Friends of the Cherokee Freedmen and supporters of treaty rights and civil rights should plan on attending Indiana University's program on the Freedmen's tribal expulsion.
Indiana University's First Nations Educational and Cultural Center will celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month with a series of activities in November, begining with a reception on Wednesday (Nov. 5) that it is sponsoring with the city of Bloomington.
Nov. 10, 6 p.m. -- Marilyn Vann, president of the Descendants of Freedmen Association, will lead a discussion about the Black Freedmen of the Cherokee nation, the tribal expulsion and the current situation. The program will take place in the Bridgwaters Lounge of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, 275 N. Jordan Ave. A reception will follow. More information is available at http://www.libraries.iub.edu/index.php?pageId=2340. Sponsored by the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center Library.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Request for Johnny Mathis to Cancel Performance at Pechanga
After Bill Cosby made his stand at Chukchansi last year, we are requesting that Mr. Mathis, one of America's greatest singers, support those who have had their civil rights violated by Pechanga. Fax numbers are INCLUDED in the comments.
Here is that letter I received from family:
Dear Mr. Mathis:
Please accept this letter as a request that you decline to perform at the Pechanga Resort and Casino, which is owned by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians, on December 13, 2008.
Over the past 4 years, Pechanga Tribal Officials have denied and/or stripped tribal members of their basic human and civil rights and eventually stripped of the members of their tribal citizenship. Even though such actions violate tribal and federal laws established to protect individuals from "arbitrary and capricious" acts of government officials, Pechanga tribal officials have escaped prosecution by claiming immunity from suit.
As a result, nearly 400 tribal citizens have been stripped of the rights and privileges other tribal members currently enjoy. Elders and children have been cut-off from programs, health insurance and medical care have been denied, education benefits have been cut, and per capita payments have been stopped. In addition, tribal members are no longer eligible to receive federal assistance since their status as a federally recognized Indian has been taken from them.
Pechanga is not the only place where such actions are occurring. Sadly, California Indian Country has been over-run by gross human and civil rights violations and thousands of individual Indians have been victimized. Pechanga has most recently been surpassed by the Picayune Rancheria (Chukchansi) near Fresno , California. The Chukchansi Band reportedly rid itself off half its membership, 600 in all, with threats of more terminations to follow.
In response to what is happening at Chukchansi, Bill Cosby cancelled his Labor Day weekend appearance at the Chukchansi Gold Casino in 2007
Please read the stories attached regarding the actions taken by Pechanga Tribal Officials to victimize their own members. These acts have been compared to cultural genocide as hundreds of Indians are being "killed-off" so that others may benefit.
I hope after reading the information provided you decide to cancel your performance at the Pechanga Resort and Casino. If you need more information, would like to discuss this further, or would like to meet with those who have been stripped or denied of their basic human and civil rights, please feel free to contact me at originalpechanga2@yahoo.com
Why Those Who Have Been Denied Their Civil Rights By Pechanga, Redding, Enterprise, Picayune should Support Obama and The Congressional Black Caucus
Not to pick sides or try and influence how you may vote on November 4th, but a key advisor to Senator Obama just happens to be John Conyers, the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
Chairman Conyers and the Congressional Black Caucus hosted a panel discussion on the Cherokee Freedmen issue at their last conference in September 2008.
The Chairman supports the efforts on behalf of the Freedmen and played a role on getting hearings on the Freedmen issue scheduled for the next session of Congress (I will touch more on this in a later email).
His input, if Senator Obama is elected President, could lean towards selecting an Assistant Secretary who understands that civil rights for individual Indians are a key aspect of sovereignty. Rep. Barney Frank has already stood up for the Freedmen and will support those of us who have been denied Civil Rights. Maybe some hearings about those tribes that have wielded sovereignty like a club will ensue.
Additionally, Barack Obama wants to raise taxes on the rich and that will affect those like Pechanga, who enriched themselves by destroying 300 of their tribesman. A small way to raise $20,000 from each of them.
Lastly, because it will be good for UNION! Card check will be passed and unions can take over tribal casinos with just a little strong arming of the future rank and file. But more importantly, unions will be able to use the dues to keep Democrats in office.
Chairman Conyers and the Congressional Black Caucus hosted a panel discussion on the Cherokee Freedmen issue at their last conference in September 2008.
The Chairman supports the efforts on behalf of the Freedmen and played a role on getting hearings on the Freedmen issue scheduled for the next session of Congress (I will touch more on this in a later email).
His input, if Senator Obama is elected President, could lean towards selecting an Assistant Secretary who understands that civil rights for individual Indians are a key aspect of sovereignty. Rep. Barney Frank has already stood up for the Freedmen and will support those of us who have been denied Civil Rights. Maybe some hearings about those tribes that have wielded sovereignty like a club will ensue.
Additionally, Barack Obama wants to raise taxes on the rich and that will affect those like Pechanga, who enriched themselves by destroying 300 of their tribesman. A small way to raise $20,000 from each of them.
Lastly, because it will be good for UNION! Card check will be passed and unions can take over tribal casinos with just a little strong arming of the future rank and file. But more importantly, unions will be able to use the dues to keep Democrats in office.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Interlude: Tony Hillerman
Tony Hillerman, author of the acclaimed Navajo Tribal Police mystery novels and creator of two of the unlikeliest of literary heroes - the Navajo police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee - has died of pulmonary failure. He was 83.
Wonderful books and helped to bring the Navajo culture to mainstream America. In 1987, the Navajo Nation Council honored him with its Special Friend of the Dineh award
Wonderful books and helped to bring the Navajo culture to mainstream America. In 1987, the Navajo Nation Council honored him with its Special Friend of the Dineh award
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Political Interlude: Obama's Redistribution of Wealth
UPDATE: Beldar has an explanation as to HOW TO EXPLAIN OBAMA'S REDISTRIBUTION to a KID
Grades come out tomorrow," said my daughter Molly, an eighth grader, when I picked her up at school this afternoon.
"Great," I answered, "How d'ya think you're gonna do?"
"Pretty well," Molly said confidently.
"What will probably be your best grade?" I asked.
"Guitar," she said, "That will probably be a 97 or a 98."
"Cool," I said. "You really have been successful. But I think you should tell your Guitar teacher that you want to give six or seven of those points to some of your classmates who haven't practiced so hard or don't have the talent you have."
She looked up at me, startled. "What?"
"That class is easy for you, and you have lots more points than you need for an A. They need those points more than you do," I explained.
"Then they should have worked harder!" she protested. "Yeah, I'm sort of talented, but I worked hard to get those grades! I earned them!"
"So you're telling me that you think it's fair for you to get to keep all of those good grades, both the part that comes from your having worked harder than your classmates, and the part that comes from the musical talent you inherited from me and your mom. Is that what you're saying?"
"Well, yeah!" Read the rest at the link above
================================================
Got this in my email:
Redistribution of wealth
Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign the read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed.
Once in the restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed--just imagine the coincidence. When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.
I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as Ive decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful. At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.
I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.
OR IS IT? REDISTRIBUTION OF SOMEONE ELSE'S WEALTH IS A GREAT IDEA.......or just a fools political game?
Grades come out tomorrow," said my daughter Molly, an eighth grader, when I picked her up at school this afternoon.
"Great," I answered, "How d'ya think you're gonna do?"
"Pretty well," Molly said confidently.
"What will probably be your best grade?" I asked.
"Guitar," she said, "That will probably be a 97 or a 98."
"Cool," I said. "You really have been successful. But I think you should tell your Guitar teacher that you want to give six or seven of those points to some of your classmates who haven't practiced so hard or don't have the talent you have."
She looked up at me, startled. "What?"
"That class is easy for you, and you have lots more points than you need for an A. They need those points more than you do," I explained.
"Then they should have worked harder!" she protested. "Yeah, I'm sort of talented, but I worked hard to get those grades! I earned them!"
"So you're telling me that you think it's fair for you to get to keep all of those good grades, both the part that comes from your having worked harder than your classmates, and the part that comes from the musical talent you inherited from me and your mom. Is that what you're saying?"
"Well, yeah!" Read the rest at the link above
================================================
Got this in my email:
Redistribution of wealth
Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign the read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed.
Once in the restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed--just imagine the coincidence. When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.
I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as Ive decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful. At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.
I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.
OR IS IT? REDISTRIBUTION OF SOMEONE ELSE'S WEALTH IS A GREAT IDEA.......or just a fools political game?
Is Pechanga's Violation of the ICRA What you thought Self Reliance and Tribal Sovereignty Was About?
When Pechanga Spokesman Mark Macarro stood before you asking for help passing Prop. 1A and Prop. 5 he told you that there would be limited gambling and that money would be used to help lift the tribe out of poverty. He has violated the spirit of the Indian Civil Rights Act and has made many tribes in Indian Country look bad.
FACT: Under Macarro's leadership, the Temecula Band of Mission Indians have disenrolled 25% of their people. Did he tell us that he was going to eliminate so many Indians from the Tribe?
FACT: Pechanga has violated the civil rights of its members by terminating membership before elections, eliminating large voting blocs and controlling the votes. And we thought Florida had voter fraud?
FACT: Pechanga is keeping at least 400 RIGHTFUL Pechanga people from membership via an unlawful moratorium (against the Pechanga Constitution and Bylaws), when the constitution calls for open enrollment.
FACT: Mark Macarro did NOT grow up on the Pechanga Reservation, but went to Colton High School. His father went to San Bernardino High. He’s a city-slicker who’s fooled so many.
FACT: Pechanga hired an expert to determine the heritage of the Hunter family. That expert, the foremost authority on California Indians, Dr. John Johnson, determined that Paulina Hunter was indeed Pechanga, more so than any other family. The Macarro-led tribe still took away the family's heritage. Lawrence Madariaga, Hunter family elder, has lived on the reservation for 60 years, which is 60 MORE years than Macarro or his father.
FACT: Pechanga tried to keep Californians from VOTING on the February propositions, interfering in the state's business. Using tribal gaming money to try to DENY Californians’ their lawful rights. And you thought there was voter fraud in Florida?
FACT: PECHANGA lobbied successfully to keep the Quechan tribe from getting a casino, yet whine that other tribes try to keep Pechanga from getting richer at their expense.
FACT: Pechanga disenrolling it's members is NOT like losing a country club membership or getting booted from the PTA. It causes real pain and anguish as related HERE. It also puts the BURDEN of their health care and education BACK on the people of California.
FACT: YOU can sign a petition showing your displeasure with Pechanga's corrupt activities HERE.
FACT: $50,000 to the high schools should NOT wash away the $180,000,000 the tribe has taken away from the disenrolled people. A donation to the YMCA or Boys Club should not hide the fact that Pechanga has acted unconstitutionally in denying enrollment with their moratorium (Against the Pechanga Band's Constitution and Bylaws)
FACT: Pechanga used the word of a child molestor in PRISON, versus the certified documents of the Hunter family. Megans Law has a few Pechanga people on it, so they kept their molestors but terminated peaceful people.
FACT: Pechanga did not allow those they disenrolled to have attorney's present. Nor to have writing implements to take notes. They had armed guards to watch over the disenrollees after their pat down search. The Enrollment committee would not answer questions as to what evidence was needed, as required by law.
FACT: During one appeals hearing, those same guards were CRYING after hearing the message, hugging the appellants as they left the hearing, whose outcome was pre-determined.
If Pechanga violates it’s OWN LAWS with impugnity, wouldn’t it follow that they would violate state law too? You DO know you lose many of your rights when you visit the Pechanga Casino.
Ask your Congressman if this is what they thought Self Reliance and Tribal Sovereignty was all about.
You can exercise your outrage at Pechanga by avoiding their business and saving your money.
Friday, October 24, 2008
How to WIN at the Pechanga Casino
Get outta here! YOU CAN'T WIN, the machines are designed to take your money. And besides if a machine malfunctions, WHO are you going to complain to? Manager's have been fired for cheating THEIR OWN WORKERS, (even though it took MONTHS to fire the son of the former tribal spokesman) you think they care about YOU?
The Pechanga Casino in Temecula features hundreds of table games and over 3,500 slot machines. Do you think they would be able to put all those games and machines in their casino IF there was a good chance you would win money? Each machine was averaging $325 a day in 2004. Do you think in the tough economy they might tighten the reels a bit? You DID know they don't have to put the win % on tribal slots, like they do in Las Vegas.
Exactly how do you think that each Pechanga member can be paid $360,000 per year? By you WINNING? Hardly. Take $20 and if you don't hit it big, QUIT. If you win more than 25% STOP PLAYING and go home with your winnings.
The best thing you can do is take a coupon in for the buffet and start with the expensive items! Lamb, shrimp, crab cakes, steak or sushi (not rolls). LEAVE the salads and cheap jello desserts and go for the chocolate. Take a ziploc for snacks and splenda to extend your pleasure!
The drinks? Well, they have automated pourers, so the bartenders can't make it stronger for you, so find a deal on beers, at least you know what you are getting.
Avoid the fancy restaurants because a steak is: $38 for a 7 oz filet and a breast of chicken is $32 at the great oak. Shoot, a plate of SPAGHETTI is $13 and that's with NO SALAD at Paisano's.
Tip well, as the staff could be layed off at anytime, but STAY away from the machines. REMEMBER, Pechanga has cheated their own people to make their share of the pie much larger. So you know that:
The Pechanga Casino in Temecula features hundreds of table games and over 3,500 slot machines. Do you think they would be able to put all those games and machines in their casino IF there was a good chance you would win money? Each machine was averaging $325 a day in 2004. Do you think in the tough economy they might tighten the reels a bit? You DID know they don't have to put the win % on tribal slots, like they do in Las Vegas.
Exactly how do you think that each Pechanga member can be paid $360,000 per year? By you WINNING? Hardly. Take $20 and if you don't hit it big, QUIT. If you win more than 25% STOP PLAYING and go home with your winnings.
The best thing you can do is take a coupon in for the buffet and start with the expensive items! Lamb, shrimp, crab cakes, steak or sushi (not rolls). LEAVE the salads and cheap jello desserts and go for the chocolate. Take a ziploc for snacks and splenda to extend your pleasure!
The drinks? Well, they have automated pourers, so the bartenders can't make it stronger for you, so find a deal on beers, at least you know what you are getting.
Avoid the fancy restaurants because a steak is: $38 for a 7 oz filet and a breast of chicken is $32 at the great oak. Shoot, a plate of SPAGHETTI is $13 and that's with NO SALAD at Paisano's.
Tip well, as the staff could be layed off at anytime, but STAY away from the machines. REMEMBER, Pechanga has cheated their own people to make their share of the pie much larger. So you know that:
IF THEY CHEAT THEIR OWN, THEY'LL CHEAT YOU
Like in the movie War Games, the answer is:
The only way to win is NOT TO PLAY
After Lying to Congress to Acquire Land, Pechanga opens $200 per round JOURNEY Golf Course
The new JOURNEY at Pechanga is open for play.
Golfers, PLEASE don't take too deep a divot, as our ancestors are buried there. Pechanga lied to get the land into trust as we reported HERE and now, for $200 you can play over the bodies and history of the Pechanga Temecula people.
A LIE is as good as the truth, if you can get someone to believe it. According to a Macarro: Once the land is placed in trust, a tribe has complete zoning and planning authority over it and can change land uses...
Meaning: It's not a lie, we just changed our minds.
Golfers, PLEASE don't take too deep a divot, as our ancestors are buried there. Pechanga lied to get the land into trust as we reported HERE and now, for $200 you can play over the bodies and history of the Pechanga Temecula people.
A LIE is as good as the truth, if you can get someone to believe it. According to a Macarro: Once the land is placed in trust, a tribe has complete zoning and planning authority over it and can change land uses...
Meaning: It's not a lie, we just changed our minds.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Quechans Say Their President Breaking Tribal Law
Sunlight is the best disinfectant.
Former Quechan tribal councilmen and current tribe members say tribal President Mike Jackson is denying access to public documentation on a proposed new casino.
They say repeated requests for public information meetings have been ignored by Jackson and the current council. Tribal elders Preston Arrow-Weed, Priscilla Prettybird and Vernon Smith and tribal members Valerie Jose-O'Brien and Yolanda Escalanti say Jackson and the council have disallowed viewing of financial documents linked to the bonds and financing for a proposed casino resort off Interstate 8 and Algodones Road.
Under tribal law, they say, any financial transactions or dealings must be documented and available to tribal members during normal business hours Monday through Friday
Story HERE
Former Quechan tribal councilmen and current tribe members say tribal President Mike Jackson is denying access to public documentation on a proposed new casino.
They say repeated requests for public information meetings have been ignored by Jackson and the current council. Tribal elders Preston Arrow-Weed, Priscilla Prettybird and Vernon Smith and tribal members Valerie Jose-O'Brien and Yolanda Escalanti say Jackson and the council have disallowed viewing of financial documents linked to the bonds and financing for a proposed casino resort off Interstate 8 and Algodones Road.
Under tribal law, they say, any financial transactions or dealings must be documented and available to tribal members during normal business hours Monday through Friday
Story HERE
The American Indian Rights and Resources Organization Works to Enforce the Government's Trust Responsibility
AIRRO is always looking to expand their membership. Please consider joining, to help defend the civil rights of the Individual Indian. Many tribes like the Cherokee, Pechanga, Picayune and Redding are stripping citizens of their basic civil and human rights. Help raise the volume by joining.
The American Indian Rights and Resources Organization was founded to educate and assist all individuals regarding basic human and civil rights issues throughout Indian Country.
AIRRO recognizes that there is a growing trend within Indian Country where many individual Indians and non-Indians alike are being denied or stripped of basic human and civil rights afforded to all United States citizens. As such, AIRRO’s goals are to educate the public about these injustices and effect change to provide all individuals with equal rights and protections .
AIRRO will serve as a resource for those seeking information or assistance regarding the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 and other laws which impact the human rights and civil liberties of Indians and non-Indian individuals.
AIRRO will work to assist individuals in order to protect, promote, and preserve the basic human rights and civil liberties of the individual as those rights are enumerated in applicable federal, state, tribal and international laws.
AIRRO will also work to enforce the U.S. Government's trust responsibility to the Indian individual and show that this trust responsibility is equally as important as the government-to-government relationship between Indian Tribes and the federal government.
AIRRO believes that victims whose human rights and/or civil liberties have been violated should be allowed to confront their oppressor in a fair, just, and unbiased forum.
AIRRO condemns any acts which violate the human rights and civil liberties of any person or persons, especially when the perpetrators claim immunity from prosecution based on their status as “tribal officials“.
You do not need to be an American Indian in order to be an AIRRO member. Membership in AIRRO is open to all who support the belief that basic human rights and civil liberties should be afforded to all people.
If you believe in equal rights and equal protection for all, we would love to have you as a member of AIRRO.
Please download and fill out the AIRRO Membership Application available here or contact AIRRO at mail@airro.org.
The American Indian Rights and Resources Organization was founded to educate and assist all individuals regarding basic human and civil rights issues throughout Indian Country.
AIRRO recognizes that there is a growing trend within Indian Country where many individual Indians and non-Indians alike are being denied or stripped of basic human and civil rights afforded to all United States citizens. As such, AIRRO’s goals are to educate the public about these injustices and effect change to provide all individuals with equal rights and protections .
AIRRO will serve as a resource for those seeking information or assistance regarding the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 and other laws which impact the human rights and civil liberties of Indians and non-Indian individuals.
AIRRO will work to assist individuals in order to protect, promote, and preserve the basic human rights and civil liberties of the individual as those rights are enumerated in applicable federal, state, tribal and international laws.
AIRRO will also work to enforce the U.S. Government's trust responsibility to the Indian individual and show that this trust responsibility is equally as important as the government-to-government relationship between Indian Tribes and the federal government.
AIRRO believes that victims whose human rights and/or civil liberties have been violated should be allowed to confront their oppressor in a fair, just, and unbiased forum.
AIRRO condemns any acts which violate the human rights and civil liberties of any person or persons, especially when the perpetrators claim immunity from prosecution based on their status as “tribal officials“.
You do not need to be an American Indian in order to be an AIRRO member. Membership in AIRRO is open to all who support the belief that basic human rights and civil liberties should be afforded to all people.
If you believe in equal rights and equal protection for all, we would love to have you as a member of AIRRO.
Please download and fill out the AIRRO Membership Application available here or contact AIRRO at mail@airro.org.
San Manuel Donates $1 Million to Havasupai Tribe
To help offset the devastation caused by flooding in the Grand Canyon, the San Manuel Band is donating $1 million to help the Havasupai tribe regain its footing.
Story HERE
Story HERE
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Three Months after MONGOLS Gang Planned Rally At Pechanga; RAIDED
UPDATE: A federal judge in Los Angeles has barred the Mongols motorcycle gang from wearing or distributing its trademarked logo after authorities arrested dozens of its members in six states.
U.S. District Court Judge Florence-Marie Cooper granted an injunction requested by prosecutors Wednesday that prohibits gang members, their family members and associates from wearing, licensing, selling or distributing the logo.
In a story we wrote about HERE, the Mongols were going to use Pechanga Casino as a rally point, having some friends there.
Yesterday they were raided by ATF and other Feds:
More than 1,000 heavily armed federal agents and local police fanned out across Southern California and cities in five other states early this morning, arresting dozens of members of the notorious Mongols motorcycle gang on federal racketeering charges.But the most lasting blow to the San Gabriel Valley-based bikers may be down the road: In an unusual maneuver, the feds are also seeking to seize control of the Mongols' trademarked name, which is typically accompanied by its cherished insignia -- a ponytailed Genghis Khan-like figure riding a chopper.
Welcome to those who are looking for NEWS on the raid of the MONGOLS Motorcycle Gang
U.S. District Court Judge Florence-Marie Cooper granted an injunction requested by prosecutors Wednesday that prohibits gang members, their family members and associates from wearing, licensing, selling or distributing the logo.
In a story we wrote about HERE, the Mongols were going to use Pechanga Casino as a rally point, having some friends there.
Yesterday they were raided by ATF and other Feds:
More than 1,000 heavily armed federal agents and local police fanned out across Southern California and cities in five other states early this morning, arresting dozens of members of the notorious Mongols motorcycle gang on federal racketeering charges.But the most lasting blow to the San Gabriel Valley-based bikers may be down the road: In an unusual maneuver, the feds are also seeking to seize control of the Mongols' trademarked name, which is typically accompanied by its cherished insignia -- a ponytailed Genghis Khan-like figure riding a chopper.
Welcome to those who are looking for NEWS on the raid of the MONGOLS Motorcycle Gang
Native American Code Talkers Recognized
President Bush signed the Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008 into law this week.
Even though Native American's weren't granted citizenship until 1924, the American military’s use of Native American code talkers goes back to October, 1918, and were extensively used throughout both the European and Pacific theaters during World War II
.
Senator John Thune made the announcement on Friday, saying that code talkers provided secure communications that the Axis powers were never able to decode, ultimately helping save lives and enabling Allied victory. Because the innovative communications used by the code talkers were based on native languages and not mathematical progressions nor machine-based code, enemy forces were unable to exploit Allied exchanges for the length of the war. These secure communications proved to be both faster and more secure than other methods of encrypting and sending messages - an incredible benefit in keeping the advantage of surprise during combat operations.
San Manuel Chairman Supports JOHN McCain Because of DEEDS not Promises.
In an op-ed piece from Deron Marquez, former chairman of the San Manuel Band, in Indian Country Today, he lays out why Native American voters should consider the person who by DEED, has been good for Indian Country, and that is JOHN McCAIN.
Which to help provide guidance for your choice, deeds, or promises? Barack Obama will pass Union Card Check, which will erode tribal sovereignty even more than actions by some corrupt tribes like Pechanga, or Redding and Picayune. McCain has been in a leadership role for 20 years, helping to strengthen sovereignty and benefits for Indian Nations.
Here is a comprehensive look at Senator Obama from Hot Air.
As Nov. 4 approaches, I find myself reading blogs and op-ed pieces from various tribal corners, mostly supporting the Democratic ticket in the race for the White House. I was surprised to note that there are few public statements being expressed by tribal leaders and representatives about Sen. John McCain and his public record of support for sovereign tribal nations.
Campaign promises being voiced by Mr. Barack Obama to Indian country are noteworthy. But we should remember that no group of Americans has been promised more and delivered less than the First Americans. Instead of more promises, let’s give attention to real accomplishments involving issues of significant importance, which have benefited Indian tribes because of Sen. McCain’s deeds.
Few issues are as fundamentally important and sacred to Indian tribes as their cultural resources and their histories. Sen. McCain’s leadership resulted in the enactment of federal legislation that serves today as the foundation for the protection of these important resources. The Native American Graves Protection Act was passed by the Congress in 1990. Aware that congressional efforts to protect tribal cultural resources – including sacred sites and graves – had failed in 1986 due to opposition from museums and other groups, he introduced NAGPRA during the first session of the 101st Congress. OP: That's one more than Sen. Obama did his whole Senate career on ANYTHING.
In partnership with then-committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, who had introduced a bill of his own on the subject, McCain convinced the world-renowned Heard Museum in Phoenix, Ariz., to convene and lead a national dialogue on issues related to the protection of American Indian cultural resources. The national dialogue was tasked with producing a set of recommendations, which could serve as a basis for legislation to protect these important resources. The national dialogue, which involved museums, archaeologists, anthropologists and Indian tribes and organizations took nearly two years but was successful in producing recommendations for the Indian Affairs Committee. Once the recommendations were delivered to Sen. McCain, they were incorporated into legislation that became NAGPRA. OP: Reaching across the aisle, working with the loyal opposition, getting things accomplished FOR Indian Country.
Read the OP ED HERE
Which to help provide guidance for your choice, deeds, or promises? Barack Obama will pass Union Card Check, which will erode tribal sovereignty even more than actions by some corrupt tribes like Pechanga, or Redding and Picayune. McCain has been in a leadership role for 20 years, helping to strengthen sovereignty and benefits for Indian Nations.
Here is a comprehensive look at Senator Obama from Hot Air.
As Nov. 4 approaches, I find myself reading blogs and op-ed pieces from various tribal corners, mostly supporting the Democratic ticket in the race for the White House. I was surprised to note that there are few public statements being expressed by tribal leaders and representatives about Sen. John McCain and his public record of support for sovereign tribal nations.
Campaign promises being voiced by Mr. Barack Obama to Indian country are noteworthy. But we should remember that no group of Americans has been promised more and delivered less than the First Americans. Instead of more promises, let’s give attention to real accomplishments involving issues of significant importance, which have benefited Indian tribes because of Sen. McCain’s deeds.
Few issues are as fundamentally important and sacred to Indian tribes as their cultural resources and their histories. Sen. McCain’s leadership resulted in the enactment of federal legislation that serves today as the foundation for the protection of these important resources. The Native American Graves Protection Act was passed by the Congress in 1990. Aware that congressional efforts to protect tribal cultural resources – including sacred sites and graves – had failed in 1986 due to opposition from museums and other groups, he introduced NAGPRA during the first session of the 101st Congress. OP: That's one more than Sen. Obama did his whole Senate career on ANYTHING.
In partnership with then-committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, who had introduced a bill of his own on the subject, McCain convinced the world-renowned Heard Museum in Phoenix, Ariz., to convene and lead a national dialogue on issues related to the protection of American Indian cultural resources. The national dialogue was tasked with producing a set of recommendations, which could serve as a basis for legislation to protect these important resources. The national dialogue, which involved museums, archaeologists, anthropologists and Indian tribes and organizations took nearly two years but was successful in producing recommendations for the Indian Affairs Committee. Once the recommendations were delivered to Sen. McCain, they were incorporated into legislation that became NAGPRA. OP: Reaching across the aisle, working with the loyal opposition, getting things accomplished FOR Indian Country.
Read the OP ED HERE
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
David Cornsilk Stands Up For History and Cherokee Freedmen
Blogger the Local Crank pointed me to David Cornsilk's takedown of a letter from Gayle Ross to the Oklahoma Eagle.
More info on the Freedmen are in my links and at John Cornsilk's Place take a look and learn.
More info on the Freedmen are in my links and at John Cornsilk's Place take a look and learn.
Darrell Issa (R) SCREWS Temecula Indians Rewards Pechanga for ICRA Violations
U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa (R) has rewarded the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians for their violations of the ICRA in penning legislation to give 1,000 additional acres of Federal Lands AND the Indian Cemetary to Pechanga.
The Pechanga Tribe ran $50 million worth of commercials during February for their Prop. 94. One of those commercials said that they were ONE TRIBE and in the area for 10,000 years.
Yet, during Pechanga's recent decimation of members of their tribe, when they send 300 of their family packing, they claimed wrongly in the disenrollment decisions that Paulina Hunter was from a different Temecula area tribe. What? Then, when ancestors of these "different" tribesman are buried in the Indian Cemetary, what RIGHT does Pechanga have to claim it?
After hearing of the word of Temecula Indians:
Some of a group of former Pechanga members who have been disenrolled in recent years opposed the bill because they said, once in the tribe's hands, they could be barred from visiting a place that has spiritual and historical value to them.
Here's Issa's weak statement: Issa has said that such access has never been a problem in previous land transfers, (UH ISSA did you miss THIS?) and Hill, his spokesman, said the issue was never part of legislative debate over the bill.
Issa studiously forgets that in KNBC's report, WITHOUT A TRIBE, children were FORCIBLY REMOVED by Pechanga Tribal Rangers. He disregards that Joe Liska has been BANNED from visiting his father's grave. We discussed this when Gloria Romero had a trespassing bill up in Pechanga's Tribal Purge
Issa must have missed this letter:
Dear Senate Committee and Senior Counsel Rollie Wilson,
Please do not consider transferring land to the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians at your meeting on Thursday.The land should be transferred to all Indians with ties to the cultural and sacred sites. If a transfer occurs that fails to include ownership and use rights for all affected Indians, the Pechanga Band will do what it has done before and deny access to individuals who have undisputed cultural and lineal ties to the sacred sites but who are not considered Pechanga members.I also oppose H.R. 2963 based on the Pechanga Band’s actions to deprive and deny individuals of their human and civil rights.
No entity that participates in, supports, or otherwise partakes in human and/or civil rights violations should benefit from the public trust. The actions taken by the Pechanga Band -denial of due process, failure to provide equal protection of the laws, establishment of ex post facto laws, etc.- mirror those which led to the introduction and passage of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 ("ICRA"). The ICRA was intended to “… protect individual Indians from arbitrary and unjust actions of tribal governments” and to secure for the individual American Indian the broad constitutional rights afforded all other American citizens.However, Pechanga Tribal officials have hid behind the Tribe’s sovereignty to escape prosecution and to prevent the victims of their actions from seeking recourse for the injury and harm resulting from the human and civil rights violations. Although the tribal officials may be immune from suit, this does not equate to innocence of action.
Additionally, I would ask Congress to take a hard look at lands previously transferred to trust for the Pechanga Band. Specifically, the Great Oak Ranch was transferred with the intent of protecting it and its invaluable resources from a proposed transmission line project that threatened to negatively impact the Great Oak and other resources.Over the course of several years, the Pechanga Band spent a great amount of time and money lobbying Congress to protect the Great Oak Ranch. Many meetings were held between Pechanga officials, government agencies, and Congressional members regarding the issue. During those meetings, it was stressed that the Great Oak and the Great Oak Ranch needed to be protected from construction impacts and the Pechanga Band had no intent to change the use of the ranch. In fact, Congressman Issa introduced at least one bill to protect the Great Oak and the Great Oak Ranch from the transmission project.
Today, with the Great Oak and the Great Oak Ranch spared from the transmission line project and the property transferred into trust, a portion of the Ranch has been turned into a staging area for on-going construction projects both on the Ranch and on adjacent properties. The character of the Ranch has been drastically changed and in no way reflects the “no change in use” mantra used by Pechanga officials in lobbying Congress and federal agencies for its protection and transfer to trust.
Please do not consider a yes on H.R. 2963
Shame on Darrell Issa
The Pechanga Tribe ran $50 million worth of commercials during February for their Prop. 94. One of those commercials said that they were ONE TRIBE and in the area for 10,000 years.
Yet, during Pechanga's recent decimation of members of their tribe, when they send 300 of their family packing, they claimed wrongly in the disenrollment decisions that Paulina Hunter was from a different Temecula area tribe. What? Then, when ancestors of these "different" tribesman are buried in the Indian Cemetary, what RIGHT does Pechanga have to claim it?
After hearing of the word of Temecula Indians:
Some of a group of former Pechanga members who have been disenrolled in recent years opposed the bill because they said, once in the tribe's hands, they could be barred from visiting a place that has spiritual and historical value to them.
Here's Issa's weak statement: Issa has said that such access has never been a problem in previous land transfers, (UH ISSA did you miss THIS?) and Hill, his spokesman, said the issue was never part of legislative debate over the bill.
Issa studiously forgets that in KNBC's report, WITHOUT A TRIBE, children were FORCIBLY REMOVED by Pechanga Tribal Rangers. He disregards that Joe Liska has been BANNED from visiting his father's grave. We discussed this when Gloria Romero had a trespassing bill up in Pechanga's Tribal Purge
Issa must have missed this letter:
Dear Senate Committee and Senior Counsel Rollie Wilson,
Please do not consider transferring land to the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians at your meeting on Thursday.The land should be transferred to all Indians with ties to the cultural and sacred sites. If a transfer occurs that fails to include ownership and use rights for all affected Indians, the Pechanga Band will do what it has done before and deny access to individuals who have undisputed cultural and lineal ties to the sacred sites but who are not considered Pechanga members.I also oppose H.R. 2963 based on the Pechanga Band’s actions to deprive and deny individuals of their human and civil rights.
No entity that participates in, supports, or otherwise partakes in human and/or civil rights violations should benefit from the public trust. The actions taken by the Pechanga Band -denial of due process, failure to provide equal protection of the laws, establishment of ex post facto laws, etc.- mirror those which led to the introduction and passage of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 ("ICRA"). The ICRA was intended to “… protect individual Indians from arbitrary and unjust actions of tribal governments” and to secure for the individual American Indian the broad constitutional rights afforded all other American citizens.However, Pechanga Tribal officials have hid behind the Tribe’s sovereignty to escape prosecution and to prevent the victims of their actions from seeking recourse for the injury and harm resulting from the human and civil rights violations. Although the tribal officials may be immune from suit, this does not equate to innocence of action.
Additionally, I would ask Congress to take a hard look at lands previously transferred to trust for the Pechanga Band. Specifically, the Great Oak Ranch was transferred with the intent of protecting it and its invaluable resources from a proposed transmission line project that threatened to negatively impact the Great Oak and other resources.Over the course of several years, the Pechanga Band spent a great amount of time and money lobbying Congress to protect the Great Oak Ranch. Many meetings were held between Pechanga officials, government agencies, and Congressional members regarding the issue. During those meetings, it was stressed that the Great Oak and the Great Oak Ranch needed to be protected from construction impacts and the Pechanga Band had no intent to change the use of the ranch. In fact, Congressman Issa introduced at least one bill to protect the Great Oak and the Great Oak Ranch from the transmission project.
Today, with the Great Oak and the Great Oak Ranch spared from the transmission line project and the property transferred into trust, a portion of the Ranch has been turned into a staging area for on-going construction projects both on the Ranch and on adjacent properties. The character of the Ranch has been drastically changed and in no way reflects the “no change in use” mantra used by Pechanga officials in lobbying Congress and federal agencies for its protection and transfer to trust.
Please do not consider a yes on H.R. 2963
Shame on Darrell Issa
Friday, October 17, 2008
Pechanga Tribal Leader Gabriel Pico's Death Ruled HOMICIDE UPDATE
UPDATE: A strip club employee has been arrested on suspicion of reckless manslaughter in the death of a California Indian leader, police said Friday.
Authorities said Bryan Coe surrendered Thursday in connection with the Sept. 1 death of 41-year-old Gabriel Pico of Temecula, Calif., outside the Diamond Cabaret & Steakhouse.
Authorities have said Pico was injured in an altercation with a bouncer at the club. Police spokesman Sonny Jackson declined to say whether Coe was a bouncer or had scuffled with Pico.
DENVER (AP) - The death of a California Indian leader who was injured in an altercation with a Denver strip club bouncer has been ruled a homicide.
The Denver coroner's office said Thursday that 41-year-old Gabriel Pico of Temecula, Calif., died from asphyxia.
Police spokesman Sonny Jackson says officers were waiting for the coroner's report, and no decision has been made on whether to recommend homicide charges.
Police say two employees of the club face second-degree assault charges.
Pico died Sept. 1, two days after the fight.
He was a member of the Tribal Council of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians. Tribal officials said he was in Denver for events surrounding the Democratic convention but wasn't a delegate.
Early Saturday morning, Aug. 30, he and a companion got into a dispute outside the Diamond Cabaret gentleman's club in downtown Denver over whether they should be allowed in.
According to Medical Examiner Dr. Amy Martin, Pico died because not enough oxygen reached his brain. She said that Pico was being restrained during the altercation as three people reportedly were kicking at him.
During the restraint there appears to have been pressure applied to the neck," she said in the autopsy report.
She said other injuries to the head were superficial, that there were "no significant blunt traumatic injuries to the brain CHOKE HOLD
Authorities said Bryan Coe surrendered Thursday in connection with the Sept. 1 death of 41-year-old Gabriel Pico of Temecula, Calif., outside the Diamond Cabaret & Steakhouse.
Authorities have said Pico was injured in an altercation with a bouncer at the club. Police spokesman Sonny Jackson declined to say whether Coe was a bouncer or had scuffled with Pico.
DENVER (AP) - The death of a California Indian leader who was injured in an altercation with a Denver strip club bouncer has been ruled a homicide.
The Denver coroner's office said Thursday that 41-year-old Gabriel Pico of Temecula, Calif., died from asphyxia.
Police spokesman Sonny Jackson says officers were waiting for the coroner's report, and no decision has been made on whether to recommend homicide charges.
Police say two employees of the club face second-degree assault charges.
Pico died Sept. 1, two days after the fight.
He was a member of the Tribal Council of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians. Tribal officials said he was in Denver for events surrounding the Democratic convention but wasn't a delegate.
Early Saturday morning, Aug. 30, he and a companion got into a dispute outside the Diamond Cabaret gentleman's club in downtown Denver over whether they should be allowed in.
According to Medical Examiner Dr. Amy Martin, Pico died because not enough oxygen reached his brain. She said that Pico was being restrained during the altercation as three people reportedly were kicking at him.
During the restraint there appears to have been pressure applied to the neck," she said in the autopsy report.
She said other injuries to the head were superficial, that there were "no significant blunt traumatic injuries to the brain CHOKE HOLD
INTERLUDE: Four Tops Singer Levi Stubbs Dead at 72
One of the all time greatest singers, Levi Stubbs, has passed at 72.
The Four Tops signed with Motown Records in 1963 and produced 20 Top-40 hits over the next 10 years, making music history with the other acts in Berry Gordy's Motown stable.Their biggest hits were recorded between 1964 and 1967. Both 1965's "I Can't Help Myself" and 1966's "Reach Out" went to No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart. Other hits included "Shake Me, Wake Me" (1966); "Bernadette" and "Standing in the Shadows of Love" (both 1967).
Rest in Peace
The Four Tops signed with Motown Records in 1963 and produced 20 Top-40 hits over the next 10 years, making music history with the other acts in Berry Gordy's Motown stable.Their biggest hits were recorded between 1964 and 1967. Both 1965's "I Can't Help Myself" and 1966's "Reach Out" went to No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart. Other hits included "Shake Me, Wake Me" (1966); "Bernadette" and "Standing in the Shadows of Love" (both 1967).
Rest in Peace
KNBC's Without A Tribe Link Has Changed
The KNBC video, "WITHOUT A TRIBE" which was the most shared video on KNBC's system, has a new link.
Without a Tribe details the story of the Hunter Family and it's elder Lawrence Madariaga, the were terminated from the tribe, even though the Pechanga Tribe's own hired expert proved Paulina Hunter WAS Pechanga. More so than any other family.
Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro, who is being honored this weekend for his work in Indian Gaming, is caught lying in the first 16 seconds of the video.
I URGE you to watch this video again and send it to your friends. Better yet, ask your friends to come here for the link.
Without a Tribe details the story of the Hunter Family and it's elder Lawrence Madariaga, the were terminated from the tribe, even though the Pechanga Tribe's own hired expert proved Paulina Hunter WAS Pechanga. More so than any other family.
Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro, who is being honored this weekend for his work in Indian Gaming, is caught lying in the first 16 seconds of the video.
I URGE you to watch this video again and send it to your friends. Better yet, ask your friends to come here for the link.
20 Yrs of Indian Fortunes & Feuds From Pechanga Dishonor to Struggling Tribes.
An article in today Union Tribune has some stories about what has happened to some tribes since the IGRA became law. Some tribes have become rich, some are on their way. Some like Pechanga, Redding, Picayune, Enterprise have cut the hearts out of some of their tribes elders, and children.
When Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro went on television to implore the citizens of California to help make tribes SELF RELIANT, we thought that they would work together for the betterment of everyone. Instead, tribal members got swallowed up in greed and infighting and bullying became the rule of the day.
Tribes complained about treaties being broken by the white man, yet, the Cherokee have hurt the Freedmen with a treaty of over 140 years that was broken.
Picayune (Chukchansi) eliminated 500 people from their tribe, dulling the glitter.
Pechanga has kept 500 people OUT of the tribe that rightfully should be in via an illegal moratorium and have also terminated 300, while FORCIBLY removing children and escorting them from the reservation school, noted in this KNBC VIDEO. Now, they have eliminated 700 jobs due to economic slowdowns and the public avoiding them for casinos of tribes that have not treated their people so badly.
The links have more of the story and here's that UTrib story:
Much has changed in the 20 years since Congress enacted the landmark Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which set the ground rules for Indian casinos and changed life forever at Viejas and many other reservations.
Before gaming, Viejas was a dying tribe, mired in poverty that fostered drug and alcohol abuse, discouraged education and contributed to an infant mortality rate approaching 20 percent.
“What a difference,” Pico said. “Gaming gave us the opportunity to be able to think and plan. Before, we just had a high interest in surviving.”
Yet other local tribes – Ewiiaapaayp, Jamul, Los Coyotes, Manzanita, Mesa Grande – have yet to cash in their casino dreams.
Across California and the nation, Indian gaming has brought uneven results, from unimaginable wealth for a relative few to years of frustration for others and worse, such as members being banished as political power came to mean control of serious money.
“We don't have to worry about the federal government terminating us anymore,” said Clyde Bellecourt, national director of the American Indian Movement. “We're terminating ourselves.”
While big tribes with large reservations had dominated Indian affairs nationally, casino wealth has flowed largely to smaller tribes, such as most of those in San Diego County and California.
“The economic benefit that it brought was kind of inverse to some of the needs that existed in Indian Country,” said Philip Hogen, an Oglala Sioux and chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission.
Rather than the large, rural reservations, “it was tribes that by accident of history and geography found themselves next to a metropolitan market who made the most of it,” Hogen said. “Nothing wrong with that. Nobody said it wasn't going to work that way.”
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was a compromise, six years in the making, driven in the end by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in California v. Cabazon.
The court ruled that Cabazon, a 25-member band in Riverside County, and other tribes could continue to conduct high-stakes bingo on their reservations without state regulation or interference.
“After the Cabazon decision, there was a lot of concern that the floodgates were open,” said Bill Eadington, a gambling expert at the University of Nevada Reno. The gaming act “was really an attempt to plug the dike . . . to create a level playing field between tribes and other interests.”
Instead, Indian gambling quickly exceeded expectations, Eadington said.
From $200 million in 1988, it mushroomed into a $26 billion industry nationwide by 2007, with nearly $8 billion in California, the dominant Indian gaming state with 58 casinos.
But just 69 of the country's 420 Indian casinos generated $18.8 billion, or 72 percent, of the $26 billion. Many of the most successful tribes – such as Barona, Pala, Sycuan and Viejas of San Diego County – also are in California.
Twenty years ago, few knew or cared that San Diego County was home to more tribes – 17 – than any other county in the nation. Today, only Riverside County has as many tribal casinos – 10.
Some California Indians have become multimillionaires, but only about 32,000 people – less than 10 percent of the state's American Indian population – belong to a gaming tribe, according to the latest state and federal data.
In a program unique to California, gaming tribes pay into funds that have distributed nearly $525 million over the past seven years to more than 70 less-fortunate tribes.
But gaming appears to have done little to bring down alarming unemployment rates. California reservations reported a 49 percent jobless rate, matching the national level, according to the 2005 American Indian Population and Labor Force Report, which contains the latest data available.
Flush gaming tribes have become political powers, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to candidates and campaigns across the nation.
Read more HERE
When Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro went on television to implore the citizens of California to help make tribes SELF RELIANT, we thought that they would work together for the betterment of everyone. Instead, tribal members got swallowed up in greed and infighting and bullying became the rule of the day.
Tribes complained about treaties being broken by the white man, yet, the Cherokee have hurt the Freedmen with a treaty of over 140 years that was broken.
Picayune (Chukchansi) eliminated 500 people from their tribe, dulling the glitter.
Pechanga has kept 500 people OUT of the tribe that rightfully should be in via an illegal moratorium and have also terminated 300, while FORCIBLY removing children and escorting them from the reservation school, noted in this KNBC VIDEO. Now, they have eliminated 700 jobs due to economic slowdowns and the public avoiding them for casinos of tribes that have not treated their people so badly.
The links have more of the story and here's that UTrib story:
Much has changed in the 20 years since Congress enacted the landmark Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which set the ground rules for Indian casinos and changed life forever at Viejas and many other reservations.
Before gaming, Viejas was a dying tribe, mired in poverty that fostered drug and alcohol abuse, discouraged education and contributed to an infant mortality rate approaching 20 percent.
“What a difference,” Pico said. “Gaming gave us the opportunity to be able to think and plan. Before, we just had a high interest in surviving.”
Yet other local tribes – Ewiiaapaayp, Jamul, Los Coyotes, Manzanita, Mesa Grande – have yet to cash in their casino dreams.
Across California and the nation, Indian gaming has brought uneven results, from unimaginable wealth for a relative few to years of frustration for others and worse, such as members being banished as political power came to mean control of serious money.
“We don't have to worry about the federal government terminating us anymore,” said Clyde Bellecourt, national director of the American Indian Movement. “We're terminating ourselves.”
While big tribes with large reservations had dominated Indian affairs nationally, casino wealth has flowed largely to smaller tribes, such as most of those in San Diego County and California.
“The economic benefit that it brought was kind of inverse to some of the needs that existed in Indian Country,” said Philip Hogen, an Oglala Sioux and chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission.
Rather than the large, rural reservations, “it was tribes that by accident of history and geography found themselves next to a metropolitan market who made the most of it,” Hogen said. “Nothing wrong with that. Nobody said it wasn't going to work that way.”
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was a compromise, six years in the making, driven in the end by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in California v. Cabazon.
The court ruled that Cabazon, a 25-member band in Riverside County, and other tribes could continue to conduct high-stakes bingo on their reservations without state regulation or interference.
“After the Cabazon decision, there was a lot of concern that the floodgates were open,” said Bill Eadington, a gambling expert at the University of Nevada Reno. The gaming act “was really an attempt to plug the dike . . . to create a level playing field between tribes and other interests.”
Instead, Indian gambling quickly exceeded expectations, Eadington said.
From $200 million in 1988, it mushroomed into a $26 billion industry nationwide by 2007, with nearly $8 billion in California, the dominant Indian gaming state with 58 casinos.
But just 69 of the country's 420 Indian casinos generated $18.8 billion, or 72 percent, of the $26 billion. Many of the most successful tribes – such as Barona, Pala, Sycuan and Viejas of San Diego County – also are in California.
Twenty years ago, few knew or cared that San Diego County was home to more tribes – 17 – than any other county in the nation. Today, only Riverside County has as many tribal casinos – 10.
Some California Indians have become multimillionaires, but only about 32,000 people – less than 10 percent of the state's American Indian population – belong to a gaming tribe, according to the latest state and federal data.
In a program unique to California, gaming tribes pay into funds that have distributed nearly $525 million over the past seven years to more than 70 less-fortunate tribes.
But gaming appears to have done little to bring down alarming unemployment rates. California reservations reported a 49 percent jobless rate, matching the national level, according to the 2005 American Indian Population and Labor Force Report, which contains the latest data available.
Flush gaming tribes have become political powers, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to candidates and campaigns across the nation.
Read more HERE
Conference to Celebrate IGRA to Honor Chairman of Pechanga Mark Macarro for Violations of ICRA
UPDATE: MEDIA ADVISORY
October 15, 2008 Contact: John Gomez, Jr.9:30 p.m. Pechanga@msn.com
MEDIA ADVISORY
Macarro deserves Pathbreaker award … for violations of the ICRA
TEMECULA, CA – Mark Macarro, Chairman of the Pechanga Band of Mission Indian in Temecula, California will be honored tomorrow at a conference commemorating 20 Years of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the law which legalized gaming on Indian lands. Mr. Macarro, as well as several other tribal leaders, are being honored as Pathbreakers “for their influential impact on gaming in Indian Country”.
Ironically enough, Mr. Macarro’s legacy may not only be measured by his contributions to Indian gaming but by the violations of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 that have occurred during his tenure as Chairman of the Pechanga Band.
Mr. Macarro, who has been Chairman of the Pechanga Band since the mid ‘90’s, has presided over the disenrollments of over 1/3 of the Pechanga tribal membership. The mass disenfranchisement of nearly 400 duly enrolled members occurred just after the Pechanga Band had expanded its gaming facility in response to the passage of Props 5 and 1A in California. Each of the disenrollments, which occurred in 2004 and 2006, were carried out just prior to regularly scheduled elections for Tribal Chairman. Mr. Macarro won re-election each time.
The mass disenrollments and denial of membership to hundreds of other eligible members, which have been carried out by Mr. Macarro and other tribal officials, have been characterized by the most egregious violations of basic rights, including denial of due process, failure to provide equal protection of tribal and federal laws, and the passage of ex post facto laws.
Each of the growing number of basic rights violations for which Mr. Macarro is responsible for mirrors those acts which led to the introduction and passage of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 ("ICRA") which was intended to “… protect individual Indians from arbitrary and unjust actions of tribal governments” and to secure for the individual American Indian the broad constitutional rights afforded all other American citizens. Unfortunately, the hundreds who have been stripped of or denied their basic rights are also being denied any recourse against their oppressors as Mr. Macarro and other tribal officials have routinely invoked “sovereign immunity” to escape prosecution for their actions.
While Mr. Macarro may be receiving recognition for his work in Indian gaming, such recognition should be based on the cumulative impacts of his actions- including the gross violations of the ICRA and the termination of hundreds of Pechanga tribal members.
================================================
A conference sponsored by Arizona State University will celebrate 20 years of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
IGRA has been responsible for helping many Indian tribes to remove some of their people from poverty and move toward self-reliance in business ventures.
Sadly with IGRA and gaming and the seemingly endless income that gambling has generated, many tribes such as Pechanga, Picayune, Enterprise and Redding have shed their members to increase their per capita payments to those remaining.
The conference is honoring some Pathbreakers at this event. One of those honored will be Mark Macarro, the current chairman of the Pechanga Band of Mission Indians from Temecula. They are known in some circles as the "Incredible Shrinking Tribe" and that's because Pechanga, has terminated 25% of their tribal members, taking away their per capita, health care, child care, educational assistance. This has forced some elders back on to the public's shoulders. And all so some members could take their per capita from $150,000 per year to $350,000 per year?
Pechanga has created their own PAPER TRAIL OF TEARS with the largest extermination of Pechanga people in it's history. Pechanga has massacred more Indians in the 21st century than the white man did in the 20th century!
While we are glad that IGRA has helped so many, it's a shame that the conference overlooks those who have harmed so many. Does a Pathbreaker award wash the guilt that Macarro shares in manipulating the termination of proven members?
What's a few HUNDRED Indians? After doing it to the first member, how many does it have to be, before what Pechanga did is WRONG?
Shame on the conference for the award to Macarro.
October 15, 2008 Contact: John Gomez, Jr.9:30 p.m. Pechanga@msn.com
MEDIA ADVISORY
Macarro deserves Pathbreaker award … for violations of the ICRA
TEMECULA, CA – Mark Macarro, Chairman of the Pechanga Band of Mission Indian in Temecula, California will be honored tomorrow at a conference commemorating 20 Years of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the law which legalized gaming on Indian lands. Mr. Macarro, as well as several other tribal leaders, are being honored as Pathbreakers “for their influential impact on gaming in Indian Country”.
Ironically enough, Mr. Macarro’s legacy may not only be measured by his contributions to Indian gaming but by the violations of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 that have occurred during his tenure as Chairman of the Pechanga Band.
Mr. Macarro, who has been Chairman of the Pechanga Band since the mid ‘90’s, has presided over the disenrollments of over 1/3 of the Pechanga tribal membership. The mass disenfranchisement of nearly 400 duly enrolled members occurred just after the Pechanga Band had expanded its gaming facility in response to the passage of Props 5 and 1A in California. Each of the disenrollments, which occurred in 2004 and 2006, were carried out just prior to regularly scheduled elections for Tribal Chairman. Mr. Macarro won re-election each time.
The mass disenrollments and denial of membership to hundreds of other eligible members, which have been carried out by Mr. Macarro and other tribal officials, have been characterized by the most egregious violations of basic rights, including denial of due process, failure to provide equal protection of tribal and federal laws, and the passage of ex post facto laws.
Each of the growing number of basic rights violations for which Mr. Macarro is responsible for mirrors those acts which led to the introduction and passage of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 ("ICRA") which was intended to “… protect individual Indians from arbitrary and unjust actions of tribal governments” and to secure for the individual American Indian the broad constitutional rights afforded all other American citizens. Unfortunately, the hundreds who have been stripped of or denied their basic rights are also being denied any recourse against their oppressors as Mr. Macarro and other tribal officials have routinely invoked “sovereign immunity” to escape prosecution for their actions.
While Mr. Macarro may be receiving recognition for his work in Indian gaming, such recognition should be based on the cumulative impacts of his actions- including the gross violations of the ICRA and the termination of hundreds of Pechanga tribal members.
================================================
A conference sponsored by Arizona State University will celebrate 20 years of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
IGRA has been responsible for helping many Indian tribes to remove some of their people from poverty and move toward self-reliance in business ventures.
Sadly with IGRA and gaming and the seemingly endless income that gambling has generated, many tribes such as Pechanga, Picayune, Enterprise and Redding have shed their members to increase their per capita payments to those remaining.
The conference is honoring some Pathbreakers at this event. One of those honored will be Mark Macarro, the current chairman of the Pechanga Band of Mission Indians from Temecula. They are known in some circles as the "Incredible Shrinking Tribe" and that's because Pechanga, has terminated 25% of their tribal members, taking away their per capita, health care, child care, educational assistance. This has forced some elders back on to the public's shoulders. And all so some members could take their per capita from $150,000 per year to $350,000 per year?
Pechanga has created their own PAPER TRAIL OF TEARS with the largest extermination of Pechanga people in it's history. Pechanga has massacred more Indians in the 21st century than the white man did in the 20th century!
While we are glad that IGRA has helped so many, it's a shame that the conference overlooks those who have harmed so many. Does a Pathbreaker award wash the guilt that Macarro shares in manipulating the termination of proven members?
What's a few HUNDRED Indians? After doing it to the first member, how many does it have to be, before what Pechanga did is WRONG?
Shame on the conference for the award to Macarro.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Pechanga Sinking in the Quagmire of Bad Business Moves?
Over at Teetilawuncha Blog, they report that the word is that Pechanga will be decreasing their per capita payments.
There is strong rumor that tribal Per-cap payments are decreasing over the next few months. $5,000 is the number I've heard. Up to $10,000 by the New Year.
While it's hard not to take some satisfaction in the loss of Pechanga's business, it's also a bit of karma for the damage that the Pechanga Tribal Council has wreaked on 25% of it's tribe and hundreds caught in its illegal moratorium. Are their MORE layoffs on the way?
PLEASE continue to show your outrage at Pechanga's bad acts by not patronizing their casino, nor the new golf course that is on land that Mark Macarro PROMISED would not be developed. And, take a look at Teetilawuncha Blog....and talk about it.
There is strong rumor that tribal Per-cap payments are decreasing over the next few months. $5,000 is the number I've heard. Up to $10,000 by the New Year.
While it's hard not to take some satisfaction in the loss of Pechanga's business, it's also a bit of karma for the damage that the Pechanga Tribal Council has wreaked on 25% of it's tribe and hundreds caught in its illegal moratorium. Are their MORE layoffs on the way?
PLEASE continue to show your outrage at Pechanga's bad acts by not patronizing their casino, nor the new golf course that is on land that Mark Macarro PROMISED would not be developed. And, take a look at Teetilawuncha Blog....and talk about it.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
California Gambling Commission Unanimously Votes to Impose Security Standards on Tribes.
Tribes oppose set of proposed security rules
By James P. Sweeney
October 15, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Pushing ahead in an edgy standoff with Indian tribes, California's gambling commission voted yesterday to impose a set of minimum security standards on tribal casinos.
The unanimous vote came after more than a dozen tribes reaffirmed their opposition to the proposed regulation, which would require California's $8 billion Indian gaming industry to adhere to internal controls as least as stringent as those adopted by the National Indian Gaming Commission.
Both sides have warned that the clash appears headed toward a legal fight that could settle the underlying debate over whether the state has the power to unilaterally impose regulations on Indian casinos.
Yesterday's vote sent the proposal back to tribes for a 30-day review and comment period. It could return to the commission for a final vote as early as Dec. 18.
“I know we made nobody happy today,” a somber commission Chairman Dean Shelton said after the vote. “We'll keep working.”
But after more than 20 months of negotiations with the tribes, Shelton and the balance of the commission appear to have run out of patience.
The rules establish a baseline for equipment and personnel that watch over the money as it moves through a casino. The rules cover internal audits, surveillance and the games themselves.
The national commission's guidelines were developed with tribes and had been in place for several years before they were thrown out by a 2006 federal court ruling. The judge in that case concluded the national commission lacked the authority to regulate Nevada-style tribal casinos.
Federal law gave that authority to states as a matter to be negotiated in tribal-state gambling agreements, or compacts, the court held.
California's compacts give tribes the primary regulatory role in their casinos. The state wants to enforce a minimum internal security standard in an oversight capacity.
But tribal leaders and attorneys argued that the proposed rules represent a compact amendment that can only be negotiated between each tribe and the governor. In addition, they said the guidelines were duplicative to what the tribes are doing, unnecessary and “an affront to tribal sovereignty.”
Union Trib Story
Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes Workshop at OKLA NAACP CONVENTION
Call your Okie friends and relatives and tell them to make it to Tulsa for the workshop. Join in for dinner!
The Oklahoma NAACP Annual Convention.
Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 17th, 2008
Tulsa's Marriott Southern Hills
1902 East 71st Street, Tulsa, Ok. 74136
Registration will begin at 9am.
A Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes workshop will be conducted on Oct. 17th from 3:30pm until 4:15pm.
Participants will include Marilyn Vann (Cherokee), Ron Graham (Creek), Sylvia Davis (Seminole) and Richard Allen (Chickasaw) and former Ok Naacp state president.
A polictical action committee forum will be held on October 18th at 10:30am.
The Saturday night banquet dinner is $50 per person.
For more info, contact Anthony Douglas, state president, 405-722-6100 or adouglas@oknaacp.org
The Oklahoma NAACP Annual Convention.
Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 17th, 2008
Tulsa's Marriott Southern Hills
1902 East 71st Street, Tulsa, Ok. 74136
Registration will begin at 9am.
A Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes workshop will be conducted on Oct. 17th from 3:30pm until 4:15pm.
Participants will include Marilyn Vann (Cherokee), Ron Graham (Creek), Sylvia Davis (Seminole) and Richard Allen (Chickasaw) and former Ok Naacp state president.
A polictical action committee forum will be held on October 18th at 10:30am.
The Saturday night banquet dinner is $50 per person.
For more info, contact Anthony Douglas, state president, 405-722-6100 or adouglas@oknaacp.org
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
A SOBOBA SUCCESS STORY
Not all stories from SOBOBA involve gangsters and those shooting at sheriff's deputies. Here's a great success stories. Two of my own children graduated from college before Pechanga threw them to the street in favor of car-jackers, violent criminals and child molestors.
Geneva Mojado didn't need anyone to push her toward success, her mother says. The young Soboba Indian woman always was driven.
As a child, Mojado pushed herself in school, softball and student government. Michelle Miranda recalls waking in the middle of the night once to discover her daughter studiously working at the kitchen table on a collage due for her fifth- or sixth-grade class the next day.
As a young woman, Mojado made it through San Diego State in four years and earned a degree in criminal justice. Back home, she got elected to the Soboba tribal council for two years, played some more softball and now is eyeing law school. She said she has been fascinated by criminology for years, especially by mystery stories or psychological thrillers such as "Silence of the Lambs."
Mojado, 24, and her mother hope Mojado can serve as an inspiration to other young members of the San Jacinto-area tribe. They hope more young people take advantage of the tuition assistance the tribe provides and develop their own talents.
"I hope that ... somebody wants to follow in my footsteps -- somebody in the tribe says, 'I'm going to succeed more than her,' which will make me even more proud," Mojado said during a recent interview in her spacious Hemet home as her 2-year-old son played outdoors.
Mojado, whose two-year term on the tribal council ended this summer, already has captured the attention of her tribe's leadership. Tribal Chairman Robert Salgado singled out Mojado at Soboba's 125th anniversary celebration over the summer, urging her publicly to become a lawyer and return to serve and inspire her people.
Press Enterprise Story
Geneva Mojado didn't need anyone to push her toward success, her mother says. The young Soboba Indian woman always was driven.
As a child, Mojado pushed herself in school, softball and student government. Michelle Miranda recalls waking in the middle of the night once to discover her daughter studiously working at the kitchen table on a collage due for her fifth- or sixth-grade class the next day.
As a young woman, Mojado made it through San Diego State in four years and earned a degree in criminal justice. Back home, she got elected to the Soboba tribal council for two years, played some more softball and now is eyeing law school. She said she has been fascinated by criminology for years, especially by mystery stories or psychological thrillers such as "Silence of the Lambs."
Mojado, 24, and her mother hope Mojado can serve as an inspiration to other young members of the San Jacinto-area tribe. They hope more young people take advantage of the tuition assistance the tribe provides and develop their own talents.
"I hope that ... somebody wants to follow in my footsteps -- somebody in the tribe says, 'I'm going to succeed more than her,' which will make me even more proud," Mojado said during a recent interview in her spacious Hemet home as her 2-year-old son played outdoors.
Mojado, whose two-year term on the tribal council ended this summer, already has captured the attention of her tribe's leadership. Tribal Chairman Robert Salgado singled out Mojado at Soboba's 125th anniversary celebration over the summer, urging her publicly to become a lawyer and return to serve and inspire her people.
Press Enterprise Story
Pechanga and President George W. Bush United
Pechanga gets land that is important to ALL Temecula area Indians. The tribe said they were not going to build on land they acquired via the Great Oak Transfer. They have a golf course on that land now.
PLEASE GOLFERS, DO NOT take too deep a divot. You are golfing on ancient burial grounds.
NORTH COUNTY – President Bush last week signed legislation turning over more than 1.7 square miles of federal land to the Pechanga Indian band for use primarily as a wildlife preserve. The land includes 119 acres in San Diego County.
The Temecula-area tribe has been seeking the land for years, saying it is important to the tribe's culture and history.
The law transferring the land limits how the tribe can use it. The tribe is not allowed to build a casino or any structure except those supporting wildlife, and is to maintain public access.
Also included in the transfer is an 20-acre Indian burial ground near Lake Elsinore.
PLEASE GOLFERS, DO NOT take too deep a divot. You are golfing on ancient burial grounds.
NORTH COUNTY – President Bush last week signed legislation turning over more than 1.7 square miles of federal land to the Pechanga Indian band for use primarily as a wildlife preserve. The land includes 119 acres in San Diego County.
The Temecula-area tribe has been seeking the land for years, saying it is important to the tribe's culture and history.
The law transferring the land limits how the tribe can use it. The tribe is not allowed to build a casino or any structure except those supporting wildlife, and is to maintain public access.
Also included in the transfer is an 20-acre Indian burial ground near Lake Elsinore.
San Pascual Tribe MUST LOSE the right to Run Valley View
Tamra at NDN news links to the story of the San Pascual tribe that we've written on HERE HERE and HERE
An impasse that threatens the future of the San Pasqual Indian band's Valley View Casino continued yesterday despite efforts to bring warring factions together, the local head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs said.
The tribe's quarterly meeting drew about 200 members to a tent on the reservation in Valley Center, but competing sides couldn't resolve their differences, said James Fletcher, the bureau's Southern California superintendent. The meeting was the latest attempt to settle the issue of who represents the tribe's government, which consists of the tribe's adult members. A five-member executive committee has split, with each faction saying it is the legitimate government.
Fletcher recognizes neither one. “I asked them, one side or the other, to ask me to make a decision,” Fletcher said. He said he's still waiting for an answer.
Without a federally recognized tribal government, the tribe cannot operate businesses, including the casino, or receive federal grants, Fletcher said. OP: Then let's get it SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY, Mr. Fletcher. Shut the Casino down NOW until the tribe complies. San Pascual members, DO WHAT IS RIGHT and JUST. Keep the tribe together before the Federal government CELEBRATES having LESS Indians to deal with.
Sunlight: James Fletcher is a member of the Pechanga Band of Mission Indian, who have eliminated 25% of the tribe via illegal and unconstitutional disenrollments. His own tribe is guilty of doing what he is accusing San Pascual of doing.
An impasse that threatens the future of the San Pasqual Indian band's Valley View Casino continued yesterday despite efforts to bring warring factions together, the local head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs said.
The tribe's quarterly meeting drew about 200 members to a tent on the reservation in Valley Center, but competing sides couldn't resolve their differences, said James Fletcher, the bureau's Southern California superintendent. The meeting was the latest attempt to settle the issue of who represents the tribe's government, which consists of the tribe's adult members. A five-member executive committee has split, with each faction saying it is the legitimate government.
Fletcher recognizes neither one. “I asked them, one side or the other, to ask me to make a decision,” Fletcher said. He said he's still waiting for an answer.
Without a federally recognized tribal government, the tribe cannot operate businesses, including the casino, or receive federal grants, Fletcher said. OP: Then let's get it SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY, Mr. Fletcher. Shut the Casino down NOW until the tribe complies. San Pascual members, DO WHAT IS RIGHT and JUST. Keep the tribe together before the Federal government CELEBRATES having LESS Indians to deal with.
Sunlight: James Fletcher is a member of the Pechanga Band of Mission Indian, who have eliminated 25% of the tribe via illegal and unconstitutional disenrollments. His own tribe is guilty of doing what he is accusing San Pascual of doing.
Creek Freedmen CALL TO ACTION
Are you a Creek Freedmen descendent? Do you know somone who is?
They are gathering names for a FEDERAL class action suit. Tell your friends that they can get the form at the link: Creek Freedmen Roster Form
Also at www.thecreekfreedmen.com website
This is a chance to get your voice heard and the more that join, the stronger that voice will be
They are gathering names for a FEDERAL class action suit. Tell your friends that they can get the form at the link: Creek Freedmen Roster Form
Also at www.thecreekfreedmen.com website
This is a chance to get your voice heard and the more that join, the stronger that voice will be
Monday, October 13, 2008
Exposing CA Tribal Corruption is a Full Time Job
It's difficult to make your voice heard, when politicians are stuffing dollar bills in their ears to drown out the voices of those who have been discriminated against.
We have many groups that speak out and some are more active than others.
Here are some sites for you to take a look at:
http://tribalcorruption.com/
http://teetilawuncha.blogspot.com/
http://www.thecreekfreedmen.com/
http://www.pechanga.info.com/forum
There are MORE sites, please post them in the comments. Promote your blog.
We have many groups that speak out and some are more active than others.
Here are some sites for you to take a look at:
http://tribalcorruption.com/
http://teetilawuncha.blogspot.com/
http://www.thecreekfreedmen.com/
http://www.pechanga.info.com/forum
There are MORE sites, please post them in the comments. Promote your blog.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Former Redding Rancheria Members Fight to Protect their Property
It's not easy to survive on your own property when the tribe can steamroll you.
Members of a family disenrolled from the Redding Rancheria tried to stop ongoing road construction Tuesday near the Win-River Casino expansion project.
About a dozen members of the Foreman family and their supporters attempted to block a construction project that will remove a driveway on rancheria property that leads to one of the family's homes. The road is being widened as part of a casino expansion. Bob Foreman Jr., whose father Bob Foreman Sr. owns land adjacent to the casino, said the family is not opposed to the casino's growth. "If we were part of the tribe still, we would want to expand," he said.
But the family is concerned that the construction could impede on its land or make getting in and out unsafe, Foreman said. Tuesday's protest was the latest chapter in a long-standing dispute involving tribal lineage at the Redding Rancheria, and prompted a call from Win-River Casino officials to the Shasta County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff's deputies Tuesday morning told the protesters that they needed to move. Members of the Foreman family said they were there because they wanted to see any permits the Redding Rancheria had for the roadwork.
Barbara Murphy, the tribe's chairwoman, said the land that the road and the driveway sit on are owned by the tribe. Being a sovereign nation, she said the rancheria isn't required to file for permits with the city or county.
See the rest of the story HERE
Members of a family disenrolled from the Redding Rancheria tried to stop ongoing road construction Tuesday near the Win-River Casino expansion project.
About a dozen members of the Foreman family and their supporters attempted to block a construction project that will remove a driveway on rancheria property that leads to one of the family's homes. The road is being widened as part of a casino expansion. Bob Foreman Jr., whose father Bob Foreman Sr. owns land adjacent to the casino, said the family is not opposed to the casino's growth. "If we were part of the tribe still, we would want to expand," he said.
But the family is concerned that the construction could impede on its land or make getting in and out unsafe, Foreman said. Tuesday's protest was the latest chapter in a long-standing dispute involving tribal lineage at the Redding Rancheria, and prompted a call from Win-River Casino officials to the Shasta County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff's deputies Tuesday morning told the protesters that they needed to move. Members of the Foreman family said they were there because they wanted to see any permits the Redding Rancheria had for the roadwork.
Barbara Murphy, the tribe's chairwoman, said the land that the road and the driveway sit on are owned by the tribe. Being a sovereign nation, she said the rancheria isn't required to file for permits with the city or county.
See the rest of the story HERE
Freedmen: Julian Bond and NAACP SUPPORTS Severance of US Government Relations with Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma
In a show of support for the Cherokee Freedmen, the NAACP supports legislation introduced by Dianne Watson of California. Let's hope the full force of the NAACP will help resolve their issue.
The Money Quote of their statement:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NAACP strongly supports H.R. 2824, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Dianne Watson (CA) and 11 of her Congressional colleagues requiring that the United States government sever all ties with the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma until the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma reverse its decision and once again recognize the full rights of the Cherokee Freedmen, or Black Cherokees and give them full rights as members of the tribe.
Good for the national NAACP. As noted in a blog during California's election, the California NAACP sides with the Pechanga Band in their violations of civil rights of their people AND they take Pechanga money too. We hope the CA NAACP with stand with those who have had their civil rights violated in our state.
Congresswoman Watson, thank you for your work with the Freedmen, and we look forward to you expanding the investigations to the ICRA violations by tribes in OUR state too.
The Money Quote of their statement:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NAACP strongly supports H.R. 2824, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Dianne Watson (CA) and 11 of her Congressional colleagues requiring that the United States government sever all ties with the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma until the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma reverse its decision and once again recognize the full rights of the Cherokee Freedmen, or Black Cherokees and give them full rights as members of the tribe.
Good for the national NAACP. As noted in a blog during California's election, the California NAACP sides with the Pechanga Band in their violations of civil rights of their people AND they take Pechanga money too. We hope the CA NAACP with stand with those who have had their civil rights violated in our state.
Congresswoman Watson, thank you for your work with the Freedmen, and we look forward to you expanding the investigations to the ICRA violations by tribes in OUR state too.
San Pasqual Tribe Could LOSE Casino if Agreement NOT Reached
Indians at war with their brothers. Sending their families into the streets. This is NOT what Californians expected when we voted for gaming. Tribes told us we would be helping ALL Indians. They LIED, we are now helping FEWER Indians than we were 5 years ago. Picayune eliminated 500 of their tribe, Pechanga 300 (plus keeping 400 OUT that belong), Redding eliminated a large family, NOW, San Pascual is trying to remove another 50.
HOW MANY DOES IT HAVE TO BE BEFORE IT'S WRONG?
Talks between warring factions of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians are at a stalemate, which has led to a crucial meeting this weekend between tribal leaders and federal officials at the North County reservation.
A dispute on whether 80 people belong in the tribe has split the tribe's governing council, putting the tribe's Valley View Casino at risk of closing its doors, a Bureau of Indian Affairs official said Thursday."The elected council needs to come together, not two on that side and three on that side, but as five members," said Jim Fletcher, the bureau's Southern California superintendent.
Fletcher is scheduled to meet with San Pasqual tribal leaders Sunday to discuss the ongoing dispute.It is the latest in a bitter feud among factions of the 300-member tribe that calls into question what it means to be American Indian and who gets to benefit from the spoils of casino wealth. San Pasqual Chairman Allen Lawson has declined to discuss the matter and did not return a call for comment Thursday.
In July, members of the tribe conducted two separate meetings on the disenrollment matter, each side claiming leadership of the tribe. One was at the reservation and the other in Escondido.The group that met at San Pasqual voted to accept a consultant's report that concluded the 80 people whose tribal affiliations are in question do not belong and should not be listed as members of San Pasqual.
Last year, Ron Mast, a member of the San Pasqual tribe, filed a challenge saying that the group does not belong in the tribe. He says the group is made up of descendants of Marcus R. Alto Sr., whom he contends was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Maria Duro Alto and Jose Alto, as a child, but was not their biological son."This is the meeting where it all gets decided," Mast said about Sunday's gathering.
About 50 tribal members lost their jobs at the casino and their share of casino revenues earlier this year after some members of the tribe voted to accept the report's findings. Tribal leaders said the casino payments are being held in special accounts until the membership dispute is resolved. Fletcher said that the tribe could not legally take away tribal member's benefits before the bureau has made a final ruling on the question of whether the group belongs in the tribe.
North County Times does a good job on the story as usual.
In July, Fletcher sent a letter to tribal officials saying his agency no longer recognizes a functioning tribal government because of the split and the tribe's apparent inability to convene a quorum of tribal leaders. So then, aren't ALL per capita payments ILLEGAL without a revenue sharing plan?
The letter stressed that federal law forbids tribes from operating businesses or programs in the absence of a functioning government. In August, Lawson asked Fletcher to arrange a meeting with a Justice Department mediator.
Those talks hit an impasse, Fletcher said Thursday. He declined to discuss the matter in detail, but he confirmed that the tribe could lose its right to operate the casino if an agreement is not reached."It's a possible outcome, yes," Fletcher said.
HOW MANY DOES IT HAVE TO BE BEFORE IT'S WRONG?
Talks between warring factions of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians are at a stalemate, which has led to a crucial meeting this weekend between tribal leaders and federal officials at the North County reservation.
A dispute on whether 80 people belong in the tribe has split the tribe's governing council, putting the tribe's Valley View Casino at risk of closing its doors, a Bureau of Indian Affairs official said Thursday."The elected council needs to come together, not two on that side and three on that side, but as five members," said Jim Fletcher, the bureau's Southern California superintendent.
Fletcher is scheduled to meet with San Pasqual tribal leaders Sunday to discuss the ongoing dispute.It is the latest in a bitter feud among factions of the 300-member tribe that calls into question what it means to be American Indian and who gets to benefit from the spoils of casino wealth. San Pasqual Chairman Allen Lawson has declined to discuss the matter and did not return a call for comment Thursday.
In July, members of the tribe conducted two separate meetings on the disenrollment matter, each side claiming leadership of the tribe. One was at the reservation and the other in Escondido.The group that met at San Pasqual voted to accept a consultant's report that concluded the 80 people whose tribal affiliations are in question do not belong and should not be listed as members of San Pasqual.
Last year, Ron Mast, a member of the San Pasqual tribe, filed a challenge saying that the group does not belong in the tribe. He says the group is made up of descendants of Marcus R. Alto Sr., whom he contends was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Maria Duro Alto and Jose Alto, as a child, but was not their biological son."This is the meeting where it all gets decided," Mast said about Sunday's gathering.
About 50 tribal members lost their jobs at the casino and their share of casino revenues earlier this year after some members of the tribe voted to accept the report's findings. Tribal leaders said the casino payments are being held in special accounts until the membership dispute is resolved. Fletcher said that the tribe could not legally take away tribal member's benefits before the bureau has made a final ruling on the question of whether the group belongs in the tribe.
North County Times does a good job on the story as usual.
In July, Fletcher sent a letter to tribal officials saying his agency no longer recognizes a functioning tribal government because of the split and the tribe's apparent inability to convene a quorum of tribal leaders. So then, aren't ALL per capita payments ILLEGAL without a revenue sharing plan?
The letter stressed that federal law forbids tribes from operating businesses or programs in the absence of a functioning government. In August, Lawson asked Fletcher to arrange a meeting with a Justice Department mediator.
Those talks hit an impasse, Fletcher said Thursday. He declined to discuss the matter in detail, but he confirmed that the tribe could lose its right to operate the casino if an agreement is not reached."It's a possible outcome, yes," Fletcher said.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
UNION Card Check is bad for America; Bad for Tribes
We wrote about how Tom Cole of Oklahoma said that union card check legislation would be the worst threat to tribal sovereignty HERE Today, Ed Morrissey of HOT AIR has a story that George McGovern, the former Presidential Nominee for the Democratic Party AGREES that Card Check legislation is BAD for America.
That story is HERE.
Guess who supports Card Check? Hint: It's NOT McCain
Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro called unions CORRUPT so we know he's against card check.
That story is HERE.
Guess who supports Card Check? Hint: It's NOT McCain
Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro called unions CORRUPT so we know he's against card check.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Cherokee President Chad Smith: Our Slaves Were Treated Well
CNOT President Chad Smith says that, our slavery was the good kind? If you are not FREE Chad, it's still slavery. How many of your slaves WANTED to die on the Trail of Tears? Let's see, Chad wants to look at this portion of the Freedmen Diaries, but he's not concerned about the words of his ancestors who say the Freedmen were part of the Tribe?
UPDATE: WELCOME to all of John Cornsilks Readers! Thank you for coming and please come back.
From the ICT article:
“Slavery is slavery,” Smith said. “But the way people inter-reacted was largely different between the Deep South and in Indian territories, especially among the Cherokee. If you go to the freedmen diaries and comments, almost without exception, they felt that they were treated well and fairly, and had a great affinity for Cherokee families and their social life.
And so it’s wrong to cast us in the same broad brush as you would talk about slavery in the Deep South.”Under the existential circumstances enforced by the war, Smith has explained, the Cherokee in Oklahoma sided with the Confederacy at the outset of the war, and with the Union later. The price of their post-war readmission to the Union was to ordain their former slaves as tribal citizens in an 1866 treaty, an interpretation upheld since in the courts
Congressional action on housing bill follows freedmen forum
The bill, H.R. 2786, reauthorizing the Native American Housing and Self-Determination Assistance Act, passed the Senate on Sept. 25 and the House of Representatives on Sept. 27 with a section that channels funding to the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma provided a tribal court injunction against freedmen disenrollment remains in place, or until the nation and the freedmen settle their differences out of court.
Watson, a Democrat from California, denounced Congress for not intervening against the Cherokee Nation, adding that Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., chairman of Natural Resources, the committee of jurisdiction for most Indian issues in the House, has agreed to hold a hearing on the freedmen issue in the next Congress. Smith said Watson has never taken up numerous opportunities to meet with him, though other members of the CBC have been forthcoming.
Rumsey, Pechanga, Redding, Picayune, San Pasqual Suffer from POVERTY OF SOUL
OP: This sad story of the POVERTY of SOUL told on the Rumsey Band in the Sacramento Bee can be told on reservations throughout California. My regular readers are well aware of what Pechanga has become, once the greed, bred by wealth infusion or "affluenza" as my nephew calls it. It's a disease brought on by welfare, this IS welfare to some, an incentive NOT to work. The Picayune Rancheria has many sad story beginning with the EXTERMINATION of their people, BY their people.
I remember when the money started coming in, some of the Pechanga members were excited about getting a TARGET charge card. Then, things got bad, the greedy ones wanted no more people to share in the good fortune and they instituted an illegal moratorium (against the Pechanga Constitution and Bylaws). They no longer contributed to the youth trust fund, members didn't want the youth to be taken care of if member parent died. One of the Masiel Crime Family stood up and said he didn't trust his daughter in law to handle "that type of money", before backing off that comment. POVERTY OF SOUL (SacBee link) Ten years after the casino cash started flowing, the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians' good fortune is on display across the peaceful Capay Valley. Thanks to their Cache Creek Casino Resort – which makes about $300 million a year and is scheduled to expand – each of the 26 adults in the 60-member nation gets about $1 million a year after taxes, more if they're on the tribal council or committees. They get a travel allowance to expand their horizons to Tahiti, Europe or anyplace they desire. OP: The Pechanga members, after eliminating 25% of their tribal members, now get $360,000 per year (corrected), while council members get over $95,000 per year. There are 750 adults now, so we believe that the tribe will look at terminating another family to boost per capita. Pechanga may say no, but then, they said no after extermination of the first family en masse in the history of the tribe. They own luxury cars, custom homes on the rancheria and second homes elsewhere. They send their children to a first-class private school that offers their Patwin language and native flute taught occasionally by Grammy winner Mary Youngblood. OP: This is good for California's economy and Pechanga eliminated this from 25% of the tribe, forcing short sales, loss of health care, children kicked out of the tribal school, and elimination of elder care for lifelong members. The state of California lost a lot of tax money from those terminated that lived OFF the reservation. But CEO and Chief Marshall McKay sees trouble behind the opulence. The demons of the past that have plagued his tribe since they lived in trailers and scrounged for work haunt them still: diabetes, substance abuse, fierce family feuds and chronic apathy. OP: There is plenty of evidence of that on many reservations, my archives are full of violent behaviors from Pechanga and it's Soboba cousins. "I call it wealth shock … the poverty of the soul," said McKay, who's fighting to save his nation by pushing cultural rebirth and education. "I stress to members we can do a lot of damage by providing too much." Only three tribal members have finished high school since the casino money started rolling in. They know they'll never have to work as long as they stay out of jail. OP: Not a simple task, when you have NOTHING TO WORK FOR. No goals, means nothing to strive for. The newest video game, car or toy is NOT a goal. This is a great article and one that should be read by all in California. Is this what we thought Self Reliance would be? A few Indians getting richer at the expense of their families and friends?
I remember when the money started coming in, some of the Pechanga members were excited about getting a TARGET charge card. Then, things got bad, the greedy ones wanted no more people to share in the good fortune and they instituted an illegal moratorium (against the Pechanga Constitution and Bylaws). They no longer contributed to the youth trust fund, members didn't want the youth to be taken care of if member parent died. One of the Masiel Crime Family stood up and said he didn't trust his daughter in law to handle "that type of money", before backing off that comment. POVERTY OF SOUL (SacBee link) Ten years after the casino cash started flowing, the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians' good fortune is on display across the peaceful Capay Valley. Thanks to their Cache Creek Casino Resort – which makes about $300 million a year and is scheduled to expand – each of the 26 adults in the 60-member nation gets about $1 million a year after taxes, more if they're on the tribal council or committees. They get a travel allowance to expand their horizons to Tahiti, Europe or anyplace they desire. OP: The Pechanga members, after eliminating 25% of their tribal members, now get $360,000 per year (corrected), while council members get over $95,000 per year. There are 750 adults now, so we believe that the tribe will look at terminating another family to boost per capita. Pechanga may say no, but then, they said no after extermination of the first family en masse in the history of the tribe. They own luxury cars, custom homes on the rancheria and second homes elsewhere. They send their children to a first-class private school that offers their Patwin language and native flute taught occasionally by Grammy winner Mary Youngblood. OP: This is good for California's economy and Pechanga eliminated this from 25% of the tribe, forcing short sales, loss of health care, children kicked out of the tribal school, and elimination of elder care for lifelong members. The state of California lost a lot of tax money from those terminated that lived OFF the reservation. But CEO and Chief Marshall McKay sees trouble behind the opulence. The demons of the past that have plagued his tribe since they lived in trailers and scrounged for work haunt them still: diabetes, substance abuse, fierce family feuds and chronic apathy. OP: There is plenty of evidence of that on many reservations, my archives are full of violent behaviors from Pechanga and it's Soboba cousins. "I call it wealth shock … the poverty of the soul," said McKay, who's fighting to save his nation by pushing cultural rebirth and education. "I stress to members we can do a lot of damage by providing too much." Only three tribal members have finished high school since the casino money started rolling in. They know they'll never have to work as long as they stay out of jail. OP: Not a simple task, when you have NOTHING TO WORK FOR. No goals, means nothing to strive for. The newest video game, car or toy is NOT a goal. This is a great article and one that should be read by all in California. Is this what we thought Self Reliance would be? A few Indians getting richer at the expense of their families and friends?
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Bear Butte, SD A SACRED Site That Needs YOUR Help
Our friend Tamra Brennan, of NDNews has been working for years along with many other to protect the Bear Butte sacred site in South Dakota.
Maybe the MONGOLS and Doc Cavasos can take the lead with bikers on protecting this site
This article on the struggle has many comments from Tamra, who has been so supportive of the disenrolled people of California. Remember her emails to Pechanga cousins Victor Rocha and Mark Macarro, that we wrote about HERE?
There are people who are working to protect Bear Butte, but their efforts could be described as loosely organized.Among them is Tamra Brennan, who lives near Bear Butte and identifies herself as a Cherokee tribal member. She runs Protect Bear Butte, an offshoot of Protect Sacred Sites.
Both organizations are grassroots in nature and lack official nonprofit status.Protect Bear Butte's activism has so far taken the form of public information campaigns.
Group members e-mailed thousands of bikers prior to this year's Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and handed out fliers at the event. The intent was to educate bikers about the sacred nature of the mountain."All we're asking is if bikers come to the area, please use some respect," Brennan said.Brennan also has argued against development near Bear Butte, including plans for bars or other biker-focused businesses in the mountain's immediate vicinity.
She and others fear, however, that the privately owned land around Bear Butte could be sold at any time and converted to any use."We could have another 'World's Largest Biker Bar' directly across from Bear Butte, or even at the base of Bear Butte," Brennan said.
Brennan said she has hiked to the top of Bear Butte many times. She thinks that if everybody involved in the debates about development around Bear Butte would take time to make the hike, the mountain would win them over."It's a very powerful and spiritual place," she said. "Anybody that doesn't feel that, it just doesn't make any sense."Rep. Olson, who opposed the easement, has been to the summit. She thinks the mountain is worth protecting, but said it is sufficiently protected by the park designation. "There's nobody who's going to be digging a hole in the top of it or trying to tear it down or anything."
Both of Tamra's sites are linked on my right column. Please take the time to check them out.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Another Day, ANOTHER member of Pechanga Crime Family ARRESTED
Yes, readers, another member of the MASIEL crime family has been arrested for a violent offense. We reported on Benjamin Masiel, Pechanga's $360,000 per year carjacker HERE and Junior Basquez HERE and Larry Miranda HERE but now, we have Robert Masiel, with a long history of offensives, listed below who shoots at 4 people over a $200 debt.
Now, remember that Pechanga tribal members are making about $360,000 per year, since they violated their own constitution by eliminating 25% of their tribe. By terminating 400 employees a couple of months ago, that we wrote about HERE, they were able to keep per capita high.
A 42-year-old man who allegedly fired two shots into a group of four people – one of whom was 14 years old – in San Jacinto was behind bars Thursday in lieu of $1 million bail, awaiting arraignment on an attempted murder charge.
Robert Martin Masiel, who lives on the Soboba Indian Reservation, was arrested Wednesday in the 43000 block of Benjamin Street by sheriff's deputies who served a search warrant and recovered numerous firearms, according to the sheriff's department.
Masiel, a Pechanga tribal member who has a home on the Soboba Indian Reservation, was staying at the Valley Vista address, sheriff's Detective Steven Fredericks said.
“He's got an extensive criminal history,” he added. OP: Uh, YEAH, see the list of violations BELOW
Masiel is suspected of firing a 9mm pistol at four people in the backyard of a home at 379 Main St. in San Jacinto about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the sheriff's department.
“It looks like he was angry over a debt,” Fredericks said.
Rudy Saucedo, who said he has known Masiel for 20 years, told sheriff's deputies that Masiel fired the shots, according to a declaration in support of an arrest warrant filed by Fredericks.
Saucedo said he owed Masiel $200 from two years ago, Fredericks wrote in court papers.
Now, readers, Masiel has made roughly $650,000 in the past two years, since his family led the charge to eliminate 25% of the tribe. And he shoots at 4 people for $200. I guess he's standing up for principal?
IS the Pechanga Casino SAFE?
MASIEL, ROBERT MARTIN
VC 2800.2
VC 2800.2
HS 11377(A)
PC 12021(A)(1)
PC 664/187(A)
PC 148(A)(1)
VC 14601.2(A)
BP 4140
VC 22349B
VC 22349B
VC M23152(A)
PC 187(A)
PC 187(A)
Thursday, October 2, 2008
When Sarah Palin Kicked Some Joe Biden ASS in the DEBATE
This is the chance to see the two people in action, Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin!
After all is said and done, whichever is elected, we most likely won't care much about after the President is in office.
Any thoughts as to how the debates will go?
UPDATES: It was very clear that Sarah Palin won the debate. Expectations were low, so doing better that those expectations was easy. She clearly showed that she had the ability to learn. There is still a way to go. Biden had the tougher task; avoid his usual gaffes, not be condescending and support Obama, who has very little to run on, no record, few stances that are secure.
Biden has been in the Senate for 35 years and he certainly didn't look like he had 17 times the experience that beats Palin's 2 years as Governor. She stood up to a tough test and passed with flying colors.
Obama is NOT about hope, he's part of the Chicago Political Machine he is MORE of the same and has shown NO inclination to go against them, or to STAND for anything.
That being said, it's most likely that Obama will win, Bush fatigue is too hard to overcome. Pechanga tribal members better be asking for a 401K plan to hide the money, because Obama is coming after YOU. Do the math, you are in the category that will be taxed the heaviest.
Jazz Shaw of the Moderate Voice has his OPINION on Sarah's victory.
Ed Morrissey of Hot Air says Sarah Palin won HERE
Fausta from Fausta's Blog on Biden's lies Here
Little Change in Poverty, Unemployment in CA Tribes; Pechanga ADDS to both
Tribal Gaming is good for a few, but did not help most Native Americans in California. Pechanga has massacred more Indians in the Temecula area in the last five years than the white man had the previous 150 years! Pechanga hired an expert to PROVE that some were not members and he proved they WERE, yet the tribe still accomplished its goal to remove them, evidence be damned.
There are many links in this article, please take the time to look at them.
Malcolm Maclachlan at Capitol Weekly reports that poverty and unemployment among California Indian tribes remains unchanged years after the people of California authorized Indian Gaming based on the promises of people like Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro told us that gaming would lift all out of poverty.
The BIA released the new data with an interesting caveat: They’re looking for help in improving their own numbers. The BIA says reporting from some tribes across the country has been spotty — an opinion echoed by some who work with tribes — and they are creating a training program to help make sure that tribes report accurate data.
Their 2005 numbers, the latest available, came out on Sept. 16. They appear to show a California Indian population whose circumstances haven’t changed much in recent years. For 2005, the BIA lists 106 federally recognized tribes in California. The figures show about 38,000 adults “available” to work, but an unemployment rate of 47 percent. Of those people who are working, 29 percent were still under the federal poverty line.
For instance, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians is now teaching children the native Luiseno language. OP: Those children that are left in the school, after the tribe physically removed the children of those that they terminated.
But she also noted major differences between gaming and non-gaming tribes.
“In a government budget, $1.1 million is nothing if you need to provide roads and infrastructure,” Jensen said. “$1.1 million barely buys you a quarter mile of road.”
Harvey also noted that the BIA survey list is confined to enrolled members of federally recognized tribes probably encompasses less than half of the people in California who consider themselves Indians.
Viejas showed 68 percent unemployment, which the Pala Band came in at 62 percent. Pechanga reported a 91 percent unemployment rate. OP: Here's WHY.
MONEY QUOTE: Some of the reported membership figures are also likely to change in coming reports due to the trend of tribal disenrollments. The Picayune Rancheria Chukchansi Indians reported having 1,234 members in 2003 but only 1,173 two years later. At a June tribal meeting last year, the tribe reported having only 691 members. Many others have been disenrolled—told they are not eligible to be members of the tribe. The Pechanga Band reported having 1,372 members in every report in both 1999 to 2005, yet has disenrolled dozens of members OP: Uh, Malcolm, make that HUNDREDS!since then.
Many tribes say they have disenrolled members who did not have legitimate claims to be members, but many of the disenrolled proved they were kicked out so the casino profits would be cut into fewer slices.
OP: And yet, local governments and the ACLU and NAACP continue to avoid dealing with the violations of civil and human rights that the tribes have perpetrated on their own people. Democratic Chairman HOWARD DEAN even glorifies some of those that have abused their own. Kicking elders to the curb must be a requirement for Democrats?
I urge all readers to continue to learn about this at:
www.airro.org
www.tribalcorruption.org
www.pechanga.info
And PLEASE, pass my blog onto your email lists, my archives are FULL of information.
There are many links in this article, please take the time to look at them.
Malcolm Maclachlan at Capitol Weekly reports that poverty and unemployment among California Indian tribes remains unchanged years after the people of California authorized Indian Gaming based on the promises of people like Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro told us that gaming would lift all out of poverty.
The BIA released the new data with an interesting caveat: They’re looking for help in improving their own numbers. The BIA says reporting from some tribes across the country has been spotty — an opinion echoed by some who work with tribes — and they are creating a training program to help make sure that tribes report accurate data.
Their 2005 numbers, the latest available, came out on Sept. 16. They appear to show a California Indian population whose circumstances haven’t changed much in recent years. For 2005, the BIA lists 106 federally recognized tribes in California. The figures show about 38,000 adults “available” to work, but an unemployment rate of 47 percent. Of those people who are working, 29 percent were still under the federal poverty line.
For instance, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians is now teaching children the native Luiseno language. OP: Those children that are left in the school, after the tribe physically removed the children of those that they terminated.
But she also noted major differences between gaming and non-gaming tribes.
“In a government budget, $1.1 million is nothing if you need to provide roads and infrastructure,” Jensen said. “$1.1 million barely buys you a quarter mile of road.”
Harvey also noted that the BIA survey list is confined to enrolled members of federally recognized tribes probably encompasses less than half of the people in California who consider themselves Indians.
Viejas showed 68 percent unemployment, which the Pala Band came in at 62 percent. Pechanga reported a 91 percent unemployment rate. OP: Here's WHY.
MONEY QUOTE: Some of the reported membership figures are also likely to change in coming reports due to the trend of tribal disenrollments. The Picayune Rancheria Chukchansi Indians reported having 1,234 members in 2003 but only 1,173 two years later. At a June tribal meeting last year, the tribe reported having only 691 members. Many others have been disenrolled—told they are not eligible to be members of the tribe. The Pechanga Band reported having 1,372 members in every report in both 1999 to 2005, yet has disenrolled dozens of members OP: Uh, Malcolm, make that HUNDREDS!since then.
Many tribes say they have disenrolled members who did not have legitimate claims to be members, but many of the disenrolled proved they were kicked out so the casino profits would be cut into fewer slices.
OP: And yet, local governments and the ACLU and NAACP continue to avoid dealing with the violations of civil and human rights that the tribes have perpetrated on their own people. Democratic Chairman HOWARD DEAN even glorifies some of those that have abused their own. Kicking elders to the curb must be a requirement for Democrats?
I urge all readers to continue to learn about this at:
www.airro.org
www.tribalcorruption.org
www.pechanga.info
And PLEASE, pass my blog onto your email lists, my archives are FULL of information.
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