Monday, June 29, 2020

San Manuel Casino GOES SMOKELESS, and Bar Less.

Good news for those who hate SMOKE FILLED CASINOS
San Manuel Casino will have NO SMOKING on the Casino Floors and
Bars will not be open Drinks will be served at SLOTS and TableGames



Sunday, June 28, 2020

ARE Disenrolling Tribes FUDGING the CARES Act Funds Allocation Numbers?

$1.9M in grants available; UNK outlines student CARES Act process

Woke up this morning to a twitter response from a University of Washington Associate Professor answering my query if tribes had to publicly state their populations to get their CARES disbursement. Well, yes and no. But we are finding some interesting facts.  And the traction in Congress on disenrollment may improve

The report from Harvard  HARVARD Dissecting The US Treasury...
 But first here was her quick rundown for us:

In brief, half of CARES $ is based on population; half is based on tribal govt FTE & budgets.  For population, feds aren't using tribal enrollment.  They're using Census data on # of AIAN on a rez or TSA. 

CENSUS DATA?   You mean from people actually LIVING on the reservations? Like say, MY cousins who are disenrolled?  I'm getting a quick head count, but we know not a lot still live on the rez, but MY family does, I think close to 40.  Was there count used?  Isn't that a good question to ask?

Attorney Gabriel Galanda on twitter:  Treasury didn’t like or trust the tribal enrollment numbers they originally requested, so they audibled to service area population data. Made it up as they went.

OP :NO WAY in Hell does Picayune Rancheria have MORE population than Pechanga after disenrolling HALF their tribe: Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians CA $7,991,043 $2,807,598 $5,183,446

Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians CA Treasury HUD enrolled Difference $910,833 $2,863,067 ‐ $1,952,234 We are all working our way through the numbers (don't laugh, I've got experts in the family) and will have more. But the next letter to Steve Mnuchin will be good.

A final thought from Attorney Galanda:  Interesting. If the base enrollment numbers are falsified—say, to include disenrolled members—there’s a federal False Claims Act play to be made against whatever tribal official signed the HUD data submission.

Should be no protection via sovereignty...

Saturday, June 27, 2020

Mark Macarro Beclowns Self/Tribe in Interview on CARES ACT


AYFKM?  Read this quote from Mark Macarro in LAW360's article on CARES act disbursements

That strict adherence to population never works well for Indian Country, particularly for California tribes," said Macarro, who said that "one of the ironies" of the pandemic is that his tribe's population has historically been "absolutely decimated by disease."


PECHANGA has been DECIMATED by DISENROLLMENT at the hands of MACARRO and his tribal Council!  25% of Macarro's tribe was wiped out by, NOT DISEASE, but disenrollment this century.
 

Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians tribal chairman Mark Macarro said he and his tribe were "astounded" by the amount of funding specific to tribes in the law but added, "This is probably one of the least clear deliveries of federal dollars that there really ever has been."

Friday, June 26, 2020

Pala Casino CRIMEWATCH: Katelyn Schwindt MISSING While At Pala Casino

UPDATE:    LOCATED SAFE.   On Friday, Katelyn Schwindt was located in Escondido in good health and told Escondido police that her being reported missing was a misunderstanding, SDSO said. 


Katelyn Schwindt, 27, posted a message on her Facebook page indicating she was at Pala Casino on Wednesday night.

Authorities were seeking the public's help Friday to find a woman who went missing from Pala Casino Spa & Resort in northern San Diego County.

Deputies from the Sheriff's San Marcos station received a call around 10:35 p.m. Thursday regarding a missing person, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The caller told deputies that Katelyn Schwindt, 27, posted a message on her Facebook page indicating she was at Pala Casino on Wednesday night and she thought she was possibly drugged and assaulted, sheriff's officials said.

Deputies and detectives from the San Marcos station investigated her whereabouts, but were unable to locate her.

Schwindt was described as a 5-foot-5, 135-pound white woman, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Thursday, June 25, 2020

:30 Video Sums up Tribal Disenrollment #NativeRightsMatter



From our protest in Sacramento, CA Four years ago.  What's changed? More of our young people are reaching out to help and to grasp at their heritage stolen by the abusers.

Disenrollment has HARMED the HEALTH of Native Americans


All disenrolled elders, who were enrolled in excellent health care provided by their tribes, have lost that and in many cases, they have been put on state taxpayers backs.

CASE IN POINT:

The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians in California studied its heath care needs for two years, and then enacted a mandatory group coverage policy for tribal members. “This has led to measurable improvement in the physical health of our tribe. Earlier this year, we opened a new exercise facility that contributes to and facilitates the health and wellness of our tribal citizens,” testified Mark Macarro, the band’s chairman, before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Sept. 18.

However, the IRS asked the tribe to demonstrate how the program was “need” based – or it would consider these taxable benefits. OP: Hunters were involved in the development of health insurance for Pechanga members AND were responsible for a health clinic being built on the reservation, NOW they don't qualify for either. There was a need for coverage for the 230 tribal members and another 250 dependents that were terminated! Factors in the tribe felt that others shouldn’t receive their rightful benefits.

“It appears to us that the IRS is interpreting ‘need’ as meaning only ‘financial’ need,” Macarro said. “From our perspective, this makes absolutely no sense. The Pechanga government has stepped in where the federal government has fallen short for our people. … Pechanga has decided not to wait on the federal government to fulfill its trust obligation to our people.” The basic issue is how the IRS interprets its “general welfare” exclusion. Sarah Ingram, the IRS commissioner for Tax Exempt and Government Entities, said there is a difference in the law between those who work for tribes as employers and tribal members. “Where there is no employer involved, the (tax) Code contains no provision that would allow a tribal member who is not a tribal employee to exclude the value of tribally-provided health care coverage.”

OP: There is NO financial need for the tribe to pay for members health care. Not with the $360,000 they are making now that the have cut blood members and relatives from the tribe.

Trahant: There are two ways to fix this mess. Congress could clarify the law (the route the IRS would prefer). Or a “revenue ruling” could easily fix this problem administratively, testified Scott Taylor, a professor of law at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. He cited other examples of such a governmental exclusion, including the Veterans Administration and Medicare. Taylor is an expert and was a professor-in-residence with the IRS.
Those who decry the under-funding of Indian health could come up with real appropriations and make the system whole.

OP: Exactly. Gaming tribes should be able to pay for health care for tribal members, said members can pay taxes on that health care to their dependents. Tribes who follow their tribal law should be held up as good examples, tribes like Pechanga which don’t should be handled separately, like a true sovereign nation. Don't lump the rich tribes in with the poor. And remember, Pechanga, via their unlawful moratorium and disenrollments, have foisted the health coverage of many onto the states, and they've created MORE poor people.

Pechanga Resort & Casino COVID 19 Cancels Concert Schedule

 
Pechanga Resort Casino run by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians,near Temecula announced Wednesday, June 24 that it has postponed or
canceled the remainder of its concerts for 2020.


The Pechanga resort, located in an apartheid reservation, that segregates their residents and restricts their movement announced via a news release that it was waiting until 2021 to have concerts for public health reasons.
“The health and safety of our guests, team members and community is and has always been our number one priority at Pechanga,” Jared Munoa, president of the Pechanga Development Corporation, said in a news release. “We decided to make this decision now so our guests were not left wondering about whether or not concerts would take place as previously scheduled. Avoiding mass gatherings is the prudent thing to do for public health, and we’ll look forward to bringing exciting concerts back when the time is right.”
Here’s a list of the shows that have either been postponed or canceled, notice many are in the age group susceptible to COVID 19.
  • Ana Gabriel – canceled – originally scheduled for Aug. 20, 2020
  • Tower of Power – June 26, 2021 (new date)
  • Johnny Mathis – July 17, 2021 (new date)
  • Los Angeles Azules – TBD
  • Chicago – TBD
  • Alejandro Fernandez: Hecho in Mexico Tour 2020 – TBD
  • Chaka Khan – TBD
  • The Go Go’s – TBD

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

PER CAPITA Payments DENIED by US Treasury with CARES ACT funds.

The U.S. Treasury published more guidance on the funding stating that a per capita distribution of funds was not allowable.  It further explained that direct citizen assistance should have a determination process.

‘Governments have discretion to determine how to tailor assistance programs they establish in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency,’ the document said.  ‘However, such a program should be structured in such a manner as will ensure that such assistance is determined to be necessary in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency and otherwise satisfies the requirements of the CARES Act and other applicable law.’

‘For example, a per capita payment to residents of a particular jurisdiction without an assessment of individual need would not be an appropriate use of payments from the Fund.’

Guidelines indicated that governmental entities could distribute relief through programs and would have scope and authority to shape programs to fit their needs.

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

FBI JUMPS to Investigate NASCAR for RACISM, BLIND to Tribal Corruption/Abuses


#FBI investigates garage door pulls at NASCAR but IGNORES Voter Suppression by KamalaHarris supporter Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro

The FBI won't look at:
Civil Rights Abuse
Human Rights abuses
Per Capita Theft of HUNDREDS of MILLIONS
Elder abuse
But what may simply be a GARAGE PULL gets an INVESTIGATION? 

Catholic Church removes Junípero Serra statue from San Luis Obispo Mission

While moronic posters try to pull down statues of people unconnected to slavery or racism (Stevie Ray Vaughn) The CATHOLIC CHURCH, which erred in beatifying Junipero Serra, gets it right

The Catholic Church abruptly removed a long-standing statue of Junípero Serra from the San Luis Obispo Mission on Monday, amid a reassessment of the missionary’s controversial history that includes abuses against Native Americans.

Monday, June 22, 2020

Tribal Disenrollment's Historical Trauma to 21st Century Native Youth

So proud of my cousin, Cassie Whitten, who explains the effects of disenrollment.   Tribal Heritage is stripped away, segregation ensues.
YOU CAN help, by SHARING this video after watching.



Cassie writes: 
Everyone had their own experiences and traumas and I do not want to offend anyone. I am simply speaking for me and my experience from being shunned and kicked out of my community, school, and cultural classes at AGE 7. I was a child that had every right to be going to school and learning from my people. This is my families land. It’s Paulina Hunters land. It’s my families land who are decedent(s) from her. Our families who are related to Paulina Hunter did not deserve this mistreatment, we are all from Pechanga. Everyone on this reservation knows who we are and that we belong here. It’s time to step up and make actual change, together. Do not be like the colonizers... that is not our people. This is not traditional.
Dr. John R. Johnson I want to thank you for helping my family. You are a blessing to us

Saturday, June 20, 2020

WALTER RUIZ RESPONDS to AIM Grand COUNCIL: GFY

Walter Ruiz, watch the video (I don't have an embed code) to see how he responds to finding out he and his chapter are no longer a Sanctioned Chapter with National AIM.

From Indigenous Activist Julian Sanchez
He responds to accountability by saying he wants NONE (We dont want to answer to no one) he says , HE/THEY are moving away from National and that HE wants to create a California AIM and make it how AIM used to be?

The toxic behavior, misogyny, disrespect, no accountability to the people of the land you reside on, treating elders like shit, treating women like shit and not giving a f**k about accountability, He had no real teachers OR he didn't listen and learn from them. He is all ego with no humility. 


AIM was first and foremost a spiritual movement, which is something he seems to know nothing about. More people and communities are bringing the truth out about him and his group that intimidates, disrespects and tries to force respect out of people and communities. F**K him, and all those that support him and his group

We will follow up when we get word from AIM on this issue. Walter Ruiz' appropriation of the American Indian Movement is shameful.
 
Video here on the then sanctioned AIM of SoCal's support of oil industry   and we published the letter from INDIGENATION, that exposed some of AIMSoCal's subterfuge.

Friday, June 19, 2020

Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro Says SCA 6 "Putting Mascara on.." a Lipsticked Pig

 

Mark Macarro, tyrannical chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, participated in a webinar Wednesday discussing the tribal perspective on SCA 6.
He dismissed the proposed changes to the bill sent to tribal leaders by Dodd the previous day.
“You’ve heard the expression lipstick on a pig? This adds the mascara on the same pig. It just got worse, is what happened. It talks about enforcement language, which is really enforcing the games the cardrooms will play, but after they get to legalize the illegal things they’re doing now.”
The proposed changes are intended to address two main tribal concerns through additional cardroom restrictions and a phasing-in of online sports betting. But the authors did not involve the concerned party in their drafting.

Thursday, June 18, 2020

AIM of So CAL has been UNSANCTIONED by AIM Grand Governing Council

We posted yesterday on this issue with So Cal AIM and their support of the oil industry, as well as their lack of respect for other Native Groups.  Frank Paro's NUCLEAR OPTION engaged here.

BACKSTORY:  The SoCalAIM chose sides in the Tongva disputes.  They would have done more good to get them all together, to solidify their claim for federal recognition.


From: American Indian Movement Grand Governing Council
Attn: Walter Ruiz Aim So Cal, Southern California, AKA AIM Santa Barbara

This email is to serve notice and inform you that the American Indian Movement of (So Cal) Southern Califonia, AKA AIM Santa Barbara is Officially Unsanctioned.

This email is to serve notice and inform you that the American Indian Movement of (So Cal) Southern Califonia, AKA AIM Santa Barbara is Officially Unsanctioned.

NCAI cares about DACA YOUTH Yet Silent on Disenrolled Children

National Congress of AMERICAN INDIANS continues to ignore American Indian Children, that have not been afforded the fundamental fairness and respect of their basic humanity but the tribes that disenrolled them.  But the virtue signaling for DACA is FRONT & Center

NCAI CARES about

See this link for more on the NCAI's WILLFUL Blindness the the over 5,000 Native American children harmed by tribal disenrollment. 

Tribes Virtue Signal In Support of BLM While IGNORING Civil Rights Abuses in Indian Country

Lisa Jimenez, disenrolled from the Wilton Rancheria has this insightful message of the current Black Lives Matter controversies/protests in the news. Tribes are scrambling to get message out of unity with our black brothers and sisters, yet are guilty of some of those same abuses.   Here's Lisa's statement



Tribes have been posting unity and equality messages in response to recent events around the BLM. The message is important and something we all need to stand behind. Inequalities of black, brown and indigenous peoples have been shaped by institutions of this country. Unfortunately, the inequalities and power mentality transferred to many tribes themselves. Positioning and politicking to cancel their own family members out of a tribe for their own greed.

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

PROTESTERS PULL DOWN Mark Macarro Statue Over Historical Abuses of Elders and Disenrollment

Enraged protesters were marching through Temecula, CA toppling racist statues when they came upon one standing at the entrance of Pechanga Casino. The  statue looked very, very odd. It even had some kind of obsolete bolo tie.  It kept saying things about people not not belonging and how  Indian kids can't go to the tribal school.

Illustration by I. Cuevas
Disenrolled Before She was Born
It's satire, Macarro is heavier
The rioters threw a lasso around the top of the statue after googling "How to tie a lasso" and arguing for a while about how lassos are racist. They then brought it tumbling down after graffitiing all over it.  DOWN WITH ELDER ABUSER!
GET OUT OF THE CORNFIELD

Unfortunately, the ugly, abusive statue turned out to be tribal chairman Macarro, who endoresed Kamala Harris for President (loser) . He kept shouting, did Elizabeth put you up to this?  My first cousin, Arlene?   The ROACH will keep this outta the news!!

**SATIRE ALERT!!

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Gabrieleno Kizh was FOR Expanded Drilling at Los Cerritos Wetlands? AIMSoCal Too?

We recently posted on the Kizh Nation and AimSoCal working in concert against other Gabrieleno Tongva groups. It's not first time, it appears. |


   rst time it

I've embedded a video from my YouTube Page.  AimSoCal and Kizh Chairman Andy Salas Jr, who I've worked with before, seem to be the only Native Groups SUPPORTING the expansion of oil drilling.   How can one be against oil pipelines at Standing Rock and FOR expanded oil drilling on ancestral lands?



America Indian Movement (SoCal) Taking Sides in Kizh-Tongva-Gabrieleno Dispute.

No photo description available.

The American Indian Movement of Southern California, itself a sub group of the AIM,  is taking sides in the Tongva v. Kizh Nation disputes?  There are numerous factions, and one of the reasons why there is NO FEDERAL RECOGNITION of any Tongva, Kizh, Gabrieleno. (fine print: I have worked with all the factions to move their issues forward)

The team from Indigenation, which has sponsored events on #stopdisenrollment in Sacramento and at the BIA,  has a statement:

Indigenation, its founders and organizers received confirmation that American Indian Movement—Southern California Chapter (AIMSoCal), has engaged in issuing false public statements and discrediting Tongva people, the original inhabitants in Los Angeles, Orange County, parts of Riverside, San Bernardino and Santa Barbara.
The full statement is here, click to enlarge the pictures.
CLICK TO ENLARGE


Thursday, June 11, 2020

How The REAL San Pasqual Tribe was ABUSED by the BIA


This petition is five years old, which is NOTHING in the time frame of abuse of Native Americans by the BUREAU of INDIAN AFFAIRS.  This information from attorney Alexandra McIntosh explains how the BIA took advantage of REAL Indians to install white interlopers in power.  You can learn more, by using the search bar on the upper left of this page for San Pasqual.


Please help the San Pasqual Indians.  The Bureau of Indian Affairs abused this tribe for more than 100 years.  The Bureau of Indian Affairs has denied 200 San Pasqual descendants their due process rights.
- The San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians are one of the only known Federally Recognized Indian tribes in the United States that the Bureau of Indian Affairs has any say over enrollment.

Morongo Casino Resort & Spa Employee TESTS POSITVE for COVID 19



An employee at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the company said Wednesday.


The employee, who management said did not have direct contact with guests, (OP: yeah, right) reported Monday that they had tested positive for COVID-19.

“In accordance with the health and safety protocols established by our healthcare consultants, MCRS has directed the team member not to return to work until medical professionals deem the person is healthy,” the company said in a statement.

According to the statement, the company had contacted 11 team members who interacted with the individual, though none reported experiencing any symptoms. The company said they were being tested for coronavirus and would not be allowed to return to work until medical professionals confirm they do not have the illness.

Morongo reopened May 22 to much fanfare after being closed for about two months due to public health orders with some major changes in an effort to keep staff and guests healthy.