The Splinter Group - Part 3
The Pechanga Band had a stable government for many years. Over a period of 10 years or so, the Band developed and adopted a Constitution and an Enrollment procedure in response to the growing population on the reservation and the need of the Band for a more formal governing structure.
After the Constitution was adopted and the enrollment criteria decided upon, the Band proceeded to enroll approximately 450 members in full compliance with its enrollment procedures.
A small group of dissidents, led by BM, refused to acknowledge the Band’s Constitution and the tribal enrollment process. In fact, they refused to apply for enrollment. This small group announced to the Pechanga Band at a tribal meeting that they were breaking away from the Band and forming their own tribal government.
Prior to breaking away from the Band, the Splinter Group took steps to disrupt the workings of the government. Below are some quotes regarding the Splinter Group’s actions: “…we never did get past the first item which was a petition circulated by JM to abolish the bylaws and new roll. They wanted to go by recognition only…If they don’t like you, you never get recognized though you would be a legitimate member by lineal descent.” “…I felt we needed police protection. They were that violent.” “…the violence of the opposition would not allow the continuance of agenda. Now they are starting their own band. This stems from agitators who probably do not have a Pechanga or Temecula back ground.” “We may have to take legal action before something drastic happens here.”
These actions, along with their need to abolish the adopted Constitution and enrollment criteria and their failure to apply for enrollment, are signs that the Splinter Group “probably do not have a Pechanga or Temecula back ground.”
If they did have lineal descent and could meet the enrollment criteria developed and approved by the tribe, why was it necessary to cause such disruption of tribal government and eventually break away to form its own government with separate enrollment criteria?
Was their breaking away from the Band to form their own government a concession that they in fact could not meet the enrollment criteria and they were not tribal members as defined in the Band’s governing documents?
3 comments:
Didn't Ihrene Scearce, A Masiel crime family member, steal from the tribe in the early 80's?
Bad Apples aren't they?
Its pretty clear here when you read your side of the story that there is some ammount of spin here biased towards your position.
Note i am not pechanga and have no interests on either side.
It seems that the splinter group was unhappy with the fact that enrollment proceedures were not being followed at that time and was at least a part of their want to suceed from the tribal governmen that was not operating acording to bylaws. Therefore if they were being treated poorly they would NOT have been eligible the persons on the comittee at that time do not appear as though they would have accepted the splinter folks's enrollment app's anyways.
So that when you were (and your family) were not threatened by them they were not needing support, nor would you atept out to help them, of course, nor are you now supporting their rise to power... who would.... BIA help, no thanks!
After they rose to control the tribe, they began to fight amongst themselves (the splinter cell that gained control) and used their power to gat revenge upon those that would never allow equality in the first place.
Not all that surprising when you all had adoptee's and member with questionable enrollment all along.
Lets be honest.
Anonymous, it was the Splinter Group who was against the constitution and bylaws and the enrollment procedures from the start.
In fact, it was our family who helped one Splinter Group family get their adoption put to a vote of the people.
So not only did we not hinder them from being in the tribe we actually helped them get in.
Big mistake!
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