It would seem reasonable, for other tribes affected by the Cherokee's decision to strip some of its people of their citizens, which, would be similar to the US removing descendents of slaves from US citizenship, to place some pressure on the CHEROKEE. Why should Congress support a sovereign nation that violates its people so badly?
Cherokee housing amendment may be at last stop
by: Jerry Reynolds / Indian Country Today
WASHINGTON - For months, Rep. Diane Watson and the Congressional Black Caucus have gotten all the attention on the Cherokee freedmen issue. The California Democrat has introduced a bill, H.R. 2824 in the House of Representatives, that would sever federal relations with the Cherokee of Oklahoma for a referendum vote of the tribe to, in effect, exclude the freedmen from membership. With the backing of the caucus, amendments echoing the bill would penalize the Cherokee in the realms of health care and housing.
The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, its lobbyists and allies have mounted a campaign against Watson's bill, arguing in part that it would penalize a tribe for determining its own citizenship, a cornerstone of sovereignty.
But upon the recent passage of a Senate bill reauthorizing the Native American Housing and Self-Determination Assistance Act, the freedmen-specific spotlight turns from Watson and the CBC to Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. After full debate and a pause in the legislative process for mediation efforts, the House version of the bill, H.R. 2786, emerged from the Financial Services Committee and passed the House with a provision that forbids housing funds to the Cherokee of Oklahoma under its provisions.
The Senate version is silent on the Cherokee. A conference committee of House and Senate members must now convene to iron out differences between the two bills. But as chairman of a committee of original jurisdiction, Frank retains a key say in the bill's disposition. According to several accounts on Capitol Hill, he remains firm that the amendment against Cherokee funding will not iron out in conference, and indeed that the bill will not emerge from conference without it.
''That's what I heard, and I guess it's true,'' said Christopher Boesen of Tiber Creek Associates in Washington, a veteran advocate of Indian housing. ''It's Frank's office did not respond to a request for comment. Pending court decisions, the freedmen remain tribal citizens as descendants of slaves and free blacks who lived among the Cherokee, most of them belonging to individual tribal members, before and during the Civil War.
OP: South Africa was a sovereign nation and we pulled our investments from there. Similarly, we shouldn't support a nation that treats its people badly, such as California Nations: Pechanga, Picayune, and Enterprise. Rep. Watson and CBC, there are other citizens who have been treated badly too, and hey, we have African-Americans in the Hunter family, terminated unconstitutionally from Pechanga.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Coming Soon: Another Crack in the Sovereignty Dam
Word is that at the beginning of next week, OR SOONER, there will be some news on court rulings against tribal disenrollment. Continued cracks in the dam of sovereignty, caused by Casino tribes who mistreat their people.
Stay tuned. This could help pending and upcoming lawsuits.
Stay tuned. This could help pending and upcoming lawsuits.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Sen. Jim Battin Offered NO Help to Nat. Americans whose Civil Rights Violated
Thank Goodness for term limits. Outgoing Senator Jim Battin ignores the plight of those disenfranchised Native Americans because he received over $350,000 in contributions. He voted their way most of the time. This new site has the information on how much our politicians are taking from sovereign nations.
http://maplight.org/map/ca/interest/X3400/view/all
http://maplight.org/map/ca/interest/X3400/view/all
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Banished Snoqualmie File Civil Rights Lawsuit
Lynda V. Mapes
Seattle Times staff reporter
Nine banished members of the Snoqualmie tribe have filed a federal lawsuit in the latest round of an ongoing fight for control of the tribe, poised to open one of the state's most lucrative gambling casinos this fall. Tossed out in April, the banished members, including the tribal chairman, several council members and a minister of the Indian Shaker Church, filed suit Thursday in U.S. District Court in Seattle, claiming violation of their civil rights.
Named in the suit are the Snoqualmie council members who banished them, stripping them of their tribal identity; barring them from tribal lands, and cutting them off from any tribal benefits, including health-care services. "This is a sad, sad time," said banished tribal member Lois Sweet Dorman. "This was supposed to be a time to celebrate together; the promise of prosperity to enable us to provide for our people. We worked so hard for our sovereignty. Most of us are elders of this tribe; this action is unbelievably harsh and cruel."
In the suit, attorney Rob Roy Smith of Seattle said the banishments should be overturned because his clients' liberties were illegally restrained by violation of the Indian Civil Rights Act. Passed by Congress in 1968, the act is intended to safeguard the fundamental civil rights of tribal members, such as their right to due process, free speech and peaceable assembly. The banished had no opportunity to confront their accusers or exercise their right to free speech, and were unlawfully accused of "treason" and meeting as an "illegal shadow government" in violation of their right to peaceable assembly, according to the suit. They are also denied their liberty in being barred them from tribal lands and services, the suit stated.
Matt Mattson, tribal administrator, declined to respond except by e-mail on Friday: "The tribe is not aware of the suit and really cannot comment without knowing more details.(What do you think? They aren't aware?)
Read related story HERE and HERE
Seattle Times staff reporter
Nine banished members of the Snoqualmie tribe have filed a federal lawsuit in the latest round of an ongoing fight for control of the tribe, poised to open one of the state's most lucrative gambling casinos this fall. Tossed out in April, the banished members, including the tribal chairman, several council members and a minister of the Indian Shaker Church, filed suit Thursday in U.S. District Court in Seattle, claiming violation of their civil rights.
Named in the suit are the Snoqualmie council members who banished them, stripping them of their tribal identity; barring them from tribal lands, and cutting them off from any tribal benefits, including health-care services. "This is a sad, sad time," said banished tribal member Lois Sweet Dorman. "This was supposed to be a time to celebrate together; the promise of prosperity to enable us to provide for our people. We worked so hard for our sovereignty. Most of us are elders of this tribe; this action is unbelievably harsh and cruel."
In the suit, attorney Rob Roy Smith of Seattle said the banishments should be overturned because his clients' liberties were illegally restrained by violation of the Indian Civil Rights Act. Passed by Congress in 1968, the act is intended to safeguard the fundamental civil rights of tribal members, such as their right to due process, free speech and peaceable assembly. The banished had no opportunity to confront their accusers or exercise their right to free speech, and were unlawfully accused of "treason" and meeting as an "illegal shadow government" in violation of their right to peaceable assembly, according to the suit. They are also denied their liberty in being barred them from tribal lands and services, the suit stated.
Matt Mattson, tribal administrator, declined to respond except by e-mail on Friday: "The tribe is not aware of the suit and really cannot comment without knowing more details.(What do you think? They aren't aware?)
Read related story HERE and HERE
Monday, June 2, 2008
The Pechanga Indian Removal Acts: Violations of Civil Rights
Steve Craig and the folks at apoliticalblog.com have graciously asked me to contribute to their blog. Here is the first submission The Pechanga Indian Removal Acts
The Pechanga Indian Removal Acts
Posted on January 16th, 2008 by Original Pechanga
The explosion of Indian Gaming in California has lead to some acts that tribes such as Pechanga Band of Temecula would like to keep as “family secrets.” Removing Indians from tribes, pronouncing them non-Indians, had the same effect as Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Acts had in 1830’s America. Get the Indians we don’t want or like out of the way.
In 2004 and 2005, as part of the Concerned Pechanga People’s Indian Removal Policy, members of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians were forced to give up their membership in the tribe whose reservation is in Temecula, CA. Life-long members, who have had land on the reservation for centuries were forcibly expelled from the tribe. This act of paper genocide has had devastating effects on 25% of the Pechanga people.
Elders no longer qualify for the health care that they lobbied the tribe to provide for all its members. The young are not allowed to attend the reservation’s school, being forcibly blocked and told to leave, much in the manner of the white racists who blocked black children from integrating schools in Little Rock in the 1950’s.
Those who were removed, face an unsecured financial future. Many worked for the tribe, were part of all events, meetings, have their dead buried in the Pechanga Cemetery. Now, that has ended. In order to increase the per capita ($15,000 per month at the time of the first removal) some of the descendents of Pablo Apis, the family of Manuela Miranda were terminated from the tribe. Per capita grew to $20,000 per month (plus bonuses) for those remaining, members of the Concerned Pechanga People initiated a misinformation campaign, one that has successfully terminated over 300 Native Americans of Pechanga descent at the time of the second removal (the descendents of Paulina Hunter.) The per capita is now reportedly $40,000 per month.
Blood relatives are banished from the reservations, families who are no longer in the tribe, but live on the reservation property that they’ve owned since the late 1800’s live in fear that the tribe will take away their water, which has been threatened by some of the remaining tribal members. Will Pechanga really turn off their lifeblood, as easily as they took away their civil rights? It’s not difficult to think so, after the atrocities that the CPP have already committed.
The Concerned Pechanga People
This is the group of people that let the blackness of greed take over their hearts and minds.
The Splinter Group
This group is an offshoot of the 1980’s Splinter Group, led by Russell Murphy and assisted by Frances Miranda and Ihrene Scearse (later on the enrollment committee and committed to removing tribal members). Non-enrolled members of Pechanga, they started attending meetings and disrupted the regular goings on of the business. They announced that they were separating from the band and forming their own Tribe. They petitioned the BIA to recognize them, but the BIA refused.
With few exceptions, no member of the splinter group applied for membership because they knew they could not meet the constitutional requirements established by the Pechanga Band.
The actions of the splinter group raise legitimate questions: Are they really Pechanga? Are they able to document their lineal descent from an Original Pechanga Temecula Person as the Pechanga Bands Constitution and Bylaws require? Did they figure that disruption of tribal matters was the way to go?
This is not the portrait of a tribe in need, asking the people of California to allow tribes to have Las Vegas type gaming such as portrayed in the Prop. 1A and Prop. 5 television commercials of the 1990’s. This is about power, greed and violations of civil rights, voting rights, and elder abuse. It’s about tribal governments wielding sovereignty like a club and it’s about individual Indians that have nowhere to turn for justice.
I’ll explore this more in future posts, with thoughts on expanded gaming in California and what it feels like to be told you aren’t who you know you are.
Please take a look at the whole article, please check out the link and COMMENT.
The Pechanga Indian Removal Acts
Posted on January 16th, 2008 by Original Pechanga
The explosion of Indian Gaming in California has lead to some acts that tribes such as Pechanga Band of Temecula would like to keep as “family secrets.” Removing Indians from tribes, pronouncing them non-Indians, had the same effect as Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Acts had in 1830’s America. Get the Indians we don’t want or like out of the way.
In 2004 and 2005, as part of the Concerned Pechanga People’s Indian Removal Policy, members of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians were forced to give up their membership in the tribe whose reservation is in Temecula, CA. Life-long members, who have had land on the reservation for centuries were forcibly expelled from the tribe. This act of paper genocide has had devastating effects on 25% of the Pechanga people.
Elders no longer qualify for the health care that they lobbied the tribe to provide for all its members. The young are not allowed to attend the reservation’s school, being forcibly blocked and told to leave, much in the manner of the white racists who blocked black children from integrating schools in Little Rock in the 1950’s.
Those who were removed, face an unsecured financial future. Many worked for the tribe, were part of all events, meetings, have their dead buried in the Pechanga Cemetery. Now, that has ended. In order to increase the per capita ($15,000 per month at the time of the first removal) some of the descendents of Pablo Apis, the family of Manuela Miranda were terminated from the tribe. Per capita grew to $20,000 per month (plus bonuses) for those remaining, members of the Concerned Pechanga People initiated a misinformation campaign, one that has successfully terminated over 300 Native Americans of Pechanga descent at the time of the second removal (the descendents of Paulina Hunter.) The per capita is now reportedly $40,000 per month.
Blood relatives are banished from the reservations, families who are no longer in the tribe, but live on the reservation property that they’ve owned since the late 1800’s live in fear that the tribe will take away their water, which has been threatened by some of the remaining tribal members. Will Pechanga really turn off their lifeblood, as easily as they took away their civil rights? It’s not difficult to think so, after the atrocities that the CPP have already committed.
The Concerned Pechanga People
This is the group of people that let the blackness of greed take over their hearts and minds.
The Splinter Group
This group is an offshoot of the 1980’s Splinter Group, led by Russell Murphy and assisted by Frances Miranda and Ihrene Scearse (later on the enrollment committee and committed to removing tribal members). Non-enrolled members of Pechanga, they started attending meetings and disrupted the regular goings on of the business. They announced that they were separating from the band and forming their own Tribe. They petitioned the BIA to recognize them, but the BIA refused.
With few exceptions, no member of the splinter group applied for membership because they knew they could not meet the constitutional requirements established by the Pechanga Band.
The actions of the splinter group raise legitimate questions: Are they really Pechanga? Are they able to document their lineal descent from an Original Pechanga Temecula Person as the Pechanga Bands Constitution and Bylaws require? Did they figure that disruption of tribal matters was the way to go?
This is not the portrait of a tribe in need, asking the people of California to allow tribes to have Las Vegas type gaming such as portrayed in the Prop. 1A and Prop. 5 television commercials of the 1990’s. This is about power, greed and violations of civil rights, voting rights, and elder abuse. It’s about tribal governments wielding sovereignty like a club and it’s about individual Indians that have nowhere to turn for justice.
I’ll explore this more in future posts, with thoughts on expanded gaming in California and what it feels like to be told you aren’t who you know you are.
Please take a look at the whole article, please check out the link and COMMENT.
Temecula AGAINST Pechanga's Land Transfer and Darrell Issa's HR 2963! UPDATE
UPDATE: CONTACT INFO FOR DARRELL ISSA BELOW
The City of Temecula has sent a letter to Rep. Darrell Issa in opposition to HR2963, which is a land transfer to the Pechanga Band of Unconstitutional Indians. The reason: Pechanga LIED about their last land transfer, that we discussed HERE. Pechanga said that they wanted the last land transfer to preserve the cultural resources and according the the letter from the city of Temecula:
In 2004, the City was supportive of HR 4908 (Issa) but did request that if in the future the Band's plans for the area changed, the Tribe consult with the City to ensure that all local issues are appropriately addressed. As a result, we are more concerned now because these opens space areas now contain the Pechanga tribe's golf course. These land uses were "wswitched out" irrespective of the representations made in teh federal environmental documentation.
In other words for Pechanga, "a lie is as good as the truth, if you can get someone to believe it."
The city of Temecula believs a strong and accountable enforcement provision is necessary. We've been saying that for quite a while about the Indian Civil Rights Act that Pechanga cares nothing about.
City of Temecula Leaders... won't you join the disenfranchised Pechanga people who have lost their citizenship (not membership) in Pechanga? Or, does it only bother you when a golf course ruins your view? Time to stand up for what is right.
UPDATE: The process calls for Pechanga to get 1200 additional acres from the rest of the United States. Perhaps they should get the parcel reduced by..say..25%, since that is how much they have reduced their tribal citizenship. NO LAND FOR PECHANGA until they restore the civil rights they took away from the people.
The City of Temecula has sent a letter to Rep. Darrell Issa in opposition to HR2963, which is a land transfer to the Pechanga Band of Unconstitutional Indians. The reason: Pechanga LIED about their last land transfer, that we discussed HERE. Pechanga said that they wanted the last land transfer to preserve the cultural resources and according the the letter from the city of Temecula:
In 2004, the City was supportive of HR 4908 (Issa) but did request that if in the future the Band's plans for the area changed, the Tribe consult with the City to ensure that all local issues are appropriately addressed. As a result, we are more concerned now because these opens space areas now contain the Pechanga tribe's golf course. These land uses were "wswitched out" irrespective of the representations made in teh federal environmental documentation.
In other words for Pechanga, "a lie is as good as the truth, if you can get someone to believe it."
The city of Temecula believs a strong and accountable enforcement provision is necessary. We've been saying that for quite a while about the Indian Civil Rights Act that Pechanga cares nothing about.
City of Temecula Leaders... won't you join the disenfranchised Pechanga people who have lost their citizenship (not membership) in Pechanga? Or, does it only bother you when a golf course ruins your view? Time to stand up for what is right.
UPDATE: The process calls for Pechanga to get 1200 additional acres from the rest of the United States. Perhaps they should get the parcel reduced by..say..25%, since that is how much they have reduced their tribal citizenship. NO LAND FOR PECHANGA until they restore the civil rights they took away from the people.
Contact Info for Darrell Issa:
San Diego County Office1800 Thibodo Road, #310Vista, CA 92081phone: 760-599-5000 fax: 760-599-1178
Washington D.C. Office211 Cannon HouseOffice BuildingWashington, DC 20515phone: 202-225-3906 fax: 202-225-3303
Sunday, June 1, 2008
UPDATE: Sheriff's Union recommends AVOIDING SOBOBA. Avoid Pechanga TOO.
UPDATE: Tribal leadership says the Soboba Casino is still safe to visit.
"The Tribe does not want to bring the public into controversy. We understand that this has become a political agenda and we are only committed to reporting the facts," said Rose Salgado, a member of the Soboba Tribal Council, in an e-mail. "The recent tragic events were unrelated to the Casino and had no impact on the safety or welfare of either Casino patrons or employees."
OP: Translation: "The bullets missed."
Citing safety concerns, the Riverside County Sheriffs Union (RSA) recommends it's members STAY AWAY from Soboba:
"Due to the recent violence against Riverside County Deputy Sheriff's, and a concern that the situation remains unstable for RSA members as well as the general public, RSA is recommending that its members and the general public avoid the Soboba Casino for their off-duty leisurely activities."
I'd recommend the same thing. It's dangerous there for patrons, luckily, none were killed by a stray bullet. Additionally, I'd recommend staying away from Pechanga due to their immoral behavior in violating the civil rights of their citizens.
The only thing these enterprises will respond to is loss of YOUR hard-earned money to make some behavioral changes.
"The Tribe does not want to bring the public into controversy. We understand that this has become a political agenda and we are only committed to reporting the facts," said Rose Salgado, a member of the Soboba Tribal Council, in an e-mail. "The recent tragic events were unrelated to the Casino and had no impact on the safety or welfare of either Casino patrons or employees."
OP: Translation: "The bullets missed."
Citing safety concerns, the Riverside County Sheriffs Union (RSA) recommends it's members STAY AWAY from Soboba:
"Due to the recent violence against Riverside County Deputy Sheriff's, and a concern that the situation remains unstable for RSA members as well as the general public, RSA is recommending that its members and the general public avoid the Soboba Casino for their off-duty leisurely activities."
I'd recommend the same thing. It's dangerous there for patrons, luckily, none were killed by a stray bullet. Additionally, I'd recommend staying away from Pechanga due to their immoral behavior in violating the civil rights of their citizens.
The only thing these enterprises will respond to is loss of YOUR hard-earned money to make some behavioral changes.
Riverside Supervisor Suggests CHANGE in Soboba Leadership
Supervisor Jeff Stone is wrong in his approach here. Mr. Supervisor, you have no business recommending a change in leadership at the reservation. That is tribal business. YOU SHOULD, however, recommend to your constituents that they stay AWAY from the Casino and reservations until it is deemed safe and until you feel that the tribal leadership is taking the necessary steps to protect San Jacinto and Riverside county citizens.
ADDITIONALLY, you should be recommending that all Riverside County residents stay away from Pechanga, for violating its members basic human rights and civil rights and for failing to follow its OWN CONSTITUTION. While you shouldn't call for a leadership change there either, you SHOULD recommend that NO citizen of Riverside County patronize a local business that would treat American citizens the way the sovereign nation of Pechanga did to their people. Would you have recommended buying Krugeraands while South Africa was practicing apartheid? No, I believe you wouldn't.
Please recommend that Pechanga be avoided for the similar reason, denying some of its people civil rights, voting rights, and citizenship that was rightfully theirs.
Express your MORAL outrage, Mr. Supervisor, by NOT supporting Pechanga with your business, county's business and the patronage of your constituents. Pechanga has the right to violate their own tribal constitutions, strip their citizens of their heritage and rightful place in the tribe, and tell them to go to hell. YOU, me and our friends and customers have the right to AVOID Pechanga because of their unjust, immoral actions. Make sure the county does NO more county business at Pechanga. Might I suggest, Turtle Creek, or maybe the wineries? Do you think Pechanga, like South Africa will respond to disinvestment?
Supervisor's Criticism
The Soboba tribe is also finding itself at odds with 3rd District Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone, who on Thursday called for a change of tribal leadership and suggested the violence could be a repeated if that does not take place. Stone, whose district includes the reservation, told about 150 people who had gathered in San Jacinto that violence connected with the reservation is nothing new. Stone suggested that part of the problem is tribal leadership, which he said needs to be more sophisticated in the way it does its job.
ADDITIONALLY, you should be recommending that all Riverside County residents stay away from Pechanga, for violating its members basic human rights and civil rights and for failing to follow its OWN CONSTITUTION. While you shouldn't call for a leadership change there either, you SHOULD recommend that NO citizen of Riverside County patronize a local business that would treat American citizens the way the sovereign nation of Pechanga did to their people. Would you have recommended buying Krugeraands while South Africa was practicing apartheid? No, I believe you wouldn't.
Please recommend that Pechanga be avoided for the similar reason, denying some of its people civil rights, voting rights, and citizenship that was rightfully theirs.
Express your MORAL outrage, Mr. Supervisor, by NOT supporting Pechanga with your business, county's business and the patronage of your constituents. Pechanga has the right to violate their own tribal constitutions, strip their citizens of their heritage and rightful place in the tribe, and tell them to go to hell. YOU, me and our friends and customers have the right to AVOID Pechanga because of their unjust, immoral actions. Make sure the county does NO more county business at Pechanga. Might I suggest, Turtle Creek, or maybe the wineries? Do you think Pechanga, like South Africa will respond to disinvestment?
Supervisor's Criticism
The Soboba tribe is also finding itself at odds with 3rd District Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone, who on Thursday called for a change of tribal leadership and suggested the violence could be a repeated if that does not take place. Stone, whose district includes the reservation, told about 150 people who had gathered in San Jacinto that violence connected with the reservation is nothing new. Stone suggested that part of the problem is tribal leadership, which he said needs to be more sophisticated in the way it does its job.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Pechanga Shame: WITHOUT A TRIBE
See this video from KNBC that tells the story of what the Pechanga tribe is capable of doing to their own people. Particularly interesting is that the Chairman, Mark Macarro was caught in a lie in his first 15 seconds.
WITHOUT A Tribe, is what happens AFTER the advent of gaming on Pechanga. The Hunter Family, of which Lawrence Madariaga is the elder, have been on the reservation for 120 years. Macarro, implied we were there after the casino. Hunters have lower enrollment numbers than Macarro and his whole family. While he grew up in Colton and his father went to San Bernardino High, Hunters were on the reservation for decades.
The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians should NOT be rewarded for mistreating their elders, and members of their tribe. WHY should we give them exclusivity for gaming, and then have them screw their citizens? And, as we say, if they will cheat their OWN PEOPLE, don't you think they will CHEAT YOU?
There is a comment section on the KNBC site. Voice your displeasure about Pechanga. There should be a follow up report.
WITHOUT A Tribe, is what happens AFTER the advent of gaming on Pechanga. The Hunter Family, of which Lawrence Madariaga is the elder, have been on the reservation for 120 years. Macarro, implied we were there after the casino. Hunters have lower enrollment numbers than Macarro and his whole family. While he grew up in Colton and his father went to San Bernardino High, Hunters were on the reservation for decades.
The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians should NOT be rewarded for mistreating their elders, and members of their tribe. WHY should we give them exclusivity for gaming, and then have them screw their citizens? And, as we say, if they will cheat their OWN PEOPLE, don't you think they will CHEAT YOU?
There is a comment section on the KNBC site. Voice your displeasure about Pechanga. There should be a follow up report.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Pechanga: Expanded GAMING Problems: We TOLD YOU SO. Temecula Suffers
We TOLD YOU this would happen. Temecula loses money from gaming, the state gets it. Trickle down economics doesn't work if the State doesn't balance it's budget. Temecula gets hosed.
Pechanga is in NO hurry to negotiate. BE SURE to read the comments at the article link below.
TEMECULA: New slots equal $ for state, but what about the city?
By NICOLE SACK - Staff Writer
TEMECULA ---- The billboards along Interstate 15 announced the news clearly: "1,300 New Slot Machines."Inside the Pechanga Casino, signs asked patrons to "pardon our digital dust," as the number of slot machines increased from 2,000 to 3,300.New agreements between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and four Indian tribes approved by voters earlier this year have paved the way for four tribes in the state to add 17,000 new slot machines. Locally, Pechanga, got the green light to add up to 5,500.
The new agreements, popularly referred to as compacts, alter the way the tribes will be contributing money to adjacent cities and counties that are most affected by the additional traffic and increased crime that nearby casinos can bring. Now, instead of the tribes contributing a set amount to offset local impacts, each city and county will have to meet with the tribes in their area to negotiate for a new cut of the gaming pie.
The legal language within the compacts states that before any "project" begins, Pechanga must negotiate an intergovernmental agreement with the city and the county to deal with any negatives effects that project would have on the surrounding area.But even members in the governor's office, say that those "projects" are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Who evaluates those case-by-case scenarios? That appears to be anyone's guess.
Temecula had been a direct beneficiary of that money, receiving $2.7 million in 2006.Although the tribe no longer has to make that payment, it is making another ---- much larger ---- one. But now the money is being paid directly to the general fund, the state's main operating account.According to the terms of the new compact, Pechanga's annual payment to the general fund is a minimum of $42.5 million ---- all of which is swept into the state's bank account and none of which is passed on to local governments.
Read full article HERE Read this article on Pechanga
Pechanga is in NO hurry to negotiate. BE SURE to read the comments at the article link below.
TEMECULA: New slots equal $ for state, but what about the city?
By NICOLE SACK - Staff Writer
TEMECULA ---- The billboards along Interstate 15 announced the news clearly: "1,300 New Slot Machines."Inside the Pechanga Casino, signs asked patrons to "pardon our digital dust," as the number of slot machines increased from 2,000 to 3,300.New agreements between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and four Indian tribes approved by voters earlier this year have paved the way for four tribes in the state to add 17,000 new slot machines. Locally, Pechanga, got the green light to add up to 5,500.
The new agreements, popularly referred to as compacts, alter the way the tribes will be contributing money to adjacent cities and counties that are most affected by the additional traffic and increased crime that nearby casinos can bring. Now, instead of the tribes contributing a set amount to offset local impacts, each city and county will have to meet with the tribes in their area to negotiate for a new cut of the gaming pie.
The legal language within the compacts states that before any "project" begins, Pechanga must negotiate an intergovernmental agreement with the city and the county to deal with any negatives effects that project would have on the surrounding area.But even members in the governor's office, say that those "projects" are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Who evaluates those case-by-case scenarios? That appears to be anyone's guess.
Temecula had been a direct beneficiary of that money, receiving $2.7 million in 2006.Although the tribe no longer has to make that payment, it is making another ---- much larger ---- one. But now the money is being paid directly to the general fund, the state's main operating account.According to the terms of the new compact, Pechanga's annual payment to the general fund is a minimum of $42.5 million ---- all of which is swept into the state's bank account and none of which is passed on to local governments.
Read full article HERE Read this article on Pechanga
Thursday, May 29, 2008
NDNnews Tamra Defends Her Site from Pechanga Attacks
This is from the comments section of this POST, but I thought I would move it forward out of respect for Tamra and her site NDNnews . Tamra patiently explains to Victor Rocha's lackey the difference between a casino tribe sponsored website/casino Indian website (of which, Victor is one, making $36,000 per month in per capita, now that Pechanga terminated 25% of its tribe)
Here's Tamra's Takedown (emphasis mine):
Rob,
My website IS a NDN news source and has been for many years. I am not a main stream site, like ICT or Indianz, nor would I want to be. I would also like to point out, in case it was over looked, that ICT and Indianz are operated by casino tribes. And furthermore, ICT is owned by the Oneida Nation, INC. another Tribe that has disenrolled hundreds of their members.
So, they certainly have the man power and funding to have top of the line sites, posting hundreds of items each day and considered the news "source." I would too if I made $20K+ a month or more, with all that casino money. I too could have a staff and spend all my time posting articles. However, I am GRASS ROOTS, I am not a casino ndn, I work full time, I have two grassroots organizations and run NDN News.
I actually pro actively work on issues in NDN Country! I run NDN News by myself, its mine, I do not have a staff or answer to anyone. The things that I do, including NDN News, I do to help and FOR the people. My focus is to help spread the word about on going issues in NDN Country, my listserv has thousands of people of it, I know they appreciate the info I get out there. Seems to me, you are on that list, if I remember correctly, or were at one time.
I am not a journalist, I am a activist and I work FOR the people. I don't just post articles and be done with it. I spend all my time directly working on issues, I am on the ground, hands on, making phone calls, attending hearings, initiating writing campaigns, fighting against racism, protection of sacred sites and burial grounds, assistance programs for rez's in need (helping elders and children), fighting fema for the toxic trailers they dumped in ndn country after all these disasters, the list is endless of the issues that I am, and have been, involved with.....including Tribal Disenrollent!
I have worked on this issue for many, many years now, been at more than one protest gathering in So. Ca., for this issue and supported ALL of the victims of today's genocide, Tribal Disenrollment. And, will continue to do so! Seems to me, that alot of people have forgotten where they came from, what all of our ancestors gave or should I say, had stolen from them. Maybe if people stopped absorbing themselves into today's society of materialistic greed, they would remember their roots. Being NDN is not having fancy cars, fancy houses, fancy clothes, club med memberships........being NDN is, culture, ceremonies, honoring your ancestors, traditions, being humble and helping the people.
Remember the days, many years ago, before the big casino's, when all of these people were very much apart of the Tribe. There is NO excuse for the rude, vulgar statements and behavior that have been made to us. I don't care if we agree on the issue or not, there is absolutely no excuse or reason to be this disrespectful and crude. Wouldn't it be more productive to respond with a intelligent, educational response, take a stand on your own side. But instead, you both personally attack and disrespect women........proof in the making on what you stand for.
Tamra spells it out PERFECTLY. PLEASE, visit Tamra's site at http://www.ndnnews.com/ and hit her sponsors. She needs our support right now and for you disenrolled, terminated, abused and moratorium people, you have been the benficiary of hers.
Here's Tamra's Takedown (emphasis mine):
Rob,
My website IS a NDN news source and has been for many years. I am not a main stream site, like ICT or Indianz, nor would I want to be. I would also like to point out, in case it was over looked, that ICT and Indianz are operated by casino tribes. And furthermore, ICT is owned by the Oneida Nation, INC. another Tribe that has disenrolled hundreds of their members.
So, they certainly have the man power and funding to have top of the line sites, posting hundreds of items each day and considered the news "source." I would too if I made $20K+ a month or more, with all that casino money. I too could have a staff and spend all my time posting articles. However, I am GRASS ROOTS, I am not a casino ndn, I work full time, I have two grassroots organizations and run NDN News.
I actually pro actively work on issues in NDN Country! I run NDN News by myself, its mine, I do not have a staff or answer to anyone. The things that I do, including NDN News, I do to help and FOR the people. My focus is to help spread the word about on going issues in NDN Country, my listserv has thousands of people of it, I know they appreciate the info I get out there. Seems to me, you are on that list, if I remember correctly, or were at one time.
I am not a journalist, I am a activist and I work FOR the people. I don't just post articles and be done with it. I spend all my time directly working on issues, I am on the ground, hands on, making phone calls, attending hearings, initiating writing campaigns, fighting against racism, protection of sacred sites and burial grounds, assistance programs for rez's in need (helping elders and children), fighting fema for the toxic trailers they dumped in ndn country after all these disasters, the list is endless of the issues that I am, and have been, involved with.....including Tribal Disenrollent!
I have worked on this issue for many, many years now, been at more than one protest gathering in So. Ca., for this issue and supported ALL of the victims of today's genocide, Tribal Disenrollment. And, will continue to do so! Seems to me, that alot of people have forgotten where they came from, what all of our ancestors gave or should I say, had stolen from them. Maybe if people stopped absorbing themselves into today's society of materialistic greed, they would remember their roots. Being NDN is not having fancy cars, fancy houses, fancy clothes, club med memberships........being NDN is, culture, ceremonies, honoring your ancestors, traditions, being humble and helping the people.
Remember the days, many years ago, before the big casino's, when all of these people were very much apart of the Tribe. There is NO excuse for the rude, vulgar statements and behavior that have been made to us. I don't care if we agree on the issue or not, there is absolutely no excuse or reason to be this disrespectful and crude. Wouldn't it be more productive to respond with a intelligent, educational response, take a stand on your own side. But instead, you both personally attack and disrespect women........proof in the making on what you stand for.
Tamra spells it out PERFECTLY. PLEASE, visit Tamra's site at http://www.ndnnews.com/ and hit her sponsors. She needs our support right now and for you disenrolled, terminated, abused and moratorium people, you have been the benficiary of hers.
Pechanga.net's Editor V.Rocha Eloquently Defending Pechanga's Actions
UPDATE 2: Pechanga Chairman Macarro, of Colton, CA, enters the discussion by throwing his cousin Victor under the bus in his response to Tamra Brennan, of NDNnews. He advises NOT to view Victor's website.
From: Mark Macarro
To: ; Marc Luker ; Pechanga Tribal Council (Council Members Only) ; norman@pechanga-nsn.gov
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 5:32 PM
Subject: Re: Regarding Pechanga response letter
Tamra,
Victor is a tribal member but his website is a private project and is privately owned by him. The tribe has no role in pechanga.net nor does the tribe advise or consent on his editorial content. (Ya think the tribe wouldn't say anything to Victor if he published the stories of what goes on at Pechanga?)
Further, Victor doesn't represent the tribe in any capacity, officially or unofficially. (So that LINK to the Pechanga Casino is there by accident? Oh, and the name of that website again is??)
What he does is his own business--literally. My suggestion to you however, is ignore him and stop responding. Out of the millions of websites out there, you choose to spend your time on Victor? (Nice one, cousin Mark! EVERYONE, DON'T SPEND TIME on my Cousin Victor's website)
Don't let him control you like this.And stop sending the Pechanga Tribal Council emails please. You are now spamming and it is not appreciated.
Thank you.
OP: A letter of concern over the response of a highly regarded (in his own mind) Pechanga member, over what the tribe has done to their people is considered SPAM?
UPDATE:Victor keeps on showing his conversational skills. Not bad for an Eisenhower HS boy. His mom must be proud of him showing his Rialto skills. Here, he replies to Tamra Brennan, proprietor of http://www.ndnnewscom/ a site that you should ALL take the time to visit and learn more about what's happening in Indian Country.
From: Victor Rocha
To: Tamra@NDNnews.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 10:36 AM
Subject: RE: Regarding Pechanga response letter
What a bunch of retarded drivel. If you spent more time on your crappy website than worrying about Pechanga…. you’d still have shitty website.
Victor Rocha
www.pechanga.net
From: Tamra@NDNnews.com [mailto:Tamra@NDNnews.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 8:13 AMTo: victor@pechanga.netSubject: Regarding Pechanga response letter
Victor,
Your actions and email response to Marcie were deplorable, and a prime example of the disgrace Pechanga has become with eliminating your Tribal Members. You represent a media news source for the Tribe, your response was extremely unprofessional and a great representation of the Tribe! I wonder how the Tribal Council will feel about you speaking to a member of the general public with these vulgar statements, on their behalf. I hope that all of the major media in San Diego and Riverside Counties, read your disgusting remarks, it will show them exactly what Pechanga is all about and what they really represent, Disrespect and GREED. How much is enough Victor? Do you and the Tribal Council even realize that your actions are a prime example of assimilation? When money comes before your own people, before your own relations, that is assimilation.
Tribal gaming has attributed to and brought the dominant cultures disease, greed.
What this amounts to is, a modern day cultural genocide and is resulting in what Native people have been fighting since 1492, only now, it is Indians ~vs.~ Indians. You are falling into what the dominant society has been attempting to accomplish for hundreds of years; to conquer and divide. All Native people will be affected by this in the end. Our ancestors fought against genocide with thousands giving their lives to protect the way of life for the people. I think they would be disgusted and appalled with this disease that is tearing apart and dividing Indian Country. Tribal gaming should have strengthened Tribal Sovereignty, brought financial freedom to the people and given hope for the future generations. Instead in cases, such as Pechanga and many others that have eliminated tribal members, it has brought disunity and greed.
It is bad enough that Tribal Sovereignty is a issue that has to be fought to keep in place, why continually fight each other? Today, Native people continue to be suppressed, ignored and cultures disrespected. The continual division in Indian Country over tribal gaming, dis-enrollment issues and blood quantum issues could ultimately be the destruction of Native people. If everyone would unite as one people, one nation, we would become stronger and more powerful. This would be a step forward in ensuring as Indian people we don’t loose our ways, or let them succeed in the pursuit of Native People's extinction.
Tamra Brennan
Founder/Director
www.NDNnews.com
Victor is the first cousin of Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro, whom another cousin of theirs has accused him of making threats to her. They are keeping their cousin out of the tribe in the illegal moratorium.
Marcie's letter details her feelings about what Pechanga's actions have done to the Native American community and how she feels that Pechanga could solve this travesty of justice.
From: Marcie
Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2008 8:25 PM To=victor@pechanga.net
Subject: Re: Disenrollment
To Whom it may concern:
Chairman Macarro,Tribal Council,
I am part of the Native American Community and find what you have done to generations of legitimate tribal members in the name of greed just another form of Indian Genocide. Only this is being done by their own people. How can you live with yourselves?
We as Native Americans have fought for generations against the genocide from white settlers against all our Nations and for what? GREED!!!! Yet it would seem that some tribes such as yours have not learned a very hard lesson by past acts against our people. Greed for our land caused the massacre of many thousands of our people. Greed to own something caused the mass anihilation of the buffalo herds so that we would starve to death and the settlers could waste the meat and only take the hides to sell for money.
Our own people over hunted to trade hides to the settlers for their trinkets and weapons and wiped out their own food sources so that their people went hungry, my tribe included. For what ? Greed! Has all these trials of our ancestors taught you nothing?
Bring All your people back home where they belong and apologize for your greed and irresponsibility to your people. You are setting a precedent of scorn for your actions against your own people. I am ashamed of you and your tribe for it's actions as are so many others.
You Shame the traditional Native People of this continent! The Casino money should be going to improve substandard housing, medical care, substance abuse, the tribal elders needs, better education for your children etc. You are teaching by example that the invaders of this country are right and greed is what counts and people , your families, your children all will learn from your example that nothing counts except self and money.
This Earth will never be again in balance with tribes like you contributing to it's imbalance by throwing away relatives, your own people. We are supposed to be the stewards of this land. As well as our people. You are not stewards, you are no better than those who massacred our ancestors.
Marcie
Mvskoke
Fla.USA
Author and Editor Rocha's eloquent response, apparently speaking for Pechanga, as he responded without authorization. Will he be censured?
From: Victor Rocha
Date: 5/25/2008 11:44:25 PM
To: Marcie
Subject: RE: Disenrollment
Blah, blah, blah, blah!
STFU & GFY
Victor Rocha
http://www.pechanga.net/
Feel free to respond to Victor at his pechanga.net site and tell your friends! I've kept Marcie's email private, but Victor's is public. Thank you Marcie, for speaking out on this, I'll make sure Pechanga receives it, as well as Temecula area businesses.
From: Mark Macarro
To: ; Marc Luker ; Pechanga Tribal Council (Council Members Only) ; norman@pechanga-nsn.gov
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 5:32 PM
Subject: Re: Regarding Pechanga response letter
Tamra,
Victor is a tribal member but his website is a private project and is privately owned by him. The tribe has no role in pechanga.net nor does the tribe advise or consent on his editorial content. (Ya think the tribe wouldn't say anything to Victor if he published the stories of what goes on at Pechanga?)
Further, Victor doesn't represent the tribe in any capacity, officially or unofficially. (So that LINK to the Pechanga Casino is there by accident? Oh, and the name of that website again is??)
What he does is his own business--literally. My suggestion to you however, is ignore him and stop responding. Out of the millions of websites out there, you choose to spend your time on Victor? (Nice one, cousin Mark! EVERYONE, DON'T SPEND TIME on my Cousin Victor's website)
Don't let him control you like this.And stop sending the Pechanga Tribal Council emails please. You are now spamming and it is not appreciated.
Thank you.
OP: A letter of concern over the response of a highly regarded (in his own mind) Pechanga member, over what the tribe has done to their people is considered SPAM?
UPDATE:Victor keeps on showing his conversational skills. Not bad for an Eisenhower HS boy. His mom must be proud of him showing his Rialto skills. Here, he replies to Tamra Brennan, proprietor of http://www.ndnnewscom/ a site that you should ALL take the time to visit and learn more about what's happening in Indian Country.
From: Victor Rocha
To: Tamra@NDNnews.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 10:36 AM
Subject: RE: Regarding Pechanga response letter
What a bunch of retarded drivel. If you spent more time on your crappy website than worrying about Pechanga…. you’d still have shitty website.
Victor Rocha
www.pechanga.net
From: Tamra@NDNnews.com [mailto:Tamra@NDNnews.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 8:13 AMTo: victor@pechanga.netSubject: Regarding Pechanga response letter
Victor,
Your actions and email response to Marcie were deplorable, and a prime example of the disgrace Pechanga has become with eliminating your Tribal Members. You represent a media news source for the Tribe, your response was extremely unprofessional and a great representation of the Tribe! I wonder how the Tribal Council will feel about you speaking to a member of the general public with these vulgar statements, on their behalf. I hope that all of the major media in San Diego and Riverside Counties, read your disgusting remarks, it will show them exactly what Pechanga is all about and what they really represent, Disrespect and GREED. How much is enough Victor? Do you and the Tribal Council even realize that your actions are a prime example of assimilation? When money comes before your own people, before your own relations, that is assimilation.
Tribal gaming has attributed to and brought the dominant cultures disease, greed.
What this amounts to is, a modern day cultural genocide and is resulting in what Native people have been fighting since 1492, only now, it is Indians ~vs.~ Indians. You are falling into what the dominant society has been attempting to accomplish for hundreds of years; to conquer and divide. All Native people will be affected by this in the end. Our ancestors fought against genocide with thousands giving their lives to protect the way of life for the people. I think they would be disgusted and appalled with this disease that is tearing apart and dividing Indian Country. Tribal gaming should have strengthened Tribal Sovereignty, brought financial freedom to the people and given hope for the future generations. Instead in cases, such as Pechanga and many others that have eliminated tribal members, it has brought disunity and greed.
It is bad enough that Tribal Sovereignty is a issue that has to be fought to keep in place, why continually fight each other? Today, Native people continue to be suppressed, ignored and cultures disrespected. The continual division in Indian Country over tribal gaming, dis-enrollment issues and blood quantum issues could ultimately be the destruction of Native people. If everyone would unite as one people, one nation, we would become stronger and more powerful. This would be a step forward in ensuring as Indian people we don’t loose our ways, or let them succeed in the pursuit of Native People's extinction.
Tamra Brennan
Founder/Director
www.NDNnews.com
Victor is the first cousin of Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro, whom another cousin of theirs has accused him of making threats to her. They are keeping their cousin out of the tribe in the illegal moratorium.
Marcie's letter details her feelings about what Pechanga's actions have done to the Native American community and how she feels that Pechanga could solve this travesty of justice.
From: Marcie
Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2008 8:25 PM To=victor@pechanga.net
Subject: Re: Disenrollment
To Whom it may concern:
Chairman Macarro,Tribal Council,
I am part of the Native American Community and find what you have done to generations of legitimate tribal members in the name of greed just another form of Indian Genocide. Only this is being done by their own people. How can you live with yourselves?
We as Native Americans have fought for generations against the genocide from white settlers against all our Nations and for what? GREED!!!! Yet it would seem that some tribes such as yours have not learned a very hard lesson by past acts against our people. Greed for our land caused the massacre of many thousands of our people. Greed to own something caused the mass anihilation of the buffalo herds so that we would starve to death and the settlers could waste the meat and only take the hides to sell for money.
Our own people over hunted to trade hides to the settlers for their trinkets and weapons and wiped out their own food sources so that their people went hungry, my tribe included. For what ? Greed! Has all these trials of our ancestors taught you nothing?
Bring All your people back home where they belong and apologize for your greed and irresponsibility to your people. You are setting a precedent of scorn for your actions against your own people. I am ashamed of you and your tribe for it's actions as are so many others.
You Shame the traditional Native People of this continent! The Casino money should be going to improve substandard housing, medical care, substance abuse, the tribal elders needs, better education for your children etc. You are teaching by example that the invaders of this country are right and greed is what counts and people , your families, your children all will learn from your example that nothing counts except self and money.
This Earth will never be again in balance with tribes like you contributing to it's imbalance by throwing away relatives, your own people. We are supposed to be the stewards of this land. As well as our people. You are not stewards, you are no better than those who massacred our ancestors.
Marcie
Mvskoke
Fla.USA
Author and Editor Rocha's eloquent response, apparently speaking for Pechanga, as he responded without authorization. Will he be censured?
From: Victor Rocha
Date: 5/25/2008 11:44:25 PM
To: Marcie
Subject: RE: Disenrollment
Blah, blah, blah, blah!
STFU & GFY
Victor Rocha
http://www.pechanga.net/
Feel free to respond to Victor at his pechanga.net site and tell your friends! I've kept Marcie's email private, but Victor's is public. Thank you Marcie, for speaking out on this, I'll make sure Pechanga receives it, as well as Temecula area businesses.
San Jacinto Asks SOBOBA to stop annexation
Because a few Soboba Tribal Members shoot up the area and potentially could have killed dozens, San Jacinto is concerned. Let me guess, they just hate Indians? Public safety IS an issue when you bring this violent reservation closer to San Jacinto. Bullets go a long way.
PRESS ENTERPRISE
Citing a recent string of violent incidents on the reservation, the San Jacinto City Council is asking the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians to halt its proposed annexation of hundreds of acres the tribe wants to use to build a hotel and casino complex.
The May 20 letter, signed by Mayor Jim Ayres, said the city would be forced to "actively oppose the application" if the tribe did not withdraw its request for the federal government to add the 535 acres to the reservation.
"Unless the City Council can be assured that the residents of San Jacinto, the public who would be visiting the Reservation, and the Tribe's own residents of their personal safety, the City Council believes that any expansion of the Reservation would be inappropriate," the letter stated.
Rose Salgado, a member of the Soboba Tribal Council, said Wednesday that the letter was received Tuesday and the full council has not had an opportunity to compose a response. She said the panel will meet today to discuss the matter.
"Personally, it took me by surprise," Salgado said.
The U.S. Department of the Interior must approve the tribe's proposal -- a detailed process that can take several years and requires community input.
Relations between the 900-member tribe and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department have been strained since two fatal shooting incidents in which three tribal members died.
On May 12, deputies killed Joseph Arres, 36, and Tamara Angela Hurtado, 29, in a gunbattle in a remote part of the reservation. The two tribal members were shot multiple times by SWAT officers, who said they had been fired upon by one of the two. Nine deputies fired their weapons in that incident, authorities said.
Four days earlier, deputies shot and killed 26-year-old Eli Morillo after they went to investigate gunfire on a remote part of the reservation and found themselves under attack, authorities said. Five deputies fired in the first shooting. Read about it HERE
Full story here
PRESS ENTERPRISE
Citing a recent string of violent incidents on the reservation, the San Jacinto City Council is asking the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians to halt its proposed annexation of hundreds of acres the tribe wants to use to build a hotel and casino complex.
The May 20 letter, signed by Mayor Jim Ayres, said the city would be forced to "actively oppose the application" if the tribe did not withdraw its request for the federal government to add the 535 acres to the reservation.
"Unless the City Council can be assured that the residents of San Jacinto, the public who would be visiting the Reservation, and the Tribe's own residents of their personal safety, the City Council believes that any expansion of the Reservation would be inappropriate," the letter stated.
Rose Salgado, a member of the Soboba Tribal Council, said Wednesday that the letter was received Tuesday and the full council has not had an opportunity to compose a response. She said the panel will meet today to discuss the matter.
"Personally, it took me by surprise," Salgado said.
The U.S. Department of the Interior must approve the tribe's proposal -- a detailed process that can take several years and requires community input.
Relations between the 900-member tribe and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department have been strained since two fatal shooting incidents in which three tribal members died.
On May 12, deputies killed Joseph Arres, 36, and Tamara Angela Hurtado, 29, in a gunbattle in a remote part of the reservation. The two tribal members were shot multiple times by SWAT officers, who said they had been fired upon by one of the two. Nine deputies fired their weapons in that incident, authorities said.
Four days earlier, deputies shot and killed 26-year-old Eli Morillo after they went to investigate gunfire on a remote part of the reservation and found themselves under attack, authorities said. Five deputies fired in the first shooting. Read about it HERE
Full story here
Monday, May 26, 2008
Thank You to Pechanga Veterans, Some NOW Disenrolled
Pechanga maintains a page for Pechanga Veterans
They apparently still hold the Hunter family veterans in a place of honor, maintaining them on their list of veterans, for two years AFTER they have removed their families from Pechanga's citizenry, and terminated their cultural heritage.
So, they can claim them as veterans of Pechanga, they just don't want them as members. Temecula residents, THIS is your neighbor.
They apparently still hold the Hunter family veterans in a place of honor, maintaining them on their list of veterans, for two years AFTER they have removed their families from Pechanga's citizenry, and terminated their cultural heritage.
So, they can claim them as veterans of Pechanga, they just don't want them as members. Temecula residents, THIS is your neighbor.
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