Congress to Look into ENFORCEMENT of ICRA?

We are hearing that there will be a request for and oversight hearing into the enforcement of the Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA)

With civil rights coming into focus, thanks to the AZ immigration law, it's high time that Congress have these hearings.

Due to the arbitrary and capricious actions tribes are taking against their own people. We hope to have confirmation of the request shortly. Indian Self Reliance was not meant to destroy Native Americans, which is what tribes like Pechanga, Picayune, Redding have done.

For All California Pols Who Are Against AZ law because of Civil Rights; Why did YOU Take MONEY from a Civil Rights VIOLATOR? Where's YOUR outrage?

HOW DARE YOU? Accuse the sovereign state of Arizona of possibly violating the civil rights of illegal immigrants, why YOU TAKE MONEY from tribes that have ALREADY violated the basic civil and human rights of CALIFORNIA citizens of Native American ancestry. Why aren't you STANDING UP for US?

Does your outrage end at your pocketbook? Will you call for boycotts of tribes like: Picayune, Redding, Enterprise, Pechanga, San Pacual, Guideville? GARAMENDI, JOHN CA LT GOVERNOR $10,600 CORREA, LOU CA SENATE $7,200 DE LA TORRE, HECTOR CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 SOLORIO, JOSE CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 CARTER, WILMER A CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 FEUER, MIKE CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 ARAMBULA, JUAN CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 CALDERON, CHARLES CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 LIEU, TED W CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 COTO, JOE CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 CORBETT, ELLEN CA SENATE $7,200 PRICE JR, CURREN D CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 FUENTES, FELIPE CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 STEINBERG, DARRELL CA SENATE $7,200 SALAS, MARY CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 GALGIANI, CATHLEEN CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 BEALL JR, JIM CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 DE LEON, KEVIN CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 OROPEZA, JENNY CA SENATE $7,200 HAYASHI, MARY CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 CABALLERO, ANNA M CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 NAVA, PEDRO CA ASSEMBLY $7,200 TORLAKSON, TOM CA ASSEMBLY $6,900 BASS, KAREN CA ASSEMBLY $6,600 PADILLA, ALEX CA SENATE $6,600 EVANS, NOREEN CA ASSEMBLY $6,600 MA, FIONA CA ASSEMBLY $6,100 FURUTANI, WARREN CA ASSEMBLY $6,100 DE SAULNIER, MARK CA SENATE $5,600 SALDANA, LORI CA ASSEMBLY $5,600 KREKORIAN, PAUL CA ASSEMBLY $5,200 DAVIS, MIKE CA ASSEMBLY $5,200 MENDOZA, TONY CA ASSEMBLY $5,200 BROWN, JERRY CA ATTORNEY GENERAL $5,000 TORRES, NORMA J CA ASSEMBLY $3,600 FLOREZ, FRAN CA ASSEMBLY $3,600 PORTANTINO, ANTHONY CA ASSEMBLY $3,600 YAMADA, MARIKO CA ASSEMBLY $3,600 WRIGHT, ROD CA SENATE $3,600 HUBER, ALYSON L CA ASSEMBLY $3,600 KEHOE, CHRISTINE CA SENATE $3,600 MONNING, BILL CA ASSEMBLY $3,600 LENO, MARK CA SENATE $3,000 CEDILLO, GILBERT CA SENATE $3,000 GONZALES, RICK CA ASSEMBLY $2,500 WALDMAN, STUART CA ASSEMBLY $2,500 BLUMENFIELD, ROBERT CA ASSEMBLY $2,500 CASERTA, DOMINIC CA ASSEMBLY $2,500 BROWNLEY, JULIA CA ASSEMBLY $2,000 YEE, LELAND Y CA SENATE $2,000 DYMALLY, MERVYN M CA SENATE $2,000 HERNANDEZ, EDWARD P CA ASSEMBLY $2,000 WIGGINS, PATRICIA CA SENATE $2,000 PETTIS, GREGORY S CA ASSEMBLY $1,000 SIMITIAN, S JOSEPH CA SENATE $600 LOWENTHAL, ALAN CA SENATE $600 MIGDEN, CAROLE CA SENATE $-2,696

Stand up for CA citizens that have been violated and made victims of corrupt Tribal Governments. Refuse to meet with them until they restore rights to their people.

Scott Cozart New Chairman of Soboba

The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians has elected a new tribal chairman, ending more than 30 years of leadership from former Chairman Robert Salgado. The tribe elected Scott Cozart as its new chairman Friday. Salgado stepped down last year following a federal indictment on bribery charges. His trial is now scheduled to begin Oct. 15. Cozart last served as vice-chairman until he was voted out of office in 2006. He previously served as tribal chairman from 1986 to 1988. Also elected to serve on the tribal council were former council members Geneva Mojado and Edward Soza, defeating former Vice-Chairwoman Rosemary Morillo and councilmember Gordon Placencia. Council members Rose Salgado and Steve Lopez have one more year remaining on their two-year terms.

Eastern Cherokee Claim Pechanga AGAIN looking at Disenrollment AND Intimates Land Grab from Terminated People

The Eastern Cherokee are looking to terminate members. And they are looking at taking back land from the disenrollees, according to the Smokey Mountain News.

During committee meetings last month, tribal council members considered the possibility of taking land back from disenrolled members and asked their legal team whether they would have to provide compensation for it.

EBCI Attorney General Annette Tarnawsky said the Pechanga Tribe in California and the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan are in the midst of similar enrollment verification proceedings, but neither has used the enrollment audits to expel people from their reservations or to repossess land.

We told the US Appeals Court that Pechanga would continue to do this dastardly thing and now, with more banishments, lack of due process, WHY would anyone support them?



The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians,are well known for terminating Indians from their rightful place in the tribe. Since the advent of casino gaming Pechanga's disenrollment of 300 human beings from the tribe is second only to the Picayune Rancheria (over 500)in the termination of Native Americans in CA.

Pechanga's Leader, A Civil Rights Abuser Who Decimated His Tribe on Top 100 List of Political Playas

Yes, because Mark Macarro, who has led the termination, expulsion and violation of civil and human rights of historical Pechanga people is so..... honorable? Please share this on Facebook and take a look at all the links.


66. Mark Macarro, Pechanga Band of Lusieno Indians

Macarro was the face that helped sell tribal gaming to California voters more than a decade ago. (yes, remember he said that it would help all Indians in CA?) He became the spokesman for the Proposition 5 and Proposition 1A campaigns., which helped change tribal and California politics forever. While tribal issues have ebbed in importance inside the Legislature, Macarro and Pechanga remain active in state and local politics, and are still a viable political force.

It's telling that tribal issues have "ebbed". IS it because the politicians have their heads in the sand, while their palms are facing upward? Remember his LIE to Congress ?

WHERE TO BEGIN: HERE Here Here Here Here Here

CA Politicians Need to Clean their OWN HOUSE of Civil Rights Violators.

We've been hearing so much about the new immigration law in Arizona, drafted because the Federal Government has not fulfilled it's obligation to protect the border with Mexico.

The interesting issue is that the San Francisco City Council, Rep. Joe Baca, some Los Angeles City Council members including Janice Hahn and Ed Reyes want to boycott Arizona and sever all business ties. And for what? Because a sovereign state drafted laws that were concurrent with Federal statutes? Please.

Let's see. Here in California we have tribes that violate Native American rights with impunity, yet former CA Assembly Speaker Karen Bass takes money from tribes like Pechanga which is known to be a violator and partied at the Chukchansi casino in Coarsegold.

Compare what's happened by tribes in California, where tribal councils have:

• Stripped tribal members of their citizenship
• Denied voting rights to members
• Taken away rightful healthcare to seniors
• Blocked access to land on the reservation
• Denied members due process of law, including legal representation, even writing tools.
• Prohibition of practicing religion, including the right to pray at their ancestor's graves.
• Threatened others if they speak out
• Subjected some to ex post facto laws.
• Banishment from reservation at a whim.
• Failure to follow the tribal constitutions (Pechanga)
• Disallow burials where their ancestors were buried.

Compare these with the chance that someone could be asked to show ID if they are a citizen. And it's a law that hasn't happened yet. In California, ALL have happened, repeatedly to CITIZENS of California. And either, the politicians have their heads in the sand, or they simply won't get enough press coverage by doing what is right by their own constituents.

As we asked Darrell Steinberg yesterday, LOOK INWARD to what's happening in your own state. Boycott tribes like Pechanga, Picayune, Guidiville, Enterprise, Cherokee Nation, San Pacual, Los Coyotes. And certainly DO NOT ACCEPT MONEY FROM THEM, otherwise, you give your tacit approval.

CA Democrat Darrell Steinberg Says Boycott AZ for New Immigration Law, IGNORES Civil Rights Violations by Indian Tribes in His OWN STATE

Mr. Steinberg, there are huge civil rights violators in YOUR own state. Look HERE first. Do the names: Pechanga, Picayune, Enterprise, Robinson, San Pascual, Los Coyotes mean ANYTHING to you. NO? The have your staff follow this blog, sir. Forget about Arizona, that state is NONE OF YOUR DAMN Business. They have elected politicians in that state. Protect the local California INDIANS who have HAD THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS violated ALREADY. Why worry about illegal aliens from another country. LOOK INWARD, tell your leadership to no longer support tribes that VIOLATED the civil and human rights already.


California Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg said today he has asked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to work with him to review all state contracts with Arizona and possibly break them because of Arizona's new immigration police law. OP: BREAK contact with tribes, no longer have meetings at their hotels, don't take their political donations,

"That bill is a gross civil-rights violation. We hope it will be overturned by the courts quickly," said the Sacramento Democrat, who sent a letter to Schwarzenegger today. OP: There is NO violation, the bill hasn't taken effect. Meanwhile, elders are abused, health care taken away, voting rights cancelled, in your own back yard.

The new Arizona law requires local police officers to demand proof of legal status in the United States when officers believe there is reasonable suspicion that someone is an illegal immigrant. Latino and immigrant rights groups say the law will lead to racial profiling and vow to sue to stop it. OP: Meanwhile, tribes are violating tribal constitutions with impugnity, using LESS THAN reasonble suspicion to accuse people they DON'T LIKE.

"It's a civil-rights issue whenever you set somebody aside because of the color of their skin or where they come from," said Steinberg, who is a lawyer. "And that applies to both legal immigrants, citizens and undocumented immigrants. I mean, how do you define reasonable suspicion? There's only one way under that law. And it's somebody who looks Mexican. Period."


Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest/2010/04/post-12.html#ixzz0mKwBVpQn

AIRRO: Indians Decry Rights Abuses and U.S. Inaction

Indians Decry Rights Abuses and U.S. Inaction

Sacramento, CA and Temecula, CA-


Indians from various parts of Indian Country recently participated in several listening sessions hosted by the American Indian Rights and Resources Organization ("AIRRO"), a Native American civil rights group.

The sessions were held to allow individuals, groups and tribes an opportunity to testify regarding violations of basic human and civil rights in Indian Country. The testimony and recommendations given at each of the sessions will be used by AIRRO to prepare a report which will submitted to the United Nations for use in the Universal Periodic Review of rights issues within the United States.

"The sessions were important for the simple fact that they allowed individuals and groups the opportunity to provide information regarding an issue, that up till now, had gone unreported," stated AIRRO President John Gomez, Jr. "Many people are unaware that tribal officials have committed gross human rights violations against their own citizens. And many more would be surprised to hear that the United States government is largely responsible for allowing the violations to occur and continue."

As evidence of this growing trend, testimony at both sessions chronicled actions taken by tribal officials to strip or deny their citizens the basic rights others take for granted. People testified about being stripped of their citizenship, being denied access to their land, and being prohibited from practicing their religion. All this, at the hands of tribal officials.

Attempts to address these issues are often fruitless as the officials responsible for determining whether or not the actions are consistent with tribal or federal laws are the same tribal officials whose actions are under review. Additionally, requests for assistance to the United States go unanswered. Government agencies, such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs, routinely decline to intervene in the "internal affairs" of tribes.

"The United States has created an environment for human and civil rights abuses in Indian Country. As long as tribal officials can invoke immunity to escape prosecution and individuals are denied redress for violations of their rights, the number of human rights victims in Indian Country will continue to grow," added Gomez.

The attendees at each of the sessions provided recommendations to address the rights abuses in Indian Country. Well some stated that federal courts should have the authority to review tribal actions that allegedly violate the rights of individuals, most said that the federal government must provide meaningful enforcement of existing laws enacted to protect individuals from abuses by tribal officials.

AIRRO plans to make its report available once it is completed. It will also prepare to consult with the federal government regarding human rights abuses in Indian Country and discuss the United States position regarding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

For more information or to receive updates regarding this issue, please visit www.airro.org or send an email to mail@airro.org.

Pechanga Tribe on Banishment: Child Abuser: OKAY Sage Picker: NO WAY

It's amazing what Pechanga chooses to BANISH tribal descendents for. It's WELL KNOWN that they have a child molestor in their midst as well as many of the Masiel Crime family with violent offenses that bring police to the reservation.

And AMAZINGLY, they banish members of the Tosobol family, which HAS LAND ON THE RESERVATION and BLOOD RELATIVES living there for: wait for it...

PICKING SAGE!

Those dastardly villains who come onto the reservation, TELLING the security guards WHAT THEY are doing there, then get detained, searched and now face LIFE EXCLUSION for merely being on the land they OWN?

Ask yourselves, readers, WHAT is the larger crime, child molestation or sage picking? Destruction of a childhood or a plant that grows in abudance? What is the Pechanga Tribal Rangers definition of UNDESIRABLE? Please check the links above

AIRRO Sponsored Listening Session On Indigenous Rights Violations in The United States

We are attending the listening session in Temecula, sponsored by AIRRO and the Temecula Indians.

The gathering includes participants from at least ten tribes, including Jamul Indian Village, San Luis Rey, Pechanga Temecula Indians, Los Coyotes. Additionally testimony was read from Cherokee Freedmen and Creek Freedmen.

Ruth Cassell, of Los Coyotes discussed how she is standing her ground on the reservation. They called her a troublemaker, but she says that She has been on the resevation over 50 years. The termination era at Los Coyotes came with new tribal leaders and one who dictates to the people versus leading them. It's an example of voting rights abuse eliminating those that disagree.

It is akin to Democrats eliminating a branch of their legislators, say the Blue Dogs, because they don't always march in lockstep. Freedom of opinion, of thought is taken away. Is that America?

We'll follow up with more stories. Please come back and look

UPDATE: Members of the PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS spoke out on how they were denied due process, how the Tribal Council, led by Mark Macarro, failed to follow the Pechanga Constitution and Bylaws. Pechanga overruled the will of the people and by terminating voters, were able to control power and keep from suffering consequences. Remember how votes weren't counted in Florida? See the consequences? We got BUSH. That's what happens, fewer votes opposing you and you can win.

UPDATE: San Luis Rey tribesmen asked WHY they have to prove they ARE INDIAN people, when the government should prove they are NOT. The San Luis Rey tribe was terminated by the US Government in the 40's when their men were out fighting in WWII. They couldn't respond to any government inquiries because they were fighting the troops of Hirohito, Hitler and Mussolini. And they came back to TERMINATION. They are still looking for "recognition"

UPDATE: More Los Coyotes Band members, discussing the facts that they knew the old ways to practice burial cermonies on the elders of those that disenrolled them. One fired from her job was asked to help the new replacement, because nobody knew the job. How is that, again? You are out, but we need your help. Another member said disenrollment is akin to castration.
Kicked out of the tribe for being an "undesireable". Wow, that could empty out the Pechanga tribe, just with the Masiel Crime family alone.

Indian Rights Forum to Be Held in Temecula, Chairman Mark Macarro Again LIES!

Mark Macarro is again pushing his lies about courts siding with Pechanga. Not ONE has "sided" with them. Many have refused to hear the cases, citing jurisdiction.

A disenrolled member of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians of Temecula is helping host a forum in Temecula on Saturday focusing on civil rights abuses by American Indian tribes.

Testimony at the forum sponsored by the American Indian Rights and Resources Organization will be sent to federal officials and the United Nations, which is examining the United States as part of a periodic review of member nations' human rights records.

The forum is open to the public and will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the organization's headquarters, 41801 Corte Valentine.

Organization president John Gomez Jr. said the forum will provide an opportunity to speak for those whose rights were violated by tribes.

A similar forum last Saturday in Sacramento drew 25 people, he said, adding that this marks the first time his organization has held such a forum. OP: Including those from out of state.

"We expect that these sessions will provide insight to the growing number of human and civil rights violations committed by tribal officials, as well as the United States' failure to uphold and enforce treaties and laws enacted to protect individual Indians from such gross and egregious acts," Gomez said in a statement.

In an interview, Gomez said that while attention has been focused on Indians whose rights were violated by governments, the actions of tribal officials also need scrutiny.

He said tribal members have been stripped of their citizenship and denied access to their homes, while the federal government failed to protect their rights.

Gomez was among 130 Pechanga members kicked out of the tribe in 2004 after tribal officials said they were not descendants of Pechanga Indians. Another 100 or so members were disenrolled in 2006. OP: Since then, more than 2 dozen new descendents have not had access to their tribal rights. Additionally, HUNDREDS more are caught in an unconstitutional moratorium.

MACARRO again lies:

Asked to comment on the forum, the tribe provided a written statement from Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro saying the disenrollments "were just, based on facts, proven through generational knowledge (OP: THIS GENERATION), and encouraged by federal laws that empower tribal governments to reverse the destruction that prior U.S. policies inflicted on American Indian tribes. Seven courts have agreed with our tribe."

Each member of the tribe gets a six-figure annual payment of profits from Pechanga Resort & Casino. Those who were disenrolled lost those payments as well as access to other benefits.

Read more of the article HERE


Here's a history of how the Pechanga Casino has brought corruption to a head:

1. In December 2001, Yolanda McCarter (niece of Irene Scearce and Ruth Masiel) submitted a letter to Enrollment Committee demanding the Committee research several families including ours. The request stated that "this (be) straightened up before the next election in July."

2. In June 2002, Enrollment Committee Chairperson Mary Magee, sister of Gloria Wright, is removed from the Committee for divulging confidential information. A petition is justified to amend the Disenrollment Procedures. A vote to approve or deny the petition is set for July 2002.
(Petition is not brought forth until February 2003.)

The newly built Pechanga Resort and Casino is opened. This is a permanent structure which replaced the original Casino structures which were in modular and sprung structure.

In October 2002, 2 new members are elected to Enrollment Committee to bring membership up to required 10 members. (A member retired from Committee in September 2002). Olivia Walls is elected Committee Chair, and we request an audit of Enrollment Committee activities for the previous years and advice from our legal counsel at California Indian Legal Services on how to address wrong-doings by Committee and Committee members. Our legal counsel is told by John Macarro (shorter, younger brother of Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro) not to take any action to assist the Committee or answer our questions regarding the wrong-doings.

3. November 12, 2002, members of the Enrollment Committee, acting without a quorum and outside the Committee's procedures, serve several other Committee members with disenrollment summonses. The Committee members who took the action were- Irene Scearce, Ruth Masiel, Frances Miranda, Margaret Duncan, and Bobbi Lamere. Those served include John Gomez, Theresa Spears, Olivia Walls, and Sandra Garbani.

4. On December 10, 2002, Concerned Pechanga People submit documents to the Enrollment Committee questioning the lineal descent of several families including the Manuela Miranda descendents, Paulina Hunter descendents, and Garbani descendents. This action was taken a month after the above action. The Concerned Pechanga people are immediate family and friends of Committee members who initiated the November 12, 2002 action. (See list of Pechanga Enrollment Committee members, Splinter Group and Concerned Pechanga people).

5. Between December 10, 2002 and February 23, 2003, Concerned Pechanga people make visits to Enrollment Committee and send out flyers to Tribal members urging disenrollment actions be taken against the 3 families they have targeted. The Enrollment Committee does not move forward due to a split as to how to proceed and what constitutes "factual" information related to enrollment.

6. The Concerned Pechanga people move to have Pechanga Development Corporation Elections post-poned until disenrollment occurs. After the PDC elections have been put off for over a month, elections are finally held and Jennie Miranda is voted out of office. She is replaced by a member of the Hunter family. She and members of her family make statements about getting revenge on the Hunters and Manuela people.

7. February 18, 2003, members of the Enrollment Committee, acting without a quorum and outside the Committee's procedures serve several other Committee members with disenrollment summonses. The Committee members who took the action were- Irene Scearce, Ruth Masiel, Frances Miranda, Margaret Duncan, and Bobbi Lamere. Those served include John Gomez, Theresa Spears, Olivia Walls, and Sandra Garbani.

8. From February 24, 2003 to March 18, 2003 Committee is locked out while the Tribal Council reviews actions and concerns of Enrollment Committee Chair.

9. March 7, 2003 letter from Tribal Council nullifying the February 18, 2003 action taken by Committee members to initiate the disenrollment process against several other Enrollment Committee members. Enrollment Committee members removed from committee and Enrollment Committee reconstituted.

10. March 18, 2003, Enrollment Committee now consisting of Bobbi Lamere, Margaret Duncan, and Lori Vasquez reconvene. Committee drafts letters of rescission and send to Committee members who were targeted by February 18, 2003 action.

11. Between March 18, 2003 and June 1, 2003, Concerned Pechanga people meet with the Enrollment Committee to provide additional information against the 3 families targeted and to push the Leyva/Basquez review before the review of any other family. The information questioning the Leyva/Basquez family (which includes Jennie Miranda, Irene Scearce, and Ruth Masiel) was received well after the information questioning the Manuela descendents and the other families. Procedurally, the Manuela descendents and other families should have been reviewed prior to the Leyva/Basquez family and/or the Candelaria Flores review. However, the Enrollment Committee consisted of members- Bobbi Lamere and Margaret Duncan- who acted with and for the Concerned Pechanga people. Even though the Manuela descendents provided information to the Enrollment Committee as early as December 17, 2003 refuting the allegations made by the Concerned Pechanga people, those working with, for, or were/are a part of the Concerned Pechanga people were pushed ahead of us in the review process. This was done to stack the Committee and guarantee our disenrollment.

Oldest Living Ancestor of Pechanga Chief Pablo Apis Turns 91

Congratulations to Michael Salinas, who turned 91 yesterday. We believe that Michael is the oldest living descendent to Pablo Apis, Chief of the Temecula Indians, on whose land the Pechanga Resort and Casino is located.

Hopefully, Michael will live to see the day that his family is restored to the Pechanga Tribe from which his ancestor gave so much.




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.

Open Letter To Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro Who Helped Expand "Termination Era" of Native Americans

Open Letter to Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro

Dear Mr. Chairman,

For over a decade, you have been in the lead of the tribal council of the Temecula Band of Luiseno Indians. During that time you have helmed the disenrollment of 25% of your membership, making the tribe the second worst violator of civil and human rights, behind only the Picayune Rancheria of Coarsegold.

What makes you proud to be the chairman? That you have made the tribe weaker? You were quoted in 2004 saying, “I believe that our tribal members know the fairness and diligence I try to bring to all of our issues." Where sir, was the diligence in creating fairness on the Enrollment Committee? Why “sir”, did you allow the committee to bring families up for review out of order, instead of the order they came in?

Why “sir”, did you, during your terms in office, not uphold the constitution and bylaws when you allowed an illegal moratorium on membership when the Pechanga constitution and bylaws says open enrollment is every January? How “sir”, can you say you bring fairness and diligence when you did not follow tribal law and in fact skirted the new law that the tribe passed to “halt all disenrollments” ? All enrolled members were covered in the July 2005 petition halting disenrollments. Why “sir”, did you not follow tribal law?

Where “sir”, was the fairness when you denied Hunters their civil rights by not allowing members to have an attorney with them to defend their positions? Where “sir”, was the fairness when you would not even allow writing implements for those who came before the Enrollment Committee, and in their appeal to the Tribal Council? Or to see the evidence against them. Was it because there was no credible evidence?

Why “sir”, did you not respond to the questions as to your Enrollment Committee member sleeping through the Hunter family’s hearings?

Why “sir”, did you allow hearings to be held when one of the council was late? Couldn’t you even wait for him to hear the appeal, or, did you KNOW, it didn’t matter, as his mind was made up? Why “sir”, did you not respond to the obvious bias of one of your Enrollment Committee members telling Hunter family that they were going to be out no matter what evidence they had?

Why “sir”, did you consolidate cases?

Why was each member not allowed to present his or her own case for appeal? Where is the fairness you said you would bring?

Was a half hour per member, to appeal their own position, too much to ask?

Why “sir”, was the Enrollment committee allowed to use evidence biased against the Hunter family in their decision, when it was not presented to the family so they could address it in their appeal?

Why would the word of a convicted child molester be considered valid versus the most respected authority on California Mission Indians, that Pechanga, not the Hunters chose to research Paulina Hunter?

Why was "hearsay" testimony, that wasn't even notarized, turned in by the CPP given more credibility than five other notarized depositions from other current tribal elders not from CPP families that affirmed our membership?

Why "sir", during the shameful period that you and the tribal council were working to disenroll two large families, did you not hold monthly meetings, as was the custom?

How sir, can you say you bring fairness and diligence when you did not follow tribal law and in fact skirted the new law that the tribe passed to “halt all disenrollments”? All currently enrolled members were covered in the November 2005 petition halting disenrollments.

Why sir, did you not follow tribal law and the will of the people?

Will you, Mr. Chairman take credit for expanding the Termination Era of Native Americans in California?

There is still time to reverse this terrible injustice. Lead the tribe back to peace. Your ancestor Martin Berdugo called mine “Aunt”. Our vaunted elder, Antonio Ashman SWORE to this. Bring the family together, including your own, whom you keep out of the tribe.

Schwarzenegger's Dirty Pool Negotiations With Rincon Struck Down by US Appeals Court

Our governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger is AGAIN rebuked by California courts. His illegal taxing of Native American tribes was struck down by the Appeals court.

California can’t force Indian tribes to share gambling profits to repair the state’s budget problems, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Tuesday.

In a stunning blow to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s tactics when dealing with tribes wanting casinos, a divided, three-judge panel of the appeals court said the governor can’t ask for money for the state’s general fund without offering something of value in return because that amounts to an illegal tax.

The court upheld a 2008 ruling by a federal judge in San Diego that the governor was playing dirty in his negotiations with North County’s Rincon Indian band.

There was dissent:

Dissenting Judge Jay Bybee said tribes with casinos here and around the country have agreed for years to share revenue with state governments, just as Schwarzenegger was seeking.

“The holding … does not just upset the apple cart — it derails the whole train,” Bybee wrote. “If the majority is correct, then there is nothing for California to do but to authorize whatever (slot machines) the band wants. The band wins. Everything.”

The state will seek to have Tuesday’s decision reviewed by a larger panel of 9th Circuit judges, said Jeff Macedo, a spokesman for Schwarzenegger


Tribes were WILLING to sign on to compacts to get gaming and expanded gaming. It's time to expand gaming in California outside of Tribal reservations.

Rick and Bill: The Restaurant Guys

One of the good features of running a blog is that you can promote what you want! Here's a website where we are reviewing restaurants that we hope you will look in on.

Welcome to a new family business venture: Rick and Bill: The Restaurant Guys is a website that is reviewing local restaurants with some side trips to Las Vegas and some recommendations from around the country.

They also have a fan page on Facebook. You can follow them on twitter @rickandbill

Please help support a family venture, and there are some ads for restaurant coupons that you may like. And of course we welcome your comments about the restaurants and take suggestions of places to visit.

Bureau of Indian Affairs Expands Termination Era Against Native Americans.

Robert Edwards, of Enterprise Rancheria, expresses disappointment in the news that the BIA is helping to expand the Termination Era against Native Americans. This decision is absolutely no surprise when you realize that the Bureau has continued to shuffle around the same Bureau officials who have been condoning these disenrollments from day one. Here's the line-up of the top three from the Pacific Regional Office of the BIA in Sacramento: Pacific Regional Director, Dale Morris - He's the guy who provided Enterprise Rancheria with a letter recognizing them (Glenda, Frank, etc) as the tribal government of ER immediately after we conducted the recall election. He told Congressman Herger's office that he would meet with our side on this issue and then refused to do so. This is called interfering in an inter-tribal dispute which the BIA is not allowed to do. Was he dismissed? Nope. Deputy Regional Director, Trust Services - Amy Dutschke - Amy made headlines in the Sacramento Bee because she was caught swelling a tribe with her relatives and of course that tribe had a casino project pending. OP: READ HERE Deputy Regional Director, Indian Services - Dale Risling - Remember Dale? He was the Superintendent of the Central California Agency when we first appealed our disenrollment. He and Raymond Fry conveniently lost our appeal and we had to resubmit it to them. Then they started the run around, but in the meantime, Dale and Ray made the Sacramento Bee after being caught meeting with casino backer's for one of the tribes. That's off limits for the BIA. But, were they dismissed? Nope, just transfer them and promote them. Is it any wonder that people are having trust issues these days? There is absolutely no accountability.

Hunter Family Gathers on the Temecula Indian Reservation (Pechanga) to Share Food and Stories

Many members of the Hunter family came to our elder Lawrence Madariaga's home to spend time with he was was once honored by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians.

Now in his 90's Lawrence welcomed young and old as we sat beneath the trees and share stories of the good times on the reservation, when dove hunting and rabbit hunting brought food to our tables.

It's been over four years now, that the Hunter clan was unconstitutionally terminated from the tribe, led by the disgraceful Mark Macarro. The fight to reclaim what is rightfully ours continues, but the day was meant to honor our ancestors by being together.

Thank you, for bringing is together.

Temecula Indians and AIRRO to Host Forum on Human and Civil Rights Issues in Indian Country

Temecula Indians and AIRRO to Host Forum
on Human and Civil Rights Issues

Temecula, CA- Temecula Indians and the American Indian Rights and Resources Organization ("AIRRO"), a Native American civil rights group, will host a forum regarding human and civil rights issues in Indian Country. The forum is scheduled for April 24, 2010 in Temecula, California.

The forum will include an open discussion on the growing number of human and civil rights violations that have impacted Indian Country within the last decade. Forum attendees will be invited to provide testimony regarding the impact such violations have had on their lives.
Those who testify will also be asked to provide feedback regarding the United States' handling of rights violations in Indian Country and offer recommendations as to what actions tribes and the federal government can take to protect individuals from further infringements on their rights and liberties.

"We expect that the Temecula forum will provide insight to the growing number of human and civil rights violations committed by tribal officials, as well as the United States' failure to uphold and enforce treaties and laws enacted to protect individual Indians from such gross and egregious acts," stated Temecula Indian and AIRRO President John Gomez, Jr.

The testimony and recommendations provided will be compiled for submission to the Department of State, the Department of Justice, the Interior Department and the United Nations Human Rights Council which has begun a year-long review of the United States’ human rights record, with particular attention to be paid to the United States' treatment of its indigenous American Indian population.

For more information on the April 24th forum, as well as the April 17th session in Sacramento, California, please visit www.airro.org or send an email to mail@airro.org .

You may also submit testimony or provide recommendations by sending an electronic version to mail@airro.org. Hard copies may be sent to the AIRRO address provided at the organizations website.

Worthless BIA Upholds Tribal Disenrollments at Robinson Rancheria.

The worthless Pacific Regional Bureau of Indian Affairs Continues to disappoint:


Robinson Rancheria announced Thursday that the Pacific Regional Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs has upheld the disenrollment of 45 people who were improperly enrolled as members of the tribe.

"The federal government has long recognized that a tribe's right to define its own membership is central to its existence and must be dealt with internally," Tribal Chair Tracey Avila said. "The regional director was right to leave this matter to the tribe. In upholding the Tribal Council's decision to disenroll the 45 people, the regional director also recognized that the disenrollment process was done fairly and in accordance with the requirements of both tribal and federal law. The tribe provided those who were disenrolled with due process by giving them notice of the disenrollment and an opportunity to challenge the decision."

The disenrollment of the former tribal members resulted from the discovery by the Tribal Council in 2008 that a provision added to the tribe's enrollment ordinance in 1982 expanded the criteria for tribal membership beyond that permitted by the tribe's constitution. The Tribal Council struck down that provision and notified people who were enrolled under the unconstitutional provision that they had to demonstrate that they were eligible to be members of the tribe under the criteria set forth in the tribe's constitution. The Tribal Council held hearings on the disenrollment at which the people subject to disenrollment

were permitted to demonstrate that they were eligible for enrollment under the tribe's constitution. Most of the people subject to disenrollment did not attend the hearings. A number of people who presented evidence that they were eligible for enrollment were successful and remain members of the tribe. Forty-five of the people who were disenrolled appealed the Tribal Council's action to the regional director. On April 9 the regional director denied the appeals.

Pechanga Denies Basic Human Rights to Many Tribal Members, the Story

I'VE BEEN ASKED TO BRING THIS POST FROM LAST MONTH FORWARD, so here it is:

In case people lose sight of what the tribal council of the now Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians have done to their membership, here's some detail from a petition to Congress. I've changed some time frames, and comments in parentheses.

It was legal for South Africa to practice Apartheid and it was right for the United States to follow the Congressional Black Caucus' mandate to boycott their business and country. Similarly it would be right and just for the people of California to avoid doing business with tribes like Pechanga, Picayune, Redding Enterprise, San Pascual until they give the basic human and civil right back to the people.


In the course of the last 5 years, the Pechanga Tribal Officials (led by Mark Macarro and Russell "Butch" Murphy) have taken action to reduce its membership by nearly 25%. In 2004, 130+ adult members and their immediate families were disenrolled from the Pechanga Band. The members were all descendants of Chief Pablo Apish, a historically significant leader of the Pechanga/Temecula people. (These are family members of enrollment committee member Frances Miranda) None of the members were allowed to participate in the 2004 tribal elections as a result of their disenrollment. (clearly an act to control the voting results, similar to removing 15% of the voters of a state)

An additional extended family of approximately 100 adults (Hunter Family) was disenrolled in March 2006 when tribal officials determined that the ancestor from whom they are lineally descended from was not an Original Pechanga/Temecula person. This determination was made despite the fact that a report prepared by a well known anthropologist (Dr. John Johnson) hired by the Band’s Enrollment Committee concluded she was a Pechanga/Temecula person.

The expulsions of the 2 families removed significant opposition to the current administration and others running for tribal office as they represented large voting blocks whose views differed from or opposed the current tribal Chairperson and a majority of the Tribal Council.
The actions of the tribal officials responsible for this “reduction in membership” have violated tribal and federal laws enacted to protect the basic rights and privileges of the individual Indian victims.
Specifically, the members were denied the due process and equal rights protections provided in the Indian Civil Rights Act, as well as language in the Band’s Constitution and Bylaws which mandates that tribal officials uphold the individual rights of each member without malice or prejudice. Tribal members were also subjected to ex post facto laws; denied participation in the electoral process; had personal property taken without cause or just compensation; and are being denied their right to practice their religion. Pechanga tribal officials have continually attempted to mislead the public regarding their actions to deny individual rights by claiming “it is an internal matter”.

In fact, Pechanga Chairman Macarro was quoted in the local newspaper as saying, "What goes on internally at Pechanga is of no business to the white man, …" It is this type of arrogance, coupled with the violations of individual rights, which must be stopped before it spreads even further. The denial or taking of any individual’s basic human and civil rights cannot merely be brushed aside by categorizing it as “an internal matter”. In fact, such characterization should be cause for alarm and seen as an act by the oppressors to further violate the rights of the victim.

Until such time as the basic rights of all individual Indian people are recognized and upheld on par with those of other citizens, a growing number of individual Indians will be subjected to the same types of arbitrary and unjust acts which have been committed by Pechanga tribal officials- acts which were intended to be outlawed decades ago. Based on their actions, we request that the Federal Government conduct an investigation of the Pechanga tribal officials for their continued gross violations of human and civil rights, and subject these officials to the most severe criminal sanctions allowed. Cultural genocide should not be tolerated by anyone and should be fought by all.

It is in the best interest of all people- Indian and non-Indian alike- that any violations of human and/or civil rights be addressed promptly and the violators be stopped before there are additional victims to their crimes.


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.

AIRRO to Host Listening Session on Human Rights Violations; Chance to Focus on Violators Like Pechanga, Redding Rancheria, Enterprise, San Pascual

AIRRO to Host Session on Human and Civil Rights
Violations in Indian Country

The American Indian Rights and Resources Organization ("AIRRO"), a Native American civil rights group, will be hosting a listening session regarding human and civil rights violations in Indian Country. The session is scheduled for April 17, 2010 in Sacramento, California. The listening session will be held at the Sacramento Native American Health Center, at 2nd Floor Community Room from 10 am to 4 pm.

The focus of the session will be to provide individuals, groups and tribes with an opportunity to testify to violations of basic human and civil rights which they may have been subjected to or which have affected their lives and communities. Those who testify will also be asked to provide feedback regarding the United States' handling of rights violations in Indian Country and offer recommendations on how the protection of basic rights can be improved.

AIRRO will compile the testimony and recommendations given at each of the sessions and prepare a report which they will submit to the Department of State, the Department of Justice, the Interior Department and the UN Human Rights Council.

If you cannot attend but wish to submit testimony or provide recommendations on how the protection of human and civil rights can be improved, please contact AIRRO at mail@airro.org

If you or someone you know would like to provide testimony during this session, use the outline provided below as a guide in preparing your submission:

The information should include, where applicable:
Source: Name and full address of the indigenous people, organization or individual(s) submitting the information.

When and Where: Date, time and precise location of the incident (Tribe, State, region, municipality)

Victim(s) or Community Affected: Name, number and full details on the location of the indigenous people, community or individual(s) whose rights allegedly have been violated or are under threat.

What happened: Detailed circumstances of the alleged violation. If an initial event leads to others, please describe them chronologically.

What Tribal, Federal or International laws were violated: Detailed references to the law(s) which may have been violated.

Perpetrator(s): Detailed information on the person(s), groups(s), Tribe(s ) and/or organization responsible for the violation.

Action taken by State authorities: If applicable, what actions have been taken by the relevant authorities to remedy the situation? Has the matter been reported to the administrative or judicial authorities of the State concerned?

Action taken before international bodies: Has any action been initiated before any international or regional human rights organization? If so, at what stage are these other international actions?

Action taken before tribal, State, and/or federal courts: Has any action been initiated before any judicial body? If so, at what stage are these other international actions?

Loss or effect on those violated: What have been the consequences of the violations? How have those who have been violated experienced loss? Describe how the violation(s) have affected the person(s), group or community?

What can/should be done to prevent future violations?: Provide input regarding possible fix to the problem. How can future violations be prevented? What should be done on tribal, federal and/or international levels.



REMINDER of UPCOMING EVENT

If you cannot make the April 17th Session, AIRRO is also hosting a session on April 24th in Temecula, CA.

The Governator LOSES AGAIN to Indian Tribes

Our Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger's incompetence is showing AGAIN. His administration has been accused of tricking some tribes into signing new compacts that were unneeded. This will cost the state MILLIONS of dollars in revenue and may lead to California having to pay BACK monies paid. That will make the state's budget debt limbo bar even lower.


A San Diego federal judge has given North County’s Pauma Indian band a reprieve from multimillion-dollar payments to the state under a 2004 gambling deal.

Judge Larry Burns said the state compact was entered into mistakenly and ruled the tribe doesn’t have to pay under its terms until he makes a final ruling on the deal. Burns said he’s leaning toward undoing the compact and gave lawyers for the state time to come up with arguments to change his mind.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said through a spokesman that his legal team is reviewing its options.

The dispute turns on the negotiations Pauma entered into with Schwarzenegger in 2004 in an effort to replace its 1,050-slot casino — now housed in a metal-framed tent — with a resort to compete with those of neighboring tribes.

The tribe says it was tricked into those negotiations because the state insisted there weren’t additional slot machine licenses available under the compact signed in 1999 between the state and about 60 tribes

Read more of Onell Soto's article HERE

Descendants of Freedmen Association Host First Treaty Celebration

DESCENDANTS OF FREEDMEN ASSOCIATION AND AFRICAN INDIANS FOUNDATION CO HOST FIRST TREATY CELEBRATION BANQUET APRIL 23, 2010 IN BARTLESVILLE OKLAHOMA The Descendants of Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes Association and the African Indians of the 5 Civilized Tribes Foundation will co host the First Annual Treaty Celebration banquet on Friday April 23 2010 in Bartlesville Oklahoma. The Banquet will be held at the Bartlesville Community Center, 300 Southeast Adams Boulevard, Bartlesville Oklahoma beginning at 6:30pm. The descendants of freedmen of the 5 tribes are descendants of blacks who were enslaved by Indians of the 5 Tribes (Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Choctaw, and Chickasaw) or were free mixed African Indians who were legally living within the tribal areas prior to the Civil War. The freedmen and their descendants received tribal citizenship rights through treaties signed by tribal leaders and the US government in 1866 after the 5 tribes joined the Confederate States at the beginning of the Civil War. The descendants of tribal freedmen now face discrimination in registering as tribal citizens, accessing benefits such as housing and education available to members of federally recognized Indian tribes, and also battle disenrollment movements led by tribal leaders. Featured speaker at the banquet is Tulsa Attorney Hannibal Johnson, who will speak on the Tulsa 1921 Race Riot. Attorney Johnson is the author of the book “Black Wall Street”. Music will be furnished by Mrs Whitfield of Muskogee, Oklahoma. To obtain banquet tickets or to find out more about the program, please contact Reverend Adair at the contact numbers listed above or Mrs Ruth Adair Nash at: 918-333-9683 (email contact: dengoree@yahoo.com ). To learn more about the freedmen and their struggle for Civil Rights, please visit the website: www.freedmen5tribes.com

Lawsuit Against Shingle Springs Miwok Indians Headed to Trial

The Shingle Springs Miwoks own the Red Hawk Casino, but are being sued for abruptly canceling a contract with previous owner. The defense is NOT that they didn't do it, but that they have sovereignty. A lawsuit seeking more than $100 million filed three years ago against the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians is set to return to trial following a decision by the California Supreme Court. The tribal government that owns the Red Hawk Casino in Shingle Springs has been arguing for years that it has sovereignty and therefore cannot be sued in El Dorado County Superior Court. The tribe’s argument has lost over and over again, and has been appealed each time. On Tuesday, the tribe ran out of appeals when the state Supreme Court denied the tribe’s request to review the lower court’s decisions. Interesting MONEY QUOTE from Howard Dickstein: This is no shock. The California Supreme Court takes less than 1 percent of the cases presented to it. This isn’t a case that breaks any new ground or settles differing opinions for other jurisdictions,” said Howard Dickstein, attorney and partner in Dickstein & Zerbi. He is not involved in the case, but he has specialized in Native American and gaming issues for decades. The headman of the Pechanga Tribe, Mark Macarro routinely claims that the Supreme Court has ruled in their favor when if fact, they decided not to hear a couple of cases. Two completely different things.

Snoqualmie Banishments: Do They Equate to Arbitrary Exile? Is this a Treaty Violation?

One of the banished Snoqualmie members, Carolyn Lubenau believes that the Snoqualmie Tribal Council is guilty of treaty violations. Here is a comment from her that has been promoted to a full post. Thank you Carolyn for your post.

We have posted on the Snoqualmie issues HERE HERE AND HERE



In answer to the question - "what the federal government actually can do" - the first thing they can do is honor our treaties.

I personally testified at the listening session in Albuquerque, New Mexico a few weeks ago and I was the only person there to speak about disenrollments/banishments.

I am one of 9 tribal members illegally banished by the Snoqualmie Tribal council - I will not say we were banished by our tribe because our tribe had no real say in this and have since overwhelmingly reinstated us back into the tribe but the tribal council found guilty of violating our civil rights will still not honor the will of the people and reinstate us.

This illegal banishment was overturned in a Federal court case in Seattle, Washington (Sweet vs
Hinzman).

My tribe signed the 1855 Pt. Elliot Treaty and it has this article in it: ....."Nor will they make war on any other tribe
except in self-defense, but will submit all matters of difference between them and the other Indians to the Government of the United States or its agent for decision, and abide thereby. And if any of the said Indians commit depredations on other Indians within the Territory the same rule shall prevail as that prescribed in this article in cases of depredations against citizens."

Banishment and disenrollments are the acts of tyrants and thieves - depredations - "a destructive action". We have a treaty right to be protected and the Department of the Interior (Larry Echo Hawk) is not doing their job. I hope the State Department (Hillary Rodham Clinton) is all over them for sending this problem on to them because they also have a job to do now and that is to defend against "Human Rights violations".

Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile."

Banishments and disenrollments are the very definition of "arbitrary exile".

To continue to cloak these hateful crimes under "sovereignty" is dishonorable and tribes should condemn these actions and stand out against them. Honorable nations should waive their "sovereign immunity" over civil rights issues and protect all of their people - they should not be afraid to defend their actions if they are honorable ones.

In honoring our treaty we cannot make war against them but we can take up our pens and write.....let us see if the "pen is mightier than the sword".

Snoqualmie 9

Capitol Weekly Discusses Tribal Disenrollments and the UN Human Rights Council

The United Nation’s Human Rights Council (HRC) has begun a year-long review of the United States’ human rights record, with particular attention to be paid to the nation’s treatment of its indigenous American Indian population. Some American Indian activists are using the occasion to make a case that the country is falling short — by failing to protect Indians from their own tribal governments. That will be the focus of a meeting in Sacramento on April 17 organized by the American Indian Rights and Resources Organization (AIRRO, pronounced “arrow”). The group will hold a second session in Temecula on April 24. The goal is to gather testimony and evidence about actions taken by tribal government against Indians, both members of tribes and people have been told they are no longer tribal members. This testimony will then be turned over not only to the HRC but the federal Departments of State, Justice, and the Interior, said AIRRO president John Gomez, Jr. “The UN is going to look at the United States record of enforcing and protecting the basic rights of people within its borders, especially indigenous people,” Gomez said. “I think this will be the first time it will be shown not only to the State Department but to the UN that there really is a problem in Indian Country.” Gomez himself is a former member of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians who was disenrolled — that is, told his ancestry did not make him a legitimate member of the tribe — in 2004. He said that he is a legitimate Pechanga member, but that he and about 200 others were kicked out that year in a power struggle over the millions of dollars coming in from the tribe’s 3,000-slot-machine casino in Temecula. The tribe has repeatedly sought to refute Gomez’s claims over the half dozen years since. He now works full time for another tribe, the Ramona of Cahuilla Indians, but is not a member, in addition to running AIRRO. Read more at CAPITOL WEEKLY Thank you to Malcolm Maclachlan for bringing us the story.