Corona Virus Relief Bill Includes $8 Billion to Tribal Governments

Bipartisan cooperation between Senators Udall of New Mexico and Martha McSally of Arizona protected money for Indian Country the Trump Administration was hoping to cut.

Udall, who also serves as vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, said the funds approved for agencies that serve tribal governments includes $1.032 billion for the Indian Health Service, $453 million to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to meet tribes’ safety needs and to purchase protective equipment and another $327 million for the Bureau of Indian Education.

Sen. Martha McSally (R-Arizona), another member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, said she had to work closely with the White House and Republican leadership in the chamber to keep the $8 billion in the coronavirus relief bill.

"I won't bore you with all the knife-fighting that had to happen here," McSally said on a town hall hosted by several Indian organizations on Thursday, "but I was literally presiding on the floor of the Senate the night that the deal was announced and this fund was still in jeopardy."

McSally said she "went to the mat" with high-level officials from the White House and from the office of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), the Republican Senate Majority Leader, to keep the $8 billion alive after attempts to reduce it -- and even remove it -- were made.

GO to INDIANZ (often) for the FULL STORY

Pala Resort & Casino LAYOFFS: Employee Information

Pala Resort & Casino. led by the despicable Robert Smith, is doing a solid for the casino employees being laid off.  They are paying healthcare benefits through April 30th.   Watch for expiration date of this promise, like what happened at Pechanga.

From the PALA website:

Team Member Update as of 3/20/20

Healthcare BenefitsYour benefits have been paid through March 31, and we will continue to pay them through April 30, 2020. We will evaluate this situation beyond that time if the current situation continues.
Requesting PTOIf you are planning on using PTO during the closure, requests must be submitted on a per pay period basis, by Sunday end of pay period. Please submit your written request for PTO for up to 80 hours and specify the pay period for which you are requesting PTO.

They removed benefits including per capita from the Brittain family, so if they cheat their own people, they could cheat their employees too

For more on Pala's tribal issues, go to PALA WATCH

Should Fired (Laid Off) Pechanga Employees FINALLY UNIONIZE?

In posting about the closure of Pechanga Resort and Casino last week, and then the tribe reneging on the promise to pay employees during the temporary closure, it makes me wonder if it's time to UNIONIZE?  Is the Unite Here union a right fit for Pechanga employees?

Viejas, lost their battle against the union remember?


The Viejas Casino and Resort in southern California is a "commercial enterprise" whose operation does not impact the tribe's ability to govern itself, Judge Mara-Louise Anzalone asserted in the 17-page decision. The majority of its employees and customers are non-Indian and no treaty rights are implicated, she added.
"Finally," she wrote, "there is no evidence in the language or legislative history of the [National Labor Relations] Act to suggest that Congress intended to exclude Native Americans or their commercial enterprises from the Act’s jurisdiction."

What does the UNION have to offer 4,500 Pechanga Family Members?
Can they make the case to the rank & file?   I don't know enough about the Unite Here Union, but I KNOW about Pechanga....

Pechanga Resort & Casino Promise Comes with EXPIRATION DATE

Pechanga Resort & Casino Temecula, CA

As we noted yesterday, the Pechanga Resort & Casino laid off over 4500 of their employees.  This was part of the Pechanga announcment and the last line of their press release:

Pechanga Team Members will receive their base pay and benefits during this temporary closure.

This "promise" lasted six days.  The temporary closure benefits doesn't mean what employees, who were searched before leaving on their last shift, were led to believe.
The Pechanga "family" is left out in the cold, like disenrolled tribal members.


PECHANGA UPDATES - COVID-19

PECHANGA ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF RESORT CASINO
UNTIL END OF MARCH FOR HEALTH & SAFETY OF GUESTS AND TEAM MEMBERS

PECHANGA INDIAN RESERVATION, Calif. – (March 14, 2020) – Tribal Leaders today announced that the Pechanga Resort Casino will be temporarily closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure will be effective Monday, March 16 at 12 p.m. through the end of March.

"As a Tribal Government and major employer of thousands of people, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close Pechanga Resort Casino for the health and safety of our Team Members, Tribal Members, and guests due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro. "No matter what, the Pechanga family will rise to this challenge together with the strength, compassion, determination, and resilience that our ancestors instilled in us."

Pechanga Team Members will receive their base pay and benefits during this temporary closure.

Pechanga Resort & Casino Anticipates Closure Past April 1 4,500 Team members are LAID OFF

The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, which operates the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA has notified their employees that they anticipate the closure to last longer than originally announced as April 1.

They've instructed employees how to file for unemployment as they are now 

LAID OFF

click to enlarge

Makes us wonder WHAT our government is NOT TELLING US.

UPDATE: Chukchansi Gold Casino Tribe Remains OPEN in the Time of Cornavirus

UPDATE:  CLOSING TODAY a5 6 p.m.  You can get coronavirus until then:   The closure is required by the Tribe’s compact with the State of California, which mandates that the casino be operated in compliance with the Tribe's federally-approved gaming ordinance. The ordinance, as well as National Indian Gaming Commission regulations, requires that the facility be operated in a manner that adequately protects the public health and safety. Based on the current health emergency, the CEDA board has determined that a temporary closure is required to protect the public health and safety.

The Chukchansi tribe disenrolled HALF their population, if they don't care about their OWN people, WHY would they care about their customers safety in the time of #coronavirus?  They are STILL OPEN, don't endanger your life by going here.

OPEN LETTER TO OUR GUESTS REGARDING COVID 19:

In the midst of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino places the highest priority on the health and safety of our guests and team members. Our thoughts go out to all those affected by this virus and we hope communities return to good health soon.

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino has high standards of cleanliness, health and safety protocols in place:

• Training for team members, with ongoing daily reinforcement
• System for frequent cleaning and disinfection of all areas
• Training for team members, with ongoing daily reinforcement 
• System for frequent cleaning and disinfection of all areas
• Easy access to handwashing facilities and increased hand sanitizing stations
• Hourly sanitation procedures for restrooms, dining venues and kitchens, counters, bar tops and all other facilities
• Increased sanitation signage for guests and team members of proper hand washing technique and respiratory cough and sneeze etiquette
• Frequent cleaning and sanitation of gaming tables, slot machines, doors, handrails and elevators

The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like coronavirus/COVID-19. Recommendations include staying home when sick, washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, following proper respiratory cough etiquette, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. We continue to communicate about these recommendations as well as other important health information, to our guests and team members.
We have been tracking Coronavirus (COVID-19) and we continue to actively monitor recommendations and directions from the CDC, state, government and local health authorities so we can be sure that we are taking the most comprehensive actions.

We appreciate your business and loyalty to Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino. Our entire team is working hard to provide a safe environment for all to ensure the overall health, safety, and wellness for everyone.

For additional information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino

Saginaw Chippewa's Disenrolled Elder "Aunt" Dolly Holzhausen Walks On

Dolly Holzhause

There has been so much news this week it's hard to keep up.  But at the top of my list is to share the passing of Dolly Holzhausen, of Chesaning, Michigan (I could always see when she was checking my blog) known to so many as "Aunt Dolly".  She passed away this week during one of the most interesting times in our history.  There will be a small service tomorrow, kept small during the time of coronavirus.

I work with Kristi Potter, her family isdisenrolled from Saginaw Chippewa, Aunt Dolly was the backstop, who shared posts that need sharing, and re-shared at the right time. Getting the lowdown on other issues and keeping the family issues on the burner.

Dolly was a no fuss no muss kinda person, straight forward, Kristi tells me. She would tell you how it was. She was also the kindest, most loving, generous person.
Her life was so involved in the Tribe, on every committee, organizing Pow Wow's, on cultural and arts Council's. She was so devoted.
Devastation is such a small word to describe Disenrollment, we need to find a bigger word to wake people up to the fact that it is killing off families, Elder's, culture, it strikes at the very core of our being. 

I've written on Aunt Dolly's grandmother GRACE FOWLER.  She did as well in a letter to the BIA I'll excerpt here:

The damages of this loss can not be explained, demonstrated or shown. It is felt, deep in your soul. You no longer exist to a Tribe whom you have volunteered, participated in programs, served as an advisor and a mentor for 20 plus years. You are cut off and cut out of all participation.
You are denied any and all access to sevices, programs, health care, cultural events and spiritual advisory.
People whom you have known, worked with, volunteered with, mentored or advised, no longer speak to you for fear of retaliation from the Tribe. You are shunned from a community you helped grow and flourish.
I received a letter from the Tribe that stated “ your services are no longer needed”, not thank you for your service, no thank you for your devotion. I received a cold heartless letter from fellow tribal members whom I had worked with, volunteered with, theses people were my friends.

My love for my fellow tribal people goes very deep, it is ingrained in who I am and to be denied my right to be apart of my community cuts right to my heart, my very soul! Discrimination was and is an on going issue with Native Americans but there is no greater discrimination then when your own people commit such an offense. Disenrollment is the greatest form of discrimination.
Pretty powerful.  You'd think that true Natives, who are in charge could feel this and not want this to happen.  But no, 11,000 tribal members are stripped of their citizenship.
I ask ALL who are affected by tribal disenrollment, to be like Aunt Dolly Holzhausen, to be there in the fight. NOT everyone can be on the front line, but everyone can be in the 2nd line, the one that shares information, writes letters, tells the shameful stories of what was done to them.  Suffering in silence helps nobody, but being a stalwart defender of your rights, does. 

Rest in Peace, Aunt Dolly, I will miss you and your support.

Pechanga Resort & Casino GETS ONE RIGHT in the time of #coronavirus

The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, well known as a violator of human and civil right on their apartheid reservation does the right thing with their perishable produce.

Project T.O.U.C.H. and the Community Mission of Hope, both based in Temecula, and the Murrieta Pantry came to Pechanga Wednesday, escorted by public safety officers, and loaded the vast amounts of food onto their trucks.

Dozens of giant, 25-pound bags of onions, carrots and celery. Pallets of fresh ripe strawberries and blackberries. Thousands of pounds of cantaloupes and honeydew melons. Ten thousand dollars in milk (461 gallons) and dairy products alone — all of this and a lot more were picked up by the three charities that support disadvantaged and homeless people in the region.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Barona, Viejas, Jamul, Sycuan WILL FINALLY CLOSE Due to Cornoavirus

Barona, Campo, Jamul, Sycuan and Viejas jointly announced that their casinos will temporarily close beginning Friday due to coronavirus concerns.

The tribal government leaders of the Barona Band of Mission Indians, Campo Kumeyaay Nation, Jamul Indian Village, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians made the joint announcement Wednesday.

The closures will begin Friday at noon and extend through the end of the month.

“The Tribes are united in this decision to close for the health and well-being of the community, their guests and approximately 9,000 employees,” their statement said. “Despite this closure, it is their hope that they can continue to provide emergency services for their respective communities.”  OP: This whole week they arent' concerned?!!

SOVEREIGNTY BE DAMNED: Gaming Tribes Ask The HATED President Trump for MONEY

Too Glorious not to post...
We are SOVEREIGN NATIONS and don't have to follow YOUR laws, oh and can you send us a BILLION DOLLARS? Reminder, just disenrolling tribes have stolen a Billion dollars from those of us they disenrolled.  Everything comes with strings and NO Disenrolling Tribe should receive GOVERNMENT FUNDS.

The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives requesting $18 billion for Tribal gaming, as properties nationwide temporarily close their doors while continuing to pay employees their wages. 

Tribal casinos employ more than 700,000 people across 460 venues, generating in excess of $37 billion in 2017, comprising the largest segment of the U.S. gaming industry.

Federal aid of about 2 percent — equivalent to the U.S. Native American population — of the $850 billion economic stimulus package proposed by President Donald Trump on Tuesday could help Tribes offset the loss of casino revenues amidst the coronavirus criss. 

“Providing the means for Tribal governments to continue paying all employees’ salaries and benefits will immensely help this country recover,” according to the letter addressed to Representatives Deb Haaland and Tom Cole of the House Native American Caucus, as reported by Reuters.

The Association representing 184 Tribes additionally proposed Congress suspend interest rate accrual on all loans to Tribal governments and their entities.

While NIGA fights for Tribal gaming support, the gaming industry at large is likewise advocating for economic relief. 

Bill Miller, American Gaming Association (AGA) CEO, articulated on Monday: “In a matter of days, the U.S. casino industry went from a growing, thriving segment of the U.S. economy to a near standstill.” 

VIEJAS Tribal Casino IS OPEN in the Time of Coronavirus

Viejas says F*** you, GAVIN NEWSOM, CDC and TRUMP, we keep our casino OPEN.  Hand sanitizers will do it.

Dear Viejas Guests, I wanted to take a moment to thank each of you for your patronage and for choosing Viejas. Each of you are our friends, neighbors and an extension of the Viejas family. That is why we have taken recent events so seriously and have enacted extra precautions on top of our already rigorous environmental safety measures to protect you from the spread of the coronavirus.

While there have been no reported cases in East County we feel it is imperative that the safety of our guests comes first. While many of our additional measures are in the heart of the house, where many of our Team Members work and take their breaks, there are quite a few you may notice on your next visit.

Here are a few of the items that we have implemented to protect both you and the Viejas Team. We have installed and deployed additional hand sanitizer stations throughout the property, issued portable hand sanitizers for our casino staff, increased frequency of the casino floor, table games, and slot cleanings along with the increased frequency of restaurant and public area cleanings. We have added additional shuttle stops for increased cleanings between routes. Renewed training of our housekeeping staff to sanitize all touch contact points throughout the property. We have added preliminary screening and notifications for our hotel guests who may have traveled to high-risk areas recently. Along with increased training of our Team Members for prevention and awareness. We are also deploying Viejas hand wipes for our tables games and slot guests and have posted signage to remind everyone to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds.

Once again, I would like to thank each of you and let you know that everyone's safety is our first priority and we are dedicated to providing each of you an amazing experience.

Sincerely,
James Wild
General Manager

UPDATED List of Tribal Casinos Which Remain Open in S.California

ALL ARE CLOSED due to CORONAVIRUS

While some casinos are shuttered for the "safety" of their customers/employees, here's a list of Casinos still open, include PALA which has screwed their own people. Avoid that one...

 Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs,  CLOSED
Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, CLOSED
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino  CLOSED
Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa,  CLOSED
Pala Casino, Spa & Resort  (Disenrollment Tribe) CLOSED
Soboba Casino Resort,  CLOSED
Valley View Casino.  CLOSED

Agua Caliente Tribe Declares State of EMERGENCY and CLOSES both Casinos

UPDATE:  Palm Springs City Council orders LOCK DOWN of the city

Expiration date on Agua Caliente staying open was VERY SHORT.

Agua Caliente Tribe declares State of Emergency

Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians closes all non-essential enterprises

AGUA CALIENTE INDIAN RESERVATION - During the regularly scheduled Tribal Council Meeting of Tuesday, March 17, 2020, Tribal leaders declared a Reservation-wide State of Emergency consistent with similar declarations by the state of California and the federal government. Tribal leaders today announced that all Tribal enterprises including its casino resorts, golf courses and hiking areas will close due to the COVID 19 global pandemic.

Closures will become effective as follows and will run through March 31, 2020:

• Agua Caliente Casinos in Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs will close effective at
  6 p.m. today, March 17, 2020.
• The Indian Canyons Golf Resort in Palm Springs will close effective March 18, 2020.
• Tahquitz Canyon and the Indian Canyons will close effective March 18, 2020.

Team members will receive their base pay and benefits during this temporary closure.

"Pursuant to Tribal law, we declared a State of Emergency today for the Reservation to protect the health and welfare of Tribal Members, Tribal employees and the broader non-tribal Reservation community,” said Tribal Chairman Jeff L. Grubbe. "We stand ready to assist federal, tribal, local and state agencies with emergency preparedness and disaster response related to the COVID 19 global pandemic."

Win River Casino is CLOSED: Member of Top Ten Indian Casino To Avoid

FUCK These horrible people.  I'm glad they will make NO MONEY
I feel for their employees.  READ WHY

As of noon Tuesday, Win-River Resort and Casino is closed following new recommendations from the CDC to eliminate all non-essential social gatherings.

According to representatives this includes the casino, hotel, spa and all events. The situation will be evaluated on a weekly basis. 

Agua Caliente Casino to REMAIN OPEN, Some Outlets, Shows will Close

Agua Caliente is a great resort hotel. There staff is outstanding.

As one of the largest employers in the Coachella Valley, our employees depend on us to provide for their families, especially during this difficult time. The Tribe is currently developing work place policies to address individual team member needs based on their obligations to their families. Although our gaming facilities are experiencing unprecedented reductions in revenue, we will strive to keep our facilities open as long as possible.
We take pride in the cleanliness of our properties and have implemented the following recommended best practices:
Increasing the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing of all areas, with a focus on all surfaces including door handles, elevator buttons, handrails, front desk, restaurant counters, and dining tables and other frequently touched areas,
Introducing multiple “Clean Carts,” allowing team members to sanitize slot machines continuously and provide hand sanitizer to guests,
Adding more hand sanitizer stations and dispensers at both Agua Caliente Casinos in Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs,

Continuously sanitizing slot machines at both properties and upon a guest’s request,
Making hand sanitizer available at all table games,

Maintaining social distancing standards within our properties such as removing every other chair at table games and seating guests at every other table in our restaurants,
Working to reduce capacity within our properties to levels that allow us to exceed the recommend social distancing standards, and

Aggressively educating our team members about the facts of COVID-19, including providing ongoing reminders of how we can exceed recommended sanitation guidelines.
In addition to the above efforts, effective immediately:

The buffets at both Agua Caliente Casinos in Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs are closed,
All shows and entertainment at both facilities are postponed, and
The Sunstone Spa at Rancho Mirage is closed.

We strive every single day to deliver an amazing guest experience. Now, more than ever, that includes our focus on your health and safety. We appreciate your loyalty.

Sincerely,

Jeff L. Grubbe
Chairman, Tribal Council
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF
CAHUILLA INDIANS

National Indian Gaming Association postponing the 2020 Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention in San Diego

 From Indianz.com

The National Indian Gaming Association Board of Directors and Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr., are officially announcing today that the Association will be postponing the 2020 Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention in San Diego scheduled on March 24– 27.

Read the rest at the link above

Coronavirus Deaths By the Numbers

• 63% of U.S. deaths were in Washington State
• 29 of total 67 U.S. deaths occurred at the same Washington State nursing home
  
  OBVIOUSLY, things will change daily.  WASH YOUR HANDS

Pechanga Resort CASINO SHUT DOWN Due to Wuhan Virus Apartheid Will Still Be Practiced On Reservation

Tribal Leaders today announced that the Pechanga Resort Casino will be TEMPORARILY CLOSING due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The closure will be effective Monday, March 16th at 12PM through the end of March.

“As a Tribal Government and major employer of thousands of people, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close Pechanga Resort Casino for the health and safety of our Team Members, Tribal Members, and guests due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro. "No matter what, the Pechanga family will rise to this challenge together with the strength, compassion, determination, and resilience that our ancestors instilled in us.”

Pechanga Team Members will receive their base pay and benefits during this temporary closure.

SAN MANUEL will also close:    The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians said "wholeheartedly stand with all of those directly and indirectly affected" by the pandemic. The announcement was made Saturday night. The casino will close at 5 pm on Sunday. The casino will be closed through the end of the month.

PECHANGA RESORT & Casino CANCELS Concerts REFUNDS AVAILABLE for Ana Gabriel, Pitbull and Chicago

From the Pechanga Resort & Casino website:

Pechanga stands with the community, state and nation in heeding the advice of public health officials and the Governor in doing what we can to slow the spread of COVID-19. The safety of our guests and Team Member family is always our first priority. Accordingly, we are postponing major upcoming shows at Pechanga Resort Casino through the end of March, including this weekend's concerts by Ana Gabriel (March 13), Pitbull (March 15), and Chicago (March 15).


We continue to very closely monitor developments around COVID-19 to take necessary precautionary measures and will make adjustments as warranted.

Any guests who purchased tickets to these shows online will receive an email from Ticketmaster and they may opt to receive a refund in that manner. If they purchased them in person or via phone through Pechanga Resort Casino, guests may also receive a refund. Tickets will also be honored if new dates for any of the shows can be determined.

CA Governor Newsom EXCLUDES Tribal Casinos from Large Gathering Ban; NIGA postpones Tradeshow in San Diego

Churches yes, poltical contributors NO?  Reminder, SMOKING is allowed in tribal casinos, for the lung diseased challenged.

photo by Randy Vazquez

The executive directive also does not include casinos, theaters and large parks like Disneyland “because of the complexity of their unique circumstances,” Newsom said. But within hours, however, Disneyland announced it will close its iconic park and Disneyland California Adventure on Saturday through the end of March.

Newsom said his administration is in discussions with theater operators and the Native Americans tribes that run California casinos on how they can comply.

Meanwhile,  The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) Board of Directors and Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr., are officially announcing today that the Association will be postponing the 2020 Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention in San Diego scheduled on March 24– 27.

At an emergency meeting today of the Board of Directors, the National Indian Gaming Association voted unanimously to postpone the event.

The decision to postpone the annual gaming convention comes after, among other developments, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order addressing California’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NIGA Board of Directors was also driven by the overwhelming critical safety concerns voiced by many tribal governments and the gaming industry.

“The health and safety of our tribal gaming attendees are of paramount concern and postponing the Indian Gaming Tradeshow, for now, is the safest course of action. Our Board of Directors and Association staff will work diligently on the best path forward for all impacted attendees in light of this postponement,” National Indian Gaming Association Chairman, Ernie Stevens, Jr., stated.

Coronavirus Forcing Corrupt Tribal Councils to Cancel Travel Junkets

Tribal leaders of casino gaming tribes have been forced to curtail their travel due to coronavirus, saving tribal funds at the expense of their travel benefits.

Many leaders are used to travelling willy-nilly with no accountability on expenses, (first class, suites, steakhouses, girls).   Mark "Two Homes" Macarro, the one-time popular leader who has been accused of being a tyrant, used to bring his brother and family on European trips, when his lawyer brother had no involvement in gaming.

Robert "we are sovereign" Smith of Pala, invested tribal money not approved by the general conncil

How will these and other corrupt council people survive with the frequent flyer miles?   Will the new POW WOW avoidance plans help tribes vs. their tribal leaders?

Might we see some tribal council members spent their OWN MONEY?
Will Kangaroo courts continue on schedule.  Might they allow process servers on their rez...for a fee?



yes, this is satire...

Nooksack 306's RABANG family WIN Treaty Rights Battle in Interest of Justice

While the Nooksack 306's fight to belong is still ongoing, their TREATY rights have been UPHELD.

Having not been since disenrolled, the Rabangs exercised their Nooksack Treaty fishing rights by harvesting clams at Semiahmoo Spit during the early evening on May 10, 2019.  When a law enforcement officer approached them and asked if they had state shellfish licenses, the Rabangs produced their Nooksack enrollment cards instead and explained they were subsistence clamming. They were cited

Last Thursday, the Whatcom County District Court dismissed criminal charges against Michael, Francisco, James, and Lisa Rabang for subsistence clamming outside of Bellingham, Washington last May without a state recreational shellfish license.  The Rabangs are part of the extended family of purportedly disenrolled Nooksack Indians commonly known as the Nooksack 306.

The Rabangs argued to the state court that because they were never lawfully disenrolled by the Nooksack Tribe, they still enjoy Treaty rights to fish in usual and accustomed Nooksack fishing places. Under federal law, those Treaty rights include the right to take shellfish without a state license and those Treaty fishing grounds include the Semiahmoo Spit, where the Rabangs were criminally cited by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife last spring.

The District Court dismissed each of the charges “in the interests of justice.”

“My clients have steadfastly maintained that they have never been lawfully disenrolled from the Nooksack Tribe and a state court judge now seems to agree with them,” said Gabriel S. Galanda, the Rabangs’ criminal defense lawyer.  “They have always been and will always be Nooksack.”

Galanda: Habematolel Pomo Poised to Disenroll 70 Percent of Tribe

Sherry Treppa
Chairperson
Habematolel Pomo

On his twitter account, @ndnlawyer  Gabriel Galanda, attorney with Galanda Broadman Indigenous Law Firm shares this information on disenrollment

Habematolel Pomo despots are poised to disenroll 160 off 220 members based on fraudulent DNA “tests,” and propose to pay $15K cash plus a $7500 savings bond to members who will relinquish. Armed guards now “patrol” the reservation.

Stay tuned for more information.

Supreme Court Denies Pinoleville Pomo Sovereignty Claims

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a petition from California tribal officials claiming sovereign immunity to a suit connected with an unrealized casino project.  

In its order list Monday, the high court denied certiorari to a petition by several members of the Pinoleville Pomo tribe's governing council and other officials and employees claiming that the Ninth Circuit wrongly upheld a lower court's determination that the officials didn't share in the tribe's immunity to a suit claiming they duped a gaming company into investing $5.38 million in a sham casino project.

In the casino project case, a Ninth Circuit panel in October upheld U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick's determination that the tribal defendants were being sued by JW Gaming Development LLC in their individual capacity for their own alleged fraudulent conduct related to the casino project and were therefore not entitled to the same sovereign immunity the tribe itself enjoys.

MIWOK NATION Unsuccessful in Court Challenge to Theft Of Their Rancheria

Another chapter of the long-running battle between Cesar Caballero and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians has come to a close — this time with a fruitless ending.

In September, Caballero, the chief of what he claims to be the true Miwok tribe, sued the current tribal council members of the federally-recognized Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians tribe over control of the name and Shingle Springs Rancheria.

Despite a packed courthouse and highly anticipated hearing, El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Dylan Sullivan moved to dismiss the lawsuit during Jan. 24 proceedings.  Of course NARF was no help

Cesar Caballero

As a state court judge, Sullivan said that she couldn’t act on the lawsuit because the Rancheria was granted to the tribe by the federal government through an Act of Congress — a statute the law doesn’t allow her to overrule.

Wildhorse Resort and Casino Employee Tests POSITIVE for CORONAVIRUS. Forces Closure

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Board of Trustees has been informed by the Governor’s Office via the Oregon Health Authority that a staff member of Wildhorse Resort and Casino has tested presumptive positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).



The Board of Trustees has ordered an Incident Command be stood up. The Incident Command will consist of staff from Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center and the Tribal Government.

The Board of Trustees has ordered that Nixyaawii Community School, Head Start, Daycare and Senior Center to be closed until all facilities have been fully sanitized. Wildhorse Resort and Casino will be temporarily closed in order to sanitize the facilities. Closures will take effect at 12:00 PM March 2, 2020. In addition, all community events on the Umatilla Indian Reservation are cancelled for the week of March 2 to 8, 2020.