What make the BIA act in one case, but shuffle their feet and stick their heads in the sand in another?
The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs is quietly taking sides in a power struggle that has torn apart tribal government on the Fort Apache Reservation despite declaring neutrality in the dispute, records show.
Records obtained by The Arizona Republic suggest that the agency has undermined Tribal Court authority in an ongoing dispute between Chairman Ronnie Lupe and the Tribal Council and courts.
Lupe has defied a suspension vote by the council and an arrest warrant issued by the chief judge for the White Mountain Apache Tribe. Lupe and tribal attorneys contend that those orders violate the tribal constitution and are therefore moot.
Chief Judge Chief Judge Reagan Armstrong Sr. complained to a regional BIA director in March that the one of the top BIA agents in Arizona told police not to enforce the arrest warrant. The letter from Armstrong to Bryan Bowker complained to Bowker that Warren Youngman, BIA assistant special agent in charge for Arizona, instructed the police chief in Whiteriver not to arrest Lupe because federal authorities recognize him as the Apache leader.
Correspondence between Bowker and Lupe says the BIA offered to mediate the conflict. That proposal was accepted by five council members, who said the tribe is in crisis.
But it was rejected by the chairman as an invasion of tribal sovereignty. Lupe did later ask for a federal review of the Tribal Court led by Armstrong, and the bureau agreed to conduct that inquiry.
We must have the BIA look into corruption on reservations where tribal councils are stripping the citizenship from tribal people, denying voting rights, using strong arm tactics to scare voters... WHERE ARE YOU BIA?
Follow the money......
ReplyDeleteThe BIA needs to step in and stop these corrupt leaders from stripping the membership of their tribal members. In Pala disenrollments the BIA has said that they Are standing behind the 1989 final decision that Margaritta was 4/4 Indian. How They are allowing Robert Smith and the EC to continue to ignore this is beyond me. Next we will see if they approve the treason ordinance smith is trying to put in place so members cannot speak up and have their voices heard. Smith knows that people are finding out the truth and he does not want them to be able to speak up against him on this matter. If the BIA let's this pass it would be a bad decision on their part once again allowing corrupt tribal leaders to do what they want with no one to have to answer to.
ReplyDeleteWhere are they?...."Trying, desperatly, to be "Non-Commital, and not getting involved to the best of their "Ability!" ..."Eagle Eyes."
ReplyDeleteNow that I have taken a closer look at this "Fort Apache Fiasco" it reminds me of "Lewis, of Chuckcansi fame." I mentioned that other "Tribes" would follow suit....And "Wall-Ah!" And the B.I.A. is doing what? Allowing this "Criminal" to act in a similar fashion, and...."Quietly," siding with this "Corrupt Individual" against the "Tribal Council," and the "Tribal Court?"..."Sovereignty,"..."What a Concept!" Where is their "Integrity" for the rights of the "Native American, and their fight for "Justice?" Why would the B.I.A. back all these "Illegal Acts?" Are they being "Paid Off" not to act "Responsably?" Sure seems a little "Fishy" that they always back these "Criminals!" We will have to "Hide and Watch" this one, but we probably already know the "Outcome." It's sad that "$$$" speak louder then "Justice" and what is "Right."..."Eagle Eyes."
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