Saginaw Chippewa Tribe: Altercation, Executive Privilege, and Disenrollment

Alcohol made him do it?  He wasn't in control of his actions?  He got physical with an elder who is a disabled vet.  What do you call a guy like that?

MR. CHAIRMAN

At least one Tribal member has mentioned a possible recall campaign and said a police report has been filed after a New Year’s Eve altercation between a Tribal elder facing disenrollment and the new Tribal chief.

Chief Frank Cloutier had been drinking that night when George Sprague, who is among members facing disenrollment and loss of benefits from the Tribe, called the new chief a “fag” at the Soaring Eagle Casino, multiple sources said.

Cloutier, along with Stephanie Peters, a former Tribal Court magistrate and former council member, allegedly followed Sprague, a disabled veteran, to another location in the casino where Cloutier grabbed him around the neck in a brief altercation.

After the confrontation, which occurred sometime after 2 a.m. on New Year’s Day, Cloutier is alleged to have been at the Water Lilly, a casino bar and restaurant, and demanded to be served alcohol after the 2 a.m. closing.

Multiple sources said Cloutier was told no, but again demanded to be served, saying that he is the Tribal chief and can do what he wants.

He was not served, sources have said.

One Tribal member has said on social media that a recall is being considered and that Tribal Police have been asked to look at surveillance video from the incidents.

Other sources confirmed that Tribal Police have surveillance footage of the confrontation, but did not know if an investigation was being conducted.


Tribal police do not talk to the media without approval of public relations staff.

Nooksack Tribal Council Member Subject of RECALL. NOT GOOSE STEPPING to KELLY FACTION

Carmen Tageant is now the subject of a recall from the Nooksack Tribal Council. Her OFFENSE?  NOT GOOSE STEPPING to Bob Kelly Faction's desire to disenroll.  Time to bury your heads in the sand again, BIA.

From Facebook:

Where is the reason? Where is the ethics? Where is the humanity? On what grounds is justice served when people are trying to recall one of the sole council members who have been a sound heart, and an open mind at the council table? She has not violated her duties or responsibilities. Carmen Tageant has exemplified what it means to be an Indigenous Leader. How does one rationalize trying to recall one of the council members who has upheld the very values of Indigeneity in her framework, in her ways of thinking, in her actions, and in the way she treats people?

California's Tribal Cleansing:Tacit Approval from BIA and Senate Indian Committee

Tacit Approval from BIA and Federal Government (we can't do anything, we are impotent, but keep giving us budget dollars) and we'll only get involved in the SMALL TRIBES.  This is a LONG piece, but well worth your time.  Please share on social media and via your email lists.

In this reports from 2010, Brian Frank has the story of Tribal Cleansing and the Struggle to be hear by those whose civil rights have been violated.

As California Tribes Continue To Purge Members, Dissidents Struggle To Get An Audience
by Brian Frank |

TEMECULA, Calif. — John Gomez Jr. reads to his sons in a near-dead language. He wants them to grow up listening to the language of their ancestors and hearing the creation stories, which are tied forever to natural landmarks here about 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

Gomez identifies strongly as a member of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians. He even named his sons after prominent figures in the history and lore of the Temecula Indians, who now call themselves Pechanga. To his youngest he gave the middle name Ano de Apis, after the merger of two clans through the marriage of his own ancestors Casilda Ano and Pablo Apis (pronounced “Oppish”), who was a prominent chief. The older boy he named Chexeemal, or Kingbird, who plays an important role in the creation stories.

The boys are supposed to learn about their cultural heritage at the Pechanga tribal school, which was set up for that very purpose, but instead they have been barred from attending. In 2004, the Pechanga Band expelled Gomez and much of his extended family—some 130 adults total, along with their children—stripping them of their tribal citizenship and all the rights that go with it.

BREAKING: Nooksack TRIBAL COURT JUDGE REJECTS Kelly Faction's Motion To Deny Voting Rights to NOOKSACK 306

Great news from our friends, the Nooksack 306:


The new Tribal Court Judge has REJECTED the Kelly Faction's Motion to deny us the right to vote!

She wrote: "the right to vote is fundamental...Plaintiffs are enrolled members of the Nooksack Tribe and, pursuant to the Nooksack Constitution...'shall have the right to vote"...

Kevin Washburn's Last Acts As AS-IA: Deciding Tribal Membership: Or, BIA Won't Get Involved, Unless it DOES.

 This is probably one of for AS-IA Kevin Washburn's last actions. He starts off by saying that the BIA loathes getting involved in tribal membership issues but then goes on to tell the tribe who their membership will be derived from and in the next breath rejects their constitution. 

It appears that the BIA/Interior will get involved IF the tribe is NOT a rich casino tribe. 

Washburn's conclusion:

REDDING RANCHERIA: WIN-River Casino Tribe Celebrates 12 Years of Disenrollment, Stripping of Citizenship and Disenfranchisement Of the FOREMAN FAMILY

Chairman Robert Foreman

January 27, 2004 is a sad date in California History.  12 years of living with disenrollment, the stripping of tribal citizenship by corrupt leaders of the Foreman family, including the first chairman of the Redding Rancheria.

All 76 members of the “Foremans” were removed from the Redding Rancheria tribal rolls based on nothing more than a conjured up rumor alleging my mother Lorena Foreman-Butler was not the daughter of her mother Virginia Timmons, one of Redding Rancheria’s 17 Original Distributees.


As former Chairman Bob Foreman wrote:

Tribal Officials never produced a single piece of evidence to dispute my mother's maternal lineage and my family provided reams of legal and contemporary documents proving her mother was Virginia Timmons. Tribal Council still required my family to provide genomic DNA from my deceased mother and grandmother to retain our tribal citizenship

Despite my family providing Tribal Council with DNA test results from two separate labs of 99.987%  and 99.890%, proving by the legal standards established by the American Bar Association and the American Medical Associations that Lorena Butler and Virginia Timmons were mother and daughter, Tribal Council still stripped my family of our tribal citizenship

Leonardo DiCaprio, Kizh Nation Agree on Protecting Native Lands

Thank you Leo, for speaking out for natives at the recent Golden Globes

This letter is an attempt to protect and preserve Sacred Land of the Gabrieleno Kizh Nation in the greater Los Angeles area. 

  "It is time that we recognize your history (Native People) and that we protect your indigenous lands from corporate interests and people that are out there to exploit them.  It is time that we heard your voice and protected this planet for future generations."--Leonardo DiCaprio, Golden Globe Awards.

       The Whittier Narrows Nature Center and Sanctuary is Sacred to the Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians, Kizh Nation.  The Kizh are the confirmed original Tribe of the greater Los Angeles/Orange County basins.  This sensitive area is on schedule to be desecrated.  The site is registered with Native American Heritage Commission Sacred Site Inventory.  This area is the site of the former village of Houtgna.  The natural area is well known to Audubon enthusiast for the migrating birds.  The Nature Center will be razed for an 18,000 sq. ft. Discovery Center, a 102+ vehicle parking lot, and a makeshift pond.  The Kizh have openly and publically voiced their opposition to the location, not the concept.  We have gone before the Discovery Center Authority and have met with County officials to no avail.  The former 'duck farm' has been suggested on numerous occasions as an acceptable alternative.

      Ironically, the Discovery Center proponents feel it is necessary to destroy nature to preserve the concept.  The proponents will argue they have the support of several school districts, local politicians, numerous conservancy groups, and other special interest.  However, they have not been open to the public about the project.  There are several organized groups in opposition to the project.  The opposition, including the Kizh have walked the area and have contacted bicyclist, hikers, families, bird watchers and anyone that frequents the serene environment.  Not one was aware of the destruction that is to occur.

     Why haven't the proponents promoted the project?  Why has the County of Los Angeles donate $6 million to the project as well as 'in-kind' use of some of the property?  Three million was donated nearly eight years ago.  That is $3 million of taxpayer money in the coffers of the Discovery Authority which could had been used for other public programs or necessities.  Has the money been spent or is the taxpayers money gaining monetary interest at the expense of the taxpayers?  As a taxpayer, these are questions that need to be answered and an audit should be mandated in view of the fact not one shovel has turned any dirt.

Mr. DiCaprio expressed the truth of what historically has been disrespect and inconsideration to the First Nation of this Country.  Sadly, the callous attitude towards the original caretakers of this land continues.  What is most significant is the disregard for natural habitat and the Indigenous People is occurring in our own backyard of the San Gabriel Valley.  I encourage everyone to contact the Board of Supervisors, the Discovery Center Authority and anyone else in favor of the project to reconsider the destruction of one of the last natural and cultural areas of Los Angeles County.

Henry Pedregon

Kizh Nation

UPDATE: Advisory added Ethically Challenged Hopland Band of Pomo Indians Disenrolling 70

Getting word that the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians is disenrolling 70+ members on Friday. Hopland operates the Sho-Ka-Wa casino, and seems to have had some difficulty forcing an end to per capita payments, and benefits to the tribe's youth.

Sources say this was initiated by Wanda Balderama, Wilma Elliott and William Elliott, who are all on Hopland's enrollment committee. The tribe has approximately 800 members, so this stripping of tribal citizenship will be nearly 10 percent of the tribe.

Apparently, there was a sneak rushed meeting conducted that excluded other committee members from being in attendance and thus, unable to vote.

The 3 recommended disenrollment to the tribal council and they conveniently scheduled said meeting for this Friday; the day before the tribes candidates day. Candidates day is when eligible tribal members can announce their candidacy and pay the $400 candidates fee to run for tribal council. This action might keep some from declaring

The tribe seemingly doesn't want to follow their mission statement:  The mission of the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians is to provide for the preservation of our cultural traditions, the protection of the homelands, the continuous improvement of the social and economic standard of the people, the establishment of a democratically representative government for present and future generations of the Band, 

A couple of former tribal chairpersons and their entire tribal family are being terminated, so how's that for preserving cultural traditions? Hopland seems to have had a successful tenure in the early years. First brick and mortar casino in the bay area, per cap and many other general services benefits for all tribal members and at the time, a successful EDC Corp.

Word is that attorney Lester Marsten is advising the tribe.  Marston was an advisor to the failed Tex McDonald faction of Chukchansi, whose raid on the casino forced it's closure for one year..

UPDATE Media Advisory:

Nooksack 306 Stands With Tribal Members In Court Over Voting Rights.

We wrote that Bob Kelly and the Nooksack Tribal council had postponed an election to control the votes and thereby disenfranchising their members.  Today, there is a court hearing on the matter.

Nooksack Members Stand outside for Justice for ALL

The Nooksack tribal council passed an election ordinance that would change voting to absentee only.  This would allow them to control who receives ballots.  Apparently, not all council members are being included in council meetings.  Sources say that tribal council members Nadene Rapada and Carmen Tageant have been excluded from meetings.

Chukchansi Gold Casino Opens $50 Million Short, and Still Missing over 700 Members.

So curious, how a tribe can broadcast propaganda, knowing that people want to believe how good they are, and people accept it as .. gospel...

The Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians put out this information to their people:


"As you know, the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino has reopened to big crowds and a lot of fanfare on December 31st. Business is going well and we will have more information to follow at the Monthly Meeting on January 25th, 2016 at 6pm at the Oakhurst Community Center. 

The Re-Grand Opening of Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino will be "Hosting" Tribal Leaders from around the state and nation along with local officials and other VIP Guests. 

We are very pleased that Indian Country would like to Celebrate with our Tribe on restoring our business and community." 

HOW can a community be RESTORED, when 750 Chukchansi people are STILL not reinstated to their rightful place in the sun?

HOW can justice be received, when "officials" don't have any standards.

Really tribal leaders?  YOU should be ashamed.

Read more:
Picayune Rancheria EJECTS a THOUSAND MEMBERS

Chukchansi disenrollment STILL an issue
Chukchansi Council Dispute
Fresno Bee Blames Chukchansi

The REDSKINS Nickname: MORE THAN A WORD.... and SOON to Be a Documentary

We've posted a few times on the Redskins nickname issue.  My blog readers seem to be on the fence whether they are natives or not.  I think the Redskins name is disparaging but l don't think that it should take precedence over disenrollment and other tribal abuses.  In fact, I believe some just use it as a shiny object.

Navajo Code talkers Attending Redskins game.

That being said, my curiosity has been piqued by a couple of young Native filmmakers who want to tell a more complete story via documentary form. Kenn and John Little are members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.  They've begun work on MORE THAN A WORD which will give all sides to the controversy.

From their Go Fund Me Page

Over the last year, controversy over the Washington team name has received coverage on a variety of news stations. It has long been a big issue in Indian Country. Despite the increased attention and awareness, we feel that there are still too many non-Native people who do not fully understand the importance of changing the name.

The centrality of Native caricatures to white American identity has roots in American white supremacist violence and colonization. Yet team supporters deny that this history matters in the present debate. We want to examine their position in greater depth. 

These young Native filmmakers need help:

The money raised during this time will be utilized to begin Phase Two of filming, which we would begin in early 2016 in Washington DC. Phase One included filming the rallies, interviewing various activists and fans, and gathering support for this project. Phase Two will include interviews with D.C. located activists as well as Washington name supporters. Historians and academics, who are knowledgeable on the issue and the historical aspects of the word, will also be interviewed. Funds raised will be used to cover equipment and travel costs, as well as any possible fees required to film at some locations. For example, filming at the Smithsonian requires multiple fees to use the location and to interview its personnel.

HOW YOU can HELP:  

DONATE at their Go Fund Me page that's step one.  Step two, share this post with all your friends, whether they agree or not.  Let's help get this conversation moving forward.  The more you share, the more people pay attention to this issue.  Activism isn't always marching with a sign, it can be sharing information via your computer...

Disenrolled Activist Carla Maslin, Speaks on the Need for HELP From Congress to Protect Native Americans....FROM Native Americans

Native American activist, Carla Maslin, (Disenrollment like being RAPED and going to RAPIST for Justice.... ) who is the daughter of the first Chairman of the Redding Rancheria after they regained recognition, disenrolled for over a decade speaks on the need for help from The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and our U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and well, Barbara Boxer.

Here's her comment on our recent blog post about Senator Feinstein looking into the activities of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which is complicit in unethical, and tribally unconstitutional actions.

Maybe the timing is right (for our Senators to help). 

GALANDA: Chinook Nation DENOUNCES Disenrollment. But may create Dual Membership

Great News from Gabe Galanda on the Chinook Nation...

On Saturday, January 9, 2016, the Chinook Indian Nation General Council met for a community workshop during which, according to Chairman Tony Johnson: “There was 100% consensus that we’re not doing disenrollment.” 

I know because in response to my recent blog, which reported word from the Telegraph that Chinook “is proposing to disenroll a slew of members who do not reside near Chinook headquarters,” Chinook Chairman Johnson reached out to me.  We have spoken twice since last week, in a very good way.

Chairman Johnson assures me that disenrollment was never the plan for Chinook.  His members told me otherwise.  But erasing any doubt, the Chinook General Council formally denounced disenrollment on Saturday, joining federally recognized tribes like Spokane, Graton and Passamaquoddy who have done the same.  Bravo, Chinook.

Still, the Chinook General Council is considering creating new membership criteria that would restrict voting and social service rights to Chinooks who are “active” in the community vis-à-vis residential or geographic connection to Chinook country.

Like I wrote, tribal connection to ancestral lands “is certainly a preferred alternative to relying on federally imposed tribal membership criteria tied to blood quantum or federal censuses or rolls.” But imposing such criteria retroactively on folks already accepted into the Chinook membership without such strings attached, is problematic.

Creating two classes of members is problematic; it disenfranchises Indians and creates a slippery slope.  Chairman Johnson concedes: “This may not be perfect.”  But he will leave it to Chinooks to decide through a series of General Council meetings in 2016.

For now, I am so very pleased that the Chinook people have not fallen victim to disenrollment, or fallen sick amidst the disenrollment epidemic.


Learn More on Disenrollment, Ethnic Cleansing in Indian Gaming Country at these Links:
Gaming Revenue Blamed for Disenrollment
Disenrollment is paper Genocide
CA Tribal Cleansing
TRIBAL TERRORISM includes Banishment
Nooksack Disenrollment

Dianne Feinstein's Investigation into BIA's handling of San Pasqual Matter Ongoing

California Senator Dianne Feinstein has her team inquiring into the Bureau of Indian Affairs actions in the San Pasqual Descendants matter.

This response, the second received by Native American rights activist Emilio Reyes, proves that persistent efforts achieve results.  In this case, getting a Senator to help a constituent.   Feel free to send ME your responses from Feinstein or Boxer (just kidding on Boxer).

Cherokee Freedmen film BY BLOOD Available on ITUNES; Some Native Tribes GUILTY of Opression

For years we have been helping to publicize the Cherokee Freedmen Issue. A film titled BY BLOOD detailing the struggle to regain their treaty rights and hold the Cherokee Nation responsible, is now available on Itunes.

$800 MILLION POWERBALL JACKPOT: Still Less than Tribes STOLE from Members

UPDATED: Well, we're buying tickets, that's for sure, $675  $800 million is a sizable chunk of money, isn't it? As HUGE as that number seems, it PALES in comparison to the amount of money that corrupt tribes like Redding, Nooksack, Chukchansi, Pala and Pechanga to name just a few, have stolen from their members via disenrollment

NEARLY ONE BILLION DOLLARS, have been stolen by corrupt tribal councils and their leaders, including Mark Macarro of Pechanga and Robert Smith of Pala and the STOOGES, Reggie Lewis and Nancy Ayala of Chukchansi, among others.

Congress turns a blind eye, the Justice Department IGNORES the theft, and all allow tribes to claim, "it's NOT about the MONEY

Read about it: Tribes Have Stolen ONE BILLION DOLLARS from Members Via Disenrollment

NOOKSACK Tribal Council SUSPENDS Election, Disenfranchising Voters In Tyrannical Move To Control Power

Word is coming from the Nooksack people that the Bob Kelly led tribal council is acting outside the tribal constitution and postponing their upcoming elections. Do they need to have Jimmy Carter as an observer to make sure elections are on the up and up?

The Nooksack tribal council passed an election ordinance that would change voting to absentee only.  This would allow them to control who receives ballots.  Apparently, not all council members are being included in council meetings.  Sources say that tribal council members Nadene Rapada and Carmen Tageant have been excluded from meetings.

This smacks of fascism in its truest sense. Not allowing all elected representatives of the tribe to have their say.  So, then, what is the Kelly faction of the council looking to accomplish? Complete exclusion of a voting bloc, and control of the council via exclusion of opposition?

Does Senator Maria Cantwell, ( @SenatorCantwell ) who is on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee have any idea what's going on in her state?

The tribe has recently filed suit to keep those whose disenrollment is pending, from voting.  This is essentially forcing a sentence on those who have not been adjudicated.  The rights of tribal citizens STRIPPED before a final decision is determined.

A GOOD tribal council would ensure that ALL tribal members have all their rights.  This corrupt council seems to working on just the opposite.  Is it any wonder that one of the tribal casinos closed?  Incompetence and spending an inordinate amount  of time working to abuse the rights of many of their people is not what self reliance means.

And acting outside their constitution should allow the federal government to come into the fray. Tribal sovereignty wielded as a club to beat the weak and powerless is abhorrent.  It also looks like any recall petitions can be STOPPED by the very council members who would be subject to that recall.

The BIA should READ it's OWN manual:    

“When enrollees lose their membership they also lose their right to share in the distribution of tribal assets. Since the Secretary is responsible for distribution of trust assets to tribal members, disenrollment actions are subject to approval by the Secretary or his authorized representatives. Any person whose disenrollment has been approved by the Area Director acting under delegated authority may appeal the adverse decision as provided in 25 C.F.R. § 2.”

21st Century California Indian Wars: Pechanga vs. Gabrieleno Tongva Macarro Against Recognition of Tribe In Casino Market Area

A recent FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request has brought to light a bit of skullduggery, from the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians Chairman Mark Macarro in 2013.
Macarro writes to then Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar:

" .. we STRONGLY OPPOSE the efforts of the Gabrieleno Tongva to achieve recognition...

Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro Works to STOP Gabrieleno Recognition Progress

The Pechanga Tribe has already usurped itself in the Gabrieleno Tongva historic tribal area, by appropriating Tongva remains ...remember? Does anyone believe that Macarro gives a whit about the "recognition process"? Pechanga has gotten it's name changed in the Federal registry, and it's NOT the tribe the government recognized. WHat about keeping a tribe from getting recognized, opening a casino and taking lucrative market share? Which is MORE LIKELY?

The Drumbeats for Action on Disenrollment Abuses Begin Anew In 2016: Contact Senator Dianne Feinstein this week.

The campaign for action from our elected officials begins anew.  We are asking for all those affected over the last decade, to get back into the fight.  Differing factions need to focus on getting the needed cooperation from our politicians.   We are arrows in the quiver of justice for our ancestors.

We start tomorrow putting pressure to Dianne Feinstein urging her to offer hearings and listen to our cases regarding issues with the BIA and Indian Rights. Here is some helpful information... Please support by tweeting, sending emails, Facebook, calling and anything you feel the message will be delivered.


We choose Feinstein of California, as this is the state most affected. but ANY SENATOR on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee can be contacted.

Here is the contact information, first, Senator Feinstein's facebook page and link to her government page, where you can leave your contact information and message:

Here are the addresses, faxes and phone numbers for each of here offices:

TWITTER ADDRESS FOR Sen. FEINSTEIN:  @SenFeinstein

Sitting on the sidelines and HOPING someone will do something, is not the tactic that will have success.   YOUR becoming an arrow in the quiver, with your computer, your letters, can and will counterbalance the money spent from tribes.

Here is a sample letter you may want to use or adjust to your liking:

 A report by the Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) referenced the fact that internal tribal disputes leading to “seem to be occurring more and more frequently” since the advent of casino gaming.

Such disputes have resulted in the disenrollment, which is the loss of citizenship in one's own tribe, banishment, denial of membership, stripping of voting rights, and/or denial of health/medical benefits of thousands of Indians.

In response to the growing number of these types of disputes, the GAO felt it was necessary and appropriate that nominees to the Secretary of Interior be asked how they would address such issues. Since most of the civil and human rights abuses have occurred under Democratic leadership, I believe it is also important to know how you, as one Senator in the state primarily affected, will work with individual Indians in trying to resolve or prevent such disputes.

Your role as Senator, to ALL citizens, should be to help facilitate an end to (1) internal tribal disputes that harm Native  Americans and (2)demand the protection and preservation of individual Indians’ basic rights in internal disputes. 

The BIA has abdicated responsibility and are leaving it to the IBIA to overturn their decisions.  In fact, the BIA may be culpable in some of the misdeeds, as we've seen in the San Pasqual descendants issue, where Indian Affairs has allowed NON natives to control tribal interests.

In addition, do you believe that tribal sovereignty and the protection of basic individual rights are mutually exclusive of each other?  Should sovereignty be wielded like a club to beat the weak and defenseless?  

I eagerly await your response to the questions raised above, and look forward to you setting hearings for California and finding true justice.

Respectfully submitted,

PLEASE, get involved, don't turn away from your family and friends....don't accept what corrupt tribal councils are doing.