Our elected representatives in Sacramento and in Washington D.C. need to be made aware of this situation. Letters, phone calls and faxes are the most effective - emails just get lost
The point is that they are elected to address our concerns, if they hear from enough people, they will become aware. We are the voters - we have the power --
Yes this may cost a few stamps and long distance phone calls --
Another option is to find and join one of your local Democratic clubs and put the issue to them, and ask if they will take action.
Find clubs here:
http://www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.980219/k.9421/Local_Parties.htm
Our California U.S. Senators are Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein --
Contact their field offices, (not the D.C. Offices)
Ask for hearings and investigations into the civil rights abuses and enforcement of the Native American Civil Rights Act
Senator Barbara Boxer:
Inland Empire local office
201 North E Street, Suite 210
San Bernardino, CA 92401
(909) 888-8525
(909) 888-8613 fax
Senator Diane Feinstein
San Diego local office
750 B Street, Suite 1030
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 231-9712
Fax: (619) 231-1108
FInd your U.S. Congressmen in Washington DC, and your State legislators in Sacto here:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ type in your zip code -- then click on 'contact' when the reps name comes up it will give you mailing addresses and phone numbers
for congressmen - contact the local field office - it takes ages for anything to be read as far as mail in DC phone calls to DC would be okay - but letters take too much time.
For the state representatives, contact the local field offices and their Sacto offices
I would also suggest contacting state attorney general Jerry Brown's Sacramento office
Attorney General's Office
California Department of Justice
Attn: Public Inquiry UnitP.O. Box 944255 Sacramento, CA 94244
(916) 322-3360 or
(Toll-free in CA)
(800) 952-5225
Thanks Becky and hey, a postcard is less expensive, but can be effective
Thursday, February 26, 2009
My Civil Rights Were Violated by My Tribe! Won't Somebody Do Something?!
I've heard this a few times from many groups, Pechanga disenrolled, Freedmen, Picayune and Snoqualmie. They cry out in anguish, rightfully, about how they were mistreated, screwed, violated and hurt.
But the funny thing is, there are lots of questions like, WHY won't somebody DO something to help us?
Yet, many times, when requested to join in a local picket line, or to fax a letter or to make some calls, it's SILENCE. "uh, I can't make it." "I don't have anyone to watch the kids" "I don't have a fax" "I don't like to talk on the phone" "can't someone else do it?" "you have a blog, why don't you do it?" "I did work on some of the other stuff, I did my part, now it's someone elses turn." "I've given up, but call me if we get something ."
Pretty comical, that many want SOMEONE ELSE to do the lifting, but don't want to help anymore.
Think about this in just the case of Picayune Rancheria. There were 500 disenrolled people from that tribe. Is there a website for them? NO. Are they visiting THIS blog, where we have highlighted Chukchansi's issues? NO. Maybe 7 are COMMITTED (Hi Cathy!)to their struggle, but I'm sure all 500 would expect to get their rights back. Let's see, 500 letters or phone calls to congress or 7, which would have the most impact?
In our case, there are probably 30 active from two familes of about 300. 300 letters or 30? Which is greater? I can't decide... oh, maybe the 300. Imagine if their FRIENDS got involved!
800 letters or 37? It's estimated there are 10,000 Freedmen who are lacking their proper rights. 10,000 letters, or 100? ONLY ONE Creek Freedmen was at the Candlelight Vigil at Pechanga! ONE!
It's about IMPACT people and NOW, when we have a new administration in place, we need to increase the volume. That's what we have is numbers of PEOPLE. The tribes who don't care about your civil rights have MONEY, and we can't match that. It takes good, old fashioned W-O-R-K.
Visits to blogs regularly help drive up the ranks and make sure that those will be looking in know that people are watching. And this type of help can be done from the comfort of your own office. Not trudging uphill in the snow....
http://www.airro.org/
http://www.pechanga.info/
http://www.tribalcorruption.com/
http://www.teetilawuncha.blogspot.com/
http://www.stopwintufraud.com/
http://www.originalpechanga.blogspot.com/
http://www.thecreekfreedmen.com/
Time to get on the bandwagon....and build awareness. I await your comments.
But the funny thing is, there are lots of questions like, WHY won't somebody DO something to help us?
Yet, many times, when requested to join in a local picket line, or to fax a letter or to make some calls, it's SILENCE. "uh, I can't make it." "I don't have anyone to watch the kids" "I don't have a fax" "I don't like to talk on the phone" "can't someone else do it?" "you have a blog, why don't you do it?" "I did work on some of the other stuff, I did my part, now it's someone elses turn." "I've given up, but call me if we get something ."
Pretty comical, that many want SOMEONE ELSE to do the lifting, but don't want to help anymore.
Think about this in just the case of Picayune Rancheria. There were 500 disenrolled people from that tribe. Is there a website for them? NO. Are they visiting THIS blog, where we have highlighted Chukchansi's issues? NO. Maybe 7 are COMMITTED (Hi Cathy!)to their struggle, but I'm sure all 500 would expect to get their rights back. Let's see, 500 letters or phone calls to congress or 7, which would have the most impact?
In our case, there are probably 30 active from two familes of about 300. 300 letters or 30? Which is greater? I can't decide... oh, maybe the 300. Imagine if their FRIENDS got involved!
800 letters or 37? It's estimated there are 10,000 Freedmen who are lacking their proper rights. 10,000 letters, or 100? ONLY ONE Creek Freedmen was at the Candlelight Vigil at Pechanga! ONE!
It's about IMPACT people and NOW, when we have a new administration in place, we need to increase the volume. That's what we have is numbers of PEOPLE. The tribes who don't care about your civil rights have MONEY, and we can't match that. It takes good, old fashioned W-O-R-K.
Visits to blogs regularly help drive up the ranks and make sure that those will be looking in know that people are watching. And this type of help can be done from the comfort of your own office. Not trudging uphill in the snow....
http://www.airro.org/
http://www.pechanga.info/
http://www.tribalcorruption.com/
http://www.teetilawuncha.blogspot.com/
http://www.stopwintufraud.com/
http://www.originalpechanga.blogspot.com/
http://www.thecreekfreedmen.com/
Time to get on the bandwagon....and build awareness. I await your comments.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Curry: Human and civil rights abuses not acceptable in Indian Country
Rebecca Curry of Lake County News has an excellent Op-Ed piece on Civil Rights and the many California Tribes abuses of the Indian Civil Rights Act.
In the summer of 2007, The Lake County Democratic Club and the Lake County Democratic Central Committee voted unanimously to endorse the California Native American Justice and Equal Economic Opportunity Legislative Initiative.
The resolution to support this Legislative Initiative was introduced to Lake County Democrats by Mr. Robert Edwards, a disenrolled member of the Enterprise Rancheria No. 1, of Maidu Indians. Mr. Edwards was Vice Chair of the Tribal Council. He and 70 other members of Enterprise Rancheria No. 1 were disenrolled in the winter of 2003.
We had hoped that our support, that a public endorsement and by notifying our legislators of the importance of this issue, that we would signal our belief that this action should result in enforcement of the legislation that allows American Indians the same civil rights, as well as the right to due process enjoyed by all Americans.
That legislation is the Native American Civil Rights Act that was enacted by Congress in 1968.
We support reform of the Indian Civil Rights Act in such a way that this would be possible. Our hope was to provide some of the 3000+ Indians in California who are being victimized by corrupt tribal governments the right to due process at the state and federal level.
The state of California must move to enact legislation that will insert the enforcement of the Indian Civil Rights Act into the gaming compacts.
The situation has now come to crisis in Lake County.
I am concerned about the possible violation of Indian civil rights happening at Robinson Rancheria.
When citizens voted for Indian gaming in California, they voted with the understanding that gaming revenues would improve the conditions of tribal people in the areas of jobs, health, education and general welfare on the Rancherias.
IN what appears to be a “form of genocide” that is being committed by the tribal government at Robinson Rancheria, tribal people have lost jobs and health benefits, loss of elders assistance including a senior meal program, loss of education benefits, and the loss of tribal cultural identity as a member of one’s tribe.
I have asked our state and federal legislators open an investigation on the growth of human and civil rights violations in Indian country, so that these civil rights issues can be addressed.
I am urging citizens in Lake County to contact our state and federal legislators to follow suit.
Read the rest at the link above. Thank you Rebecca for speaking out.
In the summer of 2007, The Lake County Democratic Club and the Lake County Democratic Central Committee voted unanimously to endorse the California Native American Justice and Equal Economic Opportunity Legislative Initiative.
The resolution to support this Legislative Initiative was introduced to Lake County Democrats by Mr. Robert Edwards, a disenrolled member of the Enterprise Rancheria No. 1, of Maidu Indians. Mr. Edwards was Vice Chair of the Tribal Council. He and 70 other members of Enterprise Rancheria No. 1 were disenrolled in the winter of 2003.
We had hoped that our support, that a public endorsement and by notifying our legislators of the importance of this issue, that we would signal our belief that this action should result in enforcement of the legislation that allows American Indians the same civil rights, as well as the right to due process enjoyed by all Americans.
That legislation is the Native American Civil Rights Act that was enacted by Congress in 1968.
We support reform of the Indian Civil Rights Act in such a way that this would be possible. Our hope was to provide some of the 3000+ Indians in California who are being victimized by corrupt tribal governments the right to due process at the state and federal level.
The state of California must move to enact legislation that will insert the enforcement of the Indian Civil Rights Act into the gaming compacts.
The situation has now come to crisis in Lake County.
I am concerned about the possible violation of Indian civil rights happening at Robinson Rancheria.
When citizens voted for Indian gaming in California, they voted with the understanding that gaming revenues would improve the conditions of tribal people in the areas of jobs, health, education and general welfare on the Rancherias.
IN what appears to be a “form of genocide” that is being committed by the tribal government at Robinson Rancheria, tribal people have lost jobs and health benefits, loss of elders assistance including a senior meal program, loss of education benefits, and the loss of tribal cultural identity as a member of one’s tribe.
I have asked our state and federal legislators open an investigation on the growth of human and civil rights violations in Indian country, so that these civil rights issues can be addressed.
I am urging citizens in Lake County to contact our state and federal legislators to follow suit.
Read the rest at the link above. Thank you Rebecca for speaking out.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Another Crack in the Sovereignty Dam: USSC limits Fed's Authority to Hold Land Into Trust
The Supreme Court on Tuesday limited the federal government's authority to hold land in trust for Indian tribes, a victory for states seeking to impose local laws and control over development on Indian lands.
From WaPo
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday limited the federal government's authority to hold land in trust for Indian tribes, a victory for Rhode Island and other states seeking to impose local laws and control over development on Indian lands.
The court's ruling applies to tribes recognized by the federal government after the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act.
The U.S. government argued that the law allows it to take land into trust for tribes regardless of when they were recognized, but Justice Clarence Thomas said in his majority opinion that the law "unambiguously refers to those tribes that were under the federal jurisdiction" when it was enacted.
The ruling comes in a case involving the Rhode Island-based Narragansett Indian Tribe and a 31-acre tract of land that the tribe purchased in rural Charlestown, about 40 miles south of Providence.
At issue was whether the land should be subject to state law, including a prohibition on casino gambling, or whether the parcel should be governed by tribal and federal law.
"Thanks to the crystal clarity of this decision, however, there can be no confusion that Rhode Island has the power and the ability to protect our citizens' rights, health, safety and welfare everywhere in our state," Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch said in a written statement.
Jack Killoy, an attorney for the tribe, said he was disappointed that the ruling could cast a legal shadow over the land holdings for tribes like the Narragansetts that were federally recognized after 1934.
"The court has narrowly construed a statute intended to benefit all Native American tribes and reversed 75 years of federal Indian policy," Killoy said. "It affects so many tribes throughout the country that Congress is going to need to address this."
From WaPo
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday limited the federal government's authority to hold land in trust for Indian tribes, a victory for Rhode Island and other states seeking to impose local laws and control over development on Indian lands.
The court's ruling applies to tribes recognized by the federal government after the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act.
The U.S. government argued that the law allows it to take land into trust for tribes regardless of when they were recognized, but Justice Clarence Thomas said in his majority opinion that the law "unambiguously refers to those tribes that were under the federal jurisdiction" when it was enacted.
The ruling comes in a case involving the Rhode Island-based Narragansett Indian Tribe and a 31-acre tract of land that the tribe purchased in rural Charlestown, about 40 miles south of Providence.
At issue was whether the land should be subject to state law, including a prohibition on casino gambling, or whether the parcel should be governed by tribal and federal law.
"Thanks to the crystal clarity of this decision, however, there can be no confusion that Rhode Island has the power and the ability to protect our citizens' rights, health, safety and welfare everywhere in our state," Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch said in a written statement.
Jack Killoy, an attorney for the tribe, said he was disappointed that the ruling could cast a legal shadow over the land holdings for tribes like the Narragansetts that were federally recognized after 1934.
"The court has narrowly construed a statute intended to benefit all Native American tribes and reversed 75 years of federal Indian policy," Killoy said. "It affects so many tribes throughout the country that Congress is going to need to address this."
Schwarzenegger SO BAD, We should Apologize to Gray Davis!
Peter Hecht lets us know about this and Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro has said that the governator practices the "politics of PURE EVIL" and well, Chairman Macarro should know whereof he speaks, as that's what he practices.
GOP delegate wants apology for Davis recall
You have got to believe that the California Republican base is dispirited when a delegate at this weekend's state party convention is circulating a resolution to apologize to former Democratic Gov. Gray Davis for recalling him from office.
But that is exactly what party delegate Alex Burrola is suggesting.
The resolution, underscoring some party activists' seething displeasure with "post-partisan" GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, reads as follows:
"Whereas, in 2003 a grassroots effort was begun to recall then-Governor Gray Davis from office on grounds which included gross mismanagement of the budget and finances of the State of California;
"...Whereas, candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger campaigned as a reformer and champion of fiscal discipline and responsibility who would bring change and reform to government which it sorely needed;
"Whereas, in the subsequent years Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has instead proven to govern as a tax and spend politician precisely similar to the one he campaigned to replace in the recall election;
"Whereas, the trust and confidence of Republicans has been betrayed and shattered by Governor Schwarzenegger's repeated and ongoing efforts to collaborate with Democrats in the Legislature to seek solutions to the state's fiscal crisis by irresponsible borrowing and increasing taxes and refusal to make the needed reductions in state spending;
"Whereas, Governor Schwarzenegger's current budget solution includes more than $14 billion in higher taxes on sales, income, gasoline and the car tax which he specifically attacked Governor Davis for raising;
"Whereas, it is plain that Governor Schwarzenegger has abandoned the most basic tenets of Republican ideology and rendered the whole purpose of the 2003 recall pointless;
"Therefore, be it resolved that the California Republican Party officially extends a heartfelt and sincere apology to former Governor Gray Davis for its role in recalling him from office."
Sorry Gray
GOP delegate wants apology for Davis recall
You have got to believe that the California Republican base is dispirited when a delegate at this weekend's state party convention is circulating a resolution to apologize to former Democratic Gov. Gray Davis for recalling him from office.
But that is exactly what party delegate Alex Burrola is suggesting.
The resolution, underscoring some party activists' seething displeasure with "post-partisan" GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, reads as follows:
"Whereas, in 2003 a grassroots effort was begun to recall then-Governor Gray Davis from office on grounds which included gross mismanagement of the budget and finances of the State of California;
"...Whereas, candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger campaigned as a reformer and champion of fiscal discipline and responsibility who would bring change and reform to government which it sorely needed;
"Whereas, in the subsequent years Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has instead proven to govern as a tax and spend politician precisely similar to the one he campaigned to replace in the recall election;
"Whereas, the trust and confidence of Republicans has been betrayed and shattered by Governor Schwarzenegger's repeated and ongoing efforts to collaborate with Democrats in the Legislature to seek solutions to the state's fiscal crisis by irresponsible borrowing and increasing taxes and refusal to make the needed reductions in state spending;
"Whereas, Governor Schwarzenegger's current budget solution includes more than $14 billion in higher taxes on sales, income, gasoline and the car tax which he specifically attacked Governor Davis for raising;
"Whereas, it is plain that Governor Schwarzenegger has abandoned the most basic tenets of Republican ideology and rendered the whole purpose of the 2003 recall pointless;
"Therefore, be it resolved that the California Republican Party officially extends a heartfelt and sincere apology to former Governor Gray Davis for its role in recalling him from office."
Sorry Gray
Monday, February 23, 2009
Pechanga Poses Problem to Bereaved Family. No room at the Inn
On Saturday, February 21st, the family of Sophia Madariaga celebrated her life. Pechanga provided a problem for the family, one more time.
As Sophia lived on the reservation, continually for over 40 years and her husband, Hunter family ELDER Lawrence Madariaga, still does. The family was looking to have their memorial at the Pechanga Senior Center. A deposit was placed but the family was turned down by the Silver Feathers, one final insult to the woman who fed, and diapered many of those people's children when they needed it.
Congratulations to Pechanga, for providing the disrepect, that people come to expect.
As Sophia lived on the reservation, continually for over 40 years and her husband, Hunter family ELDER Lawrence Madariaga, still does. The family was looking to have their memorial at the Pechanga Senior Center. A deposit was placed but the family was turned down by the Silver Feathers, one final insult to the woman who fed, and diapered many of those people's children when they needed it.
Congratulations to Pechanga, for providing the disrepect, that people come to expect.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Snoqualmie banishment case ripping apart tribe
We reported this story back in July with "Worthless BIA Allows Shadow Government...."
a story that generated over 150 comments from those banished and those who supported destroying families..
By Lynda V. Mapes
Seattle Times staff reporter
Former members of the Snoqualmie tribe took the stand in federal court this week to fight what they say was an illegal banishment from the tribe.
They include the former chairman of the tribe, as well as several council members and an Indian tribal spiritual leader among nine former members in all seeking to overturn their banishment.
After hearing a day and a half of testimony, U.S. District Court Judge James L. Robart won't rule until March at the earliest.
At issue is whether the banished tribal members received due process, including adequate notice and an opportunity to speak on their own behalf.
The judge would not take testimony on other issues, including a disputed election before the banishment last April, or which tribal leaders were the legitimately elected ones.
The controversy has embroiled this tribe of about 650 members, which opened a $375 million casino in November just a half-hour drive from downtown Seattle.
The dispute dates back to a council election in May 2007, which some tribal leaders contend had serious irregularities.
Banishment is a rare practice among Coast Salish tribes, and is the most extreme punishment within Indian Country. A banished person is no longer a member of their tribe and cannot go on tribal grounds or receive tribal benefits.
The banished took the stand to say they were barred from entering the meeting by armed Issaquah police officers hired as security by the tribe. OP: Sounds like what happened at San Pasqual, see video on the sidebar.
"We were treated like criminals," said Carolyn Lubenau, a former council member who was banished that day by her tribe.
She and others testified that they stood outside in the cold for nearly four hours, without any chance to enter the meeting and defend themselves, or hear the charges against them.
Read the full article in the SEATTLE TIMES
a story that generated over 150 comments from those banished and those who supported destroying families..
By Lynda V. Mapes
Seattle Times staff reporter
Former members of the Snoqualmie tribe took the stand in federal court this week to fight what they say was an illegal banishment from the tribe.
They include the former chairman of the tribe, as well as several council members and an Indian tribal spiritual leader among nine former members in all seeking to overturn their banishment.
After hearing a day and a half of testimony, U.S. District Court Judge James L. Robart won't rule until March at the earliest.
At issue is whether the banished tribal members received due process, including adequate notice and an opportunity to speak on their own behalf.
The judge would not take testimony on other issues, including a disputed election before the banishment last April, or which tribal leaders were the legitimately elected ones.
The controversy has embroiled this tribe of about 650 members, which opened a $375 million casino in November just a half-hour drive from downtown Seattle.
The dispute dates back to a council election in May 2007, which some tribal leaders contend had serious irregularities.
Banishment is a rare practice among Coast Salish tribes, and is the most extreme punishment within Indian Country. A banished person is no longer a member of their tribe and cannot go on tribal grounds or receive tribal benefits.
The banished took the stand to say they were barred from entering the meeting by armed Issaquah police officers hired as security by the tribe. OP: Sounds like what happened at San Pasqual, see video on the sidebar.
"We were treated like criminals," said Carolyn Lubenau, a former council member who was banished that day by her tribe.
She and others testified that they stood outside in the cold for nearly four hours, without any chance to enter the meeting and defend themselves, or hear the charges against them.
Read the full article in the SEATTLE TIMES
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The Descendents of Cherokee Black Slaves
UPDATE: I'm bumping this up as the comments continue to swell.
The folks at Hudson and Holland Scholars have a talk scheduled. Did YOU know that the Cherokees were slavemasters to African people? Did you know they dragged their slaves with them on the "Trail of Tears"? Who cried more, the Cherokee or their SLAVES?
The descendents of Cherokee black slaves
February 13, 2009
The Descendents of the Cherokee Freedmen: Victims of Sovereignty?"
12pm at the Eigenmann 6th Fl Room 621
Talk by Delphine Criscenzo (African American and African Diaspora Studies)"
The descendents of Cherokee black slaves have been faced with severalactions on the part of the Cherokee Nation to revoke their citizenship.
These efforts climaxed in March 2007 and have given birth to an importantwave of resistance. The Cherokee Nation says that their sovereignty as an Indian Nation gives them the right to decide who gets to be Cherokee.
On theside of the descendents of the Cherokee Freedmen, they did not choose to beinvolved with the Cherokee Nation, nor did their ancestors. Is history stillrelevant or are the descendents of the Freedmen the victims of an Indianstruggle to maintain their sovereignty?"
The folks at Hudson and Holland Scholars have a talk scheduled. Did YOU know that the Cherokees were slavemasters to African people? Did you know they dragged their slaves with them on the "Trail of Tears"? Who cried more, the Cherokee or their SLAVES?
The descendents of Cherokee black slaves
February 13, 2009
The Descendents of the Cherokee Freedmen: Victims of Sovereignty?"
12pm at the Eigenmann 6th Fl Room 621
Talk by Delphine Criscenzo (African American and African Diaspora Studies)"
The descendents of Cherokee black slaves have been faced with severalactions on the part of the Cherokee Nation to revoke their citizenship.
These efforts climaxed in March 2007 and have given birth to an importantwave of resistance. The Cherokee Nation says that their sovereignty as an Indian Nation gives them the right to decide who gets to be Cherokee.
On theside of the descendents of the Cherokee Freedmen, they did not choose to beinvolved with the Cherokee Nation, nor did their ancestors. Is history stillrelevant or are the descendents of the Freedmen the victims of an Indianstruggle to maintain their sovereignty?"
Thursday, February 19, 2009
PECHANGA SHAME: Without a Tribe's Second Anniversary
Yes, readers, Pechanga SHAME.
This week is the second anniversary of the KNBC NEWS piece WITHOUT A TRIBE. Originally airing in February 2007, this broadcast was one of the highest rated stories. It did so well that they repeated it in its entirety the next day.
In this piece, you can see Pechanga Tribal Spokesman Mark Macarro being caught in a LIE, in his first 16 seconds on air.
The story shows how the Pechanga Tribe hired noted anthropologist Dr. John Johnson to research the ancestry of Paulina Hunter. He proved she was Pechanga and MORE SO than any other family of the tribe. Yet, the Bobbi LeMere led, Frances Miranda-Ihrene Scearse backed enrollment committee did NOT use the report they paid for, instead, using hearsay from an imprisoned child molestor. Bobbie, Frances or Ihrene would not want that person babysitting their grandchildren, but they WOULD let him destroy the heritage of hundreds of the tribe.
Please watch WITHOUT A TRIBE at this link, and then ask yourselves who has a bigger incentive to LIE, Macarro or Dr. Johnson?
Here's what tribal disenrollments are being compare to.
This week is the second anniversary of the KNBC NEWS piece WITHOUT A TRIBE. Originally airing in February 2007, this broadcast was one of the highest rated stories. It did so well that they repeated it in its entirety the next day.
In this piece, you can see Pechanga Tribal Spokesman Mark Macarro being caught in a LIE, in his first 16 seconds on air.
The story shows how the Pechanga Tribe hired noted anthropologist Dr. John Johnson to research the ancestry of Paulina Hunter. He proved she was Pechanga and MORE SO than any other family of the tribe. Yet, the Bobbi LeMere led, Frances Miranda-Ihrene Scearse backed enrollment committee did NOT use the report they paid for, instead, using hearsay from an imprisoned child molestor. Bobbie, Frances or Ihrene would not want that person babysitting their grandchildren, but they WOULD let him destroy the heritage of hundreds of the tribe.
Please watch WITHOUT A TRIBE at this link, and then ask yourselves who has a bigger incentive to LIE, Macarro or Dr. Johnson?
Here's what tribal disenrollments are being compare to.
Tribal Disenrollment Protest in Sacramento: More of the story
Chloe Auletta-Young Interviewing in Sacramento.Poor Magazine has done a story on the protest in Sacramento agains tribal disenrollment. The reality of how many have been hurt by California's tribes primarily is finally gaining its voice. Thank you Chloe, for being there to hear our tales of corruption, civil rights violations by our OWN TRIBES.
Chloe Auletta-Young/PNN
Thursday, February 19, 2009;
On February 5th, 2009, I approached the State Capital in Sacramento for the first time in my life. I find it fitting that my reason was to witness a protest at its doorstep, California Native Americans uniting to charge certain tribal leaders with corruption, and to urge congress for more oversight and regulation. As the crowd trickled onto the north-side grounds of the building, those associated with the press started to make themselves known. As this was my first time working under this designation, I momentarily stepped into voyeurism to see how the others operated. At one point, a man obviously affiliated with some variation of corporate media stepped onto the scene with his large camera equipment and loudly asserted, “I need to get a statement from someone here, I don’t really care who,” only to get his brief interview and then promptly leave without gaining perspective on any of the happenings. I decided this was not the approach I wanted to take, so I went about my own way of piecing together the context for the event.
The crime is the unjustified disenrollment of Native Americans from their traditional tribe, not only stripping them of their ancestral right to belong, but also the educational, medical, and financial support provided by their governments. The root cause is an alarmingly inequitable distribution of casino earnings, triggering immense poverty on certain reservations, while others reap the benefits of an industry with annual revenue in the billions. “Reservations are essentially third-world countries here in the US, some operating with no running water, electricity, or stable education system,” said Quanah Brightman, Vice President of United Native Americans Inc., the hosts of the protest. He asks a very fair question, “Where is all the money going?”
Click the link above for the rest of the story
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Native Unity Blog has story on Pechanga Per Capita
Bobbie O'Neill at Native Unity Blog was nice enough to link to a story we posted on Pechanga Per Capita. Please check out Bobbie's blog for good articles on Indian Country.
You'll see why the argument that "it's not about the money" doesn't deserve much credence.
You'll see why the argument that "it's not about the money" doesn't deserve much credence.
Filipino-American Boycott of Pechanga Temporarily Lifted
MABUHAY Radio supports the Pechanga people that have been disenfranchised by the Pechanga Tribal Council. They have been boycotting Pechanga since early this year and will only LIFT the boycott for ONE day. Thank you to the Filipino people who support this action.
An ongoing boycott of the Pechanga Resort and Casino will be lifted by the Filipino-American sanction organizers, as initiated by the MabuhayRadio.com. The one-day lifting is due to the performance at Pechanga by some Filipino and Filipino-American entertainers. The boycott is the result of the continuing discrimination being practiced by the current leaders of the Pechanga Tribe on some tribal members whom they ousted from the community on flimsy grounds.
The MabuhayRadio.com has joined the boycott of the Pechanga Resort-Casino and continues to urge all its readers and the Filipino-American community to boycott the said resort. This website fought very hard against the propositions that were sponsored by the Pechanga and three other Indian casinos, as described in these articles, Please Vote “No” on Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97 and Media Breakfast Club Follows MabuhayRadio and Endorses the “No” Votes on Props. 94, 95, 96 and 97
The boycott continues after the show on February 21. In fact, the www.mabuhayradio.com will undertake a more-energized boycott of the Pechanga Resort and Casino until and unless the tribal leaders will take back the ousted members of the tribe and restore their civil rights. The MabuhayRadio.com staff compares the immoral and illegal action of the Pechanga tribal leaders not only to the infamous violations of civil rights in history but also as the “equivalent of ethnic-cleansing abomination.” More data about the Pechanga “ethnic cleansing” are found in this website, www.airro.org and/or http://originalpechanga/blogspot.com
An ongoing boycott of the Pechanga Resort and Casino will be lifted by the Filipino-American sanction organizers, as initiated by the MabuhayRadio.com. The one-day lifting is due to the performance at Pechanga by some Filipino and Filipino-American entertainers. The boycott is the result of the continuing discrimination being practiced by the current leaders of the Pechanga Tribe on some tribal members whom they ousted from the community on flimsy grounds.
The MabuhayRadio.com has joined the boycott of the Pechanga Resort-Casino and continues to urge all its readers and the Filipino-American community to boycott the said resort. This website fought very hard against the propositions that were sponsored by the Pechanga and three other Indian casinos, as described in these articles, Please Vote “No” on Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97 and Media Breakfast Club Follows MabuhayRadio and Endorses the “No” Votes on Props. 94, 95, 96 and 97
The boycott continues after the show on February 21. In fact, the www.mabuhayradio.com will undertake a more-energized boycott of the Pechanga Resort and Casino until and unless the tribal leaders will take back the ousted members of the tribe and restore their civil rights. The MabuhayRadio.com staff compares the immoral and illegal action of the Pechanga tribal leaders not only to the infamous violations of civil rights in history but also as the “equivalent of ethnic-cleansing abomination.” More data about the Pechanga “ethnic cleansing” are found in this website, www.airro.org and/or http://originalpechanga/blogspot.com
Repost of Letter To Senator Dorgan; Please send in a request
February 17, 2009
Senate Indian Affairs Committee
838 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington , D.C. 20510
(202)228-2589 fax
Re: Request for Committee and field hearings on civil rights violations in Indian Country
Dear Chairman Dorgan and Honorable Committee Members:
I respectfully submit this letter as a request to your Committee to hold hearings on the growing number of civil rights abuses occurring in Indian Country.
The number of civil rights violations in Indian Country has reached epidemic proportions. Thousands upon thousands have been stripped or denied the basic due process and equal protection rights provided for in the United States Constitution, the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 (“ICRA”), and tribal laws.
Most recently, a report by the Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) referenced the fact that internal tribal disputes “seem to be occurring more and more frequently”. In response to the growing number of these types of disputes, the GAO felt it was necessary and appropriate that nominees to the Secretary of Interior be asked how they would address such issues.
The responsibility to address this issue does not lie with the Secretary alone. The number of civil rights violations in Indian Country will continue to grow unless Congress once again takes action, just as it did in enacting the ICRA, to further protect individuals from the “arbitrary and capricious” actions of tribal governments. Considering the current situation and an environment which rewards the villain and punishes the victim, I ask you, “How do you plan to address this problem?”
I believe that hearings on the current civil rights situation in Indian Country are not only warranted, they are long over due. Therefore, I respectfully request that your Committee hold hearings as an initial step to further action that will uphold and enforce the rights of those who, to date, have been stripped of or denied the basic rights guaranteed by law.
I trust you will thoughtfully consider my request, and I will eagerly await your response.
Respectfully submitted,
Senate Indian Affairs Committee
838 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington , D.C. 20510
(202)228-2589 fax
Re: Request for Committee and field hearings on civil rights violations in Indian Country
Dear Chairman Dorgan and Honorable Committee Members:
I respectfully submit this letter as a request to your Committee to hold hearings on the growing number of civil rights abuses occurring in Indian Country.
The number of civil rights violations in Indian Country has reached epidemic proportions. Thousands upon thousands have been stripped or denied the basic due process and equal protection rights provided for in the United States Constitution, the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 (“ICRA”), and tribal laws.
Most recently, a report by the Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) referenced the fact that internal tribal disputes “seem to be occurring more and more frequently”. In response to the growing number of these types of disputes, the GAO felt it was necessary and appropriate that nominees to the Secretary of Interior be asked how they would address such issues.
The responsibility to address this issue does not lie with the Secretary alone. The number of civil rights violations in Indian Country will continue to grow unless Congress once again takes action, just as it did in enacting the ICRA, to further protect individuals from the “arbitrary and capricious” actions of tribal governments. Considering the current situation and an environment which rewards the villain and punishes the victim, I ask you, “How do you plan to address this problem?”
I believe that hearings on the current civil rights situation in Indian Country are not only warranted, they are long over due. Therefore, I respectfully request that your Committee hold hearings as an initial step to further action that will uphold and enforce the rights of those who, to date, have been stripped of or denied the basic rights guaranteed by law.
I trust you will thoughtfully consider my request, and I will eagerly await your response.
Respectfully submitted,
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
UCLA Student addresses Sen. Byron Dorgan on Tribal Disenrollments
Disenrollment issue brought to Senator’s attention
Senator Byron Dorgan (SD- Dem), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
, held a listening session for tribal leaders at UCLA earlier today. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs which is responsible for hearing issues affecting Indian tribes and Indian .
The purpose of the listening session was to allow tribal leaders from the region to address Senator Dorgan
regarding their priorities and concerns. Representatives from Pechanga, Morongo, San Manuel, and other regional tribes talked about a wide range of issues pertinent to their communities. However, it may have been the remarks of a non-tribal leader that drew the most attention.
An unexpected speaker, a UCLA student, caught many tribal leaders off guard as he came forth and addressed Chairman Dorgan regarding the growing number of disenrollments occurring in Indian Country in general and California in particular. While tribes have the authority to determine their own membership, there is a growing concern that many tribes have violated the basic human and civil rights- such as those set forth in the United States Constitution, the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, and other tribal, state, and federal laws- in the disenrollment and denial of membership of thousands of California Indians.
The issue of disenrollment, as well as civil rights violations in Indian Country, had not been addressed by any of the tribal leaders in their presentations to the Chairman. And it was apparent that some tribal leaders wish the issue would have not been brought to the attention of Chairman Dorgan at such an event.
It is now up to the Chairman and the Committee as to how they will take the information gathered from today's listening session and address the issues brought forth. More importantly, how will the Committee address the concern regarding disenrollment and basic rights violations now that it has been formally presented to them in an open forum.
Senator Byron Dorgan (SD- Dem), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
, held a listening session for tribal leaders at UCLA earlier today. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs which is responsible for hearing issues affecting Indian tribes and Indian .
The purpose of the listening session was to allow tribal leaders from the region to address Senator Dorgan
regarding their priorities and concerns. Representatives from Pechanga, Morongo, San Manuel, and other regional tribes talked about a wide range of issues pertinent to their communities. However, it may have been the remarks of a non-tribal leader that drew the most attention.
An unexpected speaker, a UCLA student, caught many tribal leaders off guard as he came forth and addressed Chairman Dorgan regarding the growing number of disenrollments occurring in Indian Country in general and California in particular. While tribes have the authority to determine their own membership, there is a growing concern that many tribes have violated the basic human and civil rights- such as those set forth in the United States Constitution, the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, and other tribal, state, and federal laws- in the disenrollment and denial of membership of thousands of California Indians.
The issue of disenrollment, as well as civil rights violations in Indian Country, had not been addressed by any of the tribal leaders in their presentations to the Chairman. And it was apparent that some tribal leaders wish the issue would have not been brought to the attention of Chairman Dorgan at such an event.
It is now up to the Chairman and the Committee as to how they will take the information gathered from today's listening session and address the issues brought forth. More importantly, how will the Committee address the concern regarding disenrollment and basic rights violations now that it has been formally presented to them in an open forum.
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