Disenrollment On the Agenda at California Healing Commission" One Small Step Can Lead to Another

 

Small steps can have big results.  We aren't there, but thankfully the California Native American Tribal Healing Commission had disenrollment on it's agenda.

Chukchansi descendent Cathy Cory spoke on the topic at the 2:25 mark in  THIS VIDEO   about the THOUSANDS of California Indians disenrolled by their tribes

Carmen Lucas spoke after Cathy.  

"I do feel very strongly that when folks have been part of an Indian tribe through many years, whether it's been part of a bloodline or years ago they were adopted, then all of a sudden they're disenrolled."  "That's a very strong, deep spiritual violation, much like a puncture wound" 

OP: Yes, a puncture wound to the heart and to the spirit of our ancestors

Comments were made in front of Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro. 

Council member Joseph Giovannetti (Tolowa) also spoke about some history of meetings he was involved in with Dennis Chappabitty.  And the BIA concept of blood quantum. 

JUNETEENTH Holiday Reminds US That NOT All Slaves Freed . 1866 For Native American Slaves of the Five "Civilized" Tribes

 And a reminder as we celebrate our new holiday JUNETEENTH.. ALL SLAVES weren't freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, nor Juneteenth

The Choctaw and Chickasaw Freedmen Still Suffering Racism from Tribal Hands

All my blog life, I have supported the Cherokee Freedmen in their quest for justice, both tribal and racial.  I have marched together with Creek Freedmen. This weekend, the Choctaw and Chickasaw Freedmen have come with an outstanding response the the Choctaw Nation's "Guide to McGirt v, Oklahoma" which omits their racist history.

I remind my readers, that when you read stories on the "Trail of Tears", you rarely if EVER hear about the black slaves the Cherokee dragged on that trail..as PROPERTY  Former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith once claimed their "slaves were well treated" 

Chukchansi Tribal Disenrollment Featured Prominently in Rob Capriccioso Piece On The Tribes Resurgence

ROB CAPRICCIOSO  has an excellent article on the resurgence of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, a despicable tribe in the central Valley of California.  The PRCI are one of the most egregious disenrolling tribes of this century. 

My hero, Cathy Cory, whom I've been honored to work with, and protest with over the past decade and a half is featured prominently on the disenrollment issue with the tribe.   Thank you Rob, for getting that information out there in TRIBAL BUSINESS NEWS

Cathy Cory, who along with her four children (one of whom was a minor at the time) was disenrolled from the tribe in 2006, is appreciative of the work Gonzales has done so far on the contentious disenrollment issue, especially compared to previous leaders who kept removing more and more members.

“She is a very strong woman, and has been able to stand in the face of much adversity within the tribe to bring things forward and hold her clear position on no further disenrollment at Picayune, and in growing the tribe,” Cory said. “For that, she deserves much credit.

“She is not in an easy place, either as a female in Indian Country leadership in general, and specifically in her position as tribal chair at Picayune, which has the dubious distinction of being constantly in disarray.”

Cory estimates that the tribe under the current leadership has brought back approximately 150 to 200 citizens who were disenrolled immediately before the major tribal infighting of 2014 that preceded the casino closure. But tribal citizens disenrolled in 1999 and 2006-2007 have not been allowed to re-enroll, she said, and she would like the current council to take that up.  

Congratulations to the tribe for making a comeback, but until they do the HONORABLE think, and bring all their people home, I'll keep bringing the issue up.

Pechanga Descendant Cassie Whitten Speaks On FIGHTING for Her Heritage, DENIED by Pechanga's Mark Macarro

 So proud of our cousin Cassie Whitten, who has lived on the Pechanga Rez most of her life.  My family, the descendants of Paulina Hunter, and Original Pechanga Temecula person still live on the allotment granted by the 25th President of the United States William McKinley.

WATCH please and if you are on TIKTOK please follow her.

@cassie.payomkawichum

Reply to @tristt9 and including us in the tribe! ##tribaldisenrollment ##nativetiktok ##pechanga ##payómkawichum ##hunterclan

♬ original sound - Cassie Whitten

We get lots of questions incldding   WHY do you/How can you still live on the rez if you are disenrolled?   We'll address that soon.  

Former QUAPAW Tribal Chairman John Berrey Faces Disenrollment and BANNED from Running for Office

 Disenrollment is in the Quapaw Nation code, but it's unknown if this punishment has ever been used when citizens commit crimes.  Is it the right punishment?

John Berry
photo Quapaw Nation

Former Quapaw Tribal Chairman John Berrey has been barred from running from office by the Tribal Nation's Business Committee. The decision was made earlier this week after someone challenged his run for vice-chairman in the upcoming elections.

Berrey was the Quapaw Nation's chairman for 20 years until he lost last summer to newcomer Joseph Byrd. Then, a few months later, information from an audit alleged Berrey gave bonuses and pay raises totaling in the millions to himself and others without approval from the Business Committee.

Read more here

Silence on Tribal Disenrollment by Advocacy Groups NARF, NCAI, NIGA and Interior Dept FAVOR THE OPPRESSORS

Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim Silence encourages the tormentor never the tormented
Eile Wiesel

Interesting how quickly the NCAI came out against the decision by the Dept. of Interior on the Mashpee Wampanoag people. Days, yet for over a DECADE, they've been completely SILENT on the abuses, the oppreession, the torment BY TRIBES on the disenrollment issue in fact MISSING IN ACTION.  

NARF, NCAI and NIGA

Professor David Wilkins, who has written extensively on disenrollment, calls out Native American organizations that we've written about who've buried their heads in the sand to avoid the topic of Indians abused by their own tribes.


Open letter to the leaders of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Native American Rights Fund (NARF), and National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA):

Dear Native Leaders,

Each of your organizations, founded at critical moments in native history–NCAI in 1944, NARF in 1970, and NIGA in 1985– have and continue to play vital roles in the political, legal, and economic development of Native nations. I write you all now to request that you continue to remain vital and relevant by taking an unequivocal stand against spurious disenrollment practices that destroy the human and civil rights of individual native citizens and threaten the sovereign powers of all Native nations.

NCAI is the largest (over 250 member nations) and one of the oldest interest groups representing indigenous peoples. The organization was born during the turbulent period when the federal government was aggressively moving to politically and legally terminate over 100 tribal nations. NCAI fought against giving state governments’ greater jurisdiction over tribal peoples and their resources, and fought against relocation policies that compelled thousands of tribal citizens off their homelands and into major urban areas.

Cherokee Freedmen Advocate Marilyn Vann Falls Short in First Election Bid

 From the ELECTION COMMITTE of the Cherokee NATION:

According to the EC, the other At-Large candidates were Marilyn Vann with 543 votes (22.06%); 

A good first attempt by Marilyn Vann who got THOUSANDS of Freedmen their rightful place ion the tribe.  Curious that she cold only get 543 votes.   You'd think her number would be over 1,000.   Shame that once people are in the tribe, they couldn't be bothered to get out and vote?

BONES FOUND at Harry & Meghan's Montecito Home ARE NATIVE AMERICAN

 

The bones were discovered while work crews were digging a trench for a construction project, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office reports.

Tribal Disenrollment: Choosing MONEY Over MORALITY in Casino Indian Country The NEW "Indian Way"

For over 14 years, we've written on the explosion of tribal disenrollments in casino Indian Country.  Tribes sing the same chorus, learned at disenrollment seminars about "correcting the membership rolls" when in fact, it's about usurping power, stealing per capita shares of casino profits and settling old scores in family disputes.

THEFT of per capita via tribal disenrollment is NOW OVER ONE BILLION DOLLARS.  Yes, it's about the money for casino tribes.

CHOCTAW FREEDMEN to Get Consideration for Tribal Membership Constitutional Amendment Needed

  

 We have written on the Choctaw Freedmen's fight to belong.  There has been a lot of pressure put on the Choctaw Nation, today their CHIEF Gary Batton announced in an open letter, they will launch an initiative to consider....  is it enough or a good start?

Today the Choctaw Nation is announcing the launch of an initiative to consider tribal membership for Choctaw Freedmen. Changing the tribal membership requirements will require a Constitutional amendment, which will require a vote from tribal members. To be successful, we'll have to tell the story of why we believe this is necessary and listen to tribal members' input. This initiative will engage Choctaw Freedmen, the Department of Interior, existing tribal members, our elected officials and membership department officials, and other Choctaw proud in listening sessions to present findings and a recommendation to Choctaw elected officials.

Reconnecting After The Trauma Of Pechanga Disenrollment by Pechanga Descendant Cassie Whitten

My young cousin, Cassie Whitten, who still resides on our family’s allotment on the Pechanga reservation in Temecula CA, gives her perspective on reconnecting with her heritage and her native spirit. So many of us who are older like me, feel the sting and injustice differently.  

Cassie suffered trauma after our disenrollment, after Pechanga chairman Mark Macarro sent his jackbooted tribal rangers to physically remove Cassie and her other young cousins from the tribal school.  PLEASE READ HER EXPERIENCE detailed here.

Dear LeBron James, Stand up Against Civil Rights Violations By YOUR SPONSOR The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians

 

Dear LeBron James, 

We know you have been outspoken about civil rights issues in the Black Lives Matter v. Police issue as well as voting issues in Georgia .  We ask that you stand up for over 11,000 LIVING Native Americans who have had their civil and human rights violated by tribal disenrollment.