UPDATE: The power was shut off to the occupiers and pepper spray way used on them. The occupiers broke windows to vent the offices. Two women were cut by broken glass. An incendiary was tossed into the building. Water and power have been restored. Sheriffs are "monitoring the situation".
A group that says it should be sitting as the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians tribal council cut locks and entered the tribal office building this morning.
The group, headed by Morris Reid, sought to be sworn in as the council at a meeting in December but was denied. The Reid group and the group now in power, led by Reggie Lewis, have been at odds since then with no clear resolution in sight.
Madera County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Erica Stuart confirmed the break-in at the office adjacent to Chukchansi Gold casino, south of Coarsegold, but said no arrests have been made.
Stuart said deputies arrived at the offices about 6:30 a.m. Sheriff John Anderson arrived about an hour later;
Stuart said the situation has been calm since then. Anderson has been talking to both sides trying to mediate, and attorneys for both groups have been called.
UPDATE: Here is some video. Morris Reid hates disenrollment NOW. He didn't mind it so much when he helped get rid of 500 members:
ABC has more coverage:
17 comments:
it was indeed the GENERAL COUNCIL who occuppied the offices at picayune this morning...we shall see where things go from here...the tribe needs to bring the people--ALL the people (including ALL those dismembered since the mass disenrollments first began in 1999) home to picayune where they rightfully belong!!!!
Ohoo, tribes are ruining it for every one. stop tribal terrorism, end disenrollemnts.
BIA is watching the self-destruction of a tribe.
Do we need the BIA?
I hope the others that are with those council members are at the trailer to?
Good for "Morris Reid," and they should be the ones in power...."THEY WON THE ELECTION!"..."OOOOO-KKKKKK?" Lewis lost the election.....So what about losing the election "DOESN'T HE UNDERSTAND?" So back off, and allow the membership to heal, "Without Him!"
Of course corrupt people refused to step down from their position. They think they can do as they please with no interferance from the state. Because state has no jurisdiction over tribal issues. Only the feds can step in and help by shutting down a casino or refuse grant monies. That is if things get violent.
one must not forget that the very council now stating they are against disenrollments contains four people who voted for the disenrollment of over 500 people in 2006-2006...dixie jackson, dora jones, harrold hammond, and morris reid all voted for the disenollment of over half the tribe back then...
the question remains...have they learned from their past mistakes? are they willing to restore the circle of our people?
if so, bring the people--ALL the people--home to picayune...and do it NOW! only this will heal the destruction that has been done at picayune...
if this does not happen, todays events are only the next chapter in the destruction of our people...do what is right...honor the ancestors, the history, and the integrity of our chukchansi people...BRING THEM HOME TO PICAYUNE!
Yes, Morris Reid at the Native American Caucus meeting in Sacramento in 2007 spoke in favor of disenrollment of his people saying it was in eternal affair when it wasn't him and his family.
It is great he is taking a stand against the illegal council now but where was he when his other people needed him?
Your Fucking next Pechanga...The cops ain't gonna do shit....
Is it just me or is every one else tired of tribes waving sovereignty in local governments, national and tribal government faces.
Corrupt tribal councils suck
Corrupt tribal councils suck
Lies all lies how much can we take. GC as made a stand. We need our people to rise up!'
Failed system, failed people ,like pechanga consumed in their doom.
Proof (look at the video).
Using an incendiary device to do bodily harm is a criminal act. Only law enforcement is allowed to use incendiary devices and under a strict code. An explosive device used on federal land to do bodily harm is F.B.I. jurisdiction. Someone needs to call the F.B.I. and demand an investigation.
The unlawful Reggie Council has once again has peper sprayed the Government Building. Elders are inside.
If all the disenrolled would perform a sit down protest in the middle of the Casino floor, it would get some much needed public attention....quit being so passive and get your people together and protest these issues....Pechanga has how many members kicked out?...Pala is doing it....pick a casino and join forces....make your own "tribe " and bring some lite to your lousy leaders....news would have to cover the story....of course not the ones Pechanga pays off...but many would.
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