Sen. Dianne Feinstein's Bill Poses Problems for Enterprise Rancheria. We Say: GOOD. This Tribe Should Not Benefit from Stripping Rights From Citizens

A bill by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein could pose a problem for Enterprise Rancheria as the tribe nears the end of its quest to open a Yuba County casino.

The bill, co-authored by U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, would clarify standards for a tribe wanting to build a casino project outside areas considered its traditional ancestral area.

Though based in Oroville, tribal members of Enterprise Rancheria, also known as the Estom Yumeka Maidu, have said Yuba County was also part of the lands where their ancestors roamed.

Tribal chairwoman Glenda Nelson  (OP: HALL OF SHAME MEMBER) said she thought there was a low possibility of Feinstein's bill affecting the casino's viability, because her tribe's connection to the region is solid.

"Sometimes these bills have different effects," Nelson said, adding the two-step process her tribe is going through, requiring approval from both state and federal authorities, could differentiate Enterprise Rancheria from the kinds of projects Feinstein's bill is aimed at.

Nelson also pointed out the tribe maintains an office in Marysville and partners with other tribes on a health clinic for tribal members in Yuba City.
The proposal for the Enterprise Rancheria hotel and casino, near Sleep Train Amphitheatre on Forty Mile Road, is with the federal Office of Indian Gaming for a final decision on whether the tribe could take the land into trust.

Feinstein's bill, S. 771, the Tribal Gaming Eligibility Act, would allow tribes to open casinos on land taken into trust only if the tribe could demonstrate a substantial modern and aboriginal or ancestral connection to the land.

"The fact is that some tribes have abused their unique right to operate casinos and have ignored the intent of Congress by taking land into trust miles away from their historical lands," Feinstein, D-California, said in a statement announcing the legislation last month. "This is done simply to produce the most profitable casino and the greatest number of potential gamblers, often with little regard to the local communities."

Mooretown Rancheria, an Oroville-based tribe that operates Feather Falls Casino near Oroville, sent Feinstein's office a letter supporting the bill.

"We have a unique perspective on this issue because out-of-state investors have come to our area seeking to move tribes from their aboriginal and historic areas in an effort to develop casino projects in areas closer to population centers," says the April 27 letter signed by Mooretown Rancheria chairman Gary Archuleta. 

Archuleta has opposed Enterprise Rancheria's plans, describing them as "reservation shopping," a term also used by Feinstein in her announcement of the legislation.
The press release specifically mentioned California, which has 58 Indian casinos operating, as ground zero for such issues. The bill was introduced and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Feinstein also made reference to a 2006 study showing increased crime and addiction problems in California cities where a casino opened nearby, as well as a strain on local government budgets.
In 2005, Yuba County residents opposed the casino with 52.1 percent in an advisory ballot measure. Yuba County supervisors in 2002 approved a memorandum of understanding with the tribe to cover impacts if the casino is built.

Nelson said she's not sure when the federal government will give final word on taking land into trust, adding only five tribes have completed the two-step process since 1988, when the federal bill allowing Indian casinos was passed.

"If we didn't think we'd be successful, we wouldn't still be going through it," Nelson said. "We are in our area."

Tribal Reps from Civil Rights Violating Tribes Redding Rancheria, Pechanga and Enterprise DENIED Opportunity to Meet With President Obama

In a bit of good news regarding justice in Indian Country, know human and civil rights violators nominated to represent Indian Country in meeting with President Obama denied opportunity to attend meeting.   

Mark Macarro of Pechanga, was nominated to be the representative of the western region:   DENIED
OP BLOG Hall of Shame Member and Nominee from Enterprise Rancheria Glenda Nelson:       DENIED
The nominee from Redding Rancheria, which eliminated the Foreman Family 8 yrs ago:           DENIED

WHO SAID LETTER WRITING AND SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATORS WON'T WORK?

Thank You to White House Staff for DENYING violators a meeting with our President.  And CONGRATULATIONS to  ROBERT SMITH from PALA for being the west coast representative.

President Obama to Host Tribal Nations Conference; Tribes with Human Rights Violations To Attend.

Below is the tentative schedule for the Tribal Nations Conference hosted by President Barack Obama. One elected tribal leader from each federally recognized tribe is invited to attend the December 16th event. Additionally, there is a smaller meeting on December 15th where the President will meet with one tribal leader from each of the 12 BIA Regions. Tribes from the respective regions have been asked to nominate a tribal leader to represent their region.  We understand that leaders from both Redding Rancheria and the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, who have violated the human and civil rights of their citizens and reservation allottees.

It is a shame that tribal leaders who have violated the human and civil rights of their own citizens and many others have been invited to attend. It would be an even greater injustice if a tribal leader responsible for such egregious acts is actually selected by the White House to participate in the December 15th meeting with the President.   They should be relegated to the 'back bench' and given the courtesy due, say, white leaders of South Africa from pre 1990's.

Tentative schedule for White House Tribal Nations Conference
Monday, December 6, 2010

President Barack Obama will host the second White House Tribal Nations Conference on Thursday, December 16.

The event will take place at the Interior Department in Washington, D.C. The tentative schedule follows:
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM -- Opening Session (Open to Press)
9:45 AM -12:15 PM -- Break Out Sessions (Closed Press)
12:15 PM - 1:45 PM -- Lunch
1:45 PM - 3:30 PM -- Closing Session (Open to Press)

THOUSANDS of tribal citizens and others have had their civil and human rights violated by tribal people from:  Redding, Picayune Rancheria, Enterprise, Guidiville, Robinson Rancheria, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians.    Who'd have thought that the UN Declaration on Indiginous Human Right would reflect so poorly on our OWN Indigenous Leaders.

Picayune Rancheria, Civil Rights Violator, to Expand their Operations

Californians, if you REALLY care about violations of civil rights, then you want to drive RIGHT BY any business that supports known civil rights violations. Chukchansi is one, Pechanga another and Redding Rancheria still another

Everyday hundreds of travelers pass the Chukchansi Resort and Casino on their way to and from Yosemite National Park. Some stop to gamble and grab a bite ... but soon ... travelers will be able to buy gas, smokes, and a sandwich.

Case Lawrence said, "Chukchansi crossing is unlike anything in the Valley. It's going to be a Native American fuel outlet. It's going to see gas at a scale and volume that's really unheard of here in the Valley."

Lawrence is the CEO of Mighty Oak Capital ... the manager of the Chukchansi Tribe's funds. He says the tribe is trying to diversify their economy. Because it doesn't have to pay state or local taxes it can sell gas 30 cents cheaper than any other gas station in the Valley.

There's no question cheap gas is good for consumers and the creation of jobs will be good for the local economy. But there's a lot of mom and pop businesses up the road who are very concerned about their future.

Chet Shah is just a stone's throw from the new development. He's the first gas station travelers see after the casino.

"That is going to hurt all over the 41 from Coarsegold to Oakhurst ... and people is going to go there first because their price is going to be cheap. There's no restrictions for them and they can do anything they want to," said Shah.

Alan Lohuis owns the Coarsegold Market. He's watched the casino go up. He's seen the housing market boom and then crash. He's weathered it all ... but this new development might be more than his small market can handle.

Alan Lohuis said, "As the economy is really hard right now. It's going to make things even tougher. That's basically the bottom line. It's just gonna be one more to compete for the smaller pie."

Indian tribes receive legal benefits like tax exemptions from the federal government so they can have a leg up in competing with local businesses. What remains to be seen is whether that advantage will end up hurting the local economy.

Are Glenda Nelson and Jack Potter Jr Appropriate Choices or the Tribal Nations Leadership Council?

Glenda Nelson of Enterprise Rancheria and Jack Potter Jr. from Redding Rancheria are not just appropriate choices to sit on the Tribal Nations Leadership Council, they may be the best qualified to sit on the Council.

"How can that be?" you ask. Well, as our friends have noted: Who better to provide insight to the Department of Justice on civil rights than the biggest violator's walking the planet. As a commenter put it, it's like having a child molester babysit.

Quite simply, the U.S Department of Justice does not have the authority to enforce the Indian Civil Rights Act: http://www.justice.gov/otj/civilrights.htm

Thousands of Indians from throughout the United States understand all too well that the DOJ does not enforce the ICRA. And tribal leaders such as Nelson and Potter, as well as Mark Maccaro and Chad Smith, among others, know that the DOJ's failure to uphold federal law creates opportunities for them to violate the ICRA without fear of retribution. In Macarro's case, disenrollment of 25% of the tribe was worth more than $20,000 per month to him over the past four years! A $MILLION$ to him, his family and friends, EACH, is worth violating a few civil rights.

In fact, it might be said that some tribal leaders, Nelson and Potter included, have gained substantially both personally and politically due to the DOJ's failure to protect the citizens of the Enterprise and Redding Rancherias from the arbitrary and capricious acts which were outlawed by the ICRA. Power, money both influence corruption. And when you know Eric Holder won't do anything about it, why do what's right, when doing what's wrong is so much more lucrative.

All things considered, Nelson and Potter are perfect fits for a Department that has failed Indians and Indian Country time and time again. This particular Department of Justice has proven its incompetence time and again, such as not reading AZ's immigration law, denigrating it, while having a policy that supports it.

However, if you don't agree with this, and think that honor has a place in this committee, please feel free to express your concerns to the DOJ by contacting Tracy Toulou (Tracy.Toulou2@usdoj.gov) and Gaye Tenoso (Gaye.Tenoso2@usdoj.gov).