Larry Echo Hawk to Decide San Pascual Membership Dispute

Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, Larry Echo Hawk says he will decide on a membership dispute within the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians of California.

In January 2009, the tribe blocked the descendants of the late Marcus R. Alto Sr. from participating in an election. About 60 to 80 people -- around a third of the tribal membership -- are affected. See the VIDEO HERE

In November 2009, the acting director for the Pacific Region of the Bureau of Indian Affairs said the tribe violated its own laws and declared the election invalid.

The tribal council that was elected in January 2009 filed an appeal and Echo Hawk said he will make a decision on the matter after receiving briefs from all of the parties involved. Until then, the BIA continues to recognize the tribal council that was elected in January 2007 as the valid San Pasqual government.

Do what is right, Mr. Echo Hawk. This tribal council is not doing what is right for the people of San Pascual.

San Pascual is but ONE tribe in CA that has disenrolled members. The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, which hijacked the Temecula Band of Luiseno Indian's federal recognition, is well known for terminating Indians from their rightful place in the tribe. Since the advent of casino gaming Pechanga's disenrollment of 230 adults from the tribe is second only to the Picayune Rancheria in the termination of Native Americans in CA.