We are reprising a set of posts from 2008, from the Manuela Miranda Family of Pechanga, when fewer people understood what disenrollment was doing to Native people. People say, "why don't you ask the Native American Rights Fund for help? Well, we have, they told me the "didn't do Indian vs. Indian". Shamefully, NARF has the leader of a disenrolling tribe, Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro on their board. Read on.....
When Hitler attacked the Jews I was not a Jew, therefore I was not concerned.
And when Hitler attacked the Catholics, I was not a Catholic, and therefore, I was not concerned.
And when Hitler attacked the unions and the industrialists, I was not a member of the unions and I was not concerned.
Then Hitler attacked me and the Protestant church -- and there was nobody left to be concerned.
Martin Niemoller, Congressional Record, 14 October 1968, page 31636
I am sure most of you are asking yourself why this installment regarding the Splinter Group starts with a quote about Hitler and the Nazis. Well, if you have not noticed, there is a new era of genocide rolling through Indian Country. This genocide is not at the hands of the Spanish government, nor is it a policy of the US government. No, this new genocide is being carried out by Indian people against Indian people.
Most people believe the word “genocide” means the actual physical killing off of a group or race of people. Genocide also refers to actions which attack the culture, soul, and mind of the people. Disenrollment is a pure example this.
The recent actions of the Splinter Group, and similar groups throughout Indian Country, are representative of those deeds of Hitler and the Nazis.
Even before the Nazi Party rose to power, the Jewish people were blamed for the ills that had befallen a once mighty Germany. The Jews were characterized as all that was wrong with government and business, and through their destruction, through the purification of the German people, Germany would once again be strong.
The Splinter Group learned well the lessons of Hitler and the Nazi Party.
Through misinformation and propaganda, the Splinter Group asked members of the Tribe to rise up:
“people are plotting to take control of our government…”
“…the true Pechanga people are still a majority of this Tribe!!!”
The families the Splinter Group targeted for disenrollment were the reasons that their “…sons and daughters, will never get the opportunity and privilege to serve our government…”
The targeted families were responsible for stripping away their rights as the “TRUE Pechanga people”.
By de-humanizing the Jewish people and those targeted for disenrollment, the Nazis and the Splinter Group succeeded in segregating their victims and justifying the acts of genocide as a purification of those less than the true people.
People who were once friends, acquaintances, business partners, and even family, turned their backs on those targeted. Fear reigned.
Don’t talk to them or be seen with them…you could be next.
Don’t attend their meetings or go to the Gathering. Those who attend may lose their jobs with the Tribe…or worse.
Who is next on the Splinter Group’s list? Ask the Enrollment Committee. They got a copy of the list. Hopefully those who are not members of the Splinter Group aren’t afraid to talk.
Are places within Indian Country turning into neo-Nazi regimes? Is it really that bad?
Ask those who have been disenrolled or targeted for disenrollment.
Ask the Chairperson of the Pechanga Enrollment Committee why she thinks her house was shot at and who she thinks did the shooting?
What is it going to take? How many are going to be “killed off” before something is done to stop this genocide?
Those who fail to help or stand up against these genocidal actions are as much to blame as those who carry them out. They say ignorance is bliss, but nobody can say they don’t know what is going on. They know. However, as long as they are not the targets, as long as they reap the financial benefits, they will continue to deny the truth.
All our brothers and sisters will be gone, and those who did nothing to help them will be left to fend for themselves. Look around, are you the person Martin Niemoller spoke about?
There is much to think about…there is even more to do. Our ancestors our crying out…we must heed their call.
I will close with a quote by Benjamin Franklin:
“Look upon your hands! They are stained with the blood of your relations.”
Benjamin Franklin spoke these words in response to the government’s policy towards the Native Americans.
Unfortunately, they are as true today as the day on which they were spoken. The only difference is, the United States government has been replaced by the likes of the Splinter Group and those who deny the truth.
Glad you point this out. In the past, I asked help to the California Indian Legal Sevices and I was told the same thing. Later in time, I discovered why. Employees like Mark Vezzola, Attorney, represents the BIA.
ReplyDeleteI contacted them, too. Was told the same thing. They won't help native v native. It is shocking when they know damn well what is happening!
ReplyDeleteOne of the pechanga members worked in that office (miranda).
ReplyDeleteMy family can certainly appreciate your situation. See the findings of my extensive research about what happened to my Dad who was an orphan Chickasaw and victimized by family and then the criminal conspiracy to take Indian lands (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/deceit-oklahoma-helen-nowlin).
ReplyDeleteThe BIA and the Chickasaw Tribal Government Services (suppose to be separate, since the obligation of issuance of the CDIB cards is the sole responsibility of the BIA) would rather rely on fraudulent "personal statements" made by my Dad's first cousin, Josephine Brown Graham and her granddaughter years after the fact. Reliance is still the case after more research of mine proves the the statements are false as based on public documentation and the true motive for making the statements is now undeniable. Yes, there was a criminal conspiracy to take lands of Indians, as laid out by now famous historian, Angie Debo and especially land of Indian orphans. Now we should have the audacity to believe the Oklahoma style Grapes of Wrath did not happen and there are coincidences?
Reliance is done to the peril of justice, lacking the adequate cause to continue to rely on personal statements when there is no collaborative public documentation. Have we entered the Twilight Zone?
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