Page 7 - January 2003 • Southern California Gaming Guide

FNative American Space Walker
rom November 23 to December 7th, the rst tribally registered Native American astronaut launched into space aboard the Space Shuttle
Endeavour from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. During the mission, Astronaut John Bennett Herrington (Cmdr., USN), a member of the Chickasaw Nation,
became the rst Native American to walk in space. Serving as Endeavour’s ight engineer for launch and landing, the 44-year-old Herrington conducted three space walks in ve days to install a 45-foot, 14-ton girder-like structure, called the Port 1 to the Station. The structure
spans more than 300 feet to carry power, data and tempera- ture control to the electronic outpost of the Station.
Herrington, along with crew members Commander Jim Wetherbee, Pilot Paul Lockhart, and Mission Specialist Michael Lopez-Alegria, delivered the Expedition Six Crew to the Station and returned the Expedition Five Crew to the Earth, which was the primary objective of the
mission. The Expedition Five crew returned home after ve months in orbit.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
Morongo Tribe Gives
$30,000 in Donations
to Local Charities
The Morongo Band of Mission Indians Outreach Committee gave more than $30,000 in Christmas donations to local charities including the Special Olympics, Riverside-San Bernardino County Health Clinic, the Boy Scouts of America, the Riverside County Foster Parents Association, the Romoland School District, the Banning Youth Baseball & Softball League, and many more. Also, on December 20th an “Indian-style” Mrs. Claus and a contingency of Morongo Indian tribal helpers visited 300 children at the Cabazon Elementary School with armloads of Christmas stockings stuffed with fruit, candy and gift certi cates. The Tribal committee wanted to bring gifts to the children of the community who were expecting a lean holiday. In addition, tribal members personally delivered $100 food gift certi cates to more than 45 non- Tribal families who live on the Morongo Reservation.
“We know only too well what hard times are all about. Like many of the families we are trying to help, our struggles are far from over. But Christmas is an opportunity to give what you have,” said Anne Hutton, Morongo Tribal Council member. “Because of tribal gaming, we are now self-suf cient. As things have become better on our reservation, we believe it is important to share.”
To honor his Native American heritage, Herrington carried a ag of the Chickasaw Nation with him into space. He also brought eagle feathers, wooden utes, arrowheads and braided sweet grass with him. Herrington’s maternal great-grandmother was of Chickasaw descent. Members of the Chickasaw Nation and Elders from other tribes were on hand to witness this historic launch.
Selected by NASA in April 1996, Herrington has logged over 3,300 ight hours in over 30 different types of aircraft. He is an experienced Naval Aviator and Naval Test Pilot. Following his tour as a test pilot, Herrington attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School where he earned a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering. He is also a Sequoyah Fellow with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society.
John Bennett Herrington, Cmdr., USN
January 2003 Page 7
Tribes in the News