Nice article in the Santa Maria Sun on what the Chumash Tribe has done to its people since tribal gaming has happened. Which side is greedy?
While the recent news cycle has been filled with stories of U.S. politicians and their constituents taking a stand against “illegal” immigrants, there’s a smaller, more internal struggle for citizenship happening in the heart of Santa Barbara County.
On March 8, a federal appeals court in California affirmed a decision denying Rosanna Miranda’s appeal to have her family included as members of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. She applied to the tribe for their membership but was denied, and she has fought to prove her family’s ancestry ever since.
The case involves Miranda, her five daughters, and her sister, who she believes should be included as formal tribal members. Miranda applied to the Chumash’s enrollment committee in 1992, but didn’t receive an answer until 2002. OP: TEN YEARS??
Members of Native American tribes are typically entitled to tribal benefits. With the Chumash, particularly, there’s identity, housing, and money at stake. Members receive proceeds from the casino, which opened in 1994.
With a steady stream of cash from the Chumash Casino Resort’s income, all 153 members of the Santa Ynez Chumash received “more than $1 million in casino proceeds” between 2000 and 2004, according to an October 2004 Los Angeles Times article.
Officials from the tribe didn’t return the Sun’s emails or phone calls before press time. OP: STONEWALL
But Miranda said it’s not just about the money; it’s about having a say in tribal affairs.
“Money does matter, but it’s having a voice in the tribe for the next generation,” Miranda told the Sun. “If they’re not part of the tribe, they won’t be able to vote on anything.”
Read the link above for more...
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