Macarro stands for diminishing the tribe and Norman wanted to build the tribe from its foundations.
Norman came to Hunter family funerals and broke bread with us when our cousin Barbara Vasquez passed.
And Norman was also at Hunter family elder's Sonny Mendoza's furneral right after we were disenrolled.
So obviously Norman was friends with the Hunters.
So some of you wouldn't want some of Norman's friends at his memorial?
Personally I am not sure if I am attending but not because some anonymous poster says I am not welcome but because even though I knew Norman, I really don't know his children so I am not sure if I should for that reason.
It's about honoring NORMAN, not about going for his kids.
That being said, anonymous comments bear less weight..
It is interesting to see... that over time the moratorium and disenrolled participants in these illegal and civil rights violating actions have brought us together. Knowing the truth and working together has given us power to determine our outcome.
We may not have the resources to lobby the United States Government or its comities but we do have more people that see what has been done as a conspired action that has resulted in fraud to rightful people based on bylaws and requirements of the Temecula/Pechanga Indian Reservation.
The MINORITY group of CPP that infest the Temecula/Pechanga Government. Cannot hide behind the Sovereignty of the MAJORITY who know what has been contrived into reality today.
I BELIVE THAT WITH EVERY PASSING MOMENT OF EVERY PASSING DAY THE cpp GROW FEARFUL OF THEIR RITHCHOUSNESS TO STEEL POWER FROM TRUE Temecula/Pechanga PEOPLE. I ALSO BELIEVE THERE WERE A FEW TRUE Temecula/Pechanga WHO BELIVED YOU LIES ABOUT OTHER TRUE Temecula /Pechanga. NOW THEY KNOW BETTER AND YOU HAVE LOST MORE OF YOUR STOLLEN POWER.
Years back when the MAJORITY of Temecula/Pechanga voted to remove the Disenrollment Procedure YOU set your fate by ignoring the will of the people. By your actions you have revealed who you are and the TRUE intentions of the CPP. Now the MAJORITY OF Temecula/Pechanga must do what is right to protect our interests.
The WATER ACT that will soon be before the United States Congress will seal the deal. The language in this ACT will give congress reason to put into enforcement the ICRA you Temecula/Pechanga Government have violated.
Stand our course MAJORITY of Temecula/Pechanga
pechangaredbrother
R.I.P.
Norman Pico Sr. and thank you for your service to the Temecula/Pechanga People.
Pechangaredbrother
Aho!
Rest in Peace Mr. Pico. You will be greatly missed.
How dare you (anonymous poster) say the Hunter family is not welcome. My uncle loved the Hunter family. Two of my children are from the Hunter family. Guess that would mean they are his great niece and nephew. Don't spread your ugly lies in here. If you heave a problem with my post you are more than welcome to come see me. Colene Freeman and I live on the rez. Thank you Hunter family for all your beautiful words about my uncle
Thank you Mr. Pico for your true heart, and being able to Share undertand the true native heart.
Mr. Pico may have been the last link to the tribe at it's best.
Which elder will now stand up for what is right?
Can we count on a Munoa to take up the mantle, or will they continue to bury their heads in the sand pit?
Any Garbani that wants to lead?
How about you Vasquez family?
The Tosobal clan is grateful for any and all information about elders like Mr Pico whom fought for unity and his peoples ancestry we would say his passing is a great loss to all him being an example of how native peoples should be equal and not run by a corrupt dictatorship govenment he will guide The Temecula Indians even in spirit world .Pico family we are sorry for your loss of such a great man.
POLYSQWALIS
The elder Pico showed dignity and honor in defending the weak from predators.
I hope his family will continue that.
Is it true that Mark Macarro will speak at the funeral of Norman Pico?
Hope he apologizes for the things he has said to him in those emails.
HONOR Norman, Mr. Macarro, bring the tribe together as his legacy.
Yes, I heard that Macarro will speak at Mr Pico's memorial. I guess we will just have to bite our tongues bare and grin it.
I think it best that we just keep quiet out of respect for Mr. Pico, hard to do so though.
Yes, I plan to attend.
Was Norman Pico a descendant of Pablo Apis?
Yes, pico was a descendant of Pablo
Norman was not one to keep quiet when he knew he was right, how would keeping quiet be a sign of respect?
Do we have respect for Macarro?
It is not the place or time to confront Macarro and company and I think it would be disrespectful to do so at Mr. Pico's memorial.
There are more important things than our cause and paying our respects to an elder who has passed in a dignified manner is one of those.
Our time is coming though so there is plenty of time to speak out then.
So not causing any kind of scene is not out of respect for Macarro but for Mr. Pico.
PLEASE do NOT spend any money in the casino if you are in the area for Mr. Pico's funeral.
Did mark wear a bullet proof vest at MR PICO S FUNERAL?
"Did mark wear a bullet proof vest at MR PICO S FUNERAL?"
If he did, then he is really paranoid.
I sure he knew some of us would be there but he has nothing to fear, at least physically, from us as he is no danger in that regard.
But what he does have to fear is the truth and it is on our side.
Post a Comment