Friday, November 6, 2015

CUPA Newsletter #6 - Pala's Executive Committee Caused Problems For Tribe


CUPANGAWICITUM
(People Who Sleep In The Water)

Descendants from Cupa:
Let us all remember that the new 1100 acre Pala Indian Reservation was purchased for the evictees of Warner’s Ranch. This included the Agua Caliente Tribe as well as the villages of San Felipe and Puerta la Cruz it is these very descendants who are now the targets of everything from political retaliations, to disenrollment. And let’s not forget that it was the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE that disenrolled 170 of these descendants in 2011 and 2012.
The executive Committee probably did not understand and expect all the problems that have been created as a result of THEIR disenrollments of members. Look at all the issues it has created. Look at the charges being brought against the BIA. Look at the charges brought against the Executive Committee. Look at all the dirt that has surfaced that was previously unknown to many.
And let’s also be clear about these charges against the EC. Do not believe the propaganda being printed in their Pala Newsletter. These cases are still ongoing, costing the tribe countless dollars to defend wrongs committed by the EC. The courts have never decided that the EC is in the right. The EC has not been vindicated in any way because the disenrollee’s have not had their day in court. The EC HIDES behind the TRIBE’S sovereignty, abusing it for their own personal protection and benefit. Again, the facts of these cases have yet to be heard in court because of the TRIBE’S sovereign immunity.
The EC cannot hide forever behind the TRIBE’S sovereign immunity. The EC’s repeated violations of the Articles of Association and the Constitution has led the tribe to the current situation we all find ourselves. Possibly the most serious is the people who attend the General Council meetings who are not descendants and should not be at the meeting, let alone be allowed to vote.
Look at what these wrongs have brought to the reservation. Do we remember how close knit our village used to be? Things were never perfect for sure, but there was a common respect and understanding we had for each other, little if any of which remains. Relationships built over 30, 40, even 50 years have been stressed to the limit and sometimes beyond.
It has been requested that the EC Return things to how they were, fix it, and move on. The EC has repeatedly rejected these offers. Instead, members are greeting with such items like those on the current agenda, for the month of November. Doesn’t their agenda admit they are guilty?
WHY ARE THESE ATTORNEYS’ CONTRACTS SO IMPORTANT ALL OF THE SUDDEN? Is it because the lawyers are the glue holding these scams together? Do these lawyers look after the best interest of the tribe or Rob? WOW! What a long list of attorneys! This is the first time the membership has been presented with a request to approve these lawyers’ contracts EVEN THOUGH they have already been getting paid for supposedly working for the “tribe” for years.  The EC wants the membership to COVER UP for their violations and IGNORE the years of violations. The EC is even taking their POWER GRAB further, now requesting TOTAL POWER to approve and sign contracts with lawyer on the Tribe’s behalf.
THIS WOULD JUST BE GIVING AWAY OUR RESEVATION AND EVEN OUR TRIBE AS WE KNOW IT. If it is allowed to happen, it could be one of the biggest mistakes the tribe could make. This meeting should not even happen. This meeting should be CANCELLED!

NO POWER SHOLD BE GIVEN TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO DO AS THEY PLEASE!!! 

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

We should go to the meeting ask for 20,000 Christmas bonus, and close,the meeting we should tell them what we want, not what they want to give us.

Anonymous said...

Yes indeed you are right 1:40 PM.
The current members of the EC are doing nothing for the Tribe as a whole. All they are doing is trying to amend everything that gives them more power over the Reservation.
And now they want the power even over Tribal Members, and for what reason. Are they planning to make yet another change in Membership by possible means of DIS_ENROLLMENTS?
I believe that this is where they are headed.
The smaller the Membership, the bigger the per-capita is what they are thinking.
If you Members vote for the amendments you are putting your Tribal Membership in harms way.
They have done this once and will do it again to gain more power over the Tribe.
The EC needs to be voted out now no more power grabs.
The people have they say believe it or not, so use your power to stop them before you lose everything. VOTE NO ON THE AMENDENTS AND STOP THE EC IN THEIR TRACKS.
Look at how many years that the Tribe was run under the Articles of Association with very few amendments made over the years, and now
Amendments are always on the Meeting Agenda's almost every month.
And do you know why, it's because of the EC wanting more POWER to do as they wish without the approval of the General Membership.
VOTE THE AMENDENTS DOWN FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE TRIBE.THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP NEEDS TO HOLD ON TO WHATEWVER POWER THEY STILL HAVE. IF THESE AMENDMENTS WERE TO BE APPROVED YOU ARE PUTTING YOUSELF AND YOUR FAMILY RIGHT IN THE SITES OF THE EC'S WEAPON.LOOK CLOSELY AT THE AMENDMENTS THEY WANT POWER OVER, THEY EVEN INCLUDE MEMBERS AS WELL AS NON MEMBERS, AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE AMENDMENT THAT WAS VOTED DOWN ON THE LAND ASSINGMENTS.THEY ARE TRYING TO TRICK YOU AGAIN BECAUSE THE AMENDMENTS THEY WANT CONTROL OVER CAN AND WILL BE USED TO ENFORCE THE AMENDMENTS THAT WERE VOTED DOWN A COUPLE OF MEETINGS AGO.DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE EC AGAIN. VOTE NO ON THESE AMENDMENTS PLEASE.

Anonymous said...

YOU Members better listen to the above poster he is right on the money. And what happen if Ortega-Garcia is elected to the EC, the EC will be more dangerous than it is now. He is for sure a yes man to chairman smith and will do as told to do by the rest of the EC, including dis-enrollments. DON'T TAKE THAT CHANCE EITHER.
VOTE FOR PETE SR. OR HOWARD.

Anonymous said...

Isn't Wednesdays meeting on a holiday?veterans day.

Anonymous said...

Yes it is a holiday for the vets.
Remember how hard our vets fought for our freedom and that of others.
Then make the VET'S proud and fight the EC in there honor, and vote sown the AMENDENTS, show the vets and all Members that we are a proud Indian Reservation and we are tired of being used by the Very People that were supposed to protect us from the wrongs and the evil doings that they are responsible for doing to Tribal Members.
So if this Meeting goes on then by all means vote the amendments down,
we do not want to give anymore power to the EC, we hardly have any power left and we should hold firm to what we have left. No more
dis-enrollments ever and fix this and re-enroll these Members ASAP.
MAKE THE PALA BAND of MISSION INDIANS A TRIBE AGAIN, JUST LIKE WE USED TO BE. THANKS YOU READING THIS POST.

Anonymous said...

WHY ARE THE MEMBERS OF PALA PAYING THESE ATTORNEY'S TO COVER UP THE WRONGS THAT THE EC IS DOING TO TRIBAL MEMBERS. THATS EXACTLY WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING IF YOU APPROVE THESE AMENDEMENTS AT THIS MEETING.
FOR THE SAKE OF THE TRIBE AND IT MEMBERS VOTE DOWN THESE AMENDMENTS.
FOR SOME REASON THE EC IS EVEN INCLUDING TRIBAL MEMBERS IN THIS POWER GRAB.THEY ARE TRYING TO FOOL THE MEMBERS YET AGAIN INTO GIVING THE EC MORE POWER OVER THE RESERVATION AND ALL THE RESEDENTS INCLUDING MEMBERS.
I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS JUST ANOTHER WAY FOR THE EC TO USE THIS AS A WEAPON AGAINST THE MEMBERS OF THE TRIBE. ALSO THIS COULD BE A WAY FOR THEM TO INFORCE THE DEAD LAND ASSINDMENT AMENDMENT THAT WAS VOTE DOWN A COUPLE OF MEETINGS AGO.THINK ABOUT IT.
VOTE IT DOWN FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE RESERVATION AND IT'S MEMBERS.

Anonymous said...

Very powerful letter. I just want to add an important note regarding the list of lawyers:


THE BIGGEST MISSING LINK ON THIS LIST OF SCAVENGERS IS....

HOWARD DICKSTEIN

Robert will never divulge how much he (Dickstein) has been paid, probably since much of the money paid to him was from the casino and it's a well known open secret that he was paid a percentage of the casino revenue. Sounds like a management agreement to me, but the NIGC won't touch this with a ten foot pole.

Now, I've even seen Howard arrive on a limo directly from the French Valley airport courtesy of Pala Tribe on one occasion. I even have pictures, but he's not on this list???!!! O-U-T-R-A-G-E-O-U-S! This went on for years...so tell me why Dickstein isn't on this list???!!!

Now, you may be interested in knowing that Jane Zerbi is his partner, but still, why is Dickstein ELIMINATED ENTIRELY from this list? Is it because he is the main puppet master who can't afford another controversy? Can you say Rumsey?

Don't worry, his multi-million dollar pad in San Francisco, his jet and his collection of Ferrari are just the tip of the iceberg in the lavish lifestyle that you, Pala Members, have allowed because you give Robert Smith unlimited power to do whatever he pleases. ARE YOU TOO IGNORANT TO SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL???

By the way, do you think that there is just one per capita check level paid to members? Why do you think he has such loyalist? Can a little extra money each month buy complete ignorance and loyalty? Yep, you betcha.

There are zero checks and balances in place at Pala, and that is exactly why you, Pala Members, are in the mess you are in. So, go ahead and give away what little powers you have left, really, you have done such a good job being complacent, what is one more failure on YOUR part.

Funny thing is, most of you are too blind to see it...or at least you are being paid off to look the other way.

Anonymous said...

I heard that his cronies get twice what the regular members get, that is why their per-cap has not gone up. He only gives raises to those who do things for him. Do the members really know how much each member gets? When he disenrolls the Lugos then the members should get more, but will he really share the way he is suppose too? Another family disenrolled will ruin the tribe for sure.

Anonymous said...

I am 65 years old, we have never had problems like this,this is what the E.C.brings us,is hate,stealing from members,kicking them off the rolls,now trying to kick members off there land.The next step is the E.C. will take there money,if we don't stop them ,the feds, will close our casino,no one will get a check,what will we do ? .It is coming,this will effect the whole tribe.Its time for a change,on our res. vote them out.Dont give them this power,vote no to everything at the meating.Yes for 20,000.

Anonymous said...

I tell what you dumb-ass no brain,puppets will do, you will go back to your Government cheese hand outs,what has happened to all the brave warriors?When casino closes I have a house that's needs painting and weeds cut so I you don't vote it down You can come work for me.

Anonymous said...

Vote no on everything the E.C. wants to pass Wednesday,or some of your families will get kicked off the res.This will cause a lot of problems ,for the people living on the res.even the members.The E.C. is causeing a lot of problems for all of us.Take a look to see what they have already done.PalaRes your not even safe,it don't matter how much you stick up for Rob,your family might be next we all know your blood,and family tree.

Anonymous said...

Robert's Agenda is his admission to using attorneys without the right approval and he used them for his own personal suits and for the other members of the EC. He is also admitting that the general council is in charge of disenrollments, but the general council did not disenroll the Brittens, the EC did. What is his ulterior motive for this? He disenrolled without a tribal vote, why is he asking for the general council to give him the power to exclude them on these decisions. Then the disenrollments must be wrong, the disenrollees never got to vote on their own judgement. He just keeps taking more and more. I hope Pala people are smart enough to know this is a trick and could be the ruin of Pala. Funny how when the disenrollees try to fight, people comment on how we might ruin things for Pala, well it obviously is not us ruining things for Pala.

Reinstatement_Restitution said...

The disenrollees could never ruin things for Pala as much as Robert Smith has. Those that fear harm from the disenrollees are probably minions of the EC. They must be getting extra money for hurting people on the rez, and fear the disenrollees will try to change things by restoring the power and authority of the General Council.

The simple fact is that the disenrollees never did anything to harm Pala. Meanwhile Robert Smith has wreaked havoc, abused elders, fostered drug-use, enticed members into crime and corruption, hired thugs to beat up people, disenrolled legitimate members, and on and on.

So who has the record of ruining things at Pala? One of my teachers once told me that the best predictor of the future is what's happened in the past. So expect the trend to continue. Robert Smith and the EC will continue to ruin Pala. The disenrollees will continue to be blamed for things they have nothing to do with.

Whenever he's backed into a corner Robert Smith lies. He has never once accepted responsibility for his actions. It's always someone else's fault. These attempts to get General Council endorsement for his evil agenda are easy to see through. If the GC gives him the power he will abuse it. Haven't you Pala members learned this by now?

Anonymous said...

Looks like the Pala EC is getting it's way again by gaining power over the Tribe and its members. It seems that everyone is afraid of them for some reason.
I don't really think that it is all about the money.
I think that the Members are afraid of losing their homes and being evicted from the Reservation.
But they must realize that what they voted for a tonights meeting, could make their rears a reality. Yes they gave some more power to the EC by Robert tricking them.
There was a motion on the floor that the amendments be turned down, and in that same motion it was asked if the members would get a xmas bonus.
Robert stated that we would get a bonus this year and that the EC was working on it and it would be out asap.
And then everything kinda went to shit after that.
It was like fuck the rest of the meeting we are getting a bonus.
So motions were make by the EC cronies and passed some were passed.
This Tribe is in big trouble and doesn't even know it.

Anonymous said...

Wow, guess Robert knows how greedy the people really are. How long will that bonus last? Don't they get enough money from reg per-capita? They all just sold their souls to the devil, better start saving their money! The funniest thing is that Robert steals about $100 million a year from the tribe, even if there was 1000 members that would be an extra $100,000 per member per year, that is much better than a bonus of 10 or 20 thousand. Just get rid of Robert, Theresa, And Dion and the members would not be begging for a bonus, you would not need to, since it is not suppose to be about the money. Right? How sad.

Anonymous said...

How many of the pala employees were ordered to show up for the meeting and vote Robert's way or else be fired. How many families were threatened that if they did not show up to vote for his agenda that he would begin evicting their family members. Oh about 75 or 76 of them. What is truly sad is that most of them should not be voting in the affairs of the pala reservation. They are not from pala. They are Cahuilla a and they know it. What does it say in that phony constitution again. oh yes. or if your name appears on the census roll of another tribe. Cahuilla Morongo census. oh yes it does. Easy pickings for Robert's next disenrollment fantasy. Just vote Eric in and see it done. What goes around comes around.

Anonymous said...

NO ON ERIK GARCIA ORTEGA,MEANS NO MORE DIS-ENROLLMENTS.
WE DON'T NEED ANYMORE PROBLEMS FOR PALA.VOTE NO FOR ERIC ORTEGA GARCIA.

Anonymous said...

According to what Erick's friends are saying there will be more disenrollments coming soon after the voting is over and the newly elected take office.
SAVE THE BAND AND VOTE NO ON ERICK ORTEGA GARCIA. WE DO NOT NEED HIM SAYING YES, OK ROBERT TO EVERU THING.
He is not a leader, he is a yes man.

Anonymous said...

Maybe the tribe should make a motion to have no disenrollments before it is too late for the Lugos, it is not something that you all want to go through. We, the disenrolled will probably support you with our prayers, but don't think we won't say we told you so. SAVE YOUR MONEY! That bonus seems like a lot. but it won't last you through Christmas, you know it, but you should save it or pay off any debts, because if it is coming to your door, you won't have that per-cap anymore and it is instantaneous, same with your healthcare, poof, gone and nothing you can do about it except for to research your family history, go to court after court after court while you watch your family separate and choose sides, (the side with the money) and they will not be allowed to have you over or talk to you on the rez, do something about it now, you have been warned, we were not.

Anonymous said...

NOT THAT I GIVE A SHIT, BUT WHERE IS PALA REZ THESE DAYS.I THINK WE ALL NEED A GOOD LAUGH.

Anonymous said...

eric is for disenrollments,i talked to him ,watch out Lugos,he knows,your family tree.

Anonymous said...

Eric has all the doc's for the Lugo blood line. I wonder what he is doing with them. I think he got the from Robert to study for coming events.

Anonymous said...

Eric is also saying that Smith says that the Ted Linton Family Members shouldn't be on the Tribal Rolls either, because Ted was put on by Julia Calac as a favor to Eva Reiner.
Eva adopted Ted Linton from her brother Clarence Linton and Julia Calac made him a Tribal Member saying that Eva was his real mother.
We saw these papers at Eric's house just a couple of days ago.
You people better take this shit seriously. If you elect Eric you are in BIG,BIG trouble.