Our friend and reporter Carmen George has won the prestigious McClatchy Presidents Award for Community News. THANK YOU, Carmen for bringing this story to light and Congratulations from all of us.
News
First Place: Sierra Star (California)
Chukchansi Issues Disenrollment Letters
Carmen George
The Chukchansi Indians' move to disenroll tribal members caught the attention of reporter Carmen George, who documented its efforts and put them into context in a comprehensive story that thrust this far-reaching topic into public view. His dogged reporting included interviews with 13 people affected, leading experts in Indian American affairs and reviews of a wide range of tribal and federal documents.
The story linked the disenrollment to tribal officials' desire to increase their share of casino profits, limit membership geographically and deal with old grudges. George also took care to document the emotional and financial toll of the tribe's actions on those affected. Months later, The New York Times and Associated Press addressed the same issue.
As the third largest newspaper company in the country, McClatchy's operations include 30 daily newspapers, community newspapers, websites, mobile news and advertising, niche publications, direct marketing and direct mail services. The company's largest newspapers include The Miami Herald, The Sacramento Bee, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Kansas City Star, The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
North Fork Rancheria Chair: Attack Ads are NOT Accurate
Here's an opinion piece from Elaine Bethel-Fink on their casino plans and the attack ads against them:
As the proposed Madera/North Fork casino nears successful completion after more than seven years of rigorous state and federal review -- we are one signature away -- opponents to the project have launched a massive campaign of negative attacks.
Recently Madera County residents have been barraged by an onslaught of bogus polls, anonymous mailers and letters cajoling the public, and according to reports, also Chukchansi employees, vendors and even tribal citizens to oppose the project.
In the past the Chukchansi tribe employed high-priced lawyers, lobbyists and public relation operatives to produce such attacks. Now they have enlisted other rich gaming tribes and outside anti-gaming groups to try to stop the project.
These outsiders aren't working for the good of Madera County. They are paid opponents hired by tribes who already have casinos. They are also distorting the truth.
Their negative attack ads have twisted the history of the Madera project beyond recognition. They claim that a Las Vegas developer bought land in Madera and then "recruited" our tribe. In fact, we selected Station Casinos as a recognized leader in the industry known for exceptional worker and community relations. We selected Station -- not the other way around -- and then authorized them to secure an option for our proposed site.
The recent attack mailers also suggest we are going against the will of the people of Madera and somehow skirting the law by "reservation shopping." This is not true. Maderans twice voted to support Indian gaming as a tool for tribal self-sufficiency and good governance. Cheryl Schmit, a leading gambling opponent, is on record as far back as 2006 in a statement regarding the Madera / North Fork plan, saying: "This is not reservation shopping ... this is the state exercising its authority to locate gaming where it is wanted."
We are following the precise process that Congress established in 1988 to provide tribes who do not have a land base, such as North Fork, the same opportunity to engage in tribal governmental gaming that Chukchansi and its rich allies now enjoy. This process is the only way left to us to develop economically so that we, like the opposing tribes, can take care of our citizens and communities.
We have followed the very rigorous process of qualifying these lands, satisfying every level of federal approval.
This is not "reservation shopping" at all, but rather "responsible development" that works in the best mutual interest of both Tribe and community. Once completed, the casino will be on "Indian lands" in full accordance with all state and federal laws. It will also generate nearly 4,500 jobs as well as $100 million annually in economic stimulus and $5 million in community funding.
Read the rest at SIERRA STAR NEWS
As the proposed Madera/North Fork casino nears successful completion after more than seven years of rigorous state and federal review -- we are one signature away -- opponents to the project have launched a massive campaign of negative attacks.
Recently Madera County residents have been barraged by an onslaught of bogus polls, anonymous mailers and letters cajoling the public, and according to reports, also Chukchansi employees, vendors and even tribal citizens to oppose the project.
In the past the Chukchansi tribe employed high-priced lawyers, lobbyists and public relation operatives to produce such attacks. Now they have enlisted other rich gaming tribes and outside anti-gaming groups to try to stop the project.
These outsiders aren't working for the good of Madera County. They are paid opponents hired by tribes who already have casinos. They are also distorting the truth.
Their negative attack ads have twisted the history of the Madera project beyond recognition. They claim that a Las Vegas developer bought land in Madera and then "recruited" our tribe. In fact, we selected Station Casinos as a recognized leader in the industry known for exceptional worker and community relations. We selected Station -- not the other way around -- and then authorized them to secure an option for our proposed site.
The recent attack mailers also suggest we are going against the will of the people of Madera and somehow skirting the law by "reservation shopping." This is not true. Maderans twice voted to support Indian gaming as a tool for tribal self-sufficiency and good governance. Cheryl Schmit, a leading gambling opponent, is on record as far back as 2006 in a statement regarding the Madera / North Fork plan, saying: "This is not reservation shopping ... this is the state exercising its authority to locate gaming where it is wanted."
We are following the precise process that Congress established in 1988 to provide tribes who do not have a land base, such as North Fork, the same opportunity to engage in tribal governmental gaming that Chukchansi and its rich allies now enjoy. This process is the only way left to us to develop economically so that we, like the opposing tribes, can take care of our citizens and communities.
We have followed the very rigorous process of qualifying these lands, satisfying every level of federal approval.
This is not "reservation shopping" at all, but rather "responsible development" that works in the best mutual interest of both Tribe and community. Once completed, the casino will be on "Indian lands" in full accordance with all state and federal laws. It will also generate nearly 4,500 jobs as well as $100 million annually in economic stimulus and $5 million in community funding.
Read the rest at SIERRA STAR NEWS
In An Act of TRIBAL TERRORISM, the Unelected Tribal Council Disenrolls 70 more Chukchansi Indians; BIA Silent, Absent
The bad news keeps coming for lifelong members of Chukchansi. The BIA watches as the tribe burns. The government plays the fiddle while the destruction of CA tribes happens on their watch
Our friend Carmen George of the Sierra Star News has the latest tragic news. If you would like to voice your displeasure with Reggie Lewis you can do it at: rlewis@tcouncil.com
For one family, descendants of the last Chukchansi chief, Chief Hawa and his daughter Princess Melliot, being Chukchansi has always been a way of life.
Since 1892, heirs of Chief Hawa -- who the family refers to as "Grandpa Mukchaw" -- have lived and raised their children on the family's 1,000-plus acre ranch in Ahwahnee beside the Fresno River, living off the land and raising cattle.
"In my family, from the day I was born, my dad told me I was Chukchansi," said Chris Ballew, 70, wife of the late Larry Ballew, well-known in the mountains for his work in conservation. "We were always proud to be Indian, even when it wasn't a fad to be Chukchansi."
Ballew's river house, an oasis tucked into a quiet valley, shelters dream catchers and wind chimes, healing crystals, carved walking sticks tucked into corners, and rawhide drums scattered here and there.
While she's spent a lifetime living in a native way, she, her daughter Ricginda Dryer, and her grandson Luke Dryer, received letters last week stating they are now disenrolled as members of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians.
The letters are signed by chairman Reggie Lewis, voted out by the tribe in a Dec. 3 tribal council election but still seated on council at the rancheria, and secretary Jennifer Stanley. jstanley@tcouncil.com
A disenrollment means tribal members lose monthly stipends, currently about $380 a month from the rancheria's multi-million dollar casino revenues, and benefits for things like housing, education, medical, and elder and child services. Perhaps the most devastating, however, is what it can take from a family and culture, Ricginda said.
Her son Gabriel was disenrolled in 2007 when he was 13 because he was born a few years too late to be enrolled. He locked himself in his room for four days and cried and cried, she said.
BOYCOTT CHUKCHANSI GOLD CASINO
Our friend Carmen George of the Sierra Star News has the latest tragic news. If you would like to voice your displeasure with Reggie Lewis you can do it at: rlewis@tcouncil.com
For one family, descendants of the last Chukchansi chief, Chief Hawa and his daughter Princess Melliot, being Chukchansi has always been a way of life.
Since 1892, heirs of Chief Hawa -- who the family refers to as "Grandpa Mukchaw" -- have lived and raised their children on the family's 1,000-plus acre ranch in Ahwahnee beside the Fresno River, living off the land and raising cattle.
"In my family, from the day I was born, my dad told me I was Chukchansi," said Chris Ballew, 70, wife of the late Larry Ballew, well-known in the mountains for his work in conservation. "We were always proud to be Indian, even when it wasn't a fad to be Chukchansi."
Ballew's river house, an oasis tucked into a quiet valley, shelters dream catchers and wind chimes, healing crystals, carved walking sticks tucked into corners, and rawhide drums scattered here and there.
While she's spent a lifetime living in a native way, she, her daughter Ricginda Dryer, and her grandson Luke Dryer, received letters last week stating they are now disenrolled as members of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians.
The letters are signed by chairman Reggie Lewis, voted out by the tribe in a Dec. 3 tribal council election but still seated on council at the rancheria, and secretary Jennifer Stanley. jstanley@tcouncil.com
A disenrollment means tribal members lose monthly stipends, currently about $380 a month from the rancheria's multi-million dollar casino revenues, and benefits for things like housing, education, medical, and elder and child services. Perhaps the most devastating, however, is what it can take from a family and culture, Ricginda said.
Her son Gabriel was disenrolled in 2007 when he was 13 because he was born a few years too late to be enrolled. He locked himself in his room for four days and cried and cried, she said.
BOYCOTT CHUKCHANSI GOLD CASINO
Open Letter Requesting The Native American Caucus of the DEMOCRATIC Party Stand Up For The Civil Rights of Native American who have been Harmed by: Pechanga, Redding, Picayune, Pala and the BIA via Their Inaction
Here is an open letter to the NAC of the Democratic Party. We hope they care about civil rights of THOUSANDS of Native Americans in the state that have been violated right under the noses of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Native American Caucus of the
California Democratic Party
PO BOX 1477 TEMECULA CA 92593
Dear NAC Members,
I am writing to ask for your support in protecting the civil rights of Native Americans in California.
I’m sure you have read about the shameful acts of disenrollment that are in the newspapers now. Most recently, the Pala Reservation, United Auburn, San Pascual Band, as well as the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians are in the process of terminating Native Americans from their tribes.
This follows the despicable actions of tribes such as the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians and the Redding Rancheria, which eliminated so many people last decade to control power and to punish those who spoke out against injustice.
Pechanga terminated 25% of their tribal members, including descendents of an original reservation allottee and descendents of the man upon whose land grant their casino sits. Their own experts proved the heritage of one family, yet the tribe didn’t use the report they paid for as it didn’t fit their agenda.
The Redding Rancheria forced a family to desecrate the burial ground of their ancestor to extract DNA to prove their heritage and with 99.8% match; they terminated the family of their first tribal chairman.
Please stand up for the THOUSANDS of Indians who have been harmed by tribes. The loss of voting rights, elder care and the threats by corrupt councils to evict our brothers and sisters from their homes and to steal their property is NOT something the Democratic Party should stand for.
Please commit your caucus to the enforcement of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 (25 U.S.C. Sec.1301 and following), which safeguards tribal sovereignty while simultaneously ensuring that the civil rights of Indian people are protected.
Stand up for those who have been harmed by those who use sovereignty like a club to beat the weak and helpless.
Please stand up against a corrupt tribal council like Pechanga, who has harmed nearly 400 Native Americans, or Picayune which has eliminated 70% of their tribes. Don’t be fooled by a small donation, when if fact Pechanga has stolen $330 Million from rightful tribal people and Picayune is taking away heating stipends from their elders.
Please educate yourselves by looking in on Original Pechanga’s Blog at http://originalpechanga.com which details the issues. Don’t stand by while the abuses and tribal terrorism continue. Your expression of moral outrage at these tribes must be clear and vocal. We stood up to sovereign nations like South Africa that abused their people, PLEASE, stand up for California Indians.
Regards,
Native American Caucus of the
California Democratic Party
PO BOX 1477 TEMECULA CA 92593
Dear NAC Members,
I am writing to ask for your support in protecting the civil rights of Native Americans in California.
I’m sure you have read about the shameful acts of disenrollment that are in the newspapers now. Most recently, the Pala Reservation, United Auburn, San Pascual Band, as well as the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians are in the process of terminating Native Americans from their tribes.
This follows the despicable actions of tribes such as the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians and the Redding Rancheria, which eliminated so many people last decade to control power and to punish those who spoke out against injustice.
Pechanga terminated 25% of their tribal members, including descendents of an original reservation allottee and descendents of the man upon whose land grant their casino sits. Their own experts proved the heritage of one family, yet the tribe didn’t use the report they paid for as it didn’t fit their agenda.
The Redding Rancheria forced a family to desecrate the burial ground of their ancestor to extract DNA to prove their heritage and with 99.8% match; they terminated the family of their first tribal chairman.
Please stand up for the THOUSANDS of Indians who have been harmed by tribes. The loss of voting rights, elder care and the threats by corrupt councils to evict our brothers and sisters from their homes and to steal their property is NOT something the Democratic Party should stand for.
Please commit your caucus to the enforcement of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 (25 U.S.C. Sec.1301 and following), which safeguards tribal sovereignty while simultaneously ensuring that the civil rights of Indian people are protected.
Stand up for those who have been harmed by those who use sovereignty like a club to beat the weak and helpless.
Please stand up against a corrupt tribal council like Pechanga, who has harmed nearly 400 Native Americans, or Picayune which has eliminated 70% of their tribes. Don’t be fooled by a small donation, when if fact Pechanga has stolen $330 Million from rightful tribal people and Picayune is taking away heating stipends from their elders.
Please educate yourselves by looking in on Original Pechanga’s Blog at http://originalpechanga.com which details the issues. Don’t stand by while the abuses and tribal terrorism continue. Your expression of moral outrage at these tribes must be clear and vocal. We stood up to sovereign nations like South Africa that abused their people, PLEASE, stand up for California Indians.
Regards,
Word Coming From the Pala Reservation That EVICTIONS are Imminent
Sources tell us that there are evictions coming at the Pala Reservation, which recently terminated 160 Native Americans.
Are those bodyguards that Chairman Robert Smith has hired?
Did Pechanga show them how to eliminate tribal members? Did they attend the same courses on disenrollment?
Are those bodyguards that Chairman Robert Smith has hired?
Did Pechanga show them how to eliminate tribal members? Did they attend the same courses on disenrollment?
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
ACLU Jumps the Shark on Religious Freedom and is Absent on Civil Rights Abuses by Tribes Against Their Own People
Many of our family and friends have asked, "WHY don't you ask the ACLU for help on these obvious civil rights matters?" The answer is we have, numerous times. But the questions remain as to whether they actually do care about civil rights, or are simply an organization that pushed a political agenda.
Our friends at Hot Air have a post up on the current administrations assault on religious freedoms. And then it brings into focus why the Obama administration has been no help on our issues either. It seems they want to have fewer Indians.
Read the Hot Air story here
Our friends at Hot Air have a post up on the current administrations assault on religious freedoms. And then it brings into focus why the Obama administration has been no help on our issues either. It seems they want to have fewer Indians.
Read the Hot Air story here
Sen. John McCain's Complaint Against Tribal Attorney Belies His Cronyism: Susan Bradford
Susan Bradford has a hard-hitting post on John McCain. McCain apparently doesn't like Howard Dickstein.
Any official actions Sen. John McCain undertakes must be evaluated within the context of what the Senator and/or his fundraisers and cronies stand to benefit politically or financially from those decisions. Bereft of any principles beyond self-interest, McCain has established a long pattern of accusing rivals of corruption in order to eliminate them from markets so that his allies can cash in.
Most recently, McCain wrote a letter to the National Indian Gaming Commission to complain about fees billed by tribal attorney Howard Dickstein, the lawyer for the Thunder Valley Casino, which is owned by the United Auburn Indian Community. Dickstein earned a reported $26 million during a six-year period ending in 2009. The contract, which incorporated a two percentage cut of the casino’s profits, amounted to a “lapse in oversight authority,” the Senator wrote in his letter. OP: Interesting that McCain is concerned about high fees, yet, remarkably is UNCONCERNED about the $500 MILLION that tribes have stolen from Indians via disenrollment
In response, Dickstein remarked on McCain’s longstanding desire to enhance the power of the NIGC, which the Senator’s allies control, to oversee and approve tribal contracts with business partners. “He’s trying to resurrect something that died an early death,” the attorney said, conceding that the Senator “has no idea the value of the services our firm rendered” to the tribe and casino.
On the contrary, the Senator understands the value quite well. However, McCain is intent upon securing lucrative contracts for his fundraisers and allies in Indian Country by sponsoring legislation he can then selectively enforce, or twist, to his own ends.
Reflecting the hypocrisy and hollowness of McCain’s latest allegations, according to the Village Voice, Roger Stone, a fundraiser for the Senator who helped set up Republican super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff for wrongful conviction, earned both flat fees and percentages of future casino revenues through deals he negotiated with tribes and developers. McCain has yet to challenge Stone over these practices.
The Senator also has a longstanding interest in this United Auburn Indian Community, a tribe that allegedly consists of Miwuk and Maidu Indians indigenous to the Sacramento Valley region.
Most legitimate tribes were established through the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, which provided a mechanism through which Natives could organize themselves into self-governing tribal communities that were recognized by the federal government. Given the opportunity, however, the Auburn Indians rejected federal recognition
Read more at Susan Bradford’s Investigative Reports
Any official actions Sen. John McCain undertakes must be evaluated within the context of what the Senator and/or his fundraisers and cronies stand to benefit politically or financially from those decisions. Bereft of any principles beyond self-interest, McCain has established a long pattern of accusing rivals of corruption in order to eliminate them from markets so that his allies can cash in.
Most recently, McCain wrote a letter to the National Indian Gaming Commission to complain about fees billed by tribal attorney Howard Dickstein, the lawyer for the Thunder Valley Casino, which is owned by the United Auburn Indian Community. Dickstein earned a reported $26 million during a six-year period ending in 2009. The contract, which incorporated a two percentage cut of the casino’s profits, amounted to a “lapse in oversight authority,” the Senator wrote in his letter. OP: Interesting that McCain is concerned about high fees, yet, remarkably is UNCONCERNED about the $500 MILLION that tribes have stolen from Indians via disenrollment
In response, Dickstein remarked on McCain’s longstanding desire to enhance the power of the NIGC, which the Senator’s allies control, to oversee and approve tribal contracts with business partners. “He’s trying to resurrect something that died an early death,” the attorney said, conceding that the Senator “has no idea the value of the services our firm rendered” to the tribe and casino.
On the contrary, the Senator understands the value quite well. However, McCain is intent upon securing lucrative contracts for his fundraisers and allies in Indian Country by sponsoring legislation he can then selectively enforce, or twist, to his own ends.
Reflecting the hypocrisy and hollowness of McCain’s latest allegations, according to the Village Voice, Roger Stone, a fundraiser for the Senator who helped set up Republican super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff for wrongful conviction, earned both flat fees and percentages of future casino revenues through deals he negotiated with tribes and developers. McCain has yet to challenge Stone over these practices.
The Senator also has a longstanding interest in this United Auburn Indian Community, a tribe that allegedly consists of Miwuk and Maidu Indians indigenous to the Sacramento Valley region.
Most legitimate tribes were established through the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, which provided a mechanism through which Natives could organize themselves into self-governing tribal communities that were recognized by the federal government. Given the opportunity, however, the Auburn Indians rejected federal recognition
Read more at Susan Bradford’s Investigative Reports
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Mark Macarro led Pechanga Tribal Council THREATENS Allottees With Fines and Exclusion From their Allotments
We have written before on the APARTHEID system in force at Pechanga at Pechanga.
APARTHEID as described by the dictionary is:
a•part•heid
2. any system or practice that separates people according to race, caste, etc.
Pechanga is doing just that, determining that families with historical ties to the origins of the reservation are ‘no longer pure’ in their eyes. They may be Temecula Indian, but “they aren’t Pechanga.” Even though the expert hired BY Pechanga proved that we were
Here is what Pechanga members who have been stripped of their citizenship in the tribe have lost:
Pechanga now has a group living on the reservation that have:
• Lost the right to vote
• Lost their rights to healthcare provided by the government.
• Their children can no longer attend tribal schools
• They can no longer be buried in the reservation cemetery with their relatives.
• Have no access to tribal health center
• Are not protected by the Tribal Rangers. Or in some cases FROM the tribal Rangers
Here is a copy of the letter that was presented to those people living on the reservation who are called "non-members" even though most are living on land that was given to their ancestor when the reservation began, roughly 90 years before council member Russell "Butch" Murphy was adopted into the tribe.
The threat is very clear: Fine of $5,000 and exclusion from their own property. THAT is APARTHEID, pure and simple. The tribe is trying to force residents who own property OFF the reservation. Remember when they tried to Steal allottee’s water rights?
Mark Macarro, have you NO shame?
APARTHEID as described by the dictionary is:
a•part•heid
2. any system or practice that separates people according to race, caste, etc.
Pechanga is doing just that, determining that families with historical ties to the origins of the reservation are ‘no longer pure’ in their eyes. They may be Temecula Indian, but “they aren’t Pechanga.” Even though the expert hired BY Pechanga proved that we were
Here is what Pechanga members who have been stripped of their citizenship in the tribe have lost:
Pechanga now has a group living on the reservation that have:
• Lost the right to vote
• Lost their rights to healthcare provided by the government.
• Their children can no longer attend tribal schools
• They can no longer be buried in the reservation cemetery with their relatives.
• Have no access to tribal health center
• Are not protected by the Tribal Rangers. Or in some cases FROM the tribal Rangers
Here is a copy of the letter that was presented to those people living on the reservation who are called "non-members" even though most are living on land that was given to their ancestor when the reservation began, roughly 90 years before council member Russell "Butch" Murphy was adopted into the tribe.
 |
| Threatening letter by Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro and the Tribal Council including Adopted Member Russell "Butch" Murphy Click on photo to enlarge |
The threat is very clear: Fine of $5,000 and exclusion from their own property. THAT is APARTHEID, pure and simple. The tribe is trying to force residents who own property OFF the reservation. Remember when they tried to Steal allottee’s water rights?
Mark Macarro, have you NO shame?
Sunday, February 5, 2012
PECHANGA Tribe Complains Liberty Quarry Re-Writing History: SAY WHAT? Pechanga Does That
The recent meeting concerning Liberty Quarry in Temecula brought this from Pechanga Tribal Councilman Andrew Masiel:
The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians says the project would destroy a site central to its story of creation. Tribal Councilman Andrew Masiel Sr. said Monday he wondered what he would tell his granddaughter if the quarry obliterated the site.
“With every ounce of energy that I have, I’m going to ensure this isn’t going to happen,” he said.
Granite contends its quarry is well away from the creation site and that the tribe only recently raised cultural concerns. Tribal officials angrily deny this and accuse Granite of trying to rewrite Pechanga’s history.
This is a JOKE, right? Pechanga has constantly done just that. Councilman Andrew Masiel should tell his grandaughter that his family came from nowhere, latched onto the Pechanga Rez and fabricated it's history. Tell them her Aunt Jennie has a higher membership number than 75 Hunters who have had property since the reservations inception.
Tell his grandaughter WHY he was part of destroying the fabric of the tribe along with his Uncle Raymond Basquez Sr, and elder in the Masiel-Basquez Crime Family.
The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians says the project would destroy a site central to its story of creation. Tribal Councilman Andrew Masiel Sr. said Monday he wondered what he would tell his granddaughter if the quarry obliterated the site.
“With every ounce of energy that I have, I’m going to ensure this isn’t going to happen,” he said.
Granite contends its quarry is well away from the creation site and that the tribe only recently raised cultural concerns. Tribal officials angrily deny this and accuse Granite of trying to rewrite Pechanga’s history.
This is a JOKE, right? Pechanga has constantly done just that. Councilman Andrew Masiel should tell his grandaughter that his family came from nowhere, latched onto the Pechanga Rez and fabricated it's history. Tell them her Aunt Jennie has a higher membership number than 75 Hunters who have had property since the reservations inception.
Tell his grandaughter WHY he was part of destroying the fabric of the tribe along with his Uncle Raymond Basquez Sr, and elder in the Masiel-Basquez Crime Family.
FOLLOW THE MONEY III: Tribal Per Capita Theft over $500 Million Elders Stripped of Health Care; Children's Education Ruined
That's half a BILLION DOLLARS, stolen by corrupt tribal councils and their leaders. They claim disenrollments weren't about the money, but the figures don't lie. That's something the Bureau of Indian Affairs, led here in California by Amy Deutschke, buries their heads in the sand to avoid. We first wrote about this story in January 2011: Follow the Money....
From the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians in Temecula CA:
The Hunter family has lost $1,561,000 per person, in per capita payments alone. We arrived at that figure by taking the last full year of per capita $268,000/12 months and multiplying that loss times 70 months of disenrollment. 95 adults at the time of disenrollment equals: $148,295,000
The Apis/Manuela Miranda family was disenrolled two years prior in 2004, our previous posts mistakenly put their disenrollment in 2005. The per capita was slightly less, about $17,000 per month times 94 months of termination: $1,598,000 times 135 adults equals: $215,700,000
Moratorium People NEVER shared in what was rightfully theirs. The per capita went up to $360,000 per year for those remaining after elimination of tribal citizens.
From the Picayune Rancheria in Coarsegold, CA:
In the case of Chukchansi Gold, the casino had been averaging $5 million per month in payments to the Tribe over the past 48 months (as reported to me by a former Tribal Council member).
The tribe disenrolled 625 members whose share would be $3,200 per month. This equates to $104,000,000 stolen. They are now disenrolling an additional 300 members
Lets add what we have so far:
Pechanga: $388 MILION Includes additional $17.4 Million in Health Insurance. Corrected Insurance due to coverages, some double covered as family. Per capita losses are $200,000 PER DAY. These totals do not include lost education assistance nor does it account for family members that attained the age of majority.
Picayune: $ 104.0 MILLION Money is from share of dollars casino sends to tribe per person will grow with 200 just receiving ejection letters..
Redding Rancheria: $ 35.3 MILLION Per capita only. Totals being tabulating but includes tribal JOBS lost.
Mooretown: $12 MILLION
Enterprise: $2.9 MILLION No Per Capita. Tribe gets revenue allocation. Losses include housing help.
Pala $24 MILLION. Amount includes one year projection of losses of 160 tribal members ejected. $14K per member in per capita and benefits PER MONTH.
United Auburn $2 MILLION per year projection is for one year. and growing by 180 K per month
San Pascual $6 MILLION in losses for the first year of Alto family’s ouster.
the tribal councils will say, it's NOT about the MONEY! The Truth IS it IS because so many have lost homes, health insurance because their rightful per capita was taken away
From the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians in Temecula CA:
The Hunter family has lost $1,561,000 per person, in per capita payments alone. We arrived at that figure by taking the last full year of per capita $268,000/12 months and multiplying that loss times 70 months of disenrollment. 95 adults at the time of disenrollment equals: $148,295,000
The Apis/Manuela Miranda family was disenrolled two years prior in 2004, our previous posts mistakenly put their disenrollment in 2005. The per capita was slightly less, about $17,000 per month times 94 months of termination: $1,598,000 times 135 adults equals: $215,700,000
Moratorium People NEVER shared in what was rightfully theirs. The per capita went up to $360,000 per year for those remaining after elimination of tribal citizens.
From the Picayune Rancheria in Coarsegold, CA:
In the case of Chukchansi Gold, the casino had been averaging $5 million per month in payments to the Tribe over the past 48 months (as reported to me by a former Tribal Council member).
The tribe disenrolled 625 members whose share would be $3,200 per month. This equates to $104,000,000 stolen. They are now disenrolling an additional 300 members
Lets add what we have so far:
Pechanga: $388 MILION Includes additional $17.4 Million in Health Insurance. Corrected Insurance due to coverages, some double covered as family. Per capita losses are $200,000 PER DAY. These totals do not include lost education assistance nor does it account for family members that attained the age of majority.
Picayune: $ 104.0 MILLION Money is from share of dollars casino sends to tribe per person will grow with 200 just receiving ejection letters..
Redding Rancheria: $ 35.3 MILLION Per capita only. Totals being tabulating but includes tribal JOBS lost.
Mooretown: $12 MILLION
Enterprise: $2.9 MILLION No Per Capita. Tribe gets revenue allocation. Losses include housing help.
Pala $24 MILLION. Amount includes one year projection of losses of 160 tribal members ejected. $14K per member in per capita and benefits PER MONTH.
United Auburn $2 MILLION per year projection is for one year. and growing by 180 K per month
San Pascual $6 MILLION in losses for the first year of Alto family’s ouster.
$560 MILLION
but,
the tribal councils will say, it's NOT about the MONEY! The Truth IS it IS because so many have lost homes, health insurance because their rightful per capita was taken away
SUPER BOWL SUNDAY. PATRIOTS OR G-MEN
Who is your favorite for the Super Bowl?
Hope you who are fans enjoy the game. Go Giants!
Hope you who are fans enjoy the game. Go Giants!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Ed Sifuentes Has Story of the Theft of Per Capita By San Pascual: $6 million per year
"A Lawyer With a Briefcase can steal more than 100 men with guns" Don Corleone
Members of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians, which owns Valley View Casino in Valley Center, each earn nearly $100,000 a year in gambling revenues, but not all members of the tribe are receiving their share, according to court records.
The 280-member tribe (five school buses!)is locked in a bitter dispute with about 60 people in the Alto family, who the tribe says do not belong in the tribe. The tribe is trying to remove them from its rolls.
The Altos filed a lawsuit last year against the U.S. Department of Interior for going along with the tribe's plans to expel them, effectively cutting them out of their share of gambling earnings, health benefits and participation in the tribe's government.
In November, lawyers for the family asked the court for a preliminary injunction that would block their removal and force the tribe to return some of the benefits while the lawsuit is resolved. U.S. District Court Judge Irma E. Gonzalez granted the family's request in December.
Last month, Larry Echo Hawk, the assistant secretary of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, issued a letter implementing the judge's order and restoring the Alto family members' rights as San Pasqual Indians. It restores their ability to participate in tribal elections, receive Indian health services and get their "per capita" payments, as the casino money paid to tribal members is called.
Alto family members, however, say Echo Hawk's letter does not go far enough, because it places their share of the gambling money into a trust fund, which they can't access unless they win the lawsuit. OP: That's NOT restoring rights!
"If the Alto descendants ultimately prevail in this litigation, the band must distribute the funds in the escrow account to the Alto descendants," Echo Hawk wrote.
Moreover, the tribe already has distributed millions of dollars owed to the Alto family to other tribal members, said Thor Emblem, a lawyer for the family.
San Pasqual leaders have declined to discuss the case, saying it is an internal tribal matter.
Read more about San Pasqual
Members of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians, which owns Valley View Casino in Valley Center, each earn nearly $100,000 a year in gambling revenues, but not all members of the tribe are receiving their share, according to court records.
The 280-member tribe (five school buses!)is locked in a bitter dispute with about 60 people in the Alto family, who the tribe says do not belong in the tribe. The tribe is trying to remove them from its rolls.
The Altos filed a lawsuit last year against the U.S. Department of Interior for going along with the tribe's plans to expel them, effectively cutting them out of their share of gambling earnings, health benefits and participation in the tribe's government.
In November, lawyers for the family asked the court for a preliminary injunction that would block their removal and force the tribe to return some of the benefits while the lawsuit is resolved. U.S. District Court Judge Irma E. Gonzalez granted the family's request in December.
Last month, Larry Echo Hawk, the assistant secretary of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, issued a letter implementing the judge's order and restoring the Alto family members' rights as San Pasqual Indians. It restores their ability to participate in tribal elections, receive Indian health services and get their "per capita" payments, as the casino money paid to tribal members is called.
Alto family members, however, say Echo Hawk's letter does not go far enough, because it places their share of the gambling money into a trust fund, which they can't access unless they win the lawsuit. OP: That's NOT restoring rights!
"If the Alto descendants ultimately prevail in this litigation, the band must distribute the funds in the escrow account to the Alto descendants," Echo Hawk wrote.
Moreover, the tribe already has distributed millions of dollars owed to the Alto family to other tribal members, said Thor Emblem, a lawyer for the family.
San Pasqual leaders have declined to discuss the case, saying it is an internal tribal matter.
Read more about San Pasqual
Friday, February 3, 2012
Editorial: BIA MUST GET INVOLVED in Chukchansi Dispute. Fresno Bee Gets it RIGHT
The Fresno Bee has spent a lot of their reporter, Marc Benjamin'stime on the Chukchansi debacle, even the NYTIMES covered it...ten years late.
Here, the editorial board of the Bee steps up to the plate:
There was a time before Indian gaming exploded when tribal council elections were rather routine. But as millions of dollars began pouring through casinos, the councils became centers of tribal power, and controversial.
With so much money at stake, elections often don’t go smoothly, and sometimes, as is the case at the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, election results aren’t even recognized. Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy way of resolving the issue because of the tribe’s sovereignty.
Now we have two tribal councils operating — one that was duly elected, and one that refuses to give up power, claiming that an opposing member was not qualified to run.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs could recognize one of the councils, thereby giving legitimacy to those who should be operating the Chukchansi casino and overseeing aspects of tribal government. But so far, the BIA has been AWOL when asked to get between the opposing tribal councils. The longer the timid BIA waits, the bigger a problem that will be created.
So far, the BIA says this is an internal tribal matter. That ignores the obvious issue of the federal agency having to deal with one of the councils on casino issues and tribal matters. When the BIA has a question, which council faction will it call?
At some point, it must be decided which tribal council will operate the casino and handle the obligations on the tribe’s $311 million casino/hotel debt.
This election also impacts individual members. The tribal council that refuses to recognize the election results has been disenrolling members and taking casino jobs from members they disagree with. The newly elected council has pledged to stop the disenrollment process.
Tribal members who are disenrolled have a lot to lose. According to the newly elected tribal council, these are the main benefits: Adults (age 18-64) get $380 a month, and educational benefits for schooling or a training program. Elders age 55 and over get payments of $380 a month; another $250 a month for utilities; a food allowance and other benefits. Children get free preschool, a day-care subsidy, and allowances for clothing, computers and college.
While the well-being of the Chukchansi members should be the overriding issue, this dispute has come down to who will have the power to run a gambling casino. This is not what California voters intended when they voted to expand Indian gambling.
Read the Fresno Bee and Comment
Here, the editorial board of the Bee steps up to the plate:
There was a time before Indian gaming exploded when tribal council elections were rather routine. But as millions of dollars began pouring through casinos, the councils became centers of tribal power, and controversial.
With so much money at stake, elections often don’t go smoothly, and sometimes, as is the case at the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, election results aren’t even recognized. Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy way of resolving the issue because of the tribe’s sovereignty.
Now we have two tribal councils operating — one that was duly elected, and one that refuses to give up power, claiming that an opposing member was not qualified to run.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs could recognize one of the councils, thereby giving legitimacy to those who should be operating the Chukchansi casino and overseeing aspects of tribal government. But so far, the BIA has been AWOL when asked to get between the opposing tribal councils. The longer the timid BIA waits, the bigger a problem that will be created.
So far, the BIA says this is an internal tribal matter. That ignores the obvious issue of the federal agency having to deal with one of the councils on casino issues and tribal matters. When the BIA has a question, which council faction will it call?
At some point, it must be decided which tribal council will operate the casino and handle the obligations on the tribe’s $311 million casino/hotel debt.
This election also impacts individual members. The tribal council that refuses to recognize the election results has been disenrolling members and taking casino jobs from members they disagree with. The newly elected council has pledged to stop the disenrollment process.
Tribal members who are disenrolled have a lot to lose. According to the newly elected tribal council, these are the main benefits: Adults (age 18-64) get $380 a month, and educational benefits for schooling or a training program. Elders age 55 and over get payments of $380 a month; another $250 a month for utilities; a food allowance and other benefits. Children get free preschool, a day-care subsidy, and allowances for clothing, computers and college.
While the well-being of the Chukchansi members should be the overriding issue, this dispute has come down to who will have the power to run a gambling casino. This is not what California voters intended when they voted to expand Indian gambling.
Read the Fresno Bee and Comment
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Pala TERMINATES 154 Native Americans 15% of their Tribe: Attorney calls for Congressional Field Hearings
The Pala Band of Mission Indians on Wednesday expelled 154 people from its North County tribe, according to a Pala spokesman.
The removal of the 154 people appears to be connected to the removal of eight people from its rolls last year. Those eight people were told in June by the tribe that they did not meet the 1/16th Pala "blood quantum" requirement.
Pala spokesman Doug Elmets said the tribal council made the decision to remove the additional 154 people Wednesday, but he declined to discuss the reason for the removal.
"It is important to remember that the U.S. Supreme Court, in the Santa Clara Pueblo v. Martinez case in 1978, held that a tribe's right to define its own membership has long been recognized as central to its existence," Elmets said.
Edward Sifuentes of the North County Times has the story:
Pala officials said last year that the tribe had 918 members; thus the 154 people expelled Wednesday account for about 15 percent of the tribe.
The terminated members lose their ability to participate in Pala's tribal government and other benefits, including health care, housing and educational services.
Those who have been expelled from Pala stand to lose more than $150,000 a year in payments from the tribe's Pala Casino Resort and Spa, which is about 15 miles north of Escondido.
Attorney for some Pala disenrolled, Dennis Chappabitty is asking that Congress hold field hearings to see that the disenrollments are designed to extort tribal members to silence them from questioning whether there are millions of unaccounted tax dollars spent without accountablility..
The amount of per capita STOLEN from those terminated will total $23 MILLION per year.
The removal of the 154 people appears to be connected to the removal of eight people from its rolls last year. Those eight people were told in June by the tribe that they did not meet the 1/16th Pala "blood quantum" requirement.
Pala spokesman Doug Elmets said the tribal council made the decision to remove the additional 154 people Wednesday, but he declined to discuss the reason for the removal.
"It is important to remember that the U.S. Supreme Court, in the Santa Clara Pueblo v. Martinez case in 1978, held that a tribe's right to define its own membership has long been recognized as central to its existence," Elmets said.
Edward Sifuentes of the North County Times has the story:
Pala officials said last year that the tribe had 918 members; thus the 154 people expelled Wednesday account for about 15 percent of the tribe.
The terminated members lose their ability to participate in Pala's tribal government and other benefits, including health care, housing and educational services.
Those who have been expelled from Pala stand to lose more than $150,000 a year in payments from the tribe's Pala Casino Resort and Spa, which is about 15 miles north of Escondido.
Attorney for some Pala disenrolled, Dennis Chappabitty is asking that Congress hold field hearings to see that the disenrollments are designed to extort tribal members to silence them from questioning whether there are millions of unaccounted tax dollars spent without accountablility..
The amount of per capita STOLEN from those terminated will total $23 MILLION per year.
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