Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Is VIOLENCE the ONLY Way to Get the BIA involved in Tribal Disputes?


It’s disconcerting to look to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for help in tribal disputes, including disenrollments..  Many times, we hear them say “we can’t help” or “it’s an internal matter”.   We saw this to be the case in the recent upheaval that the Chukchansi Resort and Casino.

Take a look at the progression of quotes from Troy Burdick, the BIA’s Central California Superintendant:

2/26/21012

The Chukchansi tribal government was formed under rules that, Burdick says, keep federal authorities from stepping in -- even though the BIA has intervened twice in Chukchansi election issues since 1992.

OP:  Mr. Burdick blames ‘the rules’.   
2/27/2012

Reached Monday evening, Troy Burdick, the BIA's Central California Agency superintendent in Sacramento, said, "I'm sure there is something we can do to resolve this. We are going to try to do what we can. I don't want to say anything to make it any worse."

OP:  Apparently the rules had changed in ONE day from not being able to step in to.. “I’m sure there’s something we can do.
So the question is WHAT changed?   Was it the violence?   Is the BIA saying that they will step in when there is violence involved?    Is that NOW a course of action at San Pascual and Pala?

RELATED STORIES

Read this editorial in the Fresno Bee
More on San Pascual
Read this NCTIMES story on Pala


18 comments:

nickey said...

this can not stand

nickey said...

When we, the Chukchansi people, began this struggle to stop dis-enrollment, we vowed to be nonviolent. But what good was that after a KNIFE was stuck inside my cousins' stomach sending him into emergency surgery. The attempted killer (who was identified) was not charged with any crime. The Madera Co Sheriff said he deserved it for being part of the occupy movement. If that didn't get BIA to step in, what will? Does someone have to die to get them to do the right thing? I know a lot of Chukchansi people who vow not to give up our struggle. I'm sure we'll be in the news again.

Anonymous said...

Thats sad ,yes I heard the police stood back as burning logs were tossed into the trailer!

I cannot believe it.

Anonymous said...

yes it was because of the violence, look at what happened and who were involved, and what the media caught on camera. No offecne to the other guys cusin who got stabbed but he wasn't bleeding everywhere, the other guy was once you put that on TV, bloody people, you get more results. If no one was hurt and nobody acted stupid then nobody would have stepped in, and the BIA would actually have taken you more seriously, but now there just thinking this tribe is the red headed step child that there going to have to deal with and are probaly working something out so they dont have to deal with this tribe any more, think about it, regarless of a casino and money how many problems does this tribe have and does the government really want to deal with a soverign government that cant even take care of its self.

for ALL nations...for ALL chukchansi people said...

i believe that with the corruption, conflict, and violence going on both within the tribe and at the chukchansi gold casino the feds should shut down the casino NOW and do a complete investigation...

both tribal and casino funds have been misused, and the revenue allocation plan violated...what paortion of FRAUD, EMBEZZLEMENT, AND INDIAN CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS/HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS doesn't congress or the bia understand???

nickey said...

I would love to see the casino shut down. I would hope that doing that would save the tribe,but I don't think it will. I believe if we shut down the casino we shut down our federal recognition. But I also believe the losing the casino and the recognition will be better than letting the atrocity of dis-enrollment continue on. I'm still enrolled. I still have some power.

Anonymous said...

let it begin for all Indian Brothers and Sisters REGAIN YOUR BIRTHRIGHT ALL NATIONS RISE UP THE INDIAN WAY OF SILENCE HAS ENDED GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CARE UNLESS WE FIGHT FOR OUR HERITAGE WHAT SAY YOU STOP TALKING AND BEGIN THE REVOLUTION AGAINST CORRUPTION POLYSQWALIS SAYS

Anonymous said...

let it begin for all Indian Brothers and Sisters REGAIN YOUR BIRTHRIGHT ALL NATIONS RISE UP THE INDIAN WAY OF SILENCE HAS ENDED GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CARE UNLESS WE FIGHT FOR OUR HERITAGE WHAT SAY YOU STOP TALKING AND BEGIN THE REVOLUTION AGAINST CORRUPTION POLYSQWALIS SAYS

Anonymous said...

Do we start a revolt at mega- productions? There has to be an inside the United States movement & revolt!

Must we shout from the rotunda of the D. C. Capitol... must one of us martyr & sacrafic, in a big way.

Our empowerment is we still have genuine Indian brothers & sisters.

We are strong...we have strong genuine Indian leaders to voice these travesties.

INDIAN POWER! INDIAN POWER!! INDIAN POWER!!!

Anonymous said...

why dont you start doing some peaceful marches down the streets of washington D.C. like the blacks did that worked out. if any person is seriouse why dont you pull your head out of you ass listen for the pop and start acting like a human being and move on with your life, get a real job, take care of your family, and enjoy watching TGIF on ABC with the faimly and watch them grow and have there own families. That would be the right thing to do.

Anonymous said...

Learn how to spell pechanga tribal member.....pull your head out!

Anonymous said...

seriouse,faimly (you work at the Bia right)? jajajajajaja

Anonymous said...

March 15, 2012 11:36 AM "Anonymous said...
why dont you start doing some peaceful marches down the streets of washington D.C. like the blacks did that worked out. if any person is seriouse why dont you pull your head out of you ass listen for the pop and start acting like a human being and move on with your life, get a real job, take care of your family, and enjoy watching TGIF on ABC with the faimly and watch them grow and have there own families. That would be the right thing to do."


We say the problem with your thinking is we are getting on with our lives. You are the one who took time out of your fulfilled life to stop by and show how Concerned you really are. If you didn't care or have concern, you would be doing something more productive with your day. Today is a new day and the beginning of the rest of our life. Thanks for showing your Concern. True CPP propaganda

Anonymous said...

Thugs no chance of intellectual stimuli here.

smokeybear said...

How much more of these "Human and Civil Rights Violations" can "Indian Country take? "Violence" is starting to rear its "Ugly Head." This is what happens when "Corrupt and Criminal Acts" are not delt with, and the B.I.A. doesn't act reponsibly to end this "Foolishness."....

Anonymous said...

Where was the BIA when the head of Pechanga's Enrollment Committee's house was shot at because it was rumored she was in favor of the Hunters? Did anyone even report it to the FBI? Where were the protests when the Pechanga Tribal Council illegally and with total disregard of Pechanga's own Constitution, overturned passage of a legitimate petition to stop ALL disenrollments? It's the apathetic attitude of the disenrolled and people on the illegal moritorium that precludes anyone from stepping in. Kudos to the author of this Blog, but I think the only thing to really get the authorities attention is mass demonstrations and blockades of the Casino and entrance to the reservation.

Anonymous said...

STOP BEING WEAK STOP BEING HELPLESS! Fight for your heritage! Stop human and civil rights violations! Stop the corruption of criminal acts! MASS DEMONSTRATIONS!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

In my opinion the sheriff there and the BIA are taking bribes. That's why they don't do their jobs.