The Tribal Disenrollment Scandal: Unforgivable Betrayal of Native Heritage and Identity

 

Photo by Native News Online

Disenrollment, the systematic and brutal removal of Native Americans from tribal citizenship, has gutted Indigenous identity and community for thousands of individuals. This outrage has affected more than 11,000 Native Americans nationwide, yet leaders and organizations continue to ignore the wreckage left in its wake. In California, this movement of betrayal has a particularly notorious figure at its helm: Mark Macarro of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians and current President of the National Congress of American Indians.

While the face of Macarro may be familiar to Californians from his appearances promoting tribal gaming, there is another, darker side to this leader. He is not only the public face of tribal gaming’s promise of prosperity, but also the face behind a brutal, calculated campaign to strip his own people of their birthright. The truth behind disenrollment within the Pechanga Band is one of greed, deception, and an unquenchable thirst for power—making it one of the most scandalous cases of disenfranchisement in Native American history.

Macarro's  Legacy of Corruption and Power

Mark Macarro’s consolidation of power came at a heavy price—one paid by his own tribal members. Under his leadership, the Pechanga tribe forcibly removed 25% of its membership. Thousands of individuals with deep roots, historical claims, and ancestral ties were unceremoniously stripped of their tribal citizenship. This was no mere bureaucratic exercise. It was an intentional and calculated move to consolidate power, to hoard the financial rewards of the Pechanga Resort & Casino, and to eliminate any voices of dissent. While tribal sovereignty allows tribes to determine enrollment, the reality is that the will of the people was undermined. When tribal members voted to end disenrollments, the Macarro-led council ignored their decision, choosing instead to perpetuate a process that would concentrate benefits into fewer hands.

Macarro and his allies on the council have not only disregarded the people’s voice but have also refused to address corruption within the Pechanga Enrollment Committee, which operates in blatant disregard for fairness and transparency. This committee shuffled critical documents to block rightful members from enrollment, revealing a shocking level of corruption and quid-pro-quo dealings within the tribal government. Instead of acting to protect the integrity of his people’s identity, Macarro allowed—and arguably encouraged—this manipulation, all to keep power centralized and unchallenged.

Personal Profit Above Tribal Welfare

The financial motives behind Macarro’s actions are undeniable. In one of the most glaring examples, he hired his second wife’s lobbying firm without the tribe’s General Council approval, funneling over $1.25 million of tribal funds to her company. This clear conflict of interest not only lines his own family’s pockets but speaks volumes about his regard for proper governance and tribal welfare. While the disenrolled suffer the loss of their heritage and community, Macarro ensures his inner circle reaps financial benefits.

Moreover, his failure to address a case of over 1,000 Class II slot machines (early 2000s)  disappearing under his watch raises serious questions. This is not an isolated incident; Macarro’s leadership has repeatedly tolerated, if not outright endorsed, corruption, as no charges were sought against those responsible, including a former tribal chairwoman. To claim ignorance or indifference is an insult to those who have lost everything under his rule.

DISENROLLMENT is Deception and Cultural Betrayal

One of the most offensive betrayals of all came when Macarro testified to Congress that the Pechanga tribe would preserve sacred cultural land, the Great Oak property. However, these promises were hollow; instead, a golf course was erected on that very land. Macarro’s disregard for the cultural heritage of his people extended not just to their membership rights but to their sacred spaces, a shocking contradiction that cannot be overlooked.

Adding to this legacy of deception, Macarro has twice attempted to appropriate water rights from Pechanga allotment holders, again misrepresenting facts to serve his agenda. These attempts to undermine the property rights of Native allotees—who have lived on and maintained these lands for generations—illustrate his willingness to distort reality to achieve his aims.  He was ultimately successful, due to his lobbyist wife writing the bill, but with modifications due to our meetings with the House Natural Resources Committee. 

The Apartheid Reservation

The creation of what can only be described as an apartheid-style reservation within Pechanga is perhaps the most heartbreaking of Macarro’s actions. Disenrolled children were forcibly removed from the tribal school, and Pechanga now resembles a divided society, with former members pushed to the margins, stripped of their cultural and political rights. The reservation has become a microcosm of exclusion and division, one that echoes some of the darkest chapters in history.

The fact that agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), and Native American Rights Fund (NARF) have turned a blind eye to this tragedy is equally appalling. By ignoring these egregious human rights abuses, they perpetuate the very betrayal of Native American communities they claim to protect. How long will they continue to support leaders like Macarro, who violate the very fabric of Indigenous identity?

Mark Macarro and those who support disenrollment are guilty of a betrayal that cuts to the core of what it means to be Native American. This isn’t merely about casino profits or political influence; it is about severing thousands of Native Americans from their heritage, their identity, and their community. The Pechanga Band may be the most prominent face of disenrollment, but its horrors reverberate across tribal lands throughout the nation.

Disenrollment is nothing less than a modern-day form of cultural genocide, erasing the identities of Native Americans with callousness and greed. It is long past time for those in positions of power to condemn disenrollment for what it is: an unforgivable betrayal.

RESTORE the Citizenship to Disenrolled Native Americans RIGHT NOW, DURING NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

This month-long holiday is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to pay homage to the important and numerous contributions of Native American people throughout the centuries.

Left unsaid is the issue of over 11,000 Native Americans who suffered the abuse of tribal disenrollment, moratoriums and banishment  at the hand of their own tribes.  This holiday month presents the PERFECT opportunity for tribes to restore their people to their rightful place in the tribe, to bring all the people home.

We have been writing this blog for over a decade and a half. That's much too long for tribal people to be out in the wilderness and for too many young Native Americans to be born without their rightful heritage.

Each picture on my left sidebar tells a different story, there are also numerous links to tribal stories of their heritage and rights ripped by corrupt councils.  

PLEASE..do the RIGHT THING this month, advocate for JUSTICE

Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro's Selective Amnesia: Ignoring Present-Day Trauma While Denouncing Historical Wrongs

Pechanga works to end being associated with the historical traumas of our ancestors, yet is willingly blind to the CURRENT TRAUMA they have perpetrated on our ancestor's descendants.  WHY is 19th century trauma, worse than 21st century trauma to the living?  MY FAMILY's Pechanga ancestors were abused by mission priests, the Spaniards, the Mexicans and the heritage they bequeathed us with, has been abused by Pechanga leadership. 
 
Pechanga has dropped the term LUISENO from it's well known name, as reported in the Press Enterprise .  

Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro stated:  “We have long discussed this name and its origins associated with the mistreatment, enslavement and killing of our ancestors.”

It is a grave oversight for Chairman  Macarro to denounce historical abuses while turning a blind eye to the present-day travesties perpetuated by his council of tribal leaders through disenrollment.

While he rightly acknowledges the mistreatment, enslavement, and killing of our ancestors, he conveniently ignores the current mistreatment inflicted by our own Pechanga leaders.

The trauma inflicted upon our people by mission priests centuries ago finds its modern counterpart in the egregious act of disenrollment.  Those of us who suffer this injustice experience a profound loss, not just of tribal affiliation, but of their very identity and heritage. The pain runs deep as they are forcibly severed from their ancestral roots, denied the connection to their tribe that is rightfully theirs.  This betrayal by those including Chairman Mcarro, who should protect and uphold their people's legacy only deepens the wounds of historical injustice, perpetuating a cycle of trauma that echoes across generations. It is time for tribal leadership to acknowledge and rectify these present-day abuses, prioritizing unity and healing over division and disenfranchisement.

At Pechanga, the disenrollment of my ancestor Paulina Hunter, 107 years after she died, and  decadess after she spent so many weeks of traveling by wagon from Los Angeles, to Temecula, to be included in the censuses was a direct attack, by people who were not with the tribe at that time.   The Butch Murphy family for one.

For many Native Americans, being part of a tribe is not just a matter of ancestry or heritage. It is a vital part of their identity, providing a sense of belonging and community that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. Losing that connection can be isolating and traumatic, leaving people feeling adrift and disconnected from their cultural and social roots. 

The 21st century should be a time for healing for all those who have been abused.  And there are 11,000 of us.  Come on, Chairman Macarro, DO THE RIGHT THING.

Preserving Heritage or Perpetuating Injustice? The Shocking Reality of Tribal Disenrollment in Native America

Thank you to the loyal readers of my ORIGINAL PECHANGA BLOG.    I've been away from this blog on tribal disenrollment for far too long.  At my age, I've given 17 years to it, and I've had many life changes recently (mostly good) including moving to the east coast, away from my ancentral lands.  We've not been able to establish a good beachhead in this battle,  I'd hoped for a lot more support from the 11,000 of us who have been affected.    But there's always hope that ONE MORE ARROW in the quiver will do the job.  Of course, I choose a day before I leave on vacation to bring my first post, but if you will help us by sharing on your social media AND email to your friends and family and ask them to start checking OPB again, maybe we can find some social justice and honor our ancestors.

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In the despicable and decades long saga of tribal disenrollment, a sentiment of profound disgust surges through the veins of justice.  The very act of disenrollment, stripping individuals of their rightful belonging within their tribes, is an affront to the principles of humanity and dignity.

 

It is a heinous betrayal not only of the present but also a dishonor to the sacred lineage of ancestors who fought to preserve the unique identities of Native communities. To witness tribes engaging in such a repugnant practice is to witness the erosion of the bonds that tie generations together, undermining the very essence of tribal unity and cultural continuity. 

The ancestors, whose sacrifices echo through time, are surely turning in their spiritual resting places at the desecration of the legacy they sought to protect. The stench of injustice in tribal disenrollment is a stain on the tapestry of Native history, and it is incumbent upon our government to rise with righteous indignation against this nauseating violation of the sacred right of belonging.

We are Betrayed and Abandoned:  Justice in Indian Country isn't only for Chiefs and Chairmen

In the vast expanse of Indian Country, our many rich traditions and diverse cultures intertwine, yet, a dark cloud looms over the sovereignty of tribes—a cloud forged by the betrayal of the weak and defenseless (those without power) within their own communities. It is high time our government stands up for the principles of justice, morality, and human rights by addressing the harrowing issue of tribal disenrollment.

The moral outrage against tribal disenrollment should not be a mere whisper; it demands a thunderous roar that resonates through the halls of power. The time has come to hold accountable those tribes that violate the rights of their own people, and the following measures are not just necessary but imperative:

Eliminate Federal Funding for Violating Tribes:

The lifeblood of tribal governance often flows from federal funding, empowering them to serve their communities. However, this financial support should not be an endorsement of injustice. The government must wield its financial influence judiciously, cutting off funding to tribes that trample upon the rights of their own members through disenrollment.

Cease Taking Land into Trust for Abusive Tribes:

Land is not just property; it is a sacred connection to the heritage and identity of Native communities. The government should refuse to take land into trust for tribes that engage in abusive practices such as disenrollment. By doing so, it sends a powerful message that the desecration of tribal identity will not be facilitated by the very entity meant to protect it.

Integrate Enforcement Actions into the Indian Civil Rights Act:

Justice delayed too long is justice denied, as the Rev. Martin Luther King wrote in his Letter from Birmingham Jail. It is time to fortify the legal arsenal against tribal disenrollment by incorporating enforcement actions into the Indian Civil Rights Act. This will provide a robust legal framework to address violations and ensure that the rights of individuals within tribes are safeguarded against arbitrary decisions that strip them of their identity and belonging.

Publicly Expose Tribes Guilty of Harm:   Can you say  PECHANGA, PALA, REDDING or CHUKCHANSI to name just a few?  We have many stories on this blog, PLEASE look around, and use the search bar to help.

Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and in this case, transparency is paramount. It is crucial to publicly expose tribes that have harmed over 11,000 Native individuals through disenrollment. By bringing these injustices to light, we not only hold the perpetrators accountable but also pave the way for a cultural shift within tribal communities, encouraging them to prioritize justice over division.

Tribes, like any other governing entity, have the right to autonomy, but this should not translate into impunity when it comes to violating the rights of their own people.  Our politicians must no longer lend their support to tribes that engage in such egregious practices. (GAVIN NEWSOM, KAMALA HARRIS)   The government's duty is not just to uphold sovereignty but to champion justice, ensuring that the weak and defenseless are shielded from the tyranny within their own tribes. 

It's time to demand accountability from our elected leaders, for THEM and US to stand up for the betrayed, and to forge a future where the principles of justice are etched into the very fabric of Indian Country.  NO MORE LIP SERVICE.

270 Native Americans, Majority Navajo, Living on the Streets of Phoenix After Sober Living Home Crackdown

 Navajo law enforcement teams made contact with several hundred Native Americans from various tribes who are living on the streets in the metro Phoenix area, after the state cracked down on Medicaid fraud and suspended unlicensed sober living homes, Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch said Monday.  Read the Full Story Here

Teams that included Navajo police officers reported making contact with more than 270 Native Americans, the majority of them Navajo, Branch said.

Many tribal members accepted offers to stay in motel rooms or other temporary housing for a few days before moving to legitimate facilities, while others agreed to return home to their reservations, Branch said. The teams worked with local police agencies and Community Bridges, Inc., a nonprofit that provides services for people with addictions.

“Unfortunately, many of our relatives when they came out of these facilities didn't have cell phones,” Branch said, adding that Navajo police officers allowed the people they found to use their own cell phones to call their families.

INDIAN COUNTRY MUST LIGHT THE PATH TO ABUSING TRIBES Restore Justice and Compassion: Returning Disenrolled Native Americans to Their Tribes

Or, is it the NEW Indian Way

The issue of disenrollment of Native Americans from their tribes is  demands urgent attention from both tribal communities and the federal government. 

Disenrollment is a violation of basic human rights, which not only undermines the dignity and self-determination of those affected but also damages the fabric of our tribal communities as a whole.

The practice of disenrollment is not a new phenomenon, but it has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, particularly in California. Many tribes have members from their rolls, often due to disputes over membership eligibility or claims of fraudulent enrollment.  Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro actually said my ancestor was fraudulently enrolled, which would make ANY current Pechanga member fraudulently enrolled, 

Disenrollment robs individuals of their heritage and identity, and also strips them of their access to essential tribal services, such as health care, education, and housing, as we've seen in the Nooksack 306 eviction hearings

The need for social justice and compassion in addressing this issue cannot be overstated. Native Americans have endured centuries of oppression, genocide, and forced assimilation at the hands of the federal government and colonizers. Disenrollment perpetuates this legacy of injustice and further marginalizes already vulnerable communities.

Elizabeth Hoover, Berkeley Professora CONFIRMS "I AM A WHITE PERSON" Pretendian NO MORE

 Another day, another academician caught in a LIE about their use of false native ancestry to get ahead. 

Elizabeth Hoover
UC Berkeley Professor

 Why do people want to be like Elizabeth Warren?  Or Ward Churchill?  Or Andrea Smith?  PRETENDIAN, they name is Elizabeth HOOVER.  It's still a growing cancer, to steal benefits from real native Americans

From Karen Townsend at HOT AIR:

This controversy has been going on for months. In October 2022, Hoover admitted she had no documents to prove her ancestry. She was hired by UC – Berkeley in 2020 as part of a diversity program. She specializes in environmental justice in Native American communities. On her new personal website, she issued her statement and said she will no longer claim Mohawk and Mi’kmaq ancestry. She is being labeled a pretendian.

I asked Are Pretendians the Reason for a spike in Native Population?

Students are checked harder than professors about their backgrounds.  It's getting ridiculous.

Saginaw Chippewa ENDS DISENROLLMENT ACTION Against MAYS FAMILY

 BOOM!   JUSTICE for Saginaw Chippewa family as tribe DROPS their disenrollment actions against them.

An Isabella County family that has been fighting Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe disenrollment since the 1990s has won a third case with the help of genealogists and their longtime, Mt. Pleasant attorney.

Through its attorney, Shawn R. Frank of Jacobson, Buffalo, Magnuson, Anderson and Hogan of St. Paul, the Tribe agreed March 17 to drop the latest disenrollment action against the Mays family.

“The Tribe and their certified genealogist have…determined to not pursue further disenrollment action,” according to the order from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Office of Administrative Hearings.

Attorney Paula Fisher said the family was targeted “on and off” since and that they were first accused of not tracing to the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Constitution base rolls, and the Tribe agreed that they collaterally traced to them in 2009, resulting in the dismissal of that case with prejudice, meaning that should have ended further actions.

“Then, in 2014, the Tribe changed their laws and made dismissal with prejudice meaningless by challenging the Mays family yet again and asserted that the Mays family needed to trace lineally to the Tribal Constitutional base rolls,” Fisher said. “The Mays family next proved that they did lineally trace when the Office of Administration hearings granted the May’s family’s motion (to dismiss the case) in 2017.”

Read the full story at the MORNING SUN here  and KEEP WORKING FOR JUSTICE!

Letter to Senate Indian Committee on Tribal Disenrollment and Protecting ALL Native Americans

Dear Senator,

I am writing to bring attention to the urgent issue of tribal disenrollment and the abuse of Native American people by their own tribes. This is a matter of great concern and requires immediate action to protect the rights and well-being of Native Americans.

It is the responsibility of the United States government to ensure that the rights of all Native Americans are protected. This responsibility extends beyond just the Chiefs and Chairman of tribes, but to all members of Native American communities. The government has a duty to intervene when tribes are abusing their own people, particularly when disenrollment is being used as a tool for power and control.

Tribal disenrollment has become a widespread problem throughout Indian Country, and it has devastating consequences for those who are disenrolled. These individuals lose their tribal membership, their identity, and their rights as Native Americans without review or protection by the Federal Government. They are often cut off from vital services, such as healthcare and education, and may be forced to leave their homes and communities.

The process of disenrollment often violates tribal laws, traditions, and values. Many tribes have their own legal systems that have been developed over centuries, and these systems must be respected and followed. When tribes disregard their own laws and ignore evidence in order to disenroll their own people, they are perpetuating a cycle of abuse and disrespect.

We call upon the United States government to take action to protect Native Americans from these abuses. The government should create a task force to investigate instances of tribal disenrollment and ensure that the rights of ALL Native Americans are being protected. Additionally, the government should work with tribes to develop procedures that ensure due process and fairness in disenrollment cases.

It is time for the United States government to fulfill its responsibility to Native Americans and protect them from the abuses of their own tribes. We must work together to ensure that all Native Americans have access to their rightful identity, history, and heritage.

Sincerely,

Native American Leaders Must Act Now Against Disenrollment: Have You No Sense of Decency

BE A LEADER

Native American Tribal Leaders, at long last, have you left no sense of decency? As elected officials, you have a responsibility to protect the rights of your citizens, and that includes the right to their tribal citizenship and heritage.

Disenrollment is a tragic stain on the very fabric of tribal sovereignty and self-governance, and it is up to you to put an end to it. The harm that disenrollment has caused to families and communities is immeasurable and goes against the fundamental values of Native American cultures. 

It's time to take a stand and say enough is enough.

Let us not be remembered as the generation that destroyed the very foundations of our people's heritage and identity.  Let's restore the ancestors to their rightful place in tribal history.

Why The Scourge of Tribal Disenrollment is a Human Rights Issue Every Native Should Care About

As long as I am disenrolled, I will continue to fight for my ancestors rights and my descendants, and I will keep asking for YOU to join the fight for us.

Why WE ALL Should Care About Disenrollment even in you are not affected.

Disenrollment is the practice that involves stripping Native Americans of their citizenship and heritage, perpetrated by Native Americans themselves to gain money, benefits, and power. It's a harmful and disturbing trend that has affected over 10,000 people, with far-reaching implications.

You may wonder why you should care about disenrollment, especially if you're not a member of a Native American tribe. But the answer is simple: if one person's rights are violated, it affects us all. Disenrollment is a violation of basic human rights, and it goes against the very principles of democracy, fairness, and justice that we hold dear. And one our tribal leaders purport to support.

When tribes were granted gaming licenses, they made a promise to voters that they would take care of their people. Disenrollment, along with other practices such as banishments and moratoriums, directly contradicts that promise. Not only does it harm individual tribal members, but it also undermines tribal self-governance, making it harder to gain support from those who doubt the ability of tribal governments to handle membership issues.  Not following tribal law and the tribe's own consitution as what happened to my Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians has done JUST THAT.

Moreover, disenrollment tears apart our ancestral connections that tribal members have with their communities. It's not just about being kicked out of a tribe; it's about losing cultural identities, religious ceremonies, activities, politics, burials, education, and customs that are an integral part of their lives. This type of isolation and separation is cruel and inhumane, and it's a sentence of imprisonment for life.

But it's not just a matter of basic human rights; it's a matter of ethics and morality. Disenrollment is not the traditional way of the Native Americans, and it's only used in extreme cases. This practice is being called the new genocide, and it's being perpetrated by tribal officials who are supposed to protect the rights of their tribal citizens. It's time to demand moral and ethical integrity in regards to human rights and the law.

Why stand idly by and watch as these atrocities continue to occur? It's time to take action and hold these officials accountable for their harmful actions. One way to do this is to stop patronizing offending tribes' casinos, hotels, restaurants, powwows, and clubs. 

Let them know that we do not agree with their system of denying civil rights to their people and that we will not support their nation until they follow their own tribal law.

We must demand that tribes who disenroll en masse, like Chukchansi is doing now,  should lose Federal funding and benefits, including land trusts. The American people should not be paying tribes who violate the civil and human rights of their people. Our representatives should shun these tribes and use their bully pulpit to fight for the rights of the people who have been beaten by the club of sovereignty.

It's time for the Department of Interior and Congress to step up and uphold the protection of our civil rights and protect tribal members from rogue governments that break tribal laws and constitutions. The trust responsibility of Congress extends to all Native Americans, not just Chiefs and Chairmen. We must demand that they do their duty to protect our civil rights and the rights of all tribal members.

Disenrollment matters. It's a violation of basic human rights, and it goes against the very principles of democracy and fairness that we hold dear. We must demand change and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

BOYCOTT CHUKCHANSI GOLD CASINO AND THE PRCI FOR ITS HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS ABUSES

 

We cannot allow the Tribal Nation of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi  to continue disenrolling its own citizens and denying them their civil rights. It is time for us to take action and make our voices heard.

History has shown us that economic sanctions and public embarrassment can be effective tools in bringing down hateful policies. Just look at how the world came together to impose economic sanctions on South Africa to end apartheid. We can use similar tactics to hold the PRCI accountable for their actions.

Citizens of  California must take a stand and boycott Picayune's casino, hotel, restaurants, and powwows. Let them know that we will not support a nation that denies the rights of its own citizens. We must also let our state and federal representatives know that we expect them not to support a nation that engages in such harmful practices.  Read SHOULD THE BIA WITHDRAW RECOGNITION

We cannot allow Picayune, to benefit from their violations of their own laws and the rights of their citizens. We must stand with the over 500 members of the band who were disenrolled and the hundred more with disenrollments pending.  We must demand that Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians follow their own tribal law and respect the rights of their citizens.

It is time for action. We cannot sit idly by while our fellow citizens are being stripped of their identity and their rights. Join us in boycotting Chukchansi and holding them accountable for their actions. Together, we can make a difference and demand justice for all.