Pechanga Casino Shutdown Threatens Wealthy Tribal Members; Disenrolled Know How it Feels

Felon Ray Basquez, Jr

With the Pechanga Resort & Casino closed for business, and 4,500 employees laid off.  One group of casualties never mentioned is the remaining tribal members who face the horrible threat of  LOSS OF PER CAPITA ! (omg!)

Pechanga isn't the only tribe who disenrolled their own, Chukchansi, Pala, Redding are just a few to face the uncertain future of no income. And tribal gaming generates over $3 billion per month, it's affecting tribal nations across the country.

The 11,000 of us, who've been disenrolled have faced this issue, the loss of per capita, in the last 20 years. Pechanga also cut our health care benefits, something the remaining members aren't facing. *yet*. Since they don't keep a close eye on the financials, and what tribal leaders spend.  There may not be funds available like they are expecting.

In fact, from our friends at PALA WATCH, this comment came up about the tribe's method of paying per capita:    The per cap we get paid for March is from revenues earned in December. We are always three months behind on per cap. This was said at several meetings by both Robert Smith and Theresa Nieto. If they don't have the money then where did it go? Also, if there is no money for per cap then all services must shut down. You can't have money for one part of the distribution plan and no money for the other parts.  

Some advice from disenrolled:

1. Use your savings (Hey, Pechanga stole a billion from us, No rainy day fund?)
2. GET A JOB.  That's what that yahoo felon Ray Jr. told our elders
3. Get free food from the casino (oh, Pechanga members did that already)
4. Have a yard sale to raise money.
5. Sell your new trucks to cut debt
6. Don't pay your mortgage until you have to give up your home


Tribal citizens should now look at what their black hearted action of supporting the disenrollment of their friends and family did.  They should do the right thing, and demand that justice is done and bring the people HOME.

Pechanga Tribal Member STRICKEN with Coronavirus; PLEASE PRAY for Strength to Recover

Sad news via FB pages. She's so young. Her relations harmed my family and others. But we cannot wish anything but strength from Creator to heal this young mother from this horrible virus unleashed upon us from China.

Prayer for Brandie

Creator
Sing her a song
that will heal her pain
Heal her heart and spirit
So her children will know
her love lasts forever
Creator
Help her nurses and doctors
find the cure through
healing medicines and care

OPEN LETTER to B.I.A, Senate and House of Represenatives Regarding Stimulus to Indian Country

Dear Senators, Congresspersons, and Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs,

 

Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico and Senator Martha McSally of Arizona fought hard to add provisions for funding of tribal health needs in President Trump's stimulus package signed Friday March 27th. 

While many Native Nations deserve and need funds, all tribes do not have the same or even similar needs. Populous tribes that do not have gaming revenue like the Hopi with over 15,000 citizens are not on the same footing with small tribes like the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation who share revenue from a successful casino with 36 citizens. Due to disparity in population and economic stature I am suggesting that not every tribe be considered equally.

As sovereign nations each tribe should be considered individually, and some tribes should not be considered at all, or moved to the bottom of the list.  Tribes such as the Pechanga Band of Lusiseño Indians in Temecula CA, Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians of Coarsegold, CA, Nooksack Tribe of Deming, Washington, and Pala Band of Mission Indians in North San Diego County, CA, are among the most egregious violators of civil and human rights in Indian Country and should not be receiving federal funds that enable them to harm their own citizens.  

Tribes are semi-dependent sovereigns and their right to determine membership is inalienable. However, when tribes refuse to follow tribal law, or the Indian Civil Rights Act and deny tribal members the full rights of due process, they are wielding sovereignty as a club. Sharyl Lightfoot, PhD University of Minnesota wrote a decade ago on the role of sovereignty issues in tribal matters, specifically in the matter of the denial of treaty rights and disenrollment of the Cherokee Freedmen:

CORONAVIRUS: How it AFFECTS our Bodies

I am embedding this well done CDC video on the #coronavirus and it's affects. Please watch and share with your families, your friends and even your in laws.

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