NOTRE DAME Beats USC 41-31! Excellent Game in this Historic Rivalry

A terrific game to watch for a Notre Dame fan.  Well, except for a second quarter that let some wind out of the sails for a bit.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish pulled away from the Trojans with excellent defense that they must have hidden in the locker room to be used in the 2nd half, since their defense was almost non existent in the 2nd quarter.

Congratulations Notre Dame on a Terrific Game.

Thank You, BIA for Visiting this blog OFTEN, It takes Away the "We didn't KNOW" defense.

Over the past four weeks or so, I've been keeping track of the visits to this blog by the BIA.  NO, not the builders, the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs.

BIA
Not helpful to THOUSANDS of Native Americans

I'm PROUD to say that over 65 separate BIA computers have checked in on our blog here.  We've had some of my family and some San Pasqual people sending them emails about what's been going on here. 

Thankfully, they've pulled their heads out enough to take a look.  While FEW will do the right thing, for fear of losing a cushy government job, at least, when I testify before congress, I'll be able to show them that the BIA knows how tribes are acting outside their constitutions...and do not protect the rights of Native Americans, nor are they doing their fiduciary duty.

NO WONDER they have to pay big on Cobell...and the Navajo... what's NEXT?

Bree Black Horse: Recognize. Disenrolled Indians Acknowledged As Their Own Tribes

New addition to Native American Law Firm Galanda Broadman, attorney Bree Blackhorse has a new option on the table.  Recognition of DISENROLLED Natives of current recognized tribes.

Why shouldn't they be?  In my own tribe, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, my family was PROVEN to belong to the tribe by the TRIBE's own documents.   They disenrolled my family anyway, accepting testimony from an imprisoned child molester, vs. red-ribboned documents and their own hired expert's testimony. There are THOUSANDS who have been abused by their own tribes...

Here's Bree's blog post

It could happen.  In fact, the Federal Government is currently considering whether a band of disenrolled California Pomo Indians should be recognized as their own tribe.  Other tribes should be worried about the threat that disenrolling tribes may cause the inter-tribal status quo.

In 2005, the Pinoleville Pomo Nation disenrolled a portion of its membership as a result of internal division following Pinoleville’s reestablishment as a federally recognized tribe.  Some of the disenrolled Pinoleville Pomos now seek federal acknowledgement as the Ukiah Valley Pomo Indian Tribe.  The Bureau of Indian Affairs is in the process of reviewing the Ukiah Pomos’ application for federal acknowledgement.

The federal acknowledgment regulations do not foreclose the possibility of disenrolled Indians, such as the Ukiah Pomos, being recognized as their own tribe.  A federally recognized tribe must be comprised of a “unique membership,” including that “comprised principally of persons who are not members of any federally recognized Indian tribe.”  

CALIFORNIA BANS REDSKINS AS TEAM NAME: Thank YOU Governor Brown, Now, Let Move on to SERIOUS MATTERS

Amid national debate about the use of a term many critics call outdated and offensive, Gov. Jerry Brown on Sunday signed legislation banning the use of “Redskins” as a school mascot or team name.

While offensive to some, it seems too coincidental that politicians focus with laser intensity on this issue, while blithely ignoring the real issues in Indian Country:  Tribal abuses of their own people. This year marks a full decade of civil rights violations primarily by Native American tribes with casinos.

Today, we urge you to be more serious about issues that matter in Indian County. Those issues include:

Denial of due process: Tribal leaders have routinely committed acts to deny Indian individuals due process; equal protection of tribal, state, and federal laws; property interest rights; and voting rights. These actions have been carried out in gross violation of tribal and federal laws, such as the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, which were specifically enacted to guarantee and protect the rights of the individual Indian.

BIA Called OUT for its DELIBERATE Violations of THEIR TRUST RESPONSIBILITIES

A must read letter, from Native American Activist and research expert Emilio Reyes to Amy Dutschke, Regional Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

He exposes the BIA's inaction and their deliberate violations of their trust responsibility to Native Americans of San Pasqual descent.

When asked WHY he is so involved, his response:

Today, in honor of my ancestors, my cousins at the San Pasqual Reservation, and the friends I have made from this tribe, I have given the privilege to be part of a challenge, a challenge that no one has been able to complete since the year 1909. With the help of attorney , Alexandra McIntosh, and the support of family and friends I will help them fight until we win. So here I am, because I stand for what is right. Because green federal dollars will not control our traditional ways, and because sovereignty can only be use as a nation to protect our people and not to abuse our people.

UPDATE:  THERE IS A SCRIPT YOU CAN USE to contact YOUR SENATOR, in the comment section below.  PLEASE feel free to modify it.

HOW can YOU help?  By sending a link of this blog post to YOUR representatives in CONGRESS.

BIA LETTER REGARDING THE TRASK FAMILY by TWOLFSPIRIT

Embattled San Pasqual Tribe, LOSES Damages Suit Against Californians.

The San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians cannot seek $315 million in damages from the state of California, an appeals court ruled on Monday.

For seven years, the state denied the tribe, who is led by a non San Pasqual blood chairman, the ability to offer 2,000 slot machines as promised by the Class III gaming compact. But the agreement specifically prevents both parties from seeking monetary damages for breaches, the court wrote in the unpublished opinion.

"Giving the damage waiver provision a fair reading, we find it to be an unambiguous bilateral provision, applicable when either party resorts to a judicial forum for resolving any dispute arising under the compact," Beth Grimes, an Associate Justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Eight, wrote in the decision.

The tribe was finally able to operate 2,000 slot machines at the Valley View Casino in October 2009 after requests going back to 2002 were rejected by the state. 

Between those years, the tribe contended that it lost out on $315 million in profits

NCAI Has PLAN on Tribal Disenrollment: National Congress of American Indians Will Introduce ....

After more than a DECADE of sitting on the sidelines, as tribal disenrollment ravages Native Americans throughout the country, the National Congress of American Indians has a strategy.

We think it's coded named   WRAPS

Watching, while elders die without justice, and children are stripped of their heritage.
Refusing to speak out, while falling into "safe issues" traps like nicknames and global warming
Appeasing those Tribal Leaders who abuse their own people, their own families, their history.
Prevaricate when asked about the issue; say Tribal Sovereignty  numerous times.
Sidestepping the difficult topic of tribal genocide; not on next meeting agenda



**yes..it's satire...

Cherokee Freedmen Meeting at Dept. of Interior Mysteriously CANCELLED? Is there NO Depth to Which Corrupt People Will Sink?

From our friend Marilyn Vann's Facebook Page, their trip to DC  was disrupted by a cancellation of a meeting 

Someone mysteriously cancelled the DC Department of Interior meeting for Marilyn Vann and Leetta Osborne-Sampson last week
The appointment (requested by Seminole Nation councilwoman Osborne-Sampson) was difficult to get and was gotten with the help of the Oklahoma delegation.
We arrived early for the meeting but the person who we were to meet with was a no show. Other people began arriving at the room for a different meeting; -our meeting room had been given to another group!

Seeing there was confusion; a lady who had arrived for the other meeting went to get him and when he arrived he said that "Councilwoman Osborne-Sampson had cancelled the meeting"!. The person we were to meet with took us to his office for a very short meeting as he had booked another meeting.

My belief is that person(s) from Oklahoma told the DOI NOT to meet with us and then someone pretended to be her.  After fighting so hard to get a meeting in the first place, why would the meeting just be arbitrarily cancelled right after agreeing to accept the appointment time and date?

Terrible how those who hate the Freedmen boss Federal agencies around !! But we freedmen tribal members will NOT be silent and we will NOT stop fighting for enforcement of our rights!!

SHAMEFUL..

Chukchansi Tribal Elections: Disenfranchisement the ORDER of the DAY.

The Fresno Bee has the story of how some families at Chukchansi were turned away from voting.  So the NEWEST election results, can't be trusted.  This shows that Chukchansi, again cheats it's OWN people.   Who still thinks their casino should re-open? If they will  cheat their own, they will cheat their customers.

The embattled Chukchansi tribe held an election Saturday for a new tribal council, but some families said they were excluded from voting.

Kelly Graef said that she, her son and her daughter were turned away – ballots in hand – when they attempted to vote at polls, which were set up at the Chukchansi Inc. offices at 8080 N. Palm Ave. in northwest Fresno. Her uncle and his two children shared the same fate earlier that morning.

Graef said that Mark Thompson, the election administrator, informed them they had been removed from the latest tribal roster.

Thompson allegedly told her that he had been given a new roster by the tribal administrator for the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, and the Graefs were not on it.

“As far as I know, we were on the roster as recently as early last week,” Graef said.

Thompson could not be reached for comment. Officials at the polling place refused to answer questions.

A Chukchansi official said Sunday that Graef was denied by officials overseeing the election because she was disenrolled in 2006 in a situation that did not relate to current issues. A tribal official said Graef was told earlier in the week she could not vote and that the voting papers sent to her were an oversight by the company running the election.

The election had some setbacks. One-fourth of the candidates withdrew their names from the ballot, while other tribal members say they won’t recognize the election, have established their own councils and, in the case of one faction, plan to hold their own election in December.

Many hoped the election of a new council would satisfy the National Indian Gaming Commission, which closed Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino in Coarsegold after a violent altercation between tribal factions forced the evacuation of employees and guests a year ago. The casino and hotel have remained closed since then.

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article37668192.html#storylink=cpy

Ramona Band's Leader Joseph Hamilton Speaking AGAINST Tribal Disenrollment

Ramona Band of Cahuilla Chairman Joseph Hamilton speaks out about disenrollment. I have added some commentary and links.  Thank you for standing up, Mr. Chairman.

Lately, I’ve become concerned that another unhealthy legacy of federal Indian policy is becoming “tradition” in Indian Country.

I’m talking about disenrollment.

In Southern California, where my tribe calls home, disenrollment is common, in part because of big gaming revenues and internal power struggles. It is also a symptom of the breakdown of traditional tribal power structures.  Simply put, some tribal leaders listen to lawyers instead of elders.  OP: At  Pechanga, some of the corrupt splinter group leaders threatened to dig up our elders...

PIcayune Rancheria's ELECTIONS UNLIKELY to Create UNITY

The FRESNO BEE has the story of the corruption... Villain's GOT to VILL...

Saturday’s tribal elections for the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians were supposed to mark another step forward toward tribal unity sought by state and federal regulators. But political wrangling has intensified, driving wedges even deeper between battling factions and likely further delaying the reopening of the tribe’s casino.

One-fourth of the candidates have withdrawn their names from Saturday’s election, while other tribal members say they won’t recognize the election, have established their own councils, and in the case of one faction, plan to hold their own election in December.

Bickering within the interim council triggered a meeting last week between tribal leaders and the National Indian Gaming Commission, which shuttered Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino a year ago. The federal commission and state Attorney General ordered the closure after a gaming office raid resulted in violent encounters leading to the evacuation of patrons and employees.

“Government stability is one of the significant factors in our decision-making process as to whether or not to enter into a settlement agreement for reopening the casino,” Michael Odle, a National Indian Gaming Commission spokesman in Washington, D.C., said last month. “We are looking for assurances that the gaming operation and tribal property can be safe from further conflict.”

The commission’s Sept. 17 letter and meeting came after the tribe’s three gaming commissioners and gaming commission executive director resigned over what was described as violations of the tribe’s gaming ordinance governing hiring and firing.

“The tribal council’s willingness to violate its own tribal gaming laws, particularly while negotiating the settlement of existing (gaming commission) enforcement actions, is alarming,” the commission letter said. “These concerns have a direct impact on the Division of Compliance’s recommendation to the chairman on whether a settlement agreement should be entered into with the tribe.”

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article37279311.html#storylink=cpy

UPDATE: San Pasqual Tribe's ALTO FAMILY DESCENDANTS lose in Federal Court

We've written about the Alto family case numerous times, now, the Federal Court has ruled.

The Marcus Alto descendants were enrolled based on information subsequently determined to be inaccurate and, as a result, their names must be deleted from the Band's roll.

THIS "Case is  closed."

The Trask family should be concerned, as they are even less San Pasqual...

UPDATE:  I have a statement on the ALTO CASE:  ON TO THE 9th Circuit!

 The Alto Family will be appealing to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal. The district court agreed with Echo Hawk, but there are substantial grounds to appeal the district court's decision to the 9th Circuit.  
In fact, Regional sided with the Alto's evidence as did District Court Judge Irma Gonzales who found a likelihood that the Alto family would prevail on the merits when the preliminary injunction was issued. The Altos' fight is with the BIA and they look forward to Ninth Circuit review of Echo hawk's decision and clearing up this dispute.  

Read More about the case:

San Pasqual's Alto Family SUES BIA
9th Circuit Rules IN FAVOR OF ALTO FAMILY
Larry Echo Hawk Overturns his own BIA in Alto Family Ruling
BIA Ruling Reinstates Alto Family

We'll have more as we get it...and..WE GOT IT:

ALTO v SALLY JEWELL and Department of Interior

Pechanga Councilmember Andrew Masiel is OUT: Resigns amid Ethics Committee Investigation

Andrew Masiel, Sr.  the now former council member for the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians has resigned.  Masiel was well known for helping his family disenroll two large families from the tribe in 2004 and 2006.
Sources say that Masiel had been under investigation by the tribe's Ethics committee. Masiel resigned two weeks ago, and was NOT at the council table at this past Sunday's tribal meeting.

Andrew Masiel Sr.
Son of woman who destroyed
HUNDREDS of Pechanga People's Heritage

Masiel also led the Native American Caucus of the Democratic Party which stood up against Native American's rights during a heated vote in Anaheim, CA.

Word is that Masiel will run for political office.  Really?  Who would vote for this guy?  The opposition research teams will have a field day.   Please check this blog for plenty of reason not  to vote for Masiel. Read this article for MORE links to Masiel and Pechanga Council's corruption

No Honest Elections At Pala Say Some Britten Descendents: Does Robert Smith Conduct SELECTIONS vs. ELECTIONS?

I occasionally post some information that aggrieved tribal members would like people to know. 

In this case, it's about the voting, which could be unconstitutional.  Again, the BIA should have some involvement in protecting the rights of tribal members.

THIS YEAR WILL MARK THE 25TH ANNUAL S/ELECTIONS OF THE PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS

There has not been an honest election at Pala since Robert Smith took control of the Pala Band of Mission Indians (PBMI). Instead of elections Robert Smith conducts selections. He picks and chooses who he wants to serve as his Executive Committee.

The process of choosing a Selection Committee is in itself flawed. Nominations for the Selection Committee are taken then each person is voted on in a single vote. The Selection Committee is then chosen by descending vote rather than popular vote. It is possible for a person receiving as little as 4 votes to serve on the Selection Committee. As long as the lowest vote getter is in the top 5 they are considered elected to the Selection Committee.

There are so many ways to cheat in the Pala Elections it makes it easy to see that the Elections have transformed into Selections. Most of all it is easy to see that many of the Selection Committee members are easily corrupted. Some have been rewarded with golf jaunts. One in particular was documented with photographic evidence of a trip to Carmel on the Tribe’s NetJet.

So powerful is the Selection Committee (those chosen by Robert Smith) that one Selection Committee chairman was given the position after he covered up Robert Smith’s disgraceful action of urinating in one of the hallways at the Pala Casino. The video tape of the event was destroyed and the other security person that was witness to the event was fired from her job. That witness did provide several tribal members with a signed affidavit attesting to the event.

After the event, the other security officer, a member of PBMI, was publicly promised that he would be rewarded by being selected as the next chairman of the Selection Committee.