Mary Ann Green facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Ann Green
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| Chairperson of the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians | |
| In office 1988–2016 |
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| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Amanda Vance |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mary Ann Martin
1964 |
| Died | January 8, 2017 (aged 52–53) Coachella, California, U.S. |
| Children | 3 |
| Profession | Tribal leader, politician |
Mary Ann Green (1964 – January 8, 2017) was an important leader for the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians. This is a Native American tribe based in Coachella, California. She was their Chairperson from 1988 until 2016.
Under Mary Ann Green's leadership, the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians achieved many important goals. They created their own tribal government in 1994. They also moved back to their reservation lands in Coachella in 1996. She helped open the Augustine Casino in 2002. This casino helped the small tribe become one of the biggest employers in the Coachella Valley.
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Mary Ann Green's Early Life
Mary Ann Green was born Mary Ann Martin in 1964. At that time, members of the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians had left their traditional lands. There were very few members left in the tribe.
Mary Ann was raised by her grandmother, who was African-American. For a long time, Mary Ann did not know about her Native American heritage.
Discovering Her Heritage
In 1981, the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians was officially recognized by the U.S. government. This meant they were a "federally recognized tribe."
In 1986, Roberta Augustine, Mary Ann's other grandmother, passed away. She was the last living member of the Augustine Band. After her grandmother's death, Mary Ann learned about her Cahuilla heritage.
She decided to move with her children to the Coachella Valley. This area was near the Augustine Band's reservation. Mary Ann also took care of four of her nieces and nephews after sad family events. Together, Mary Ann, her children, and her extended family made up the entire Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians.
Leading the Augustine Band
Mary Ann Green became the tribal Chairperson in 1988. She held this important position for many years, until 2016.
Under her guidance, the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians set up their own tribal government in 1994. Just two years later, in 1996, Mary Ann and her family moved back to their reservation in Coachella.
Building Economic Stability
In the 1990s, Mary Ann Green and her government looked for ways to create a steady income for the tribe. They wanted to provide jobs and improve the tribe's economy. They also wanted to save their traditional Cahuilla culture.
They decided to open a tribal-owned casino. Mary Ann worked with a company called Paragon Gaming to help build and run the casino. The casino cost $16 million to build. It was funded by loans from a finance company.
The Augustine Casino opened on July 18, 2002. It had 349 slot machines and 10 card tables. Leaders from other California tribes attended the opening. Tony Andreas, a traditional Cahuilla bird song singer, was also there.
Thanks to the casino, the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians became a major employer in the Coachella Valley.
Other Projects for the Tribe
Besides the casino, Mary Ann Green also started other projects. These projects aimed to help the tribe have a strong future.
- She helped create an organic farm on the reservation.
- She oversaw a 3-megawatt renewable energy project. This project used clean energy sources.
These initiatives helped the small tribe and its members have a better life.
Later Life and Legacy
Mary Ann Green passed away on January 8, 2017. She died at her home in Coachella, California, after a long illness.
She was survived by her three children: Amanda Vance, Ronnie Vance, and William Vance. Amanda Vance later became the Chairperson of the Augustine Band, following in her mother's footsteps. Mary Ann also had three grandchildren.
Her funeral was held on January 20, 2017. She was buried at the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians' Tribal Cemetery in Coachella. Mary Ann Green is remembered as a strong leader who helped her tribe grow and thrive.
