Roman Daniel Noriega, was born, April 29, 2011. He is the youngest descendent of Paulina Hunter, who the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, led by the dishonorable Mark Macarro, deleted from the tribe's history.
Pechanga is well known for using the scurrilous tactic of disenrollment to change their history books. Pechanga's own hired expert, Dr. John Johnson, proved Paulina Hunter was indeed Pechanga, in fact, more so than any other tribal member. Pechanga's tribal council failed to uphold the rule of law and terminated 100 adults from the tribe. The number of disenrolled has reached nearly 180.
Pechanga is a tribe that follows lineal descent. WELCOME to the WORLD, Roman, we will make sure you know your family history.....
Sovereign Immunity Conceals Egregious Civil and Human Rights Abuses
Stripping Your Own People of Their Rights Is an Atrocity That Must Be EXPOSED and Stopped.
TAKE A STAND and Make Your Voice Heard.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Tribal Leader's Forum To Hold Event Where APARTHEID is Still Practiced
With an event looking to hightlight ways to get more cooperation from the US Government, it's tragic and shameful that the Tribal Leader’s Forum chooses to hold an even at the reservation (Pechanga Reservation) that leads in human and civil rights abuses in California's Indian Country. One that practices APARTHEID on reservation lands.
From their newsletter:
Once again, tribal governments and Native communities find themselves in a volatile and unstable political environment. Although tribal governments have made significant progress in advancing and protecting sovereign rights, they face a wide array of new and outstanding issues and challenges.
We say:
Tribal governments find themselves in an unstable political environment because many have chosen not to uphold either their own constitutions, nor the will of their people. Disenrollments, moratoriums and banishments have become the way. Leaders lie to Congress to gain land. They try to steal water from reservation allottees, so that casinos will benefit, while the land lies barren, in a plan so egregious, the the BIA has to stand up for allottees at the expense of tribal leaders.
Tribal governments face issues and challenges because some tribes, such as: Pechanga, Picayune, Redding, Enterprise, Snoqualmie, Mooretown, San Pascual and the CHEROKEE cause politicians to have to think twice about what they are getting into business with some tribes. If tribes like those above can cheat, defraud, and steal from their own people, can they be considered trustworthy?
Congratulations to Native American Leaders, who turn a blind eye to the abuses of Native Americans BY Native Americans.
Read more on the practice of Apartheid by the Pechanga Tribe
Read more on the abuses by Enterprise Rancheria
Read more of the Theft of Per Capita, Health Care from Native Americans
Read more on the HERO of Redding Rancheria Robert Foreman
Read more on the Native American Hall of Shame
From their newsletter:
Once again, tribal governments and Native communities find themselves in a volatile and unstable political environment. Although tribal governments have made significant progress in advancing and protecting sovereign rights, they face a wide array of new and outstanding issues and challenges.
We say:
Tribal governments find themselves in an unstable political environment because many have chosen not to uphold either their own constitutions, nor the will of their people. Disenrollments, moratoriums and banishments have become the way. Leaders lie to Congress to gain land. They try to steal water from reservation allottees, so that casinos will benefit, while the land lies barren, in a plan so egregious, the the BIA has to stand up for allottees at the expense of tribal leaders.
Tribal governments face issues and challenges because some tribes, such as: Pechanga, Picayune, Redding, Enterprise, Snoqualmie, Mooretown, San Pascual and the CHEROKEE cause politicians to have to think twice about what they are getting into business with some tribes. If tribes like those above can cheat, defraud, and steal from their own people, can they be considered trustworthy?
Congratulations to Native American Leaders, who turn a blind eye to the abuses of Native Americans BY Native Americans.
Read more on the practice of Apartheid by the Pechanga Tribe
Read more on the abuses by Enterprise Rancheria
Read more of the Theft of Per Capita, Health Care from Native Americans
Read more on the HERO of Redding Rancheria Robert Foreman
Read more on the Native American Hall of Shame
Thursday, April 28, 2011
PLEASE SIGN: The National Petition for Justice In Indian Country
Our Friend Todd Fast Horse has a petition up at CHANGE.ORG Please consider signing, which will do your part in helping to bring justice to Indian Country. Justice FROM CORRUPT TRIBAL OFFICIALS, which we discuss often on this blog. Please add your voice.
Here is the text of the petition: Sign the National Petition for Justice in Indian Country
OVERVIEW
In 1968, the Indian Civil Rights Act "ICRA" was originally introduced and enacted as an effort to protect individuals from the "arbitrary and capricious" actions of tribal governments and/or officials. Unfortunately, while the "ICRA" was well intended and expressly forbid tribes from taking actions that violated an individual's rights, the "ICRA" failed to include an effective enforcement mechanism which would hold tribal officials accountable for violations of its provisions.
With no oversight of the "ICRA" and not one federal dollar being spent on the enforcement of fundamental civil rights of American citizens on Indian Reservations since 1978, we must do our part to ensure Congress appoints a special impartial counsel to investigate the ongoing denial of equal protection of the law and civil liberties in Indian Country.
It starts with your signature. One does not have to be Indian, or have been the victim of rights violations to sign - anyone can. Please sign, share and get family and friends to sign.
National Petition For Justice
by People For Equal Justice In Indian Country
WHEREAS, there is no foundation for Congress’ and the Court’s assertion of a “plenary power” over Indian tribes taken as independent and sovereign governments, and such a “plenary power” neither has been nor can be acquired by conquest, treaty, or constitutional stipulation;
* Whatever may be the rule in international law, the assertion of complete and arbitrary power over non-citizens by the Government of the United States is incompatible with the Constitution of the United States, which is superior to every positive determination by the Government;
* Even if complete and arbitrary power over non-citizens were possible for the Government of the United States, such unlimited power could not be extended over citizens who, as such, are parties to the Constitution that limits the power of government;
* Therefore, insofar as the Indian Civil Rights Act applies to U. S. citizens, it exceeds the power of Congress to enact;
* The Congress of the United States can legitimately exercise no power over tribes whose members are citizens of the United States which power is not in fact a power over the citizens themselves and therefore subject to the relevant constitutional limitations;
* With respect to constitutional protections afforded against lawfully subordinate governments, the United States has no power whatever to make exceptions, for any purpose whatever;
* Not one federal dollar has been spent on the enforcement of fundamental civil rights of American citizens domiciled on reservations since the 1978 Supreme Court decision, Santa Clara Pueblo v. Martinez;
* With respect to constitutional protections afforded against lawfully subordinate governments, the United States may not apply a lesser standard of protection against itself;
* The Government of the United States has failed to provide for Indians living on reservations guarantees of those fundamental rights it is obliged to secure for all U. S. citizens living on territory controlled by the United States and under the laws of the United States;
* In abandoning by act of Congress individual U. S. citizens to the indeterminate control of tribal governments without recourse to federal courts of judicature the United States ; fails to provide the just constitutional claims for which all citizens may pray; and,
WHEREAS, strengthening tribal “self determination” has brought little or no oversight of crime, corruption or ongoing civil rights violations committed by tribal governments; and,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we the People for Justice in Indian Country hereby call upon the members of Congress to call for the appointment of a special impartial counsel to conduct a full investigation into the reasons Indian United States citizens are being denied equal protection of the law and access to Federal Courts when aggrieved by their tribal leaders; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we the People for Justice petition for the full and complete realization of the fundamental rights of all citizens of the United States, without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, or supposed customary traditions.
Signed this ___ day of 2011/2012 by citizens of the United States of America.
Here is the text of the petition: Sign the National Petition for Justice in Indian Country
OVERVIEW
In 1968, the Indian Civil Rights Act "ICRA" was originally introduced and enacted as an effort to protect individuals from the "arbitrary and capricious" actions of tribal governments and/or officials. Unfortunately, while the "ICRA" was well intended and expressly forbid tribes from taking actions that violated an individual's rights, the "ICRA" failed to include an effective enforcement mechanism which would hold tribal officials accountable for violations of its provisions.
With no oversight of the "ICRA" and not one federal dollar being spent on the enforcement of fundamental civil rights of American citizens on Indian Reservations since 1978, we must do our part to ensure Congress appoints a special impartial counsel to investigate the ongoing denial of equal protection of the law and civil liberties in Indian Country.
It starts with your signature. One does not have to be Indian, or have been the victim of rights violations to sign - anyone can. Please sign, share and get family and friends to sign.
National Petition For Justice
by People For Equal Justice In Indian Country
WHEREAS, there is no foundation for Congress’ and the Court’s assertion of a “plenary power” over Indian tribes taken as independent and sovereign governments, and such a “plenary power” neither has been nor can be acquired by conquest, treaty, or constitutional stipulation;
* Whatever may be the rule in international law, the assertion of complete and arbitrary power over non-citizens by the Government of the United States is incompatible with the Constitution of the United States, which is superior to every positive determination by the Government;
* Even if complete and arbitrary power over non-citizens were possible for the Government of the United States, such unlimited power could not be extended over citizens who, as such, are parties to the Constitution that limits the power of government;
* Therefore, insofar as the Indian Civil Rights Act applies to U. S. citizens, it exceeds the power of Congress to enact;
* The Congress of the United States can legitimately exercise no power over tribes whose members are citizens of the United States which power is not in fact a power over the citizens themselves and therefore subject to the relevant constitutional limitations;
* With respect to constitutional protections afforded against lawfully subordinate governments, the United States has no power whatever to make exceptions, for any purpose whatever;
* Not one federal dollar has been spent on the enforcement of fundamental civil rights of American citizens domiciled on reservations since the 1978 Supreme Court decision, Santa Clara Pueblo v. Martinez;
* With respect to constitutional protections afforded against lawfully subordinate governments, the United States may not apply a lesser standard of protection against itself;
* The Government of the United States has failed to provide for Indians living on reservations guarantees of those fundamental rights it is obliged to secure for all U. S. citizens living on territory controlled by the United States and under the laws of the United States;
* In abandoning by act of Congress individual U. S. citizens to the indeterminate control of tribal governments without recourse to federal courts of judicature the United States ; fails to provide the just constitutional claims for which all citizens may pray; and,
WHEREAS, strengthening tribal “self determination” has brought little or no oversight of crime, corruption or ongoing civil rights violations committed by tribal governments; and,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we the People for Justice in Indian Country hereby call upon the members of Congress to call for the appointment of a special impartial counsel to conduct a full investigation into the reasons Indian United States citizens are being denied equal protection of the law and access to Federal Courts when aggrieved by their tribal leaders; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we the People for Justice petition for the full and complete realization of the fundamental rights of all citizens of the United States, without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, or supposed customary traditions.
Signed this ___ day of 2011/2012 by citizens of the United States of America.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Why the City of Temecula LOSES to Pechanga. UPDATED
Now we know why the City of Temecula's ill-fated suit against Pechanga failed. It's because they don't have any brains at the city.
The City of Temecula is holding their "STATE of the CITY" event at the Pechanga Resort and Casino! Now, let's see:
A tribe that signs a contract with you to give the city $2 Million a year then reneges on it and then you have an event there? The city should halt ANY business with the tribe and not let the Casino prosper from the city coffers, while Pechanga has a stranglehold on money they promised.
UPDATE: In following the link on the state of the city, the city is ALSO holding a golf ticket sale at JOURNEY, the golf course on the Pechanga Reservation, that was built on a site that Chairman Macarro promised would not be built upon, you know, the one that has our ancestors buried on it?
Another question: WHY wouldn't the city support a venue that is actually....you know, IN THE CITY? You know, city council, one that pays TAXES to the city?
The City of Temecula is holding their "STATE of the CITY" event at the Pechanga Resort and Casino! Now, let's see:
A tribe that signs a contract with you to give the city $2 Million a year then reneges on it and then you have an event there? The city should halt ANY business with the tribe and not let the Casino prosper from the city coffers, while Pechanga has a stranglehold on money they promised.
UPDATE: In following the link on the state of the city, the city is ALSO holding a golf ticket sale at JOURNEY, the golf course on the Pechanga Reservation, that was built on a site that Chairman Macarro promised would not be built upon, you know, the one that has our ancestors buried on it?
Another question: WHY wouldn't the city support a venue that is actually....you know, IN THE CITY? You know, city council, one that pays TAXES to the city?
Political Interlude: President Obama Releases Birth Certificate
Our friends at HOTAIR have the report that President Obama has released his Birth Certificate after 3 years of speculation begun by the Hillary Clinton campaign and carried forward by birthers who can't understand the evidence that already existed. This conspiracy theory should have died three years ago. Now, maybe we can focus on all the ways Obama is failing as President.
Let's forget about the birther issue and concentrate on the fact that thus far, his administration does not care about the civil rights violations in this country. His Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar is silent on the issue and Larry Echohawk has terminated MORE Indians. Contributions are more important than violations, eh, Mr. President?
Let's forget about the birther issue and concentrate on the fact that thus far, his administration does not care about the civil rights violations in this country. His Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar is silent on the issue and Larry Echohawk has terminated MORE Indians. Contributions are more important than violations, eh, Mr. President?
Pechanga Chairman Speaks Against Temecula Quarry Project: If He's Opposed, Should we be FOR?
The tribal chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians pleaded with Riverside County Planning commissioners tonight to block the proposed Liberty Quarry, which he said would destroy one of the tribes most sacred sites.
Mark Macarro (He who lies to Congress)said the quarry, which would be just east of Pechanga's land, would hollow out a mountain that was central to his tribe' creation story. The mountain is analogous to Christians' Church of the Holy Sepulchre or the Dome of the Rock for Muslims, he said. OP: What a blowhard. You DO know he doesn't live on the reservation, don't you?
"And this mine would literally destroy it, change it forever," Macarro said.
Remember, this is a man who thinks the people of the tribe are worthless and terminated 25% of the tribe, including descendents from original allottees of the reservation land. Macarro and the tribal council were looking to purchase this land, NOT for the value of the mountain to the tribe, but because it would give the tribe "environmental credits" for building on other areas of the reservation. Macarro did not present it to the general membership as the "sacred mountain".
Macarro is a charter member of the HALL OF SHAME and you have to ask yourself if he was putting on a show.
Mark Macarro (He who lies to Congress)said the quarry, which would be just east of Pechanga's land, would hollow out a mountain that was central to his tribe' creation story. The mountain is analogous to Christians' Church of the Holy Sepulchre or the Dome of the Rock for Muslims, he said. OP: What a blowhard. You DO know he doesn't live on the reservation, don't you?
"And this mine would literally destroy it, change it forever," Macarro said.
Remember, this is a man who thinks the people of the tribe are worthless and terminated 25% of the tribe, including descendents from original allottees of the reservation land. Macarro and the tribal council were looking to purchase this land, NOT for the value of the mountain to the tribe, but because it would give the tribe "environmental credits" for building on other areas of the reservation. Macarro did not present it to the general membership as the "sacred mountain".
Macarro is a charter member of the HALL OF SHAME and you have to ask yourself if he was putting on a show.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
MORON ALERT: Pechanga.net Says NCTimes Editorial Not Up to "Standards". What Standards?
UPDATE: The issue with the backdating has been fixed. As you can see, Rob said he posted the editorial that came out on the 17th, on the 16th! That has now been changed and they've changed the backdating to the 17th. Amazing how time travel works at the Rocha site....
UPDATE: Pechanga.net has now added the post to their archive. A nice bit of backfill to put in the post. Here's the email I got from Rob:
Yes, an oversight on your part. I posted that editorial on 4/16. Here's the proof:
http://www.pechanga.net/site-search/moral%20obligation%20fulfill
With our new and improved website comes a new and improved search function. Try it yourself to find the articles we supposedly missed. If you can't find an article on our site, then we can discuss whether we missed it.
I Now say: Thanks Rob, for posting the article on PechangaNet on 4/16 when it had a publish date on 4/17!
By The Californian opinion staff North County Times - The Californian Posted: Sunday, April 17, 2011 12:00 am
(13) Comments
I guess Rob and Victor need to coordinate on what their standards are. Or let Rob take over the operation, as he's either psychic or has a line on what the NCTimes posts.
UPDATE: Pechanga.net has now added the post to their archive. A nice bit of backfill to put in the post. Here's the email I got from Rob:
Yes, an oversight on your part. I posted that editorial on 4/16. Here's the proof:
http://www.pechanga.net/site-search/moral%20obligation%20fulfill
With our new and improved website comes a new and improved search function. Try it yourself to find the articles we supposedly missed. If you can't find an article on our site, then we can discuss whether we missed it.
I Now say: Thanks Rob, for posting the article on PechangaNet on 4/16 when it had a publish date on 4/17!
By The Californian opinion staff North County Times - The Californian Posted: Sunday, April 17, 2011 12:00 am
(13) Comments
I guess Rob and Victor need to coordinate on what their standards are. Or let Rob take over the operation, as he's either psychic or has a line on what the NCTimes posts.
Editorial: Bad Time to Leap Into Online Poker
The Sacramento Bee has an editorial up on online poker:
California lawmakers are scrambling for ways to alleviate the $15.4 billion budget deficit. In their desperation, they should not bet the house on the false promise of riches from Internet gambling.
It wasn't all that long ago that California sanctioned a few poker parlors and horse racing. That changed when Californians approved the lottery in 1984. Next came high-stakes Indian bingo, which led to the 2000 ballot measure legalizing slot machines and other gambling on dozens of Indian reservations in California.
There is no turning back. The industry has become too wealthy and politically powerful. Forces within that industry no doubt will succeed in their effort to legalize Internet poker and other gambling at some point.
But there are many unanswered questions, and there is no need to rush.
Under federal law, Internet poker is illegal. But authorities in California and other states believe federal law permits states to regulate and tax on-line poker within state boundaries.
In Sacramento, Sen. Rod Wright, D-Inglewood, and Sen. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, are pushing competing bills. Of the two, Wright's proposal is more thoughtful and probably would be fairer to prospective bidders and to the state.
Correa's bill is stacked in favor of a few Southern California casino tribes and commercial card rooms. That is unacceptable.
The bidding process should be open to all companies. Key employees of the entities that win the privilege to operate what should be multiple hubs in the state must be willing to submit to full background checks.
California lawmakers are scrambling for ways to alleviate the $15.4 billion budget deficit. In their desperation, they should not bet the house on the false promise of riches from Internet gambling.
It wasn't all that long ago that California sanctioned a few poker parlors and horse racing. That changed when Californians approved the lottery in 1984. Next came high-stakes Indian bingo, which led to the 2000 ballot measure legalizing slot machines and other gambling on dozens of Indian reservations in California.
There is no turning back. The industry has become too wealthy and politically powerful. Forces within that industry no doubt will succeed in their effort to legalize Internet poker and other gambling at some point.
But there are many unanswered questions, and there is no need to rush.
Under federal law, Internet poker is illegal. But authorities in California and other states believe federal law permits states to regulate and tax on-line poker within state boundaries.
In Sacramento, Sen. Rod Wright, D-Inglewood, and Sen. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, are pushing competing bills. Of the two, Wright's proposal is more thoughtful and probably would be fairer to prospective bidders and to the state.
Correa's bill is stacked in favor of a few Southern California casino tribes and commercial card rooms. That is unacceptable.
The bidding process should be open to all companies. Key employees of the entities that win the privilege to operate what should be multiple hubs in the state must be willing to submit to full background checks.
Monday, April 25, 2011
OPEN LETTER TO PECHANGA CHAIRMAN MARK MACARRO
Dear Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro,
For over a decade, you have been in the lead of the tribal council. During that time you have helmed the disenrollment of 25% of your membership, which would equate to 8,000,000 Californians, making you one of the most egregious perpetrators of "paper genocide" in the the history of the United States. You have sent many back into poverty, and forced the state of California to cover the health care expenses YOU promised would no longer be an issue when you pleaded for Californians to approve casino gaming.
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 did you allow Enrollment Committee members, Frances Miranda, Ihrene Scearse, and Ruth Masiel to sit in judgement of other families, when it was THEIR OWN families who brought up the charges that led to disenrollments.
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 "currently 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? Were you proud to have our female elders subjected to pat-down searches by your security force? 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 and the decison was pre-ordained?"
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 in 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? What were you trying to keep from the tribe? Do you only believe in custom and tradition when it suits YOUR purpose?
For over a decade, you have been in the lead of the tribal council. During that time you have helmed the disenrollment of 25% of your membership, which would equate to 8,000,000 Californians, making you one of the most egregious perpetrators of "paper genocide" in the the history of the United States. You have sent many back into poverty, and forced the state of California to cover the health care expenses YOU promised would no longer be an issue when you pleaded for Californians to approve casino gaming.
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 did you allow Enrollment Committee members, Frances Miranda, Ihrene Scearse, and Ruth Masiel to sit in judgement of other families, when it was THEIR OWN families who brought up the charges that led to disenrollments.
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 "currently 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? Were you proud to have our female elders subjected to pat-down searches by your security force? 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 and the decison was pre-ordained?"
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 in 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? What were you trying to keep from the tribe? Do you only believe in custom and tradition when it suits YOUR purpose?
Pinoleville Tribe to Meet with Mendocino County. County Should DENY any Request
Pinoleville Pomo Nation, whose chairman is in our HALL OF SHAME for exterminating the family who GOT THEIR TRIBAL RIGHTS BACK, is working to form an Ad Hoc committee to negotiate a memorandum of understanding for their proposed casino.
Look HERE for some history of Pinoleville. Pinoleville has communication problems with their own membership. Here's an example from one of our comments:
I am a member of Pinoleville, and the SAD thing is that I had to find all this information on the Internet. I have not received a newsletter or anything in over a couple years. It is very hard for us members that live afar and do not have transportation to get to our monthly meetings. And even if we can't, our Chairperson should do what is right and make sure that ALL tribal members get meeting minutes or any type of correspondence to keep the communication going amongst tribal members that live afar. I mean in 2003 we were provided transportation and lodging to make sure we made it to the Membership meeting which included voting for our Chairperson and counsel. And have never been offered the help for any other meetings. After that it's like we don't matter. But REALLY, what do we do?
Mendocino Supervisors, will you stand up for the rights of the Tillie Hardwick family? Will you stand for JUSTICE?
Mendocino County BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AGENDA – APRIL 26, 2011
Item 8(b)Presentation by Pinoleville Pomo Nation Tribal Representatives and Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Formation of an Ad Hoc Committee to Negotiate Terms of a Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Their Proposed Casino Development and Gaming Venture – Sponsoring Department: County Counsel
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The County has been approached again by representatives from the Pinoleville Pomo Nation who have requested that the County engage in discussions regarding their proposed casino development and gaming venture that is to be located on North State Street (former site of Ken Fowler Auto Center). By way of background, in March 2009, the Pinoleville Pomo Nation entered into a Tribal Gaming Compact Agreement with the State of California. This compact was ultimately rejected by the BIA.
The Tribe is now in the process of negotiating a new compact with the State. Once a new agreement is reached with the State and approved by the BIA, the Tribe will be required to meet and confer with the affected local agencies to agree on mitigation of offsite impacts that will occur as a result of the gaming venture. Today, the Tribe will present their proposed plan. It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors form an Ad Hoc Committee now, consisting of two Supervisors who will ultimately work with the Tribe to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding. It is further recommended that Supervisors Brown and McCowen be appointed to the Ad Hoc Committee as they are currently involved with the Coyote Valley Casino expansion Ad Hoc and have familiarity with the issues. Once an agreement is tentatively reached, it will be brought forward to the entire Board for consideration.
SAY NO TO PINOLEVILLE
Look HERE for some history of Pinoleville. Pinoleville has communication problems with their own membership. Here's an example from one of our comments:
I am a member of Pinoleville, and the SAD thing is that I had to find all this information on the Internet. I have not received a newsletter or anything in over a couple years. It is very hard for us members that live afar and do not have transportation to get to our monthly meetings. And even if we can't, our Chairperson should do what is right and make sure that ALL tribal members get meeting minutes or any type of correspondence to keep the communication going amongst tribal members that live afar. I mean in 2003 we were provided transportation and lodging to make sure we made it to the Membership meeting which included voting for our Chairperson and counsel. And have never been offered the help for any other meetings. After that it's like we don't matter. But REALLY, what do we do?
Mendocino Supervisors, will you stand up for the rights of the Tillie Hardwick family? Will you stand for JUSTICE?
Mendocino County BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AGENDA – APRIL 26, 2011
Item 8(b)Presentation by Pinoleville Pomo Nation Tribal Representatives and Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Formation of an Ad Hoc Committee to Negotiate Terms of a Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Their Proposed Casino Development and Gaming Venture – Sponsoring Department: County Counsel
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The County has been approached again by representatives from the Pinoleville Pomo Nation who have requested that the County engage in discussions regarding their proposed casino development and gaming venture that is to be located on North State Street (former site of Ken Fowler Auto Center). By way of background, in March 2009, the Pinoleville Pomo Nation entered into a Tribal Gaming Compact Agreement with the State of California. This compact was ultimately rejected by the BIA.
The Tribe is now in the process of negotiating a new compact with the State. Once a new agreement is reached with the State and approved by the BIA, the Tribe will be required to meet and confer with the affected local agencies to agree on mitigation of offsite impacts that will occur as a result of the gaming venture. Today, the Tribe will present their proposed plan. It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors form an Ad Hoc Committee now, consisting of two Supervisors who will ultimately work with the Tribe to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding. It is further recommended that Supervisors Brown and McCowen be appointed to the Ad Hoc Committee as they are currently involved with the Coyote Valley Casino expansion Ad Hoc and have familiarity with the issues. Once an agreement is tentatively reached, it will be brought forward to the entire Board for consideration.
SAY NO TO PINOLEVILLE
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The Moral Dance Between The Pechanga Tribe,The City of Temecula & The Media
We posted on the recent editorial in the North County Times (The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians Have Moral...) and earlier about the City of Temecula's lawsuit against the Pechanga Tribe ( City of Temecula lawsuit dismissed ). But part of the story that's been missed is the dance of morality here. The NC Times thinks the issue is an agreement and then Pechanga looking for a loophole out of it:
That doesn't excuse the fact, though, that the Pechanga Tribe agreed to pay the city about $2 million per year to help counter the impact of thousands of slot machines on its neighbor, then sought refuge in a loophole to keep from paying it.
The real moral issue is WHY a city would not exercise their outrage at the way the Pechanga Tribe has treated its own people, some of whom are Temecula citizens, too. We wrote about that back in March 2010 ( ..Temecula taking Money from Nation that violates Civil Rights ) At the time we wondered why in that story, the Press Enterprise never brought up the issues:
Pechanga has violated their members civil and human rights, which will be discussed at the New Mexico hearings on indigenous people in Albuquerque next week.
Pechanga has stolen $200 million in per capita payments from members via unlawful disenrollments (now much higher)
Pechanga has taken health care benefits to the tune of $12 million dollars from members
It leads one to wonder how the city can look to benefit off the stolen money from 25% of Pechanga people? Is that good moral judgement? Doing the right thing can sometimes be difficult, but getting into bed with a tribe they now know is untrustworthy is not the right move.
As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr said: "Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." (h/t: Carolyn Lowe Schuyler)
We know the morals at Pechanga, led by Mark Macarro are lacking, we'd hope the City of Temecula would be better, and we'd like to see the media take off their blinders. They've spent DAYS on a story of a little known person passing a horrible email about the President, but no time on a tribe that has harmed so many of it's people. (equal to 8 million Californians)
The City of Temecula should exercise it's moral outrage on an unethical partner in a manner we discussed here. They should cease all business with the tribal business entities, not attend functions at the casino, tell their employees to do the same. And let all their friends know what has happened. While $2 million seems like a lot of money, it pales in comparison, as one of our commenters noted, to what is lost by the eliminated membership. The tribe can rectify this immediately, by simply following tribal law. And they know it.
That doesn't excuse the fact, though, that the Pechanga Tribe agreed to pay the city about $2 million per year to help counter the impact of thousands of slot machines on its neighbor, then sought refuge in a loophole to keep from paying it.
The real moral issue is WHY a city would not exercise their outrage at the way the Pechanga Tribe has treated its own people, some of whom are Temecula citizens, too. We wrote about that back in March 2010 ( ..Temecula taking Money from Nation that violates Civil Rights ) At the time we wondered why in that story, the Press Enterprise never brought up the issues:
Pechanga has violated their members civil and human rights, which will be discussed at the New Mexico hearings on indigenous people in Albuquerque next week.
Pechanga has stolen $200 million in per capita payments from members via unlawful disenrollments (now much higher)
Pechanga has taken health care benefits to the tune of $12 million dollars from members
It leads one to wonder how the city can look to benefit off the stolen money from 25% of Pechanga people? Is that good moral judgement? Doing the right thing can sometimes be difficult, but getting into bed with a tribe they now know is untrustworthy is not the right move.
As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr said: "Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." (h/t: Carolyn Lowe Schuyler)
We know the morals at Pechanga, led by Mark Macarro are lacking, we'd hope the City of Temecula would be better, and we'd like to see the media take off their blinders. They've spent DAYS on a story of a little known person passing a horrible email about the President, but no time on a tribe that has harmed so many of it's people. (equal to 8 million Californians)
The City of Temecula should exercise it's moral outrage on an unethical partner in a manner we discussed here. They should cease all business with the tribal business entities, not attend functions at the casino, tell their employees to do the same. And let all their friends know what has happened. While $2 million seems like a lot of money, it pales in comparison, as one of our commenters noted, to what is lost by the eliminated membership. The tribe can rectify this immediately, by simply following tribal law. And they know it.
KNBC Inland Empire Bureau Chief Mary Parks Leaving
UPDATE: Sad to report Mary Parks has passed from cancer Nov. 23, 2020 . A very nice person and terrific reporter. Thanksgiving week won't be the same for her family.
The local television landscape is changing in the Inland Empire. Mary Parks, 19 year veteran at KNBC and Inland Empire Bureau Chief will be leaving the station. KNBC has chosen to replace her, though that position has not been filled. She will continue to report until they hire a replacement.
Mary has done good work in reporting and in the community. She's been a thorn in the side of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, to a point they won't return her calls. Guess it doesn't pay to report the news on Pechanga if it's not favorable.
Good Luck, Mary, hope you enjoy retirement. And maybe we'll see you at Pietro's.
The local television landscape is changing in the Inland Empire. Mary Parks, 19 year veteran at KNBC and Inland Empire Bureau Chief will be leaving the station. KNBC has chosen to replace her, though that position has not been filled. She will continue to report until they hire a replacement.
Mary has done good work in reporting and in the community. She's been a thorn in the side of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, to a point they won't return her calls. Guess it doesn't pay to report the news on Pechanga if it's not favorable.
Good Luck, Mary, hope you enjoy retirement. And maybe we'll see you at Pietro's.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Is the Pechanga Resort & Casino Suffering from Customer Service Issues?
An alert from Trip Advisor came across my desk with the title: “DO NOT STAY AT THE PECHANGA - WORST CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE EVER”
I followed the link and took a look at many of the comments and it seems customer service is a recurring theme. Must be the reason why 34% rated the resort POOR or TERRIBLE. Add in the average ratings and it's nearly 49% of customers that are underwhelmed. How did it get a four-star rating? Was it earned or paid for? In comparison to Pechanga's 51% positive rating, nearby Pala scored a 62.3% positive rating and Barona Casino Resort was rated 63.7%.
A sampling of the comments:
Pechanga is NOT worth your money. If anything goes wrong with your stay expect NOTHING from Pechanga to make up for it! Bottom line!
The staff is not very plesant, but imagine being in a casino, where it is dark, isn't very fun.
Never again. Valet put a dent in my brand new car, then they lied about it and said the dent was 'already there' Bull. Anything to help the bottom line. Dishonest crooks!
Would I stay here again, probably not since I don't like casinos and some of the issues with the room. Ok/average stay all together.
STAY away on weekends!
This place is unprofessional and we won't be returning. Hope they go out of business.
The non smoking rooms had smoke filled air coming in through the vents. You could roll off the bed-it was so worn on the side. The food is awful. We always make small talk with the employees and none of the ones we spoke to liked working for Pechanga.
IT seems some work needs to be done at the casino. Hope Pechanga revises it's customer service standards upwards.
I followed the link and took a look at many of the comments and it seems customer service is a recurring theme. Must be the reason why 34% rated the resort POOR or TERRIBLE. Add in the average ratings and it's nearly 49% of customers that are underwhelmed. How did it get a four-star rating? Was it earned or paid for? In comparison to Pechanga's 51% positive rating, nearby Pala scored a 62.3% positive rating and Barona Casino Resort was rated 63.7%.
A sampling of the comments:
Pechanga is NOT worth your money. If anything goes wrong with your stay expect NOTHING from Pechanga to make up for it! Bottom line!
The staff is not very plesant, but imagine being in a casino, where it is dark, isn't very fun.
Never again. Valet put a dent in my brand new car, then they lied about it and said the dent was 'already there' Bull. Anything to help the bottom line. Dishonest crooks!
Would I stay here again, probably not since I don't like casinos and some of the issues with the room. Ok/average stay all together.
STAY away on weekends!
This place is unprofessional and we won't be returning. Hope they go out of business.
The non smoking rooms had smoke filled air coming in through the vents. You could roll off the bed-it was so worn on the side. The food is awful. We always make small talk with the employees and none of the ones we spoke to liked working for Pechanga.
IT seems some work needs to be done at the casino. Hope Pechanga revises it's customer service standards upwards.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Former Soboba Chairman Roberty Salgado Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal Prison
FORMER TOP OFFICIAL WITH INLAND EMPIRE INDIAN TRIBE SENTENCED TO 41 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR TAKING BRIBES
LOS ANGELES – The former chairman of the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians was sentenced this afternoon to 41 months in federal prison for taking approximately $875,000 in bribes from tribal vendors and concealing that income from the Internal Revenue Service.
Robert Salgado Sr., 68, who lives on the Soboba Reservation near San Jacinto, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dean D. Pregerson. In addition to the prison term, which Salgado must begin serving by June 20, Judge Pregerson ordered the defendant to pay $226,187 in back taxes to the IRS.
Salgado pleaded guilty in October to two felony charges – bribery and subscribing to a false tax return. Salgado pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial in United States District Court.
In a plea agreement filed in court, Salgado admitted that he accepted a total of $874,995 in bribe payments from five vendors who did business with the Soboba Band. The payments to Salgado, which were made by vendors hoping to obtain or keep contracts with the tribe, were given to Salgado in the form of cash, payments made to his creditors and checks payable to an entity controlled by Salgado.
Salgado specifically admitted:
• receiving $486,152 from a vendor involved in the tribe’s $12.5 million purchase of a golf course now called The Country Club at Soboba Springs and other real estate purchases;
• taking approximately $184,000 in bribes from a second vendor who was awarded food concession and other contracts at the Soboba Casino;
• accepting bribes totaling $89,000 from a vendor who received a series of construction contracts from the Soboba Bank;
• taking $65,843 in bribes, plus “substantial cash payments which cannot be quantified,” from another vendor who received a series of construction contracts; and
• accepting a total of $50,000 in bribes from Abbas Shilleh, the owner of California Parking Services, Inc., which provided valet parking at the Soboba Casino.
In sentencing papers filed with the court, prosecutors asked for a prison sentence, stressing that Salgado “did not take one or two bribes. He took hundreds of them over the course of a decade. Defendant ran the tribe as if it belonged to him. Now he must pay the price.”
Salgado also pleaded guilty to a tax offense, admitting that he filed a 2001 tax return that claimed he and his wife earned $146,114, but in reality earned substantially more. In the plea agreement, Salgado admitted he also did not accurately report his income for tax years 2002 through 2006, failing to pay a total of $226,187 in taxes.
Shilleh, 47, of Diamond Bar, pleaded guilty last month and admitted he paid bribes to Salgado (see: http://www.justice.gov/usao/cac/pressroom/pr2011/030.html).
Shilleh is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Pregerson on June 6.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS - Criminal Investigation.
LOS ANGELES – The former chairman of the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians was sentenced this afternoon to 41 months in federal prison for taking approximately $875,000 in bribes from tribal vendors and concealing that income from the Internal Revenue Service.
Robert Salgado Sr., 68, who lives on the Soboba Reservation near San Jacinto, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dean D. Pregerson. In addition to the prison term, which Salgado must begin serving by June 20, Judge Pregerson ordered the defendant to pay $226,187 in back taxes to the IRS.
Salgado pleaded guilty in October to two felony charges – bribery and subscribing to a false tax return. Salgado pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial in United States District Court.
In a plea agreement filed in court, Salgado admitted that he accepted a total of $874,995 in bribe payments from five vendors who did business with the Soboba Band. The payments to Salgado, which were made by vendors hoping to obtain or keep contracts with the tribe, were given to Salgado in the form of cash, payments made to his creditors and checks payable to an entity controlled by Salgado.
Salgado specifically admitted:
• receiving $486,152 from a vendor involved in the tribe’s $12.5 million purchase of a golf course now called The Country Club at Soboba Springs and other real estate purchases;
• taking approximately $184,000 in bribes from a second vendor who was awarded food concession and other contracts at the Soboba Casino;
• accepting bribes totaling $89,000 from a vendor who received a series of construction contracts from the Soboba Bank;
• taking $65,843 in bribes, plus “substantial cash payments which cannot be quantified,” from another vendor who received a series of construction contracts; and
• accepting a total of $50,000 in bribes from Abbas Shilleh, the owner of California Parking Services, Inc., which provided valet parking at the Soboba Casino.
In sentencing papers filed with the court, prosecutors asked for a prison sentence, stressing that Salgado “did not take one or two bribes. He took hundreds of them over the course of a decade. Defendant ran the tribe as if it belonged to him. Now he must pay the price.”
Salgado also pleaded guilty to a tax offense, admitting that he filed a 2001 tax return that claimed he and his wife earned $146,114, but in reality earned substantially more. In the plea agreement, Salgado admitted he also did not accurately report his income for tax years 2002 through 2006, failing to pay a total of $226,187 in taxes.
Shilleh, 47, of Diamond Bar, pleaded guilty last month and admitted he paid bribes to Salgado (see: http://www.justice.gov/usao/cac/pressroom/pr2011/030.html).
Shilleh is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Pregerson on June 6.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS - Criminal Investigation.
The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians Has A Moral Obligation To Fill to Temecula
The Leadership of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians is as MORALLY BANKRUPT as they come, YET
The OPINION Staff of the NCTimes/Californian have an interesting editorial up on the squabble between the City of Temecula and the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians. But can Californians expect the Pechanga Band, which has stripped many of its OWN citizens of their voting rights, healthcare, educational assistance and has also tried to STEAL water rights from allottees, to act MORALLY? Surely, they jest. Pechanga's tribal council won't even follow the tribes OWN constitution and bylaws. Mark Macarro act morally? John Macarro advise on a moral issue? Pechanga practices APARTHEID on their reservation. Does anyone really think they can acto MORALLY?
What happens now in Temecula's battle with the Pechanga Indians over the tribe's refusal to abide by the spirit of a contract it signed with the city?
Of course, it should be noted that the city is in a fix that is somewhat of its own making. After all, it entered into a three-way contract with the tribe and Riverside County without having any control over the part of the deal between the county and the tribe. That was bad lawyering by the city.
That doesn't excuse the fact, though, that the Pechanga agreed to pay the city about $2 million per year to help counter the impact of thousands of slot machines on its neighbor, then sought refuge in a loophole to keep from paying it.
Some background: In 2008, voters said tribes operating casinos in California could exceed the statutory limit of 2,000 slot machines if they reached agreements with neighboring cities and counties to offset the effects of the larger casinos on those communities. Larger casinos mean more traffic and more law enforcement headaches.
The loophole in the Pechanga-Temecula deal is that the contract, ostensibly to have taken effect last summer, doesn't really go into effect until all three parties have reached an agreement ---- and the county and the Pechanga are hundreds of thousands of dollars apart in their negotiations.
What's more, because they already have the machines in place, the Pechanga have absolutely no motivation to reach an agreement with the county.
Read the FULL EDITORIAL and COMMENTS HERE
Read more about Mark Macarro, John Macarro, Pechanga Tribal Council Enrollment Moratorium
The OPINION Staff of the NCTimes/Californian have an interesting editorial up on the squabble between the City of Temecula and the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians. But can Californians expect the Pechanga Band, which has stripped many of its OWN citizens of their voting rights, healthcare, educational assistance and has also tried to STEAL water rights from allottees, to act MORALLY? Surely, they jest. Pechanga's tribal council won't even follow the tribes OWN constitution and bylaws. Mark Macarro act morally? John Macarro advise on a moral issue? Pechanga practices APARTHEID on their reservation. Does anyone really think they can acto MORALLY?
What happens now in Temecula's battle with the Pechanga Indians over the tribe's refusal to abide by the spirit of a contract it signed with the city?
Of course, it should be noted that the city is in a fix that is somewhat of its own making. After all, it entered into a three-way contract with the tribe and Riverside County without having any control over the part of the deal between the county and the tribe. That was bad lawyering by the city.
That doesn't excuse the fact, though, that the Pechanga agreed to pay the city about $2 million per year to help counter the impact of thousands of slot machines on its neighbor, then sought refuge in a loophole to keep from paying it.
Some background: In 2008, voters said tribes operating casinos in California could exceed the statutory limit of 2,000 slot machines if they reached agreements with neighboring cities and counties to offset the effects of the larger casinos on those communities. Larger casinos mean more traffic and more law enforcement headaches.
The loophole in the Pechanga-Temecula deal is that the contract, ostensibly to have taken effect last summer, doesn't really go into effect until all three parties have reached an agreement ---- and the county and the Pechanga are hundreds of thousands of dollars apart in their negotiations.
What's more, because they already have the machines in place, the Pechanga have absolutely no motivation to reach an agreement with the county.
Read the FULL EDITORIAL and COMMENTS HERE
Read more about Mark Macarro, John Macarro, Pechanga Tribal Council Enrollment Moratorium
San Jacinto Residents Wary of Soboba Casino Expansion. 729,000 s.f. project..
San Jacinto residents are concerned about a HUGE expansion project proposed for their neighborhood by the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians. The proposed 729,500-square-foot complex would include a 300-room hotel. (Big box Wal-Mart stores are in the 200,000 square-foot range!)
Since August 2009, tribal consultants have been working to finalize an environmental impact. Beginning this month, the application package will be reviewed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the tribal representatives told the councilmen. One more public hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
"I want the tribe to prosper, I want the residents to prosper," said Miller, but the city also needs to look at "how it is going to impact residents' lives" and how impacts can be mitigated.
Members of the Save Our Communities group earlier this year gave the council binders detailing their concerns.
Soboba Springs resident Patty Mayne said the council should seek more input from the public before finalizing a city position. "They should not be making any decisions or doing any mitigations with the tribe" before environment review is finished, she said.
"It's our intent to say we can work this out," said group member Tish Arciniega, by moving development to another reservation location. "Putting the project where it's currently proposed ... is going to be a hardship for a lot of people"
The tribe wants to annex land it owns along Soboba Road near Lake Park Drive to the reservation and replace an existing casino with the new resort.
If the site becomes part of the reservation, residents of three Soboba Springs neighborhoods would have to travel through the reservation to get to their homes.a
The former tribal chairman of the Soboba Band, Robert Salgado was convicted of accepting bribes and tax evasion last year.
Since August 2009, tribal consultants have been working to finalize an environmental impact. Beginning this month, the application package will be reviewed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the tribal representatives told the councilmen. One more public hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
"I want the tribe to prosper, I want the residents to prosper," said Miller, but the city also needs to look at "how it is going to impact residents' lives" and how impacts can be mitigated.
Members of the Save Our Communities group earlier this year gave the council binders detailing their concerns.
Soboba Springs resident Patty Mayne said the council should seek more input from the public before finalizing a city position. "They should not be making any decisions or doing any mitigations with the tribe" before environment review is finished, she said.
"It's our intent to say we can work this out," said group member Tish Arciniega, by moving development to another reservation location. "Putting the project where it's currently proposed ... is going to be a hardship for a lot of people"
The tribe wants to annex land it owns along Soboba Road near Lake Park Drive to the reservation and replace an existing casino with the new resort.
If the site becomes part of the reservation, residents of three Soboba Springs neighborhoods would have to travel through the reservation to get to their homes.a
The former tribal chairman of the Soboba Band, Robert Salgado was convicted of accepting bribes and tax evasion last year.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Ignorance and Apathy From Picayune Rancheria? OR I don't know and I don't Care
The Picayune Rancheria in Coarsegold could only attract 38 Tribal Members to their quarterly general council meeting, sources said. That doesn't appear to be enough for a quorum needed to conduct tribal business.
The Picayune Rancheria runs the Chuckchansi Casino and is well know for terminating 500 Indians from their membership rolls.
It's easy to control the tribe when nobody shows up. And THIS is an example of the tribes that politicians are kowtowing to? Remember when CA politicians couldn't pass a budget but could PARTY AT CHUKCHANSI?
The Picayune Rancheria runs the Chuckchansi Casino and is well know for terminating 500 Indians from their membership rolls.
It's easy to control the tribe when nobody shows up. And THIS is an example of the tribes that politicians are kowtowing to? Remember when CA politicians couldn't pass a budget but could PARTY AT CHUKCHANSI?
Is it time to END Smoking in California Tribal Casinos?
Tribal Casinos still allow smoking in their casinos. Employees and customers are subjected to the dangers of second hand smoke. Is it time for CA legislators to protect the health and welfare of tribal casino employees? They practically have eliminated smoking OUTDOORS in many cities, yet casinos are exempt.
A recent survey in New England resulted in evidence that people would prefer to gamble in a smoke free environment:
In a random-sample poll of nearly 4,000 residents of the region's six states, half of those who participated in some form of gambling in the past year say they are more likely to visit a casino where smoking is prohibited on the gaming floor. Only 15 percent say they would be less likely to visit a casino where smoking is banned, while 35 percent say it doesn't matter.
Among respondents who had actually visited a casino in the past year, 53 percent said they are more likely to visit a casino that bans smoking. Among women, who constitute a majority of slot-machine players at New England casinos, 57 percent prefer a smoke-free gaming floor, the survey found.
The evidence is piling up on customer preferences. Yet the health of customers and employees seems to matter to tribes.
What do you think? Time to end smoking in tribal casinos?
A recent survey in New England resulted in evidence that people would prefer to gamble in a smoke free environment:
In a random-sample poll of nearly 4,000 residents of the region's six states, half of those who participated in some form of gambling in the past year say they are more likely to visit a casino where smoking is prohibited on the gaming floor. Only 15 percent say they would be less likely to visit a casino where smoking is banned, while 35 percent say it doesn't matter.
Among respondents who had actually visited a casino in the past year, 53 percent said they are more likely to visit a casino that bans smoking. Among women, who constitute a majority of slot-machine players at New England casinos, 57 percent prefer a smoke-free gaming floor, the survey found.
The evidence is piling up on customer preferences. Yet the health of customers and employees seems to matter to tribes.
What do you think? Time to end smoking in tribal casinos?
Friday, April 15, 2011
Schwarzenegger Says Questions about his Reduction of Sentence to Crony BORING
Remember when there was an expectation of JUSTICE from Arnold Schwarzenegger? (No, I don't either, but here's another example of his injustice) Remember his extortion tactics with some tribes?
KCBS News Dave Bryan reports:
What’s boring the former governor are questions about why, in the closing hours of his governorship, he cut the prison sentence for Estaban Nunez, son of former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, by more than half — from 16 to 7 years, in a case involving the killing of 22-year-old college student Luis dos Santos in San Diego. Nunez didn’t dispute the facts, didn’t contend he was innocent, and didn’t stand trial, choosing instead to plead guilty to manslaughter and assault charges.
KCBS News Dave Bryan reports:
What’s boring the former governor are questions about why, in the closing hours of his governorship, he cut the prison sentence for Estaban Nunez, son of former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, by more than half — from 16 to 7 years, in a case involving the killing of 22-year-old college student Luis dos Santos in San Diego. Nunez didn’t dispute the facts, didn’t contend he was innocent, and didn’t stand trial, choosing instead to plead guilty to manslaughter and assault charges.
Follow the Money UPDATE: Theft of Per Capita BY TRIBES Nearing Half Billion $ Mark
In January we posted a story about the theft of Per Capita/Benefits by gaming tribes. Now, it's closer to HALF of a BILLION DOLLARS! And that's just for Pechanga, Redding and Picayune ALONE.
UPDATE: Includes Redding Rancheria and Mooretown Rancheria per capita totals now.
UPDATE: Includes Enterprise Rancheria losses from Revenue Sharing.
Eric Bolling of Fox Business Channel's Follow the Money ( Follow The Money" with Eric Bolling...taking you inside the world of corruption, abuse of power, and shocking betrayals of public trust. We follow the money wherever it goes.) asked me to send him links about the actions of tribes and their disenrollment practices after tribal gaming. I've sent him numerous links, but thought I'd make a post of it. I've asked friends from Redding Rancheria and Picayune Rancheria to let me know of their losses, and I invite citizens from other tribes to let us know what they've lost.
From the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians in Temecula CA:
The Hunter Family has lost $1,295,000 per person, in per capita payments alone. We arrived at that figure by taking the last full year of per capita $268,000/12 months and multiplying that loss times 58 months of disenrollment. 95 adults at the time of disenrollment equals: $123,056,000
The Apis Family was disenrolled the year prior in 2005. The per capita was slightly less about $17,000 per month times 62 months of termination: $1,054,000 times 135 adults equals: $142,290,000
Moratorium people NEVER shared in what was rightfully theirs. The per capita went up to $360,000 per year for those remaining after elimination of tribal citizens.
From the Picayune Rancheria in Coarsegold, CA:
In the case of Chukchansi Gold, the casino has been averaging $4 million per month in payments to the Tribe over the past 18 months (as reported to me by a former Tribal Council member).
The tribe disenrolled 625 members who were making $3,200 per month. This equates to $96,000,000 stolen. The word from that reservation is that they wanted to further reduce their population.
Lets add what we have so far:
Pechanga: $318.3 MILION Includes additional $21 Million in Health Insurance. Corrected Insurance due to coverages, some double covered as family. Per capita losses are $200,000 PER DAY. Does not include educational assistance and there are many college eligible students not receiving their scholarships.
Picayune: $ 97.0 MILLION Money is from share of dollars casino sends to tribe per person. Read more on Picayune Rancheria HERE
Redding: $ 33.3 MILLION Per capita only. Totals being tabulating but includes tribal JOBS lost.
Mooretown: $ 10.9 MILLION Read more on Mooretown Rancheria HERE
Enterprise: $ 2.2 MILLION No Per Capita. Tribe gets revenue allocation. Losses include housing help.
I'll update per capita losses from other tribes as I get information. Also bear in mind, the tribe save on health care coverage for citizens and dependents they terminated. $12,000 per year for Pechanga times 600 people should be over $35 MILLION more. CORRECTION: Cost is per family, so number is reduced from $35 Million.
And the tribal coucils will say, it's NOT about the MONEY! But it IS because so many have lost homes, health insurance because their rightful per capita was taken away. Add that to the loss of voting rights, right to attend meetings, elder assistance, and the fact that some tribes like Pechanga have tried to steal water rights and it's a problem don't you think?
UPDATE: Includes Redding Rancheria and Mooretown Rancheria per capita totals now.
UPDATE: Includes Enterprise Rancheria losses from Revenue Sharing.
Eric Bolling of Fox Business Channel's Follow the Money ( Follow The Money" with Eric Bolling...taking you inside the world of corruption, abuse of power, and shocking betrayals of public trust. We follow the money wherever it goes.) asked me to send him links about the actions of tribes and their disenrollment practices after tribal gaming. I've sent him numerous links, but thought I'd make a post of it. I've asked friends from Redding Rancheria and Picayune Rancheria to let me know of their losses, and I invite citizens from other tribes to let us know what they've lost.
From the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians in Temecula CA:
The Hunter Family has lost $1,295,000 per person, in per capita payments alone. We arrived at that figure by taking the last full year of per capita $268,000/12 months and multiplying that loss times 58 months of disenrollment. 95 adults at the time of disenrollment equals: $123,056,000
The Apis Family was disenrolled the year prior in 2005. The per capita was slightly less about $17,000 per month times 62 months of termination: $1,054,000 times 135 adults equals: $142,290,000
Moratorium people NEVER shared in what was rightfully theirs. The per capita went up to $360,000 per year for those remaining after elimination of tribal citizens.
From the Picayune Rancheria in Coarsegold, CA:
In the case of Chukchansi Gold, the casino has been averaging $4 million per month in payments to the Tribe over the past 18 months (as reported to me by a former Tribal Council member).
The tribe disenrolled 625 members who were making $3,200 per month. This equates to $96,000,000 stolen. The word from that reservation is that they wanted to further reduce their population.
Lets add what we have so far:
Pechanga: $318.3 MILION Includes additional $21 Million in Health Insurance. Corrected Insurance due to coverages, some double covered as family. Per capita losses are $200,000 PER DAY. Does not include educational assistance and there are many college eligible students not receiving their scholarships.
Picayune: $ 97.0 MILLION Money is from share of dollars casino sends to tribe per person. Read more on Picayune Rancheria HERE
Redding: $ 33.3 MILLION Per capita only. Totals being tabulating but includes tribal JOBS lost.
Mooretown: $ 10.9 MILLION Read more on Mooretown Rancheria HERE
Enterprise: $ 2.2 MILLION No Per Capita. Tribe gets revenue allocation. Losses include housing help.
I'll update per capita losses from other tribes as I get information. Also bear in mind, the tribe save on health care coverage for citizens and dependents they terminated. $12,000 per year for Pechanga times 600 people should be over $35 MILLION more. CORRECTION: Cost is per family, so number is reduced from $35 Million.
And the tribal coucils will say, it's NOT about the MONEY! But it IS because so many have lost homes, health insurance because their rightful per capita was taken away. Add that to the loss of voting rights, right to attend meetings, elder assistance, and the fact that some tribes like Pechanga have tried to steal water rights and it's a problem don't you think?
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Anatomy of Corruption at Pechanga: Laws & Rules Apply to SOME not All in Disenrollment
What's good for the goose, isn't good for the gander at Pechanga. The Pechanga Constitution and Bylaws were not applied evenly in two family's who were disenrolled nor were they followed by Mark Macarro and his cohorts. Follow the logic here:
The baptism of Candelaria, daughter of Juana Apis, in some San Diego records.
On 26 August 1853, a priest named Holbein (sp.?) baptized a number of people at San Luis Rey, including many from Temecula. The fifth person was:
Ma Candelaria, nacida in Temecula, de edad de 10 meses, hija de MaJuana Apis, y fueron madrina Ma I. la Concepcion, india. [The plural fueron was used by this priest, probably out of habit because usually the child had a godmother and godfather. For child number 4, Pablo Apis (would have been Pablito) was the only godparent, but the priest also used the plural fueron in that record.]
Maria Candelaria, born in Temecula, at the age of 10 months, daughter of Maria Juana Apis and the godmother was Maria I. la Concepcion, Indian.
What is interesting is that there is no mention of Anselmo Nesicat or any father. Juana is listed under Anselmo Borrego (assumed to be same as Anselmo Nesicat by many) in the 1852 census on October 13, 1852. Candelaria would have been born about the same time as this census was taken or shortly afterwards.
Finding a baptismal record without mention of a father and in the absence of much other solid evidence makes it difficult to support a claim that a specific person was one’s ancestor. OP: In the Paulina Hunter case, there was both a FATHER and MOTHER, see HERE
In other words, with no mention of a father, how can Candelaria Flores' ancestors lay claim to lineal descent solely through Juana Apis, the daughter of Pablo Apis. The Enrollment Committee, including Frances Miranda, concluded that lineal descent from Pablo Apis did not meet the enrollment requirements. OP: Then WHY is Frances Miranda and her relatives STILL IN THE TRIBE? What makes a PECHANGA INDIAN?
The baptism of Candelaria, daughter of Juana Apis, in some San Diego records.
On 26 August 1853, a priest named Holbein (sp.?) baptized a number of people at San Luis Rey, including many from Temecula. The fifth person was:
Ma Candelaria, nacida in Temecula, de edad de 10 meses, hija de MaJuana Apis, y fueron madrina Ma I. la Concepcion, india. [The plural fueron was used by this priest, probably out of habit because usually the child had a godmother and godfather. For child number 4, Pablo Apis (would have been Pablito) was the only godparent, but the priest also used the plural fueron in that record.]
Maria Candelaria, born in Temecula, at the age of 10 months, daughter of Maria Juana Apis and the godmother was Maria I. la Concepcion, Indian.
What is interesting is that there is no mention of Anselmo Nesicat or any father. Juana is listed under Anselmo Borrego (assumed to be same as Anselmo Nesicat by many) in the 1852 census on October 13, 1852. Candelaria would have been born about the same time as this census was taken or shortly afterwards.
Finding a baptismal record without mention of a father and in the absence of much other solid evidence makes it difficult to support a claim that a specific person was one’s ancestor. OP: In the Paulina Hunter case, there was both a FATHER and MOTHER, see HERE
In other words, with no mention of a father, how can Candelaria Flores' ancestors lay claim to lineal descent solely through Juana Apis, the daughter of Pablo Apis. The Enrollment Committee, including Frances Miranda, concluded that lineal descent from Pablo Apis did not meet the enrollment requirements. OP: Then WHY is Frances Miranda and her relatives STILL IN THE TRIBE? What makes a PECHANGA INDIAN?
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
City of Temecula Lawsuit Against Pechanga Dismissed.
U.S. District Court Judge Dale S. Fischer ruled in favor of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians and dismissed the lawsuit brought by the City of Temecula. The city’s lawsuit, filed October 1, 2010, accused the Pechanga Tribe of violating its 2006 Tribal-State Compact and sought to compel the Tribe to pay millions of dollars for purported off-reservation impacts, even though the Tribe had not commenced any new gaming projects since 2004. That project was built with full environmental review and input from the City and County. Since then, the Tribe has voluntarily contributed millions of dollars to City projects including improvements to surrounding roads and infrastructure.
“Given our longstanding record of supporting the community, today’s decision vindicates our view that the city council’s lawsuit was baseless, absurd, and a waste of money,” said Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro. OP: Macarro knows waste a this was similar to Pechanga's waste of tribal funds when they paid $50 MILLION more than the other 3 tribes did to promote their expanding gaming initiative.
“As we said from the onset, our Tribe was under no obligation to reach an agreement with the City of Temecula since no physical changes were made to our casino that required environmental studies and an intergovernmental agreement,” said Macarro.
“Nevertheless, we offered, as early as 2007, to negotiate and enter into a provisional intergovernmental agreement to help provide both of our communities with certainty and stability with regard to possible future expansions, and to promote collaboration.” OP: Is that leadership, negotiating when there is no need, or did Macarro think there WAS a need.
After months of negotiation, the Temecula City Council voted to approve the agreement on March 9, 2010 on the condition that an intergovernmental agreement be reached with the County. The purpose of the condition was to ensure certainty with both the city and county in the event of future development. A central provision of the deal required the intergovernmental agreements between Pechanga, the city and the County of Riverside to be interdependent. A primary reason for this interdependence is that the County of Riverside - not the City of Temecula - provides law enforcement services to the reservation, yet under the provisional agreement Temecula would have received all of the funding for law enforcement. The Tribe also wanted to be certain that all requests had been contemplated and that the County would not seek additional funds.
“From Day 1 of the negotiations with the city, we made clear that the intergovernmental agreements were to be interdependent."
"We thought city representatives recognized this fundamental principle; otherwise, they would not have approved a clause explicitly requiring the county component also be completed before the agreement took effect.”
“We were prepared to go above and beyond the letter and spirit of the Compact by offering to negotiate and reach an agreement long before we were required to do so,” said Macarro.
“We thought our offer to reach an agreement, that would have provided millions for the city, was consistent with our historic willingness to voluntarily provide funding for critical city projects."
Since 2002, the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians has provided more than $25 million to the City of Temecula and County of Riverside for road improvements, law enforcement, fire services, and responsible gaming.
The Tribe has also donated more than $15 million to local schools and hundreds of regional non-profit groups working to build a stronger community.
OP: This PALES in comparison to the nearly $400 MILLION they have stolen from rightful members of the tribe.
“Had the city council allowed us and the County to continue our talks, we might have finalized the agreement,” he said.
“Instead, the city council brought the very worst action possible against our Tribe.”
Temecula’s lawsuit accused the Tribe of acting in “violation of its obligations under the 2006 Amended Compact,” which could have jeopardized the Pechanga Band’s Tribal-State Compact.
“Make no mistake, by accusing us of violating our Compact, this lawsuit was a direct assault on the economic engine that pulled our people out of poverty and provides thousands of community members with jobs and business opportunities,” said Chairman Macarro.
“Because of the Temecula City Council’s action, little to no desire exists to hand over millions of dollars to a city council that would seek to cause our Tribe, our employees, our business partners, and the charitable causes which we support such harm.”
OP: WAR! Now Temecula should NO longer attend any function at Pechanga, give no honors to a tribe that has decimated its people, MANY who are Temecula citizens.
“Given our longstanding record of supporting the community, today’s decision vindicates our view that the city council’s lawsuit was baseless, absurd, and a waste of money,” said Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro. OP: Macarro knows waste a this was similar to Pechanga's waste of tribal funds when they paid $50 MILLION more than the other 3 tribes did to promote their expanding gaming initiative.
“As we said from the onset, our Tribe was under no obligation to reach an agreement with the City of Temecula since no physical changes were made to our casino that required environmental studies and an intergovernmental agreement,” said Macarro.
“Nevertheless, we offered, as early as 2007, to negotiate and enter into a provisional intergovernmental agreement to help provide both of our communities with certainty and stability with regard to possible future expansions, and to promote collaboration.” OP: Is that leadership, negotiating when there is no need, or did Macarro think there WAS a need.
After months of negotiation, the Temecula City Council voted to approve the agreement on March 9, 2010 on the condition that an intergovernmental agreement be reached with the County. The purpose of the condition was to ensure certainty with both the city and county in the event of future development. A central provision of the deal required the intergovernmental agreements between Pechanga, the city and the County of Riverside to be interdependent. A primary reason for this interdependence is that the County of Riverside - not the City of Temecula - provides law enforcement services to the reservation, yet under the provisional agreement Temecula would have received all of the funding for law enforcement. The Tribe also wanted to be certain that all requests had been contemplated and that the County would not seek additional funds.
“From Day 1 of the negotiations with the city, we made clear that the intergovernmental agreements were to be interdependent."
"We thought city representatives recognized this fundamental principle; otherwise, they would not have approved a clause explicitly requiring the county component also be completed before the agreement took effect.”
“We were prepared to go above and beyond the letter and spirit of the Compact by offering to negotiate and reach an agreement long before we were required to do so,” said Macarro.
“We thought our offer to reach an agreement, that would have provided millions for the city, was consistent with our historic willingness to voluntarily provide funding for critical city projects."
Since 2002, the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians has provided more than $25 million to the City of Temecula and County of Riverside for road improvements, law enforcement, fire services, and responsible gaming.
The Tribe has also donated more than $15 million to local schools and hundreds of regional non-profit groups working to build a stronger community.
OP: This PALES in comparison to the nearly $400 MILLION they have stolen from rightful members of the tribe.
“Had the city council allowed us and the County to continue our talks, we might have finalized the agreement,” he said.
“Instead, the city council brought the very worst action possible against our Tribe.”
Temecula’s lawsuit accused the Tribe of acting in “violation of its obligations under the 2006 Amended Compact,” which could have jeopardized the Pechanga Band’s Tribal-State Compact.
“Make no mistake, by accusing us of violating our Compact, this lawsuit was a direct assault on the economic engine that pulled our people out of poverty and provides thousands of community members with jobs and business opportunities,” said Chairman Macarro.
“Because of the Temecula City Council’s action, little to no desire exists to hand over millions of dollars to a city council that would seek to cause our Tribe, our employees, our business partners, and the charitable causes which we support such harm.”
OP: WAR! Now Temecula should NO longer attend any function at Pechanga, give no honors to a tribe that has decimated its people, MANY who are Temecula citizens.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Dianne Feinstein's Anti-Reservation Shopping Bill Getting Negative Response;
Anti reservation shopping bill introduced by Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein, co-sponsored by John Kyl is receiving negative reviews....
Indian Country Today has the story:
That was the first thing people noticed about Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s newest version of her anti-Indian gaming bill, which was introduced late on Friday, April 8. The second thing is that the bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Jon Kyl, is misnamed “The Tribal Gaming Eligibility Act.”
“Instead of naming it the Tribal Gaming Eligibility Act it really ought to be named the Anti-Gaming Act,” said Joe Valandra, Sicangu Lakota, and principal owner and president of VAdvisors, LLC, a specialty advisory firm.”It’s clearly designed to effectively stop any tribe that currently isn’t gaming or any tribe that doesn’t have land eligible for gaming from gaming. And she did it on a Friday afternoon when the press is clearly focused on the shutdown of the government to avoid attention.”
According to a summary that accompanied the proposed legislation, the Feinstein bill “seeks to end the practice of ‘reservation shopping’ when casinos are involved.” So Feinstein’s bill would amend Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) to require tribes seeking to open casinos on land acquired after the passage of the act in 1988 to demonstrate both a modern and an aboriginal connection to the land they wish to game on – two totally random new requirements — or go through what is called the “two part determination.”
Valandra said the new requirements present “artificial hurdles to inhibit or stop tribes to game on land that they would otherwise legally be entitled to possess and game on. Frankly, my word would be, it’s a travesty,” he said.
Section 20 of IGRA puts forward a general prohibition against Indian gaming on trust lands acquired after October 17, 1988, the date IGRA was enacted, and then provides a number of exceptions to the prohibition, including land within or contiguous to a tribe’s existing reservation; land for tribes without reservations; land within the tribe’s last recognized reservation; land claim settlements; initial reservations for newly acknowledged tribes; and restored lands for restored tribes.
The most controversial and onerous exception is the Two Part Determination in which the Interior Secretary determines that a tribe can conduct gaming on its land acquired after October 17, 1988 if it’s in the “best interest” of the tribe and is not detrimental to the surrounding community. The determination requires the governor’s approval.
Tom Rodgers, the owner of Carlyle Consulting, said Indian country will closely review and monitor the Feinstein proposal. “Even though Sen. Feinstein has chosen to introduce her legislation late on a Friday afternoon during a crisis dealing with a government shutdown, Indian country will remain vigilant so that the rights of all Native Americans are protected,” Rodgers said. “We will conduct our due diligence and we will consult all of the tribes so that all tribal voices are equally heard. I would also hope the senator proceeds in regular order – introduction, committee hearing, floor debate, conference. That way the process will have transparency, accountability and integrity.”
This is the second time in less than six months that Feinstein has put forward a bill to restrict Indian gaming on trust lands. Last fall, Feinstein used the Interior Department to provide drafting services for a controversial bill that would also require a tribe to have modern and aboriginal connections to any gaming land the secretary might acquire in trust. The bill died in the lame-duck session of Congress just before the New Year, but tribal leaders expressed outrage that it had been developed behind closed doors with the involvement of high level Interior officials – and without consultation with the Indian nations.
Wilson Pipestem, a partner in Ietan Consulting, predicted that Feinstein’s new bill would not be well received in Indian country.
“I expect that Indian tribes will strongly oppose the legislation introduced by Senators Feinstein and Kyl today,” Pipestem said. “It fails to address the most critical issues voiced throughout Indian Country on the protection of aboriginal lands.”
See more at the Indian Country Today story
Indian Country Today has the story:
That was the first thing people noticed about Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s newest version of her anti-Indian gaming bill, which was introduced late on Friday, April 8. The second thing is that the bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Jon Kyl, is misnamed “The Tribal Gaming Eligibility Act.”
“Instead of naming it the Tribal Gaming Eligibility Act it really ought to be named the Anti-Gaming Act,” said Joe Valandra, Sicangu Lakota, and principal owner and president of VAdvisors, LLC, a specialty advisory firm.”It’s clearly designed to effectively stop any tribe that currently isn’t gaming or any tribe that doesn’t have land eligible for gaming from gaming. And she did it on a Friday afternoon when the press is clearly focused on the shutdown of the government to avoid attention.”
According to a summary that accompanied the proposed legislation, the Feinstein bill “seeks to end the practice of ‘reservation shopping’ when casinos are involved.” So Feinstein’s bill would amend Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) to require tribes seeking to open casinos on land acquired after the passage of the act in 1988 to demonstrate both a modern and an aboriginal connection to the land they wish to game on – two totally random new requirements — or go through what is called the “two part determination.”
Valandra said the new requirements present “artificial hurdles to inhibit or stop tribes to game on land that they would otherwise legally be entitled to possess and game on. Frankly, my word would be, it’s a travesty,” he said.
Section 20 of IGRA puts forward a general prohibition against Indian gaming on trust lands acquired after October 17, 1988, the date IGRA was enacted, and then provides a number of exceptions to the prohibition, including land within or contiguous to a tribe’s existing reservation; land for tribes without reservations; land within the tribe’s last recognized reservation; land claim settlements; initial reservations for newly acknowledged tribes; and restored lands for restored tribes.
The most controversial and onerous exception is the Two Part Determination in which the Interior Secretary determines that a tribe can conduct gaming on its land acquired after October 17, 1988 if it’s in the “best interest” of the tribe and is not detrimental to the surrounding community. The determination requires the governor’s approval.
Tom Rodgers, the owner of Carlyle Consulting, said Indian country will closely review and monitor the Feinstein proposal. “Even though Sen. Feinstein has chosen to introduce her legislation late on a Friday afternoon during a crisis dealing with a government shutdown, Indian country will remain vigilant so that the rights of all Native Americans are protected,” Rodgers said. “We will conduct our due diligence and we will consult all of the tribes so that all tribal voices are equally heard. I would also hope the senator proceeds in regular order – introduction, committee hearing, floor debate, conference. That way the process will have transparency, accountability and integrity.”
This is the second time in less than six months that Feinstein has put forward a bill to restrict Indian gaming on trust lands. Last fall, Feinstein used the Interior Department to provide drafting services for a controversial bill that would also require a tribe to have modern and aboriginal connections to any gaming land the secretary might acquire in trust. The bill died in the lame-duck session of Congress just before the New Year, but tribal leaders expressed outrage that it had been developed behind closed doors with the involvement of high level Interior officials – and without consultation with the Indian nations.
Wilson Pipestem, a partner in Ietan Consulting, predicted that Feinstein’s new bill would not be well received in Indian country.
“I expect that Indian tribes will strongly oppose the legislation introduced by Senators Feinstein and Kyl today,” Pipestem said. “It fails to address the most critical issues voiced throughout Indian Country on the protection of aboriginal lands.”
See more at the Indian Country Today story
China Tells U.S. to Quit as Human Rights Judge: Look in Indian Country for Rights Abuses
Mirroring some portions of the UN Human Rights Council Review on US Human rights with a focus on Indigenous People, China is fighting back. We've discussed the abuses of tribes such as Pechanga, which is practicing Apartheid on their reservation in Temecula, and the Picayune Rancheria which terminated 50% of their tribal population. Recall that the Redding Rancheria terminated the Foreman family, the descendents of a woman whose DNA proved their right to be in the tribe and whose first chairman brought Indian Health to Northern CA.
The United States is beset by violence, racism and torture and has no authority to condemn other governments' human rights problems, China said on Sunday, countering U.S. criticism of Beijing's crackdown.
The row between Beijing and Washington over human rights has intensified since China's ruling Communist Party extended its clampdown on dissidents and rights activists, a move which has sparked an outcry from Washington and other Western governments.
Recall when AIRRO held listening sessions on the human rights abuses? “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.”
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is the most prominent of the activists to be detained by police or held in secretive custody in the latest crackdown.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday she was "deeply concerned" about it, and cited "negative trends" including Ai's detention. We in Indian country wish Secretary Clinton would be as "deeply concerned" about the issues of disenrollment, banishments and apartheid on CA's Indian Reservations
A U.S. State Department report on global human rights released on Friday said Beijing had stepped up restrictions on lawyers, activists, bloggers and journalists, and tightened controls on civil society.
It has also increased its efforts to control the press, Internet and Internet access, the report said.
But China has shown no sign of bowing to foreign pressure.
Its Foreign Ministry on Saturday dismissed the U.S. report as meddling, and its own annual report about U.S. human rights stressed Beijing's dismissive view.
"Stop the domineering behavior of exploiting human rights to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries," it said, according to excerpts published by the official Xinhua news agency.
"The United States ignores its own severe human rights problems, ardently promoting its so-called 'human rights diplomacy', treating human rights as a political tool to vilify other countries and to advance its own strategic interests," said a passage from the Chinese report
Produced by the State Council Information Office, the government's public relations arm, the report dwelled on what it said were severe deprivations and threats facing many Americans, as well as Washington's invasion of Iraq.
It also cited the United States' refusal to ratify a number of international human rights pacts, and listed poverty, hunger and homelessness as stains on the country's rights record.
"The United States is the world's worst country for violent crimes," said the report. "Citizens' lives, property and personal safety do not receive the protection they should."
"Racial discrimination is deeply rooted in the United States, permeating every aspect of social life," it said.
The United States is beset by violence, racism and torture and has no authority to condemn other governments' human rights problems, China said on Sunday, countering U.S. criticism of Beijing's crackdown.
The row between Beijing and Washington over human rights has intensified since China's ruling Communist Party extended its clampdown on dissidents and rights activists, a move which has sparked an outcry from Washington and other Western governments.
Recall when AIRRO held listening sessions on the human rights abuses? “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.”
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is the most prominent of the activists to be detained by police or held in secretive custody in the latest crackdown.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday she was "deeply concerned" about it, and cited "negative trends" including Ai's detention. We in Indian country wish Secretary Clinton would be as "deeply concerned" about the issues of disenrollment, banishments and apartheid on CA's Indian Reservations
A U.S. State Department report on global human rights released on Friday said Beijing had stepped up restrictions on lawyers, activists, bloggers and journalists, and tightened controls on civil society.
It has also increased its efforts to control the press, Internet and Internet access, the report said.
But China has shown no sign of bowing to foreign pressure.
Its Foreign Ministry on Saturday dismissed the U.S. report as meddling, and its own annual report about U.S. human rights stressed Beijing's dismissive view.
"Stop the domineering behavior of exploiting human rights to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries," it said, according to excerpts published by the official Xinhua news agency.
"The United States ignores its own severe human rights problems, ardently promoting its so-called 'human rights diplomacy', treating human rights as a political tool to vilify other countries and to advance its own strategic interests," said a passage from the Chinese report
Produced by the State Council Information Office, the government's public relations arm, the report dwelled on what it said were severe deprivations and threats facing many Americans, as well as Washington's invasion of Iraq.
It also cited the United States' refusal to ratify a number of international human rights pacts, and listed poverty, hunger and homelessness as stains on the country's rights record.
"The United States is the world's worst country for violent crimes," said the report. "Citizens' lives, property and personal safety do not receive the protection they should."
"Racial discrimination is deeply rooted in the United States, permeating every aspect of social life," it said.
Susan Bradford: Chief Kequom Misled His Membership About Pursuing an Investigation
Susan Bradford on Saginaw Chippewa:
Like many Saginaw Chippewa Indians, Dennis Kequom is a liar and opportunist. While he campaigned on integrity, he has misled tribal members about his intention to pursue an investigation into the 1986 Constitution and membership fraud. He laughed and contradicted himself in the same conversation as he gloated about having gotten one over on everyone and then encouraged anyone who took issue with his deception to sue him in Tribal Court.
His alleged right hand woman, Council Woman Linda Hunt, who claimed to be speaking for him to initiate an investigation, was deeply tied into the dilution of the tribe’s billion dollar portfolio during the doomed Seminole deal in which the Seminole Tribe of Florida was trying to get the tribe’s Migizi development board to invest in gaming in violation of its charter, inside sources said.
The deal involved having the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan put up the investment for a Hard Rock casino (The Seminoles own the Hard Rock franchise) while both tribes were poised to share the profits. The billion dollar portfolio has since been looted – with money potentially having gone into mergers & acquisitions and other speculative ventures involving alternative energies.
Already a genealogist investigating fraud concerning throngs of fictitious Indians who have acquired membership in the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan has reported that her car brakes were cut in what appears to be an attempt against her life. She allegedly told investigators and the Council that the culprit was none other than Bernie Sprague, the Saginaw Chippewa SubChief who committed perjury against Republican super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff in Sen. John McCain’s Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearings. Most who have questioned the illegality of this tribe’s government have found themselves in jeopardy of one sort or another.
Increasing membership is intrinsically tied to federal funding. The more members, regardless of whether they are legitimate or not, the more money the tribe can acquire from the federal government for the care of those individuals. In a ravenous quest for income, the tribal government continues to add more fictitious Indians onto the rolls, in the process defrauding the U.S. government of tax revenue.
Kequom laughed about misleading his membership and said that anyone who disagrees with him can take him to Tribal Court, which everyone knows is fixed. Judges have been known to rewrite law during trial in order to secure convictions, and the Chief can fire any judge who rules against him. The Chief thinks he is above the law and acts accordingly. After campaigning on fighting corruption, he has resisted all efforts at reform and has bought himself an expensive new car and most likely has been bought off himself, tribal members said.
While Hunt told members that the Chief wanted to replace corrupt tribal attorney Sean Reed and lobbyist Larry Rosenthal, and bring on clean operators, Kequom said he was perfectly happy with the status quo. He seems to think tribal sovereignty is license to engage in illegal activities and operate above federal law and the U.S. Constitution. However, tribal sovereignty cannot serve as a buffer when federal laws have been broken.
The lawlessness surrounding the prosecution of Sen. Ted Stevens and Republican super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff are an ominous reflection of the lawlessness overtaking Indian Country, where anything goes, most are bought off, and the criminals are in charge.
It is an affront to hardworking taxpayers to have them subsidize this crime syndicate, especially at a time of looming deficits. The federal government needs to shut down this criminal enterprise and prosecute the criminals within it before any more innocent people are harmed.
Susan Bradford is author of Lynched! The Shocking Story of How the Political Establishment Manufactured a Scandal to Have Republican Super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff Removed from Power.
For more information, please visit: http://www.susanbradford.org/.
Like many Saginaw Chippewa Indians, Dennis Kequom is a liar and opportunist. While he campaigned on integrity, he has misled tribal members about his intention to pursue an investigation into the 1986 Constitution and membership fraud. He laughed and contradicted himself in the same conversation as he gloated about having gotten one over on everyone and then encouraged anyone who took issue with his deception to sue him in Tribal Court.
His alleged right hand woman, Council Woman Linda Hunt, who claimed to be speaking for him to initiate an investigation, was deeply tied into the dilution of the tribe’s billion dollar portfolio during the doomed Seminole deal in which the Seminole Tribe of Florida was trying to get the tribe’s Migizi development board to invest in gaming in violation of its charter, inside sources said.
The deal involved having the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan put up the investment for a Hard Rock casino (The Seminoles own the Hard Rock franchise) while both tribes were poised to share the profits. The billion dollar portfolio has since been looted – with money potentially having gone into mergers & acquisitions and other speculative ventures involving alternative energies.
Already a genealogist investigating fraud concerning throngs of fictitious Indians who have acquired membership in the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan has reported that her car brakes were cut in what appears to be an attempt against her life. She allegedly told investigators and the Council that the culprit was none other than Bernie Sprague, the Saginaw Chippewa SubChief who committed perjury against Republican super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff in Sen. John McCain’s Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearings. Most who have questioned the illegality of this tribe’s government have found themselves in jeopardy of one sort or another.
Increasing membership is intrinsically tied to federal funding. The more members, regardless of whether they are legitimate or not, the more money the tribe can acquire from the federal government for the care of those individuals. In a ravenous quest for income, the tribal government continues to add more fictitious Indians onto the rolls, in the process defrauding the U.S. government of tax revenue.
Kequom laughed about misleading his membership and said that anyone who disagrees with him can take him to Tribal Court, which everyone knows is fixed. Judges have been known to rewrite law during trial in order to secure convictions, and the Chief can fire any judge who rules against him. The Chief thinks he is above the law and acts accordingly. After campaigning on fighting corruption, he has resisted all efforts at reform and has bought himself an expensive new car and most likely has been bought off himself, tribal members said.
While Hunt told members that the Chief wanted to replace corrupt tribal attorney Sean Reed and lobbyist Larry Rosenthal, and bring on clean operators, Kequom said he was perfectly happy with the status quo. He seems to think tribal sovereignty is license to engage in illegal activities and operate above federal law and the U.S. Constitution. However, tribal sovereignty cannot serve as a buffer when federal laws have been broken.
The lawlessness surrounding the prosecution of Sen. Ted Stevens and Republican super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff are an ominous reflection of the lawlessness overtaking Indian Country, where anything goes, most are bought off, and the criminals are in charge.
It is an affront to hardworking taxpayers to have them subsidize this crime syndicate, especially at a time of looming deficits. The federal government needs to shut down this criminal enterprise and prosecute the criminals within it before any more innocent people are harmed.
Susan Bradford is author of Lynched! The Shocking Story of How the Political Establishment Manufactured a Scandal to Have Republican Super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff Removed from Power.
For more information, please visit: http://www.susanbradford.org/.
Susan Bradford: Federal Government Rewards Substance Abuse on Indian Reservations.
Federal Government Rewards Substance Abuse on Indian Reservations
By Susan Bradford
Saginaw Chippewa Indians have reported drug trafficking on their reservation, but the shipments never seem to stop nor have they successfully enlisted the federal government to investigate and eliminate the nefarious trade from their community. Some tribal whistleblowers have even taken to filming the drug-filled crates in transit only to report that FBI agents have responded by taking their videos and destroying them. In the meantime, the drug trade continues and even flourishes here.
Drugs are allegedly being brought onto the Mt. Pleasant, Michigan reservation by black helicopters which descend onto a makeshift landing strip in the dark of night. “The planes hardly make any noise and are nearly invisible to the naked eye, and so we can't seem to capture them on film,” said one tribal source, who believes the drugs are being shipped in from Canada.
Drug trafficking and related criminal activity were especially prevalent during the Administration of Chief Fred Cantu. One former tribal public affairs spokesman, Joe Somwick, who has been arrested for DUI at least half a dozen times, was caught on film retrieving what appears to be a small plastic bag filled with white substance from a tree on church grounds. Somwick circulated lies about Republican super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff and later served jail time, tribal records reveal.
The average tribal member, who is unable to live on his roughly $80,000 tax-free, per capita annual income, is more likely to abuse pot while the tribal elite, who never seem short of disposable income, freely indulge in cocaine. Much to the disgust of tribal members, Council leaders usher controlled substances onto the Indian reservation and then turn around and appeal to the federal government for money to combat the drug epidemic. Former Saginaw Chippewa SubChief Bernie Sprague, Sen. John McCain's lead witness against Abramoff, openly throws wild cocaine parties at his palatial mansion and has been known to physically assault those who show up uninvited.
By Susan Bradford
Saginaw Chippewa Indians have reported drug trafficking on their reservation, but the shipments never seem to stop nor have they successfully enlisted the federal government to investigate and eliminate the nefarious trade from their community. Some tribal whistleblowers have even taken to filming the drug-filled crates in transit only to report that FBI agents have responded by taking their videos and destroying them. In the meantime, the drug trade continues and even flourishes here.
Drugs are allegedly being brought onto the Mt. Pleasant, Michigan reservation by black helicopters which descend onto a makeshift landing strip in the dark of night. “The planes hardly make any noise and are nearly invisible to the naked eye, and so we can't seem to capture them on film,” said one tribal source, who believes the drugs are being shipped in from Canada.
Drug trafficking and related criminal activity were especially prevalent during the Administration of Chief Fred Cantu. One former tribal public affairs spokesman, Joe Somwick, who has been arrested for DUI at least half a dozen times, was caught on film retrieving what appears to be a small plastic bag filled with white substance from a tree on church grounds. Somwick circulated lies about Republican super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff and later served jail time, tribal records reveal.
The average tribal member, who is unable to live on his roughly $80,000 tax-free, per capita annual income, is more likely to abuse pot while the tribal elite, who never seem short of disposable income, freely indulge in cocaine. Much to the disgust of tribal members, Council leaders usher controlled substances onto the Indian reservation and then turn around and appeal to the federal government for money to combat the drug epidemic. Former Saginaw Chippewa SubChief Bernie Sprague, Sen. John McCain's lead witness against Abramoff, openly throws wild cocaine parties at his palatial mansion and has been known to physically assault those who show up uninvited.
Original Pechanga: Thanks for Staying With Us
Thanks to all our readers who noticed the short blogging last week. We had some medical issues in the family and got those taken care of and things are looking up. We'll be working to get on track this week. We have a couple of posts coming on the Saginaw Chippewa issues, thanks to our friend Susan Bradford.
Please keep checking with us and tell your friends to take a look.
Please keep checking with us and tell your friends to take a look.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Victor Rocha to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award
Victor Rocha, owner and editor of Pechanga.net, will be presented with the prestigious Casino Marketing Lifetime Achievement Award at the eighth annual Casino Marketing Conference, July 18-20 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.
Rocha site has been the subject of a few blogs posts, being as he's first cousin to civil rights violator and chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indans Mark Macarro. It's pretty well known that his site censors bad news from the Pechanga Reservation. Victor was accused of slander by David Miranda, or rather, sending a "slanderous e-mail" who was forced out of his position at Pechanga Development Corp. Here is the excerpt:
"My questions I may email to [the Tribal Attorney John Macarro], but I hesitate to do so now, and prefer to wait for the bombshell effect. Then, no doubt a degree of confusion will descend and political moves will commence." It was expected that the timing of the emal would cause donfusion among our elected leaders on the Tribal Council and cause them to make political moves to save their own jobs.
We've also taken Victor to task for comments made to women:
Author and Editor Rocha's eloquent response, apparently speaking for Pechanga, as he responded without authorization. Will he be censured?
From: Victor Rocha
Date: 5/25/2008 11:44:25 PM
To: Marcie
Subject: RE: Disenrollment
Blah, blah, blah, blah!
STFU & GFY (Internet slang for Shut the Fuck Up and Go Fuck Yourself)
Congratulations to the Casino Marketing Conference on their fine choice.
Victor Rocha
http://www.pechanga.net
Rocha site has been the subject of a few blogs posts, being as he's first cousin to civil rights violator and chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indans Mark Macarro. It's pretty well known that his site censors bad news from the Pechanga Reservation. Victor was accused of slander by David Miranda, or rather, sending a "slanderous e-mail" who was forced out of his position at Pechanga Development Corp. Here is the excerpt:
"My questions I may email to [the Tribal Attorney John Macarro], but I hesitate to do so now, and prefer to wait for the bombshell effect. Then, no doubt a degree of confusion will descend and political moves will commence." It was expected that the timing of the emal would cause donfusion among our elected leaders on the Tribal Council and cause them to make political moves to save their own jobs.
We've also taken Victor to task for comments made to women:
Author and Editor Rocha's eloquent response, apparently speaking for Pechanga, as he responded without authorization. Will he be censured?
From: Victor Rocha
Date: 5/25/2008 11:44:25 PM
To: Marcie
Subject: RE: Disenrollment
Blah, blah, blah, blah!
STFU & GFY (Internet slang for Shut the Fuck Up and Go Fuck Yourself)
Congratulations to the Casino Marketing Conference on their fine choice.
Victor Rocha
http://www.pechanga.net
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Plains Indian Tribes Vocal on Mascot Issue, SILENT on Tribal Cleansing & Civil Rights Abuses
I find it sadly comical that so many tribes can be vocal about using Native Americans as mascots, yet be silent on the human and civil rights abuses by tribes.
Here's a statement by 11 Plains Tribes:
“The use of American Indians for school nicknames, logos and mascots at colleges and universities continues to be dehumanizing and disrespectful to American Indians and is a racist statement.”
No word on their feelings about TRIBAL CLEANSING terminations of Indians, theft of per capita, loss of voting rights, APARTHEID practiced by CA tribes such as Redding Rancheria, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, and Picayune Rancheria to name just a few.
Way to priortize what's really important Great Plains Association...
Here's a statement by 11 Plains Tribes:
“The use of American Indians for school nicknames, logos and mascots at colleges and universities continues to be dehumanizing and disrespectful to American Indians and is a racist statement.”
No word on their feelings about TRIBAL CLEANSING terminations of Indians, theft of per capita, loss of voting rights, APARTHEID practiced by CA tribes such as Redding Rancheria, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, and Picayune Rancheria to name just a few.
Way to priortize what's really important Great Plains Association...
Monday, April 4, 2011
Santa Ynez Chumash Indians Slated for Fine for Failure to Report on Lobbying..
During the same meeting, the FPPC is slated to level a $15,000 fine on the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians for failure to file lobbying reports from January 2007 through December 2010. The tribe spent $312,000 “for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action,” the FPPC report says.
The tribe’s lobbyist, Frank J. Molina of Sacramento-based Strategic Solutions Advisors, agreed to a $30,000 fine to the FPPC for failing to file reports for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians in February. He also worked with the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians and the Tule River Indian Tribe.
Molina failed to report $840,000 in lobbying payments from 2007 through 2010.
The tribe’s lobbyist, Frank J. Molina of Sacramento-based Strategic Solutions Advisors, agreed to a $30,000 fine to the FPPC for failing to file reports for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians in February. He also worked with the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians and the Tule River Indian Tribe.
Molina failed to report $840,000 in lobbying payments from 2007 through 2010.