Manuel Rocha-Tuatukar; Led Shoshone-Gabrielino Nation

Manuel “Whirlwind Dancer” Rocha-Tuatukar, 73, a spiritual leader of the Shoshone-Gabrielino Nation. Born in Mexico, he emigrated and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He later worked in the street engineering department of Alhambra and was a community leader in Baldwin Park, coaching Little League teams and leading Cub Scout troops. As husband of Chief Ya’Anna Vera Rocha and spiritual leader of the Shoshone-Gabrielino Nation, he became an environmental leader among his people. He prayed for the healing of the land, water and air and campaigned against developers who he believed were destroying the environment. On Thursday in Baldwin Park of cancer.