As we have written already, The Pechanga Band has treated their tribal veterans shabbily, including decorated war veterans. Now, it appears they have treated some other veterans and their wives terribly too. The Mongols reference goes back to June 2008 when the Mongols were going to rally at Pechanga, before holding their get together on the La Jolla reservation.
From the Biker's of America Website, there's this telling of what happened at Pechanga's "Veterans Eat Free" promotion:
Hi Gill,
I contacted CBS News, NBC News, and ABC News regarding Pechanga's treatment
of the Vietnam Vets. This was done by filling out a form online. Here is what the form said:
Several Vietnam Veterans went to Pechanga Casino today on their motorcycles for the advertised event "Vets Eat Free" at the buffet. They called in advance to make sure they could wear their Vietnam Vet patches on their vests and were given approval.
Security pulled them out of line and told them to leave. They did not want "bikers" at the buffet and they would be arrested for trespassing. The vets explained that they had called in advance. Security allowed them to eat, with a guard present, and then made them leave the casino premises.
I think this is a shameful way to treat our vets and should be looked into further. I BELIEVE THE TREATMENT OF THESE VETS WAS UNAMERICAN. You can call Gill Mellen for more info. His number is 949-xxx-xxxx. Thanks.
In addition, I had email addresses for several reporters from a previous project. I sent them a separate email, of which I copied you. I also filled out a form online with Pechanga Casino with the same info. Attached are the names and contact for several newspapers in that area and information for the Pechanga Band of Indians, which is the tribe that overseas the casino. I think it would be a good idea if all the members sent letters to the editor and letters to both the casino and the tribe
regarding the poor treatment. It should be done quickly.
Let me know your thoughts. MJ
VETERANS, it's time to show Pechanga your moral outrage by NOT visiting the casino or hotel. Avoid shows at the casino. Send the tribe, headed by Mark Macarro a fax (951) 695-1778 letting them know WHY you are not patronizing them anymore. Pechanga likes their felons, but don't appreciate their veterans.
UPDATE: This is from the comments section of another post:
VIETNAM VETS KICKED OUT OF PECHANGA HOTEL AND CASINO ON VETERANS DAY!!
On Thursday, November 11, Veterans Day, eight Veterans, seven Vietnam Vets and one active duty Marine, as well as two of their wives, were threatened with arrest and told to leave the Casino.
After leaving the Menifee Veterans Memorial Dedication ceremony in Menifee we headed to Pechanga for the complementary buffet offered to honor Veterans. While in line for about 20 minutes we were approached by Pechanga Security and told we would have to leave because we were wearing our vests with a mc on the back. MC stands for Motorcycle Club. Also on the back of the vest was a patch that said VIETNAM VET, and USA , THE COUNTRY WE FOUGHT AND MANY DIED FOR. Lt Jim, of their Security, said he would have us arrested for trespassing if we did not leave. As Vietnam Vets, this was the same treatment we received in 60’s and 70’s. This is the year 2010, you would think that Veterans deserve more, not this. It was embarrassing and humiliating to be treated with such disrespect in front at least 40 patrons, who could not believe what was happening.
I, Robert Ingersoll, a former Marine and retired school teacher of 35 years, had called the Casino a week earlier to make sure that wearing our vests would not be a problem. I was assured that it would not be a problem by SGT Moreno (spelling may not be right). He said he would tell everyone in the days briefing that Veteran Motorcycle Clubs may be attending. We have been in many other Casinos in the area, without a problem. In fact the Vietnam/Legacy Vets, along with the Rez Riders, an Indian Motorcycle Club, have sponsored Toy runs for Years at other Casinos.
There are many Veteran Motorcycle Clubs in the area, Vietnam Vets, Legacy Vets, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion Riders, Brotherhood of Marine Corps Riders, Leathernecks, Rough Riders, and many more.
There have been court cases that state: DESCRIMINATION AGAINST BIKERS ON THE BASIS OF CLOTHING OR MOTORCYCLE CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS ILLEGAL IN CALIFORNIA. Unruh Civil Rights, Act CC 51et seq and Cohen V California, a Supreme Court ruling, that stated that individuals have the right under the First Amendment to wear clothing which displays writing or designs.
The last time I looked, Pechanga Hotel and Casino is in California and part of the United States.
PECHANGA’S CONDUCT TOWARD THESE VETERANS WAS UNACCEPTABLE AND DISGRACEFUL.
After leaving Pechanga we headed to Applebee’s on highway 79 in Temecula. There we ate, were treated with respect and dignity, and the manager ask to take a picture of us for their wall. Pechanga should send its staff to Applebee’s for training on how to truly honor and respect Veterans.
Robert Ingersoll
Murrieta , California
Monday, November 15, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The City of Bell and The Pechanga Tribe have Commonality? Their Auditors
Original Pechanga's Blog contributor Attila the CPA found that The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, who are well known to have cheated hundreds of tribal members out of their rightful tribal benefits including: Per Capita payments, healthcare coverage, voting rights and educational assistance and the CITY OF BELL, CA share AUDITORS.
Attila the CPA:
The Bell City government leaders have spent time behind bars for paying themselves huge salaries and pensions from funds extracted from the people of the city of Bell. Both the city of Bell and the Pechanga tribal Government headed by Mark Macarro share the same Governmental Accounting requirements, and, as it turns out, employ the same accounting firm.
According to the LA Times, “Accountants gave Bell clean reports, ignoring red flags that pointed to excessive salaries, illegal taxes and failure to follow reporting requirements. A Times review finds Bell is far from being alone. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating potential civil rights and voting rights violations by the city, and the state controller, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the State Department of Corporations also have launched investigations into Bell's finances.
The scandal in the city of Bell has resulted in seven separate investigations and one round of criminal charges against former City Administrator Robert Rizzo and other current and former officials. But year after year, during a period marked by record salaries, illegal taxes, loans to insiders and arbitrary fees on businesses, the cities outside auditors, Mayer Hoffman McCann, gave Bell's financial record a clean bill of health.”
Meyer, Hoffman McCann has been the Auditor for the Pechanga Tribal Government for the past four years and a review of the relationship is appropriate. The tribal Membership of Pechanga has an obligation to insist on an accounting of the salaries and benefits paid to tribal Officials, and that the abuses in the City of Bell’s finances are not repeated in the Pechanga Tribal Government.
OP: Does the membership know where the salaries are at this point? Where the expenses are going? There was a large contingent in Washington DC recently, visiting on the water rights issues we've written about previously HERE HERE looks like more than the ICRA should receive attention from Congressional oversight hearings.
Attila the CPA:
The Bell City government leaders have spent time behind bars for paying themselves huge salaries and pensions from funds extracted from the people of the city of Bell. Both the city of Bell and the Pechanga tribal Government headed by Mark Macarro share the same Governmental Accounting requirements, and, as it turns out, employ the same accounting firm.
According to the LA Times, “Accountants gave Bell clean reports, ignoring red flags that pointed to excessive salaries, illegal taxes and failure to follow reporting requirements. A Times review finds Bell is far from being alone. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating potential civil rights and voting rights violations by the city, and the state controller, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the State Department of Corporations also have launched investigations into Bell's finances.
The scandal in the city of Bell has resulted in seven separate investigations and one round of criminal charges against former City Administrator Robert Rizzo and other current and former officials. But year after year, during a period marked by record salaries, illegal taxes, loans to insiders and arbitrary fees on businesses, the cities outside auditors, Mayer Hoffman McCann, gave Bell's financial record a clean bill of health.”
Meyer, Hoffman McCann has been the Auditor for the Pechanga Tribal Government for the past four years and a review of the relationship is appropriate. The tribal Membership of Pechanga has an obligation to insist on an accounting of the salaries and benefits paid to tribal Officials, and that the abuses in the City of Bell’s finances are not repeated in the Pechanga Tribal Government.
OP: Does the membership know where the salaries are at this point? Where the expenses are going? There was a large contingent in Washington DC recently, visiting on the water rights issues we've written about previously HERE HERE looks like more than the ICRA should receive attention from Congressional oversight hearings.
Friday, November 12, 2010
American Indian Rights & Resource Organization (AIRRO) in United Nations Report
Good news from Geneva, Switzerland, in the Summary prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights report to the United Nations, AIRRO is mentioned.
The American Indian Rights and Resources Organization (AIRRO) is a Native American rights organization which is dedicated to the protection, preservation, and enforcement of the human rights of individual Indians throughout United States Indian Country.
Please view AIRRO's website at http://www.airro.org/ and consider becoming a member.
Abuses by tribes such as the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, Redding Rancheria, Picayune Rancheria, Enterprise Rancheria, Snoqualmie (WA) have led to the growth of this organization.
The American Indian Rights and Resources Organization (AIRRO) is a Native American rights organization which is dedicated to the protection, preservation, and enforcement of the human rights of individual Indians throughout United States Indian Country.
Please view AIRRO's website at http://www.airro.org/ and consider becoming a member.
Abuses by tribes such as the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, Redding Rancheria, Picayune Rancheria, Enterprise Rancheria, Snoqualmie (WA) have led to the growth of this organization.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Felipe Cuevas: Decorated Military Veteran Ousted Posthumously from Pechanga
We at Original Pechanga's Blog would like to thank all our veterans for their sacrifices. Thought they are offering free meals to veterans today, what they really want is for them to spend their retirement pay on their slot machines. Vets would do better by taking a baggie of shrimp home from the buffet.
Here is an appreciation of a father, by his son, ME that we wrote for last year's Veteran's Day.
On this Veteran’s Day, I want to remember my father, Felipe Cuevas, born July 13, 1928. He was the son of Phillip and Olive Cuevas. Olive was the daughter of Mary Ann Miller, who, in turn, was the daughter of Paulina Hunter of Pechanga. Paulina was the matriarch of the Hunter Clan who was given her 20 acres of land on the Pechanga Reservation as the head of the Family.
My father grew up in Los Angeles, a graduate of Roosevelt High School and the oldest of five children, all of whom served in our military. He entered the U.S. Army in 1948 and served in many capacities, primarily as a drill instructor. He was stationed in Germany, where his wife Alice bore a son, as well as Korea, Ft. Ord, CA, Ft. Lewis, WA where I was born, and Ft. Benning, GA. At all of these posts he trained young men to serve our country. He served two tours in Vietnam, once an advisor with a South Vietnamese Army Battalion, both tours were near the end of his career.
He always taught us about our family roots at Pechanga, having helped to build the cabin on Hunter Lane in 1957 with his cousins and uncles. My first time on the reservation was when he served his first tour in Vietnam in 1966. My Aunt Tillie and Uncle Bars took my brother and me to spend time at the cabin. That was when you could still hunt on the rez, for rabbit and dove. He was proud to be Pechanga and he was happy that family members were able to bring us to the reservation while he was in Southeast Asia.
As it is Veteran’s Day, I’m proud to write about one of his achievements. This Pechanga warrior was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device (valor). Since my scanner is down, I’ll re-type the citation here, but will have a copy linked as soon as I can, so there can be no "Rathergate" claims. Here's what the citation says:
Date action: 3 July 1967
Theater: Republic of Vietnam
Reason:
For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force: Sergeant First Class Cuevas distinguished himself by heroic action on 3 July 1967 while serving as Light Weapons Infantry Advisor to the 1st Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, the Viet Cong opened fire on the battalion headquarters compound with machinegun, small arms and 82mm mortar fire. Eight Vietnamese soldiers and dependents were seriously wounded during the initial phase of the attack and an aerial evacuation was requested. Sergeant Cuevas voluntarily proceeded to the helicopter landing area. Sergeant Cuevas remained in the exposed area assisting in sorting the wounded and determining priority for evacuation. Only when all wounded personnel were safely aboard an aircraft and airborne did Sergeant Cuevas return to a safe position. As result of Sergeant Cuevas’s prompt and courageous efforts, the rapid and efficient evacuation of all wounded was accomplished. Sergeant First Class Cuevas’ heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.
NEIL N. SNYDER, JR.
Colonel, USA
Adjutant General
My father was also awarded the Bronze Star. You don’t “win” these by the way. But he was proud of his service, proud that he was able to make young men ready to defend themselves and our country. He served 23 years in the Army.
Sadly, he was never able to enjoy the largesse that came with the successful opening of the Pechanga Resort and Casino, which brought much needed funds to the reservation and our people. Conversely, he also was never able to feel the sting of seeing his birthright ripped from his family, which now includes five grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren by a "disenrollment" committee that included: Ruth Masiel, Ihrene Scearce, Frances Miranda and Bobbi LeMere. Pechanga proudly displays his name as a Pechanga Veteran on their website, along with his brother and sisters, yet now, they also say, HE IS NOT PECHANGA. On July 13, 2006, on what would have been his 78th birthday, the Pechanga Tribal Council heard our family’s appeal of our unconstitutional disenrollment and later did not allow our appeal. Much of that story is written here on this blog.
My father always encouraged my brother and me to do our best, to do what is right and THAT is why we continue to fight for our rights and against the evil that has been done to our family.
Dad, thank you for all that you gave to your family and to your country. I am proud to be your son. It is shameful that Pechanga doesn't reward your memory by following the rule of law and the will of the people. Even more scurrilous, the Pechanga Tribal Council has seen fit to remove it's page honoring tribal veterans.
Here is an appreciation of a father, by his son, ME that we wrote for last year's Veteran's Day.
On this Veteran’s Day, I want to remember my father, Felipe Cuevas, born July 13, 1928. He was the son of Phillip and Olive Cuevas. Olive was the daughter of Mary Ann Miller, who, in turn, was the daughter of Paulina Hunter of Pechanga. Paulina was the matriarch of the Hunter Clan who was given her 20 acres of land on the Pechanga Reservation as the head of the Family.
My father grew up in Los Angeles, a graduate of Roosevelt High School and the oldest of five children, all of whom served in our military. He entered the U.S. Army in 1948 and served in many capacities, primarily as a drill instructor. He was stationed in Germany, where his wife Alice bore a son, as well as Korea, Ft. Ord, CA, Ft. Lewis, WA where I was born, and Ft. Benning, GA. At all of these posts he trained young men to serve our country. He served two tours in Vietnam, once an advisor with a South Vietnamese Army Battalion, both tours were near the end of his career.
He always taught us about our family roots at Pechanga, having helped to build the cabin on Hunter Lane in 1957 with his cousins and uncles. My first time on the reservation was when he served his first tour in Vietnam in 1966. My Aunt Tillie and Uncle Bars took my brother and me to spend time at the cabin. That was when you could still hunt on the rez, for rabbit and dove. He was proud to be Pechanga and he was happy that family members were able to bring us to the reservation while he was in Southeast Asia.
As it is Veteran’s Day, I’m proud to write about one of his achievements. This Pechanga warrior was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device (valor). Since my scanner is down, I’ll re-type the citation here, but will have a copy linked as soon as I can, so there can be no "Rathergate" claims. Here's what the citation says:
Date action: 3 July 1967
Theater: Republic of Vietnam
Reason:
For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force: Sergeant First Class Cuevas distinguished himself by heroic action on 3 July 1967 while serving as Light Weapons Infantry Advisor to the 1st Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, the Viet Cong opened fire on the battalion headquarters compound with machinegun, small arms and 82mm mortar fire. Eight Vietnamese soldiers and dependents were seriously wounded during the initial phase of the attack and an aerial evacuation was requested. Sergeant Cuevas voluntarily proceeded to the helicopter landing area. Sergeant Cuevas remained in the exposed area assisting in sorting the wounded and determining priority for evacuation. Only when all wounded personnel were safely aboard an aircraft and airborne did Sergeant Cuevas return to a safe position. As result of Sergeant Cuevas’s prompt and courageous efforts, the rapid and efficient evacuation of all wounded was accomplished. Sergeant First Class Cuevas’ heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.
NEIL N. SNYDER, JR.
Colonel, USA
Adjutant General
My father was also awarded the Bronze Star. You don’t “win” these by the way. But he was proud of his service, proud that he was able to make young men ready to defend themselves and our country. He served 23 years in the Army.
Sadly, he was never able to enjoy the largesse that came with the successful opening of the Pechanga Resort and Casino, which brought much needed funds to the reservation and our people. Conversely, he also was never able to feel the sting of seeing his birthright ripped from his family, which now includes five grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren by a "disenrollment" committee that included: Ruth Masiel, Ihrene Scearce, Frances Miranda and Bobbi LeMere. Pechanga proudly displays his name as a Pechanga Veteran on their website, along with his brother and sisters, yet now, they also say, HE IS NOT PECHANGA. On July 13, 2006, on what would have been his 78th birthday, the Pechanga Tribal Council heard our family’s appeal of our unconstitutional disenrollment and later did not allow our appeal. Much of that story is written here on this blog.
My father always encouraged my brother and me to do our best, to do what is right and THAT is why we continue to fight for our rights and against the evil that has been done to our family.
Dad, thank you for all that you gave to your family and to your country. I am proud to be your son. It is shameful that Pechanga doesn't reward your memory by following the rule of law and the will of the people. Even more scurrilous, the Pechanga Tribal Council has seen fit to remove it's page honoring tribal veterans.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Pechanga Veteran's Day: Mary Ann Cuevas Poole An Appreciation
A tribute to Pechanga’s military veterans for this year’s Veteran’s day. You may recall that we wrote earlier that the Pechanga Band recently scrubbed their page honoring Pechanga’s military veterans. We believe it was primarily because the Hunter family and the Manuela Miranda descendents constituted the majority of their veterans. Well, you can’t honor those you have dishonored by disenrolling them, can you? Well, Pechanga took credit for them for over four years, so obviously, they have no shame, or their webmaster was incompetent.
This post honors our aunt, Mary Ann Poole, who is a descendent of Paulina Hunter, through Mary Ann Miller. Her enrollment number was in double digits, much lower than Tribal Chairman Macarro, or the previous chair Jennie Miranda.
Here’s that Veteran’s story. Yes, in the 1950’s Pechanga women served in our military. Her husband, Paul Poole relates the story.
All five of Olive Miller Cuevas’ kids were active at the same time, the boys in the Army, Matilda in the Air Force, and Mary Ann in the Navy
A lot of military brats were raised by that crew, with Matilda marrying an Air Force career guy and Mary Ann marrying a career Navy guy. (OP: 14 of them! Some veterans themselves) Then there's Felipe, who stayed in the Army, Tommy and David spending two separate hitches in the Army and marrying Inge from Germany
Each one KNEW that his branch of the military was the BEST, and arguments ensued. It was a patriotic bunch, I'll say that. Mom and Pop wer proud of us all, and we were proud to serve.
As for Mary Ann - she joined the Navy in early 1954 and went to Boot Camp in Bainbridge , MD.
She got to Radio School at the Naval Radio Station, Imperial Beach , CA
when we met - she joined my radio school class which was already in progress. In that Basic
Radio school we were taught the Morse Code (sending and receiving) plus basic typing. She had
a little problem with Morse Code but, since she had already been a secretary, she could type
over a hundred words a minute - and she and the typing instructor would sit at the back of the
class and "race" on their typewriters.
After radio school we both were advanced to the classified part of the schooling, where we
began to learn about our future military intelligence duties. In that school we separated into
different skills. Mary Ann was taught about teletype circuits and how to send and receive
messages containing military intelligence to and from other U.S.
We graduated from the Communications Technician school in December 1954, having been
married a week earlier. I should note that our "rating" was later changed from Communications
Technician to Cryptologic Technician.
In any case, Mary Ann was transferred to Wash DC and I went to Kami Seya , Japan
Also, since she was one ofthe service women who had a Top Secret security clearance, (OP: Anyone think the Pechanga Tribal Council could get one? Or the Masiel Crime family?) and was deemed trustworthy, she was asked from time to time to babysit the kids of the "big wigs". She wound up sitting with Gerald Ford's kids on several occasions, a job that she was proud of, especially since he later advanced from just a US Congressman from Michigan
Mary Ann was honorably discharged in Dec 1955, and in January 1956 she joined me in Japan Japan Puerto Rico . She was happiest when we spent time at our trailer on the reservation.
HAPPY VETERANS DAY to all veterans.
HAPPY VETERANS DAY to all veterans.
Monday, November 8, 2010
New Website: NDN Market by our friend Tamra Brennan of NDN News
A friend to Original Pechanga's Blog, Tamra Brennan has started a new business venture. Check out NDN Market which has NDN books, DVD's and Tunes. It's always good to be able to help your friends out. GOOD LUCK Tamra!
And for more news from NDN country check out Tamra's site: NDNNEWS.com Tamra has been good enough to link stories from our blog to hers and help spread the news about the scourge of tribal disenrollments. Remember she had some communication with Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro and his Cousin Victor Rocha?
More on Mark Macarro
And for more news from NDN country check out Tamra's site: NDNNEWS.com Tamra has been good enough to link stories from our blog to hers and help spread the news about the scourge of tribal disenrollments. Remember she had some communication with Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro and his Cousin Victor Rocha?
More on Mark Macarro
Anna Prieto Sandoval, Influential Sycuan Leader, Dies
When Anna Prieto Sandoval became leader of the Sycuan Band of Mission Indians in 1972, its reservation near El Cajon was a tumbledown settlement of wooden shacks with outhouses, a 100-year-old Catholic church and a cinder-block meeting hall. About 80 members lived on the tribal land, and none had a steady job.
When she stepped down two decades later, the Sycuan had risen from abject poverty to become a national model of tribal self-sufficiency, a transformation that Sandoval was largely responsible for — and that she came to regret.
Her dedication was tremendous. It was all about her people, about native people," said Daniel J. Tucker, current chairman of the Sycuan band.
Tucker said Sandoval's vision and drive led to dramatic improvements. New houses for every family replaced the dilapidated structures. She built a new church, a medical clinic and a fire station. As the gambling operation grew, the Sycuan became one of the largest employers in east San Diego County, with 600 workers and almost 1 million visitors annually.
When she stepped down two decades later, the Sycuan had risen from abject poverty to become a national model of tribal self-sufficiency, a transformation that Sandoval was largely responsible for — and that she came to regret.
Her dedication was tremendous. It was all about her people, about native people," said Daniel J. Tucker, current chairman of the Sycuan band.
Tucker said Sandoval's vision and drive led to dramatic improvements. New houses for every family replaced the dilapidated structures. She built a new church, a medical clinic and a fire station. As the gambling operation grew, the Sycuan became one of the largest employers in east San Diego County, with 600 workers and almost 1 million visitors annually.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Feinstein Proposal to Limit Off Reservation Casinos Coming in Lame Duck Session?
Indian gaming tribes are readying for a possible lame duck lobbying battle amidst indications that the senior U.S. Senator from California is working on an amendment to curtail the ability of tribes to establish off-reservation casinos.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein is working on a proposal to limit the ability of tribes to establish off-reservation casinos, and may even try to attach the measure to an omnibus appropriations bill in next month’s lame duck session of Congress, sources have confirmed.
A move by Feinstein would mark an escalation in the battle over an issue that first saw the Bush administration issue some regulatory restrictions on the ability of tribes to establish off reservation facilities, and then became more complicated still through a February 2009 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that raised further legal questions for some tribes.
Interior Department officials already have vetted language in Feinstein’s proposal and sent it back to her, but she hasn’t made a final decision about when she will introduce it, according to a Senate source.
“She could stick it onto the appropriations bill, which may be the only piece of legislation Congress passes during the lame duck,” said Joe Valandra, a tribal gaming lobbyist and former chief of staff of the National Indian Gaming Commission.
Sources said Feinstein’s proposal, should it pass, would effectively amend the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 by prohibiting tribes from having newly acquired land taken into trust for gaming purposes.
Feinstein, a Democratic member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has been one of the most prominent opponents of off-reservation gambling in Congress. Maybe it's time for Californians to allow gaming throughout the state.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein is working on a proposal to limit the ability of tribes to establish off-reservation casinos, and may even try to attach the measure to an omnibus appropriations bill in next month’s lame duck session of Congress, sources have confirmed.
A move by Feinstein would mark an escalation in the battle over an issue that first saw the Bush administration issue some regulatory restrictions on the ability of tribes to establish off reservation facilities, and then became more complicated still through a February 2009 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that raised further legal questions for some tribes.
Interior Department officials already have vetted language in Feinstein’s proposal and sent it back to her, but she hasn’t made a final decision about when she will introduce it, according to a Senate source.
“She could stick it onto the appropriations bill, which may be the only piece of legislation Congress passes during the lame duck,” said Joe Valandra, a tribal gaming lobbyist and former chief of staff of the National Indian Gaming Commission.
Sources said Feinstein’s proposal, should it pass, would effectively amend the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 by prohibiting tribes from having newly acquired land taken into trust for gaming purposes.
Feinstein, a Democratic member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has been one of the most prominent opponents of off-reservation gambling in Congress. Maybe it's time for Californians to allow gaming throughout the state.
Richmond Voters OPPOSE Point Molate Casino in Measure U.
A majority of voters in Richmond appear opposed to an American Indian tribe's plans for a $1 billion casino and resort at Point Molate.
Figures from the Contra Costa County Elections Division early Wednesday morning show 57.5 percent of voters oppose city approval of the project while 42.5 percent support it.
The ballot measure—known as Measure U—is only advisory. The project requires approval from state and federal officials, who could still choose to move forward. Let's hope state officials follow the will of the people.
The Guidiville Band of Pomo Indians has proposed a Las Vegas-style casino with an 1,100-room hotel, nightclubs, restaurants, a ferry terminal and housing for the tribe.
The project is being backed by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, which operates the Cache Creek Casino Resort in Yolo County.
Figures from the Contra Costa County Elections Division early Wednesday morning show 57.5 percent of voters oppose city approval of the project while 42.5 percent support it.
The ballot measure—known as Measure U—is only advisory. The project requires approval from state and federal officials, who could still choose to move forward. Let's hope state officials follow the will of the people.
The Guidiville Band of Pomo Indians has proposed a Las Vegas-style casino with an 1,100-room hotel, nightclubs, restaurants, a ferry terminal and housing for the tribe.
The project is being backed by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, which operates the Cache Creek Casino Resort in Yolo County.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Congratulations to Darrell Issa and Mary Bono Mack for Mid-Term Wins
The mid-term elections are over and we hope that your favorite candidates won. With the new Congress, those of us that have been looking for current Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall to hold hearings on enforcement of the ICRA, will now have to put our hopes to a Republican leadership.
That leadership MUST understand that protecting individual Indians is not accomplished by merely giving the chiefs all that they want. This site has many posts of the corrupt leadership of CA tribes. There are thousands of Indians that have been harmed by tribes that are asking for concessions from Congress.
We know that they have lied to Congress and we are asking the new majority to exercise due diligence in dealing with tribes such as Pechanga, Picayune Rancheria, Redding, and Enterprise among other.
Here's how to exercise your moral outrage at a sovereign nation.
That leadership MUST understand that protecting individual Indians is not accomplished by merely giving the chiefs all that they want. This site has many posts of the corrupt leadership of CA tribes. There are thousands of Indians that have been harmed by tribes that are asking for concessions from Congress.
We know that they have lied to Congress and we are asking the new majority to exercise due diligence in dealing with tribes such as Pechanga, Picayune Rancheria, Redding, and Enterprise among other.
Here's how to exercise your moral outrage at a sovereign nation.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The Eviction of The Temecula Indians from Temecula And Testimony from Antonio Ashman
The history of Pechanga (A PLACE, not a people) begins with the ancestral home village of Temeeku. Now under Redhawk, where Margarita road cuts south through a bluff, the Temeeku Village was home to the Temeekuyam and a center for all Luiseño Tribal peoples.
Eviction
After the establishment of the state of California in 1850, a group of Temecula Valley Ranchers petitioned the District Court in San Francisco for a Decree of Ejection of Indians living on the land in Temecula Valley, to which the Temeekuyam could show no clear written title on April 15, 1869. The court later granted the decree in 1873. Several attempts by the Temeekuyam captains to stay the decree were unsuccessful, and our fate was sealed.
In 1875 a posse led by the sheriff of San Diego County, Mr. Hunsaker, began three days worth of evictions. Among those in the posse were Jose Gonzalez, Juan Murrieta, Francisco Sanjurjo, Pujol, and Louis Wolf. Murrieta and Sanjurjo were two of the ranchers— sheep farmers— who successfully petitioned for the decree.
The Temecula Indians were advised and warned by our friends that, for our own protection, rather than resist any longer we should submit. We complied, and our possessions are carried away in wagons while we walked behind. We were taken into the hills south of Temecula River. The location is now near the west end of Loma Linda Road on the Temecula Creek Golf-course's fairway. The late Antonio Ashman, a vaunted Pechanga Tribal member born three years after the eviction recounted how the eviction-trek ended: "They just dumped them here"— pointing to a low hill near the golf-course. "Just dumped them!"
Being strong of spirit, most of our dispossessed ancestors moved upstream to a small, secluded valley; they built new homes and re-established their lives in this valley. A spring located 2 miles upstream in a canyon provided them with water; the spring we have always called Pechaa'a (from pechaq = to drip). This spring is the namesake for Pechaa'anga or Pechaanga, which means "at Pechaa'a, at the place where water drips."
Creation of the ReservationOn June 27th, 1882, seven years after being evicted, an Executive Order of the President of the United States (Chester A. Arthur) was issued, thereby establishing the Pechanga Indian Reservation. Several subsequent Trust Patents were issued in 1893, 1931 and 1971, each one increasing the size of Pechanga. In 1891, 1,233 acres of the reservation's lands were allotted to adult heads of household in 20 and 10 acre plots. Read more about Traditional Sites.
Mr. Ashman, who was born in 1875, swore under oath that our ancestor, Paulina Hunter was a Pechanga Indian, also proven by the allotment she was given by President McKinley's order.
In subsequent depostions taken in the Luiseno Language, true,sworn ORAL history, in 1915 three Pechanga members, including a relative of current tribal chairman Mark Macarro, swore Paulina Hunter was a member.
Sadly, modern-day Pechanga people didn't believe anyone who knew Paulina when she was alive, choosing instead to believe hearsay of people who were born decades after Paulina Hunter died.
Eviction
After the establishment of the state of California in 1850, a group of Temecula Valley Ranchers petitioned the District Court in San Francisco for a Decree of Ejection of Indians living on the land in Temecula Valley, to which the Temeekuyam could show no clear written title on April 15, 1869. The court later granted the decree in 1873. Several attempts by the Temeekuyam captains to stay the decree were unsuccessful, and our fate was sealed.
In 1875 a posse led by the sheriff of San Diego County, Mr. Hunsaker, began three days worth of evictions. Among those in the posse were Jose Gonzalez, Juan Murrieta, Francisco Sanjurjo, Pujol, and Louis Wolf. Murrieta and Sanjurjo were two of the ranchers— sheep farmers— who successfully petitioned for the decree.
The Temecula Indians were advised and warned by our friends that, for our own protection, rather than resist any longer we should submit. We complied, and our possessions are carried away in wagons while we walked behind. We were taken into the hills south of Temecula River. The location is now near the west end of Loma Linda Road on the Temecula Creek Golf-course's fairway. The late Antonio Ashman, a vaunted Pechanga Tribal member born three years after the eviction recounted how the eviction-trek ended: "They just dumped them here"— pointing to a low hill near the golf-course. "Just dumped them!"
Being strong of spirit, most of our dispossessed ancestors moved upstream to a small, secluded valley; they built new homes and re-established their lives in this valley. A spring located 2 miles upstream in a canyon provided them with water; the spring we have always called Pechaa'a (from pechaq = to drip). This spring is the namesake for Pechaa'anga or Pechaanga, which means "at Pechaa'a, at the place where water drips."
Creation of the ReservationOn June 27th, 1882, seven years after being evicted, an Executive Order of the President of the United States (Chester A. Arthur) was issued, thereby establishing the Pechanga Indian Reservation. Several subsequent Trust Patents were issued in 1893, 1931 and 1971, each one increasing the size of Pechanga. In 1891, 1,233 acres of the reservation's lands were allotted to adult heads of household in 20 and 10 acre plots. Read more about Traditional Sites.
Mr. Ashman, who was born in 1875, swore under oath that our ancestor, Paulina Hunter was a Pechanga Indian, also proven by the allotment she was given by President McKinley's order.
In subsequent depostions taken in the Luiseno Language, true,sworn ORAL history, in 1915 three Pechanga members, including a relative of current tribal chairman Mark Macarro, swore Paulina Hunter was a member.
Sadly, modern-day Pechanga people didn't believe anyone who knew Paulina when she was alive, choosing instead to believe hearsay of people who were born decades after Paulina Hunter died.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Redesign of Original Pechanga's Blog; Help us GROW; Spread the Word
We've done a bit of redesigning of Original Pechanga's Blog. It's a work in progress and we'll continue to tweak it as we go along. We've been able to broaden our reach, and find some positive signs that we are reaching the right people.
The House of Representatives, the Senate and the Department of Interior have all looked here for information on what is going on at the Pechanga Reservation, as well as other tribes in CA. They've been interested in Soboba and Picayune Rancheria, as well as a few others.
YOU, dear readers, can continue to help us grow. This new template, allows you to share our blog on TWITTER, FACEBOOK and GoogleBUZZ. By sharing our blog, you help us grow and reach more people. The more people are informed of the violations of civil rights by corrupt tribal councils, the more they will view tribal entities with the disgust they deserve. PLEASE, help us grow, share our blog on Facebook and Twitter. You can make a difference
Learn more about: Pechanga Resort & Casino; Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, Mark Macarro, Tribal Disenrollment
The House of Representatives, the Senate and the Department of Interior have all looked here for information on what is going on at the Pechanga Reservation, as well as other tribes in CA. They've been interested in Soboba and Picayune Rancheria, as well as a few others.
YOU, dear readers, can continue to help us grow. This new template, allows you to share our blog on TWITTER, FACEBOOK and GoogleBUZZ. By sharing our blog, you help us grow and reach more people. The more people are informed of the violations of civil rights by corrupt tribal councils, the more they will view tribal entities with the disgust they deserve. PLEASE, help us grow, share our blog on Facebook and Twitter. You can make a difference
Learn more about: Pechanga Resort & Casino; Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, Mark Macarro, Tribal Disenrollment
Thursday, October 28, 2010
ITG Publishing Launches It's Website with Native American Inspired Stories
I've said before that one of the best parts about having your own blog is that you can help your family out. Our family members have launched a new website, where you can purchase stories with Native American Inspiration. Please take a look and it's just in time for Christmas. There is also a CD available that helps learn Luiseno words via music.
Glad to help out the family, and I hope that you will pass the site on to your friends. Since Pechanga has stolen well over a Million Dollars from each Hunter and Manuela Miranda member, family members are becoming more entreprenurial.
Glad to help out the family, and I hope that you will pass the site on to your friends. Since Pechanga has stolen well over a Million Dollars from each Hunter and Manuela Miranda member, family members are becoming more entreprenurial.
Rincon Tribe Barricades Private Property - Keeps Owners INSIDE
The Rincon Tribe is working to control privately owned land. The landowner does not recognize tribal authority over his property. But it's a sign of things to come. The Pechanga Tribe of Temecula is also working to steal/control water that was designated to allottees of the Temecula Band of Indians, who were granted land on the reservation that was set aside for ALL Temecula Indians. A Splinter Group has taken control of the tribe and is trying to use their leverage with Congress to steal water rights.
The Rincon Band of Mission Indians placed three concrete barricades this week at the entrance to a neighboring property ---- the latest salvo in a 4-year-old battle to get the owner to comply with the Valley Center tribe's environmental regulations.
The 5-acre property, located directly across the road from the tribe's casino and resort, has housed a vehicle storage facility, trucking business and numerous recreational vehicles. Rincon officials have said the property was a health and environmental hazard and has ordered it to be cleaned up.
But the land that once was part of the reservation is now privately held by Marvin Donius, who says the property is not subject to the tribe's jurisdiction or laws.
The barriers blocked Steven Rogers-Dial and his wife inside the property. The couple rent a home on the property from Donius. Rogers said he was prepared to stay on the property as long as possible in solidarity with Donius.
"I'm not going to walk out just yet," Rogers said. "I've got enough food to hold me a month, if I need to."
Read more HERE
The Rincon Band of Mission Indians placed three concrete barricades this week at the entrance to a neighboring property ---- the latest salvo in a 4-year-old battle to get the owner to comply with the Valley Center tribe's environmental regulations.
The 5-acre property, located directly across the road from the tribe's casino and resort, has housed a vehicle storage facility, trucking business and numerous recreational vehicles. Rincon officials have said the property was a health and environmental hazard and has ordered it to be cleaned up.
But the land that once was part of the reservation is now privately held by Marvin Donius, who says the property is not subject to the tribe's jurisdiction or laws.
The barriers blocked Steven Rogers-Dial and his wife inside the property. The couple rent a home on the property from Donius. Rogers said he was prepared to stay on the property as long as possible in solidarity with Donius.
"I'm not going to walk out just yet," Rogers said. "I've got enough food to hold me a month, if I need to."
Read more HERE
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