I mean that in the kindest way of course, to all of us that have been harmed by their tribes. Those of YOU that have been sitting on the sidelines, waiting for others to do the heavy lifting, medium lifting and light lifting... YOU know who YOU are.
Whether YOU have been disenrolled, banished or placed in a moratorium, YOU have been abused by those corrupt leaders in power. They get away with it, because MOST of YOU have refused to stay standing.
As I wrote in the post: My Rights Have been violated, WHY won't anyone HELP? WHY should others help, when we don't help ourselves. I asked another tribal group what they were doing, as I hadn't heard from their team in a while. They stated that they were awaiting a tribal court decision. Well waiting is the same as doing nothing.
We are all in similar straits. We've all been violated, yet why is it that we aren't all fighting for our rights, the rights of our parents, or children or grandchildren? Embarrassingly, I've had my own cousins, ask to be taken off a mailing list. Which means they've accepted the fate determined by Mark Macarro and his smaller brother John, instead of being willing to do something as simple as forwarding on an email or sharing a blog post. I know the story is the same with a lot of groups. NOT winning quickly, makes it easy to give up.
Still, that is what Robert Smith of Pala, Macarro of Pechanga, Trasks of San Pasqual, to name a few, wait for. They've got the deep pockets to wait, they spend the money on lobbyists (in Macarro's case, his own wife's company, therefore paying his family unit). But, they can be BEATEN, even if it's only a small battle. WE proved it ...TWICE... a trio of Pechanga disenrolled/moratorium bound went to Washington four years ago to lobby against a water bill Pechanga was looking for. Three guys beat back a team of high priced DC lobbyist, council members and lawyers. THEY WON, by using a personal touch, explaining the injustice and letting the TRUTH be told.
Last year, my cousin and I did the same thing as I wrote about here: Shooting on Capitol Hill and here:Pechanga LOSES Water Bill
There are protests scheduled for January 11th and 12th, you can learn more here: Fed Up with Disenrollment and Tribal Corruption IF you aren't on Facebook, you SHOULD be. A lot of information is being shared and processed via social media and we need to increase the number of people helping. Currently, this protest has 157 people signed on. If you can spend a couple of hours, add your body count, share your stories with others, PLEASE join in. It will make the pictures look stronger and increase interest by news media.
I have done television, radio, and many newspaper interviews, discussing a lot of tribes, not just my own, Pechanga. New York Times, Fresno Bee, Sacramento Bee and Indian Country Today have all used my information.
Some will say, "well, we are writing letters". Really? Why don't you share them? I've offered repeatedly to publish your stories, feel free to send me information that can broaden the reach.
I hope to see and meet more of you at San Pasqual. PLEASE rekindle you efforts. WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Even if the minor victory is not letting the corrupt councils sleep easy. We are forcing them to spend money they never thought they would. The more money they spend, the less they get. And believe me, that pisses them off.
So please..... GET OFF YOUR ASS...
Good one... call them out
ReplyDeleteIs shaming really the way to go?
ReplyDeleteDisenrolled and abused have a right to be lazy and expect someone else to do the work for them right?
Bet they'd knock your ass down...trying to get ahead of one another to get to the head of the line for their per capita check
I think we need to look within, and figure out if we are going to let ourselves be screwed, without fighting back, Bet it would make Robert Smith happier that double cut pork chops and mashed potatoes...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you OP, we are fighting and of course we have people who say that every disenrollment is different and done for different reasons, but if you look at the actual data, the disenrollments really started after Casinos started bringing in money and once one tribe got away with it, more tribes joined in with their lame excuses of blood quantum and others. If a tribe got a casino and started making a profit, their enrollment should remain, they should have had a period of checking peoples legitimacy before their casinos open and then anyone who is enrolled then should stay enrolled. This way you know that the Casinos had nothing to do with the disenrollments, but in fact they have everything to do with them, so yes they use different reasoning but they are done because of the Casinos bringing income to the tribe, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. We are all facing the same disappointment and heartbreak, our heritage is still being stripped from us, and few stand together to fight this. I know it seems hopeless at times, but we deserve this and we know what is right and justice will be seen one day. It is hard because of finances, but we can do things that are not too expensive. One way people could join is to write the letters. Another way is to apply for jobs within the system, and fight from the inside. I have applied for a few positions, we need more true Native Americans working for us and with us. Come on people, get together and remember when you are in the right, you have already truly won the fight. This will never be over until justice is seen.
ReplyDeleteThe english are too many ,we will fight and lose !
ReplyDeleteSound about right?
When we asked in writing for a meeting with echo hawk we were taken upstairs to meet with Regionale director Bia Amy Deutsch she simply said Too much money Pechanga has I see why she left office she was forced out we need more people and fundraising for the war chest I spoke with Jon Veile and he was telling us and key was the Tosabol.descendents banishment but no other clan wanted to help or simply wanted to work on case they had it was only the key to the Door for all .we need to Stand and Unite as one all brought together for same Goal AMEND ICRA find the way to break them we did with water rights bill we must fight hardball we need many Warriors I respect all whom have worked had for this fight it isn't OVER IT'S A NEW BEGINNING SAYS POLYSQWALIS
ReplyDeleteEverything happens for a reason. Focusing on others is not the true way. Assume nothing is better than making an ASS U ME. The creator is watching ALL. May we ALL find the truth and share it, anyway we can. The Bad Actors have shared lies and misinformation. Thank you ALL who take a moment each day to share the truth.
ReplyDeleteAs long as we are talking truth here, then let's say the ugly truth is that there are some disenrollees who really don't have any connection with their people, and losing their heritage didn't affect them much. To them it is not worth the effort to fight injustice and they have moved on.
ReplyDeleteFor me it is these simple facts that keep me fighting: 1) If we let Robert Smith get away with it he will continue to steal more money. 2) The money that Robert Smith is stealing is getting squandered and it should be used to help the people and provide for the future when they might not be any casino 3) If Robert Smith gets away with his crimes, then other tribal leaders are encouraged to take all they can get and hurt more Indians. 4) As a leader Robert Smith is a role model for the Indians growing up, and they are learning how to steal and corrupt by example.
So the fight goes on. We are looking forward to good news in 2015. My lawyer says that we have an appeal hearing coming up on our lawsuit against the Pala Executive Committee. They will once again have to defend themselves in court. Even if they uphold the lower court decision to dismiss due to sovereign immunity, it keeps the pressure on.
In the meantime we are working hard for justice and change.
In Response to Ass u me The truth is what we all seek but for me I was at those meetings and gatherings
ReplyDeleteA key to a door that opens it for all to enter together is more effective than each person trying to open the door that is a false key or focus on oneself all for one ,One for All without United front the success is failed I for one have thought for many Years this was a victory all Natives, can achieve if only United if not continue to Shoot your own foot TRUTH BE KNOWN
It is hard for me to say this, but we have pretty much exhausted the legal course of action. At least for my family. The courts have stated they will not legislate from the bench. This leaves congressional action. This would entail lobbying, and social action, and eventually over time a national movement to create an environment that the legislator would have to respond to. Then there is the influence of big money. This has been the most devastating inhibitor to our efforts to have the law changed. We would need outspend the tribes just to level the playing field. It is possible, but it would take a highly organized and committed group to publicly bring attention to the issue. It is not impossible, but there are many things that would stand in the way or be used against us. The biggest would be that we are only doing this for the money. The most useful technique is to get media attention that would follow us.
ReplyDeleteThe wyatts/raminezs are back together again as the citizens of the picayune rancheria...they held a election dec 5th voted luke, sam sr,antone, tawanish, mona, sam, louie to the board with 28 votes a piece....sent a report of tribal election...letter send to bia dated dec. 22nd..docket no.ibia 14-065 & consol docket no. ibia 14-071..response to supplement brief...46815 rd 417, coarsegold 93614...559 676-8048
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention an important component that would help rectify the wrongs. The people of the tribe could demand that the wrongs be righted by bringing back that were wrongly disenrolled and/or trapped by the moratorium.
ReplyDeleteWhat is sad is, that those people who are still tribal members are family and know what was done was wrong. In our case it was deliberate action by family that seen us tossed away. Pechanga has truly lost something important as well as, lost their way on the path. Money and worldly possessions are all that is left to a soulless people whose new idol is power over man, paper called money, and metal of gold.
These guy's are living in a fantasy world.
ReplyDeleteThey were at a San Diego state game a few weeks back singing at the game? We got the pechanga Indians here tonight hahahaha.
Is that meeting on for 1-5-15 still? The bond holders going to sell the place? We will wait and see Chukchansi head in the path of a guillotine and say goodbye to the $$$
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