Original Pechanga's Blog

Shingle Springs Miwok Tribe Threatens to Shut Down Red Hawk Casino

2012-02-24T20:57:00.001-08:00

The tribe that owns Red Hawk Casino is warning that the facility might close because of a $30 million jury verdict in December.

OP: Yeah, right, then they'd have to find real jobs. Ain't gonna happen. PAY WHAT YOU OWE.

A lawyer for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, in court papers, warned of a "doomsday scenario" if the tribe is forced to pay the court judgment.

"Any efforts to presently execute on the judgment would likely have catastrophic consequences for the tribe and all who depend on the casino for their livelihood," wrote tribal attorney Sanford Kingsley in a filing in El Dorado County Superior Court. Dear Sanford, did the tribe threaten to NOT PAY YOU? Or do you get paid first?

A jury in December ordered the tribe to pay $30 million to the Miwok band's former casino partner, Sharp Image Gaming, over a breach of contract dispute. Shingle Springs tried to pull a sovereignty fast one and got beat.

Matt Jacobs, the lawyer for Sharp Image, called the warning of a shutdown "nonsense" because the casino's creditors would do everything possible to keep Red Hawk going. Not to mention the tribal members would be short a bit of income

Get your settlement, Matt. Make them pay for cheating Sharp Image. Hold their feet to the fire.

San Manuel Tribal Chair James Ramos WILL NOT seek Re-election

2012-02-24T10:41:00.002-08:00

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribal Chairman James Ramos will not seek re-election to his chairman position. He announced that he will instead be focusing on his San Bernardino County Supervisor bid.
"Running for county supervisor will be very demanding and will need a lot of positive energy," Ramos said. "It will take a good commitment of time and that is my biggest reason for leaving my current position."

We hope he will speak out of the actions of tribes that have harmed their people in California.

Redding Rancheria, Which Ruined Many Lives, LOSES in Court. Civil Right Violators Do Not Benefit

2012-02-24T08:57:00.000-08:00

The Redding Rancheria loses in court, where they were trying to get a second casino approved.

Last week, federal Judge Samuel Conti of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco approved the department's request for a summary judgment against the Rancheria. A summary judgment is a court decision on the evidence before going to trial.

Marston said he thought the Rancheria could win an appeal. "I think Judge Conti is just wrong," he said.

The tribe had argued that the department's regulations governing opening new Indian casinos went beyond what Congress intended, according to Conti's decision.

To open a casino, the government has to acquire property in trust for a tribe and determine the property would be eligible for gaming. The Rancheria applied for that determination in March 2009, according to Hawk's letter denying the tribe's request to open a new casino.

While the tribe was seeking approval to open a second casino, Rancheria CEO Tracy Edwards told the Record Searchlight in February 2010 that her organization had no immediate plans for the property

We already know Tracy Edwards is a thief and scoundrel, so what she says always has to be taken with a grain of salt.

Tribal Disenrollments are SHAMEFUL ACTS: Forum in NCTIMES

2012-02-23T21:01:00.000-08:00

The North County Times has our editorial up. It's important that our readers check out the link and COMMENT at the NCTimes. Keep it up front as one of their most commented articles. Interesting to note that the editorial has run in two newspapers, and Indianz.com yet no mention in the Pechanga run website owned by Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro. And thank you to our friends at Temecula Patch for linking to the NC times article.

The North County Times and The Californian have done an excellent job in bringing the shameful acts of disenrollments of members of the San Pasqual and Pala reservations to the public.

A November editorial compared membership in tribes to belonging to a church. Nothing could be further from the truth. Membership is a birthright and shouldn't be subject to the whims and prejudices of people with personal agendas.

Tribal membership is about heritage. It's the corrupt tribal councils of the above-mentioned tribes, along with those from Pechanga of Temecula, Chukchansi and Redding that are tossing aside the history of their tribes with a dismissive attitude that should be alarming to the people of California. Pechanga ran ads for expanding gaming, claiming 10,000 years of history ---- yet quickly shed two families with more historical ties to the land, proven by the tribe's own expert, than one of their sitting council members.

Tribal governments are using sovereignty as a weapon to beat the weak and helpless. Our federal and state governments are happy to stay out of the issue by saying that membership is a tribal matter. Fair enough, but what about the government's trust responsibility to Indians, to see that tribal constitutions are followed?

Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also requires full protection of human rights. Impartial enforcement of laws requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force. That simply is not what is happening on tribal reservations.

Chukchansi Elders Voices Cry Out From The Reservation

2012-02-23T16:05:00.000-08:00

Our Friends from Sierra Star had a letter printed from a Chukchansi Elder. It's worth reading. If the Star wasn't keeping this out front, few people would see it. Please help by sharing on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and email.

Tribal concerns fall to the wayside.

Where is our due process, civil rights, freedom of speech, sovereign immunity? Our rights to policy, procedures and votes -- all phases ruling one-sided.

Tribal people without an appeal process.

Lack of Bureau of Indian Affairs assistance has caused a void standing with the Department of Interior at the local level and with Washington D.C.

Hearings in federal court or a tribal court system on a reservation hinders all investigating processes for tribal people concerned with tribal legal affairs, constitution (interregnum) interpretation, rulings, due process, filings of appeals, (Habeas Corpus) banishment from our lands, our identity, dishonoring our elders and tribal children's futures.

The cry of the people that have been enrolled and recognized through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, now banished and forgotten, have a right to be heard at a local level, for without the tribal people, there would be no grants, 638 contracts serving all tribal people, casino compacts, memorandum of understandings with county, state and federal levels, and tribal revenues that go out to all counties and communities -- the later phase discarded due to an audit for disenrollments.

Where is the justice and honor? My Chukchansi people have been broken and divided by our own casino, revenues and serving tribal governing bodies.

What's next?

The cry of an elder(s).

Susan "Adena Johnson" Holguin, Madera;

WHAT'S NEXT?

Trial Date Set for Former Pechanga Insurance Agent of Record James Riley

2012-02-23T08:18:00.000-08:00

An April 26,2012 trial date has been set for the former insurance agent to the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians James Riley.

After 2 years of continuances, Judge Richard Fields orders NO FURTHER continuances to be granted, and counsel are ordered NOT to be engaged in any other trial.

No word on the FBI investigations into corruption at the Pechanga Reservation. Pechanga is well known for stealing the per capita of 25% of its tribe, totals now reach over $300 million. They also cancelled health insurance for seniors and children, forcing their health care onto the backs of Californians.

American Indian Rights & Resources Organization to Have Representation at American Indian Law Review Sovereignty and Identity Symposium

2012-02-22T11:54:00.000-08:00

There will be a Symposium on Sovereignty and Identity in Oklahoma March 1. John Gomez Jr. civil rights activist and a disenrolled member of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians from Temecula CA will be on a panel discussing Contemporary Perspectives: Current legal issues surrounding tribal membership
and Indian identity. Mr. Gomez represents the American Indian Rights & Resources Organization

I'm sure the topics will include tribes not following their own constitutions. Disenrollments are an epidemic in California's Indian Gaming Country. Tribal terrorism is on the rise as tribal member fear speaking out for justice.

Additional participants in Jon Velie, who will discuss the Cherokee Freedmen issue. The Freedmen are descendents of the slaves dragged along the "Trail of Tears"...as property.

Symposium Agenda

Illegitimate Chukchansi Government Chains & Blockades Tribal Offices

2012-02-22T08:17:00.000-08:00

Does this sound like the actions of a legitimate government? Wouldn't you think they would be proud of what they had done? Are they afraid of their own people?

A report from our Central California friends:

The tribal offices remain closed, and have been locked and chained since immediately following the "illegal" installment of the "new" council December 26th, 20ll--almost eight weeks ago.

The entrances not only are chained, but are blocked by Picayune
Tribal vehicles inside the gates and guarded by at least two members of security at each chained/blocked entrance.

Japanese American Evictions, Our Shameful History Repeats Itself on California Indian Reservations

2012-02-20T10:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was 70 years since President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law his executive order allowing the eviction and relocation of American citizens of Japanese descent. It's a shameful period in our history.

70 years later, it's Native American who are eviciting people. The San Pascual Tribe is evicting some who they disenrolled. This is 4 years after the Jamul Indian Tribe evicted tribal members who were against a casino going up on their land.

132 years ago, the Pechanga people were forcibly evicted from their land, forced to move where their reservation is currently and the Tribal Council, lead by Mark Macarro are practicing apartheid and segregation on descendents of Original Pechanga people, including those whom Mr. Macarro's people called "aunt". Shameful.

Pala Tribe's Robert Smith Advises Disenrollees to Go on WELFARE

2012-02-19T14:45:00.000-08:00

Pala Chairman Robert Smith was quoted in the NCTIMES story on Pala disenrolled facing hardships:

"Gaming revenues are not a guarantee," Smith said. "There are resources (welfare programs) for them. They should have saved their money."

Robert Smith with the Welfare President Barack Obama

I think it's past time that we prove the Chairman correct. Gaming revenues were supposed to be for the Native American people and to help their tribesmen. With Pala, San Pascual, Pechanga, Redding Rancheria, Chuckchansi ALL eliminated Indians, it seems they only want to get richer. It's time to interrupt their revenue stream with a quick boycott, say, of one quarter.
Then, we need to expand gaming across our state, regulated by the government.

Read more on tribal disenrollments

Read more on TRIBAL TERRORISM

Disenrollments and Banishment Are Nothing Short of TRIBAL TERRORISM

2012-02-17T09:52:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: The Sierra Star News prints the editorial on TRIBAL TERRORISM. (link fixed) Thank you to Sierra Star for keeping the spotlight on the corruption. Indianz.com has also picked up the editorial. Pechanga.net hasn't put it up...wonder why?

The Fresno Bee, North County Times and Sierra Star News have done an excellent job in bringing the shameful acts of disenrollments and and Tribal Cleansing of members of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, Pala Band and San Pascual to the public.

Chukchansi leaders have forgotten tribal membership is about heritage. It’s the corrupt tribal council of Chukchansi, along with those from the Pechanga tribe of Temecula, and Redding Rancheria that are tossing aside the history of their tribes with a dismissive attitude that should be alarming to the people of California. Pechanga ran ads for expanding gaming claiming 10,000 years of history; yet quickly shed two large families with more historical ties to the land, proven by the tribe’s own expert, than one of their sitting council members who has NO Pechanga blood.

Corrupt tribal councils are using sovereignty as a weapon to beat the weak and helpless, and terrorize them into submission. Our federal and state governments are happy to stay out of the issue by saying, that membership is a tribal matter. Fair enough, but what about the government’s trust responsibility to Indians, to see that tribal constitutions are followed? Forced evictions, such as what happened at Jamul Indian Village, and those expected at Pala shortly are acts of tribal terrorism that belies the calm peaceful face that Mark Macarro presented in his commercials for expanded gaming. Now, Macarro’s tribe practices apartheid, and recently presented his plan for segregation on the Pechanga reservation.

Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also requires full protection of human rights. Impartial enforcement of laws requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force. That simply is not what is happening on tribal reservations.

On reservations across our state tribes are using fear tactics and yes, terrorism to keep members in line for fear of losing their land, homes, per capita shares and health benefits. More critical they also lose their rights to choose a representative government and to vote on issues that pertain to them. Imagine if the Republicans were able to eliminate 25% of the Democratic vote? What if anti-union proponents were able to eliminate 70% of the union votes? Well, that’s just what happened at Pechanga, Redding and Chukchansi.

Currently at Pechanga, the tribal council is threatening allottees with fines, banishment and restricted access to their property. One family is taking it upon themselves to try to force another family who was given an allotment with the creation of the reservation, off their land. They’re using their family members on the council to issue the threatening letter that is published on Original Pechanga’s Blog.

This is not what we voted for when we approved gaming to tribes in our state. This was not what was meant by self-reliance. I urge the readers to stand up for civil and human rights and not patronize casinos that violate them. Bill Cosby stood up and refused to perform at Chukchansi because of these issues. By telling tribes you won’t go to their casinos, you can nudge them into acting justly.

Don’t let the tribes get away with terrorizing their own people into silence. Don’t go to tribal casinos owned by tribes that abuse their people. If they will cheat their own people and violate their OWN Constitution, they will cheat YOU.

Colusa Tribe OPPOSES Enterprise Rancheria; But Not for the Right Reasons

2012-02-17T00:15:00.000-08:00

They are more worried about losing business than a tribe that has violated the civil and human rights of their people get a lucrative casino.

The tribe behind the Colusa Casino, the Cachill Dehe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community, sent a letter to Gov. Jerry Brown's office this week stating their casino would lose at least 40 percent and as much as 60 percent of their business if the Yuba County casino opens.

Their analysis was based on what happened when Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln opened in 2004 and caused Colusa Casino's revenues to drop by 23 percent, even though it's further away and offers something different, according to the letter.

We wrote about the Enterprise Rancheria Abuses HERE:

former members of Enterprise Rancheria protested in front of the tribal office Saturday, while one disenrolled member waited for an appeals hearing at the Palermo Grange.

In November 2003, the Enterprise Rancheria booted 70 tribal members who questioned the way the tribal council spent a human services fund, according to Robert Edwards, a disenrolled member. Later two more tribal members were disenrolled.

Saturday, the Enterprise Tribal Council held an appeals hearing at Palermo Grange to decide if one disenrolled member, Rick Wilson, could return to tribal rolls.

"Everything they did there was a farce," Edwards said. "It was another kangaroo court."

"Unlike Thunder Valley, it is our understanding that the proposed Enterprise casino would provide a similar gaming experience to Colusa's," the letter states.

In such a scenario, there'd also be a ripple effect on the city and county of Colusa because the tribe spends hundreds of thousands of dollars annually on local vendors, the tribe states. Losing business would also result in layoffs of casino employees.

"While the State might offset its loss of sales tax revenues in Colusa County with gains in other jurisdictions, the City and County of Colusa would have no possibility of regaining those lost revenues," the letter states.

Jamul Indians, Four Years after Beatings And Evictions, Revive Casino Plans

2012-02-16T22:26:00.000-08:00

The Jamul Indians have put out notice that casino plans are revived.

Several years ago, a public outcry ensued after the tribe floated plans for a 12-story, $350 million casino. Many residents said it would destroy their rural lifestyle and make driving on the windy, two-lane highway even more dangerous.

At a meeting of the Jamul-Dulzura Community Planning Group, Davis and other tribal representatives promised to meet with the advisory board as the project evolves.

Here's a description of what went on at the eviction:

The scene at the Jamul Indian Village on March 10 mixed irony with pathos in a combination that demonstrated the intense emotions that surround the proposal to construct a casino in Jamul (“Despite promise, homes demolished for casino,” Our Region, March 13). Walter Rosales and Karen Toggery sought two things – to preserve their homes, and to show respect for the remains of their ancestors buried on the land.

According to construction plans, their land, which they have lived on since childhood, and their homes will be bulldozed. Their ancestors' remains will be desecrated by a phantasmagoria of cement and neon that will be erected over their graves. They were evicted from their homes and jeered by the evictors. Dozens gathered to protest the eviction, facing pepper spray and beatings with metal batons to do so.

As we stood with Walter and Karen on that Saturday morning, a backhoe loomed in the foreground, obscuring the view of a hillside dotted with crosses from the Indian cemetery. Native American activists have persuaded politicians at the state and local levels to pass laws prohibiting desecration of the remains of their ancestors. Yet, apparently, such laws can be flouted with impunity by those who urged their passage.

Robert Mesa, a member of the Jamul Indian Village council, said he wants to make sure the tribe does a better job of informing nearby residents of its plans. He believes much of the animosity generated by previous proposals grew out of a lack of communication.

Michael Casinelli, chairman of the planning group, said the willingness of Indian representatives to appear before his panel was an encouraging sign.

"Everything previous to this point the public got through hearsay," he said.

He said whatever the scale of the new proposal, many residents are likely to still view a casino as incompatible with the community. Many believe it would create insurmountable traffic problems and pose serious fire safety issues.

"I think the public concerns are still the same," said Casinelli.

Davis, a Culver City architect who is serving as project manager, said the tribe is preparing a detailed environmental evaluation that will address those concerns and others.

A draft of that study is due out next month. Davis said Caltrans is working on its own environmental analysis that will focus on access to the project.

The gambling hall would be about 25 miles east of downtown San Diego. Mesa said it would not include a hotel.

Mesa said the six-acre Jamul Indian Village recently opened a 3,000-square-foot building on the reservation that will be used for tribal functions, including weddings and funerals

Breaking News: Liberty Quarry Plan Defeated by Riverside County Supervisors

2012-02-16T13:52:00.000-08:00

Supervisors Bob Buster, Jeff Stone and John Tavaglione voted NO against the project to have a quarry and bring business to Riverside County.

Pechanga Chairman, who cares more about the land than he does his own people, was quoted as being gratified.

Strange Happenings At Chukchansi: Checks Going Out To Long Time Disenrolled for Unknown Children

2012-02-16T08:32:00.000-08:00

We have received word that a few people who were disenrolled from Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians last decade, have received checks for "clothing allowances" for minor children. That'd be terrific news, making one think that the tribal council members who signed the checks, in this case Nancy Ayala and Nokomis Hernandez were coming to their senses.

But the strange thing is that they never heard of this "minor child". Also strange is that these people were disenrolled in 2006. WHY would Chukchansi have them on any roster that would allow them to be paid?

IS it POSSIBLE that Picayune is conceivably continuing to use disenrolled
tribal members in their statistics reported to the federal government in order to secure grant monies?

Need I say, "FRAUD and EMBEZZLEMENT of FEDERAL FUNDS?" Isn't this an example of "waste, fraud and abuse" our President is looking to eliminate? IS the Chukchansi tribe not telling the BIA and the Feds how many people they REALLY have on the roster?

Unless the Chukchansi Tribe enrolled a lot of new people recently, how many do they have? Does the BIA even CHECK? Or do they just hand out money with no oversight? Anyone? Deutschke? Deutschke?

Morongo Tribal Execs Spend $1 Million in Travel Expenses in 2010.

2012-02-15T08:19:00.000-08:00

The website The Indian Runner has some interesting articles.

Tribal Council Expenses

During 2010, Macho, Dennis, Damon and Charles were found to have used their tribal credit card to spend over one million dollars for travel expenses. After some research on the accounting procedures for these costs, we discovered the credit card bills were paid for by the Casino and were deducted out of the profits before per capita was calculated.

Therefore: these bills came directly out of our Per Capita. When caught red handed Macho was heard to say " I didn't know I couldn't do that". To this day Council Members continues to justify their actions and only a small portion of the money has been returned.

APPARENTLY, some Morongo tribal council members have NO common sense. $250,000 EACH? That's $5,000 per week. Why stay at a Marriott Courtyard when you can stay at a Ritz-Carlton?

Didn't Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians Chairman Mark Macarro shorter brother do the same thing? Family vacations on the tribe?

Should the BIA CEASE Recognition of the Shrinking Chukchansi Tribe UPDATED with new graphic

2012-02-13T13:00:00.000-08:00

The Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, of Coarsegold near Fresno have drastically reduced their membership. They have recently removed 200 people including their few remaining language speakers. The BIA's director Dale Risling was quoted in 2007 saying there was nothing they could do "short of ceasing to recognize" the tribe because of the Martinez decision. Well, how many would recognize the tribe from what is was in 2005?

I have put together a very rudimentary graphic that explains what the destruction of the Chukchansi populace looks like if you put them into buses to move them. Once a proud convoy of 30 buses would have been used (at 50 people per bus) to transtport the tribe. Now, after the tribe has thrown so many UNDER the bus, less than eight full buses would be needed.

I believe the BIA should cease to recognize THIS tribe, especially after the recent election debacle.

Will the BIA get its head out of the sand and exercise it's moral outrage?

Will Pechanga Require Allottees To Wear A Yellow Star To Designate Their Status

2012-02-11T20:06:00.000-08:00

Oh, if only the question was too far-fetched to believe, since they have already stripped voting rights and elder care from 25% of their tribe. The Nazis forced Jews to wear these stars on their clothing in an overt act of persecution. As we wrote about recently, the allottees on the reservation, who have had their land in the family since the beginning of the Temecula Indian Reservation, have now been threatened with trespassing charges. A yellow star would make it easy for tribal members like the Masiel-Basquez crime family to recognize them on sight.

Top: Yellow Star Jews in Nazi Germany were forced to wear
Bottom: Will Pechanga force Allottees to wear emblem so Rangers can see them?

The drinking fountains at the park will be one area where the tribe could have a sign saying: Tribal Members Only, No Temecula Indians Allowed.

They say that allottee may be excluded from their land if they are on the land of a tribal member, yet, Chairman Macarro's jackbooted Tribal Rangers trespassed on allottee's land to deliver the message. Yep, right to the front doors. And since a sexual predator is in charge of dispatching Rangers and is a member of the tribal motorcycle "club", wouldn't you be worried?
\
Remember, some Moratorium People have already been excluded...

Since the casino is on tribal property, any visitor could be charged with trespassing ..for any reason.

Letter: Attack On San Manuel's James Ramos Deceitful

2012-02-10T12:45:00.000-08:00

A good letter on the deceitful tactics that SB Supervisor Neil Derry is using in his campaign with James Ramos, of San Manuel. We know there are legitimate attacks on some tribal chairman, such as Pala's Robert Smith and the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians Mark Macarro

Attack on Ramos deceitful

In any healthy democratic society, political discourse means candidates will disagree on issues and attempt to convince voters that the quality of their positions and character is evidence of their superior leadership. Unfortunately, a candidate also can smear his opponent, who in this case is a dedicated public servant (“Gang allegations show gloves off in S.B. County race,” Feb.5).

San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry is using a deceitful and pathetic flier trying to tie his opponent, James Ramos, to “gang members,” “drug dealers” and “killers for hire.”

I am the retired police chief of Redlands. Ramos has never been tied to criminals. He is a good, decent man who has selflessly served the public in a wide variety of ways. Derry’s assertion that he was somehow tied to that activity — simply because he is a member of the San Manuel tribe — is at best illogical, and at worse, an expression of racism.

His assertion is akin to a claim that because a former member of the Board of Supervisors has been linked to criminal behavior, Derry himself should be tied to criminals.

Derry should immediately retract his disgraceful position, apologize and focus on the issues important to the voters in the 3rd District.

We all deserve better from him.

Jim Bueermann
Redlands

Susan Bradford on: Deja Vu: Ietan Takes Aim at the Next Abramoff

2012-02-09T19:56:00.000-08:00

Susan has a greatly detailed story on IETAN CONSULTING, a lobbying firm run by Holly Cook Macarro, the wife of Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro, to which that tribe pays $250,000 per year. That led to Macarro being the subject of a recall attempt.

Tribal attorney Howard Dickstein is facing accusations eerily similar to those which dogged Republican super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
The complaint the Rumsey Indian Rancheria filed against Dickstein in 2007 in the U.S. Superior Court in Yolo County, California can be found here:

http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/06/28/rumsey-indian-rancheria-vs-howard-dickstein-57-pages-complaint-with-14-causes-of-action-for-greed-betrayal-against-spouse-of-bog-member-jeannine–11389017/

Of particular note is that a year after the case was filed, Rumsey was picked up Ietan Consulting, whose lobbyists gaslit Abramoff and staged the Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearings where the Republican super-lobbyist was set up for criminal indictment on trumped up charges. Ietan’s lobbyists and its partners coached dissidents among Abramoff’s casino-rich clients to lodge false allegations against Abramoff in the media and before Congress.

Once Abramoff was removed from power, Ietan and its partners immediately commenced representation of his casino-rich clients and cashed in. The allegations could easily have been refuted, but the accusers were banking on the fact that paperwork would be difficult to secure, ensuring that their false narrative prevailed.

Ietan’s representation of the Rumsey in 2008 is documented here:

http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientlbs.php?id=D000037284&year=2008

The complaint against Dickstein trots out the tired narrative that this tribal attorney exploited the poor hapless Indians, who are always cast as victims in Ietan’s manufactured scandals. “The lawsuit is about greed and betrayal,” the complaint alleges, taking its cue from McCain’s Final Report on Abramoff’s tribal lobbying. “The Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians…has discovered that its long-time (and now former) legal counsel and financial advisor breached their trust obligations and violated duties of the most basic and indeed, sacred, kind.”

The discoveries were made “after terminating” the attorney at which time the tribe retained Kroll & Associates to review his work. Upon further review, the complaint alleges that Dickestein “placed his own interests and the interests of others ahead of the tribe’s in order to enrich (himself) at the tribe’s expense.”

According to the complaint, Dickstein allegedly betrayed the tribe’s trust by involving the financially unsophisticated Rumsey in “complicated investments and transactions in which the business arrangements were more favorable to others than the tribe and which were allegedly fraught with self-dealing and conflicts of interests (he) failed to disclose.”

Dickstein also was alleged to have used tribal assets for personal purposes without having sought permission or informed the Tribal Council the full extent of his compensation.

In a similar vein, during the Abramoff scandal, Ietan-backed dissidents accused the lobbyist and his partner, Michael Scanlon, of having hidden their financial arrangements from tribal leaders who were fully knowledgeable and agreeable to them.

Read the full story at Susan Bradford’s site

Carmen George of Sierra Star News Wins McClatchy Award for News With Her First Report On the Shameful Chukchansi Disenrollments

2012-02-09T14:26:00.000-08:00

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.

North Fork Rancheria Chair: Attack Ads are NOT Accurate

2012-02-09T12:45:00.000-08:00

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

In An Act of TRIBAL TERRORISM, the Unelected Tribal Council Disenrolls 70 more Chukchansi Indians; BIA Silent, Absent

2012-02-09T12:26:00.000-08:00

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

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

2012-02-08T22:19:00.000-08:00

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,

Word Coming From the Pala Reservation That EVICTIONS are Imminent

2012-02-08T22:14:00.000-08:00

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?