The reporters at the Fresno Bee have done excellent work in telling the story of what's happening at the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians. Great teamwork in the storytelling
On a June day in 1999, close to 20 Chukchansi members burst into tribal headquarters, banging on doors, screaming and terrorizing staff members inside. Daisy Liedkie, the Chukchansi tribal chair at the time, later said one of the aggressors spit on her.
The Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino was at that time still mostly a dream, but the tantalizing possibility of big money had already begun to cause internal squabbling — squabbling that continues to this day. Now the casino sits closed, with millions being lost, because tribal members can’t get along.
Madera County sheriff’s deputies were called to the incident 15 years ago, and a subsequent report described the scene as “some sort of insurrection by Indian subjects.” Liedkie, 80 at the time, was ousted as tribal chair, and a short time later she and all her relatives were kicked out of the tribe. Scores more were sent packing with them.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Chukchansi Tells Employees They Will Get an Extra Weeks PAY
A nice gesture....but they should CASH the check rather than deposit it....trust..but verify. Why would the tribe be surprised at the closure of the casino when they are a YEAR AND A HALF late with audits?
Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino employees were told Friday they’ll be getting an extra week of pay in the wake of last week’s sudden shutdown.
The casino notified its workers about the gesture in a letter.
“Chukchansi understands the burden this places on our team members and you will all be paid an extra week through Oct. 16, 2014,” the letter says. “The sudden closure of the casino by state and federal authorities has taken us all by surprise. We apologize for any inconvenience this unexpected closure has caused you and your families.”
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Pechanga Asking "Team Members" to VOTE NO on Prop.48. Don't want OTHER Indians to Benefit from GAMING.
I've received this a few times from sources at Pechanga. The apartheid practicing Pechanga Tribe does NOT want the North Fork Rancheria to get an off reservation casino.
Here's a missive that went out to PDC's 4500 employees. Lots of laughable points here, such as the "promise" of casino operations limited to Indian laughs. (They promised to limit machines, then Pechanga broke that promise by putting more CLass II machines in) Remember when Pechanga tried to keep Californians from voting on expanded gaming.
Wonder if the No on 48 buttons are being worn yet?
Dear Team Members,
As we receive our ballots to vote on November 4th, many of you have asked about Proposition 48. Since the voter information guide is a bit confusing, maybe even misleading, we want to be clear that Prop. 48 is bad for the vast majority of tribes and California. Thus, we ask you to vote NO on Prop. 48.
Proposition 48 is not about Indian gaming, it is about a Las Vegas Casino corporation (Station Casinos) attempting an end-run in order to place a new Indian casino in an urban area - away from existing tribal lands. In doing so, Proposition 48 breaks the promise that Pechanga and other tribes made to the voters of California: that Indian gaming would be limited to Indian lands.
Prop. 48 would also be unfair to the vast majority of tribes in California that have honored the promise of limiting gaming to existing Indian lands. If approved, Prop. 48 would open the door to an expansion of gaming into urban areas.
This is why we respectfully ask that you vote NO on 48 and encourage your family and friends to also vote NO on 48.
Please contact Jacob Mejia at Jmejia@removedemailaddy if you have any questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Board of Directors
PECHANGA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Here's a missive that went out to PDC's 4500 employees. Lots of laughable points here, such as the "promise" of casino operations limited to Indian laughs. (They promised to limit machines, then Pechanga broke that promise by putting more CLass II machines in) Remember when Pechanga tried to keep Californians from voting on expanded gaming.
Wonder if the No on 48 buttons are being worn yet?
Dear Team Members,
As we receive our ballots to vote on November 4th, many of you have asked about Proposition 48. Since the voter information guide is a bit confusing, maybe even misleading, we want to be clear that Prop. 48 is bad for the vast majority of tribes and California. Thus, we ask you to vote NO on Prop. 48.
Proposition 48 is not about Indian gaming, it is about a Las Vegas Casino corporation (Station Casinos) attempting an end-run in order to place a new Indian casino in an urban area - away from existing tribal lands. In doing so, Proposition 48 breaks the promise that Pechanga and other tribes made to the voters of California: that Indian gaming would be limited to Indian lands.
Prop. 48 would also be unfair to the vast majority of tribes in California that have honored the promise of limiting gaming to existing Indian lands. If approved, Prop. 48 would open the door to an expansion of gaming into urban areas.
This is why we respectfully ask that you vote NO on 48 and encourage your family and friends to also vote NO on 48.
Please contact Jacob Mejia at Jmejia@removedemailaddy if you have any questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Board of Directors
PECHANGA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
CHUKCHANSI CASINO Remains CLOSED for TWO WEEKS
Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, shut down amid a sometimes violent breakdown in tribal leadership, will remain closed for at least a couple more weeks, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
Federal Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill, who issued a temporary restraining order Friday to close Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino because he believed the health and safety of patrons could not be protected, told lawyers and representatives from the competing leadership factions of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians to file motions and return to a followup hearing Oct. 29.
#TribalDisenrollment
Federal Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill, who issued a temporary restraining order Friday to close Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino because he believed the health and safety of patrons could not be protected, told lawyers and representatives from the competing leadership factions of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians to file motions and return to a followup hearing Oct. 29.
#TribalDisenrollment
Monday, October 13, 2014
Anti North Fork Rancheria Casino Supporters Raise over $11 Million. Mostly from OTHER Tribes
Alexei Koseff of the Sacramento Bee has the latest on Prop. 48's supporters and detractors. We should NOT HAVE off reservation gaming.
Buried by the barrage of ads on insurance rates and doctor drug-testing, another high-stakes ballot measure is quietly attracting millions in donations ahead of the November election.
Proposition 48, a referendum on two tribal gaming compacts brokered by Gov. Jerry Brown and approved by the Legislature, will ask voters whether or not they want to uphold the deals. Massive gambling revenue is on the line, as are questions about the growing phenomenon of “off-reservation” Indian casinos in California.
Proponents of Proposition 48 – including the North Fork Rancheria band of Mono Indians, the Wiyot tribe and their financial backers from Station Casinos in Las Vegas – argue that the proposal to build a 2,000-slot machine casino off Highway 99 in Madera would create an economic engine in a depressed region of the Central Valley and allow the North Fork tribe to reclaim part of its historic land. The campaign is hosting a media open house today at the North Fork Rancheria in the mountains near Yosemite, which is not where they plan to build the casino.
That’s part of the problem for opponents of the initiative, who make the case that the deal opens the door for more casinos outside established reservations, a limitation that voters approved in a 2000 proposition. But there’s also an aspect of financial rivalry: The main funders of the no campaign are other tribes whose own gaming operations would face more competition with construction of the North Fork casino, as well as their New York investors.
They have seriously outraised the yes campaign – $11.6 million so far this year, compared to only $418,000 by supporters of Proposition 48. Will voters follow the money?
Read SacBee story
Buried by the barrage of ads on insurance rates and doctor drug-testing, another high-stakes ballot measure is quietly attracting millions in donations ahead of the November election.
Proposition 48, a referendum on two tribal gaming compacts brokered by Gov. Jerry Brown and approved by the Legislature, will ask voters whether or not they want to uphold the deals. Massive gambling revenue is on the line, as are questions about the growing phenomenon of “off-reservation” Indian casinos in California.
Proponents of Proposition 48 – including the North Fork Rancheria band of Mono Indians, the Wiyot tribe and their financial backers from Station Casinos in Las Vegas – argue that the proposal to build a 2,000-slot machine casino off Highway 99 in Madera would create an economic engine in a depressed region of the Central Valley and allow the North Fork tribe to reclaim part of its historic land. The campaign is hosting a media open house today at the North Fork Rancheria in the mountains near Yosemite, which is not where they plan to build the casino.
That’s part of the problem for opponents of the initiative, who make the case that the deal opens the door for more casinos outside established reservations, a limitation that voters approved in a 2000 proposition. But there’s also an aspect of financial rivalry: The main funders of the no campaign are other tribes whose own gaming operations would face more competition with construction of the North Fork casino, as well as their New York investors.
They have seriously outraised the yes campaign – $11.6 million so far this year, compared to only $418,000 by supporters of Proposition 48. Will voters follow the money?
Read SacBee story
Sunday, October 12, 2014
After ARMED INFILTRATIONChukchansi Casino Still Shut , Members Whine About Lost Revenue
The corrupt Chukchansi tribe is suffering losses from a closed casino. Meanwhile, those customers that have money coming to them will have to wait. Room supposedly won't be charged. A big reunion coming next week is in LIMBO.
Walking through a lobby devoid of guests at Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino on Saturday, televisions still blared sporting matches above empty bars and nearby slot machines gave off an eerie glow.
“It’s like the twilight zone,” said Reggie Lewis, co-chairman of one feuding tribal faction as he rode the elevator to the 11th floor.
Although the casino was shut down Friday afternoon by a federal judge following an armed infiltration of the casino by a faction led by Tex McDonald, members of both factions remained inside the building Saturday afternoon.
Tribal leaders and casino management said the Lewis/Nancy Ayala faction remained on the 11th floor of the hotel, and the McDonald faction remained on the bottom floor and in tribal offices across the street.
MONEY QUOTE: The monthly stipends are essential, Lewis said. “Without those per-cap payments, I don’t know what they are going to do.” WELL YOU DUMBASS, they are going to do like those HUNDREDS you terminated from the tribe!
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Patrons of Chukchansi Casino USHERED OUT IN MID GAME.
FRESNO BEE REPORTS: Patrons of Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino in Coarsegold were abruptly ushered out of the casino in mid-game Thursday night and the casino and hotel were apparently closed, according to patrons.
Madera County sheriff’s spokewoman Erica Stuart said tribal factions were feuding again and someone pulled a fire alarm to evacuate the building. She said it is not known who pulled the alarm. The Sheriff’s Office is investigating, she said.
Stuart said she was advised that only people who have rented rooms at the hotel will be allowed back in Thursday night.
Donn Hanfler of Merced said he was playing Spanish 21 at a table about 7:45 p.m. when a security guard ordered the game shut down and the players to leave. Players were not allowed to cash in their chips or tickets, and even cashiers were locked out, he said.
“They threw us all out,” he said. “I ended up getting screwed out of my money.”
he National Indian Gaming Commission says the casino could close Oct. 27 if the missing audits are not submitted. The tribe also faces fines of up to $100,000 per day dating back to April 30. If fully assessed, those fines would equal $16 million.
In a five-page letter dated Tuesday, the NIGC's acting chairman, Jonodev Chaudhuri, said that casino officials have not filed financial statements and audits dating back to 2012 and 2013, the earliest of which was due on April 30, 2013.
Audits are required so that the government officials are assured that tribal gaming meets certain federal guidelines.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Gabe Galonda: MONEY IS KING in Redskins Issue. Bank of America faces NO backlash from Indians.
Great commentary by Gabe Galonda on the Redskins issue. Moral Persuasion is needed, just as it is on matters of disenrollment
Bank of America is the “exclusive sponsor” of the Washington Redskins. Bank of America is also an exclusive lender–in fact, the leading lender–the $28 billion Indian gaming industry.
Indian Country now balks at Nike and FedEx‘s Redskins sponsorships. But the hundreds of tribes that bank with Bank of America, and that collectively tout billions of dollars in purchasing power, speak little of Bank of America’s own use of the Redskins mascot or unholy alliance with Dan Snyder.Bank of America has paid millions of dollars to Dan Snyder to serve as the “Official Bank of the Washington Redskins.” Bank of America has received many millions more from Indian Country in gaming deals. Bank of America is so very content to have it both ways, remaining on the sidelines of the Redskins mascot debate
Simply put, cash is king. Indeed, while Indian country scorns Snyder’s Original Americans Foundation and rejects his blood money, tribes accept donations from Nike’s N7 Fund and tribal casinos continue to do mega business with BofA. It’s all shades of grey, or green.
This status quo will prevail until the money fleets from Bank of America, Nike and FedEx, the NFL, and in turn Dan Snyder.
Maybe Indian gaming money will be the first to go. Maybe not. But only when the money goes, will the name change.
Chukchansi Casino faces federal closure order, $16 MILLION in fines for missing audits
The Fresno Bee has been on the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians and their corruption from the beginning. A good negotiation plan would be to BRING ALL THE PEOPLE HOME
The federal agency that oversees Indian gaming is threatening to shut down the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino because of missing audits, some of which were due last year.
The National Indian Gaming Commission says the casino could close Oct. 27 if the missing audits are not submitted. The tribe also faces fines of up to $100,000 per day dating back to April 30. If fully assessed, those fines would equal $16 million.
In a five-page letter dated Tuesday, the NIGC’s acting chairman, Jonodev Chaudhuri, said that casino officials have not filed financial statements and audits dating back to 2012 and 2013, the earliest of which was due on April 30, 2013.
Audits are required so that the government officials are assured that tribal gaming meets certain federal guidelines. Audits are missed because they are hiding something, don't you thing??
Monday, October 6, 2014
Seattle Throws Columbus Day OUT, Indigenous People's Day IN
The Seattle City Council voted unanimously to now recognize what was once Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples' Day.
The vote was initially set for last month, but was delayed until Monday because the groups supporting the name change wanted to send a bigger message and have the Indigenous People's Day memo signed on the day itself.
Last month's meeting brought out a lot of supporters.
Columbus Day, which is next Monday, is a federal holiday that the city does not recognize.
Groups wanted the name to be changed because they say Columbus was responsible for genocide.
The delay last month was asked for by some Native American groups so the resolution would be signed on the day itself, something Mayor Ed Murray supports.
Desert Rose Casino to ReOpen after Takeover Attempt, Cash Taken
The Alturas Indian tribe’s Desert Rose Casino will reopen after a temporary closure.
Earlier this week, the General Council of the Alturas Indian Rancheria met at the Alturas Indian Rancheria Event Center to overturn the actions of Wendy Del Rosa and non-tribal members who caused the temporary closure of the casino, according to a press release.
According to the Sacramento law firm Fredericks Peebles and Morgan, former employees Wendy Del Rosa, Wayne Smith and Creig Marcus removed all the cash from the casino. The matter has been turned over for criminal investigation, the release said.
The tribe’s General Council regained control of the casino within hours and has reopened it.
On Tuesday, the General Council removed Del Rosa from the business committee based on her attempted closure of the casino.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
BY BLOOD a Documentary on Freedmen Premieres in New Orleans. Fight for Their Treaty Rights.
The documentary "The documentary "by blood" by Filmmaker Marcos Barbery will premier in New Orleans October 2014. The film discusses freedmen tribal members fight against tribal disenrollment and enforcement of 1866 treaty rights." by Filmmaker Marcos Barbery will premier in New Orleans October 2014.
The film discusses Freedmen tribal members fight against tribal disenrollment and enforcement of 1866 treaty rights.
View the trailer: BY BLOOD
Learn More on Disenrollment, Ethnic Cleansing in Indian Gaming Country at these Links:
Gaming Revenue Blamed for Disenrollment
disenrollment is paper Genocide
CA Tribal Cleansing
Tribal terrorism
TRIBAL TERRORISM includes Banishment
Nooksack Disenrollment
The film discusses Freedmen tribal members fight against tribal disenrollment and enforcement of 1866 treaty rights.
View the trailer: BY BLOOD
Learn More on Disenrollment, Ethnic Cleansing in Indian Gaming Country at these Links:
Gaming Revenue Blamed for Disenrollment
disenrollment is paper Genocide
CA Tribal Cleansing
Tribal terrorism
TRIBAL TERRORISM includes Banishment
Nooksack Disenrollment
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Chukchansi Has a NEW Sheriff In Town To End Lawlessness. Can He Arrest ALL Leaders of Each Faction?
Determined to resolve the ongoing leadership conflict that has seriously impacted the economy and families of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, the on-rancheria Tribal Council headed by Chairman Tex McDonald has hired a new Tribal Police Chief. John Oliveira, a decorated military veteran and experienced leader in the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, will begin work immediately.
Chief Oliveira, a former Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, brings over 25 years of law enforcement and security experience to the position. During his tenure with the BIA, Oliveira served as National Child Abuse Coordinator, Special Response Team Commander, and Commander of the Great Basin Narcotics and ARPA Task Force.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
North Fork Rancheria isn't the ONLY Tribe looking for OFF RESERVATION CASINO in CA. Los Coyote Band of Cahuilla NEXT?
The former mayor of Barstow, California, remains confident of federal approval for theLos Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians off-reservation casino.
But Lawrence Dale is worried about Proposition 48, an initiative on the November ballot. Voters are being asked to approve or reject an off-reservation casino for theNorth Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians.
“The proposed Barstow casino is almost through the federal side, so all we have left is to go to the state and get its approval,” Dale told The Victorville Daily Press. “Our casino would be similar to the one tied to Proposition 48. If we vote to oppose this and say no we could lose our move to try to bring the casino to Barstow.”
The Bureau of Indian Affairs published the final environmental impact statement for the $160 million Barstow Casino and Resort in April. The public comment period has closed but there's no timeline for a decision on the project.
If the BIA approves, the state governor would get veto authority under the two-part determination provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Gov. Jerry Brown (D) has so far approved two off-reservation casinos -- one for the North Fork Rancheria and another for the Enterprise Rancheria.
NO TO OFF RESERVATION GAMING....
NO TO OFF RESERVATION GAMING....
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