The Dark Side of Indian Gaming
What: Press Conference and Testimony
When: February 5, 2008 @ 11:00 am
Where: California State Capitol Building – North Side10th st & Capitol Mall; Sacramento, California
An epidemic is sweeping through Indian Country, and in its wake, it is leaving thousands of victims struggling for basic rights protections."
The civil rights of Indian people need to be protected from and enforced against the illegal acts of tribal officials. Until such a time, thousands more Indian people will be victimized as corrupt tribal officials violate tribal and federal laws to deny or strip them of the basic rights all other United States citizens enjoy," commented John Gomez Jr. of the American Indian Rights and Resources Organization. "
Tribal officials will continue to violate civil and human rights laws as long as they can escape prosecution for such actions by hiding behind tribal sovereignty."
Read the FULL story at Original Pechanga's Blog
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Please Contact Obama's Transition Team
Pasted below is a letter addressed to members of President-elect Obama's Transition Team. A member of the Obama Transition Team or an Advisor on Indian Issues is scheduled to attend The Tribal Sovereignty & Self -governance in the New Era Conference at the Pechanga Resort and Casino on January 23rd and 24th.
Please review and consider submitting this request or one of your own.
Please use the following email address Keith.Harper@ptt.gov
Also submit by cutting and pasting the body of the letter at the following: http://change.gov/page/content/contact/ Please be sure to include your contact information. Feel free to forward me notice of submission via email.
In addition, an event is being scheduled to coincide with the Administration representative and Senator Inouye's visit to Pechanga. Please watch for the Event Advisory.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
January 9, 2009
President-elect Barrack Obama
Presidential Transition Team Members
Keith Harper Keith.Harper@ptt.gov
Wizi Garriott
John Echohawk
Request to meet regarding tribal governance issues
Dear Presidential Transition Team members:
I am excited to hear that an Advisor on Indian Issues to President-Elect Obama will be attending the Tribal Sovereignty and Self-governance Conference in Southern California on January 23rd and 24th. Unfortunately, I am unable to afford the steep conference admission cost, and I will not be able to hear you speak regarding the Administration’s priorities for Indian Country
Nevertheless, I, and others like myself, hope that the visiting Advisor or Administration Representative can make time to meet with us during his/her trip to discuss issues related to tribal governance, sovereignty, and rights violations in Indian Country.
Specifically, we would like to discuss the growing problem of bad governance practices by tribal officials which, to date, have victimized thousands of individuals. The bad governance practices are often characterized by violations of law which strip or deny individuals and targeted groups of the basic rights and privileges enumerated and guaranteed by tribal, state, and/or federal statutes. In most instances, the victims of these bad governance practices are denied recourse against the tribal official perpetrators due to the fact that the officials invoke tribal sovereignty to escape prosecution.
Too many people have suffered too long, and it is now time for a change in the manner in which the human and civil rights of individual Indians are enforced and protected from infringement. We believe that there are steps that the Administration can take to protect and preserve the basic rights of all individuals, and we believe that such Administrative action should be a priority.
Please accept this letter as an invitation to meet in the Temecula area during your visit and attendance at the Conference. I look forward to your response, and I hope we can meet to discuss the important issues referenced above.
Respectfully submitted:
Please review and consider submitting this request or one of your own.
Please use the following email address Keith.Harper@ptt.gov
Also submit by cutting and pasting the body of the letter at the following: http://change.gov/page/content/contact/ Please be sure to include your contact information. Feel free to forward me notice of submission via email.
In addition, an event is being scheduled to coincide with the Administration representative and Senator Inouye's visit to Pechanga. Please watch for the Event Advisory.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
January 9, 2009
President-elect Barrack Obama
Presidential Transition Team Members
Keith Harper Keith.Harper@ptt.gov
Wizi Garriott
John Echohawk
Request to meet regarding tribal governance issues
Dear Presidential Transition Team members:
I am excited to hear that an Advisor on Indian Issues to President-Elect Obama will be attending the Tribal Sovereignty and Self-governance Conference in Southern California on January 23rd and 24th. Unfortunately, I am unable to afford the steep conference admission cost, and I will not be able to hear you speak regarding the Administration’s priorities for Indian Country
Nevertheless, I, and others like myself, hope that the visiting Advisor or Administration Representative can make time to meet with us during his/her trip to discuss issues related to tribal governance, sovereignty, and rights violations in Indian Country.
Specifically, we would like to discuss the growing problem of bad governance practices by tribal officials which, to date, have victimized thousands of individuals. The bad governance practices are often characterized by violations of law which strip or deny individuals and targeted groups of the basic rights and privileges enumerated and guaranteed by tribal, state, and/or federal statutes. In most instances, the victims of these bad governance practices are denied recourse against the tribal official perpetrators due to the fact that the officials invoke tribal sovereignty to escape prosecution.
Too many people have suffered too long, and it is now time for a change in the manner in which the human and civil rights of individual Indians are enforced and protected from infringement. We believe that there are steps that the Administration can take to protect and preserve the basic rights of all individuals, and we believe that such Administrative action should be a priority.
Please accept this letter as an invitation to meet in the Temecula area during your visit and attendance at the Conference. I look forward to your response, and I hope we can meet to discuss the important issues referenced above.
Respectfully submitted:
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Candlelight Vigil Planned for AIRI Forum at Pechanga
American Indian Resources Institute Holds Forum at Civil Rights Violators Resort.
I HEARD there is a protest planned? A vigil for civil rights? HUNTER FAMILY, we need support
The American Indian Resources Institute is hosting a two-day forum to address sovereignty and self-governance issues under the new administration of president-elect Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled 111th Congress.Tribal Sovereignty and Self-Governance in a New Era: Forging Fair and Equitable Governance in a Time of Change takes place January 23-24 on the Pechanga Reservation in California.Sessions are geared to the challenges and opportunities tribes will face with a new leader in the White HouseSen.
Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), who will serve as chairman of the Barack Obama administration is expected to attend.
I HEARD there is a protest planned? A vigil for civil rights? HUNTER FAMILY, we need support
The American Indian Resources Institute is hosting a two-day forum to address sovereignty and self-governance issues under the new administration of president-elect Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled 111th Congress.Tribal Sovereignty and Self-Governance in a New Era: Forging Fair and Equitable Governance in a Time of Change takes place January 23-24 on the Pechanga Reservation in California.Sessions are geared to the challenges and opportunities tribes will face with a new leader in the White HouseSen.
Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), who will serve as chairman of the Barack Obama administration is expected to attend.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Pechanga Security BEATS ELDERLY customer
Original Pechanga has this post up about violence AGAINST one of their customers!
Brush with Pechanga Security Leaves Senior Patron Nearly Dead!
An elderly Palm Desert man, with a pacemaker, who was patronizing the Pechanga Casino was beaten by Pechanga security and his wife terrorized. This is NOT the first incident of this type at Pechanga, according to what the RCSD told the Swan's. The Riverside Sheriff's Department has take a report on the incident.
Brush with Pechanga Security Leaves Senior Patron Nearly Dead!
An elderly Palm Desert man, with a pacemaker, who was patronizing the Pechanga Casino was beaten by Pechanga security and his wife terrorized. This is NOT the first incident of this type at Pechanga, according to what the RCSD told the Swan's. The Riverside Sheriff's Department has take a report on the incident.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Pechanga Chairman Macarro deserves Pathbreaker Award; For Violations of the ICRA
October 15, 2008 Contact: John Gomez, Jr.9:30 p.m. Pechanga@msn.com
MEDIA ADVISORY
Macarro deserves Pathbreaker award … for violations of the ICRA
TEMECULA, CA – Mark Macarro, Chairman of the Pechanga Band of Mission Indian in Temecula, California will be honored tomorrow at a conference commemorating 20 Years of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the law which legalized gaming on Indian lands. Mr. Macarro, as well as several other tribal leaders, are being honored as Pathbreakers “for their influential impact on gaming in Indian Country”.
Ironically enough, Mr. Macarro’s legacy may not only be measured by his contributions to Indian gaming but by the violations of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 that have occurred during his tenure as Chairman of the Pechanga Band.
Mr. Macarro, who has been Chairman of the Pechanga Band since the mid ‘90’s, has presided over the disenrollments of over 1/3 of the Pechanga tribal membership. The mass disenfranchisement of nearly 400 duly enrolled members occurred just after the Pechanga Band had expanded its gaming facility in response to the passage of Props 5 and 1A in California. Each of the disenrollments, which occurred in 2004 and 2006, were carried out just prior to regularly scheduled elections for Tribal Chairman. Mr. Macarro won re-election each time.
The mass disenrollments and denial of membership to hundreds of other eligible members, which have been carried out by Mr. Macarro and other tribal officials, have been characterized by the most egregious violations of basic rights, including denial of due process, failure to provide equal protection of tribal and federal laws, and the passage of ex post facto laws.
Each of the growing number of basic rights violations for which Mr. Macarro is responsible for mirrors those acts which led to the introduction and passage of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 ("ICRA") which was intended to “… protect individual Indians from arbitrary and unjust actions of tribal governments” and to secure for the individual American Indian the broad constitutional rights afforded all other American citizens. Unfortunately, the hundreds who have been stripped of or denied their basic rights are also being denied any recourse against their oppressors as Mr. Macarro and other tribal officials have routinely invoked “sovereign immunity” to escape prosecution for their actions.
While Mr. Macarro may be receiving recognition for his work in Indian gaming, such recognition should be based on the cumulative impacts of his actions- including the gross violations of the ICRA and the termination of hundreds of Pechanga tribal members.______________________________________________________________________________
For more information, please visit: http://video.knbc.com/player/?id=64156. and http://originalpechanga.blogspot.com
MEDIA ADVISORY
Macarro deserves Pathbreaker award … for violations of the ICRA
TEMECULA, CA – Mark Macarro, Chairman of the Pechanga Band of Mission Indian in Temecula, California will be honored tomorrow at a conference commemorating 20 Years of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the law which legalized gaming on Indian lands. Mr. Macarro, as well as several other tribal leaders, are being honored as Pathbreakers “for their influential impact on gaming in Indian Country”.
Ironically enough, Mr. Macarro’s legacy may not only be measured by his contributions to Indian gaming but by the violations of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 that have occurred during his tenure as Chairman of the Pechanga Band.
Mr. Macarro, who has been Chairman of the Pechanga Band since the mid ‘90’s, has presided over the disenrollments of over 1/3 of the Pechanga tribal membership. The mass disenfranchisement of nearly 400 duly enrolled members occurred just after the Pechanga Band had expanded its gaming facility in response to the passage of Props 5 and 1A in California. Each of the disenrollments, which occurred in 2004 and 2006, were carried out just prior to regularly scheduled elections for Tribal Chairman. Mr. Macarro won re-election each time.
The mass disenrollments and denial of membership to hundreds of other eligible members, which have been carried out by Mr. Macarro and other tribal officials, have been characterized by the most egregious violations of basic rights, including denial of due process, failure to provide equal protection of tribal and federal laws, and the passage of ex post facto laws.
Each of the growing number of basic rights violations for which Mr. Macarro is responsible for mirrors those acts which led to the introduction and passage of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 ("ICRA") which was intended to “… protect individual Indians from arbitrary and unjust actions of tribal governments” and to secure for the individual American Indian the broad constitutional rights afforded all other American citizens. Unfortunately, the hundreds who have been stripped of or denied their basic rights are also being denied any recourse against their oppressors as Mr. Macarro and other tribal officials have routinely invoked “sovereign immunity” to escape prosecution for their actions.
While Mr. Macarro may be receiving recognition for his work in Indian gaming, such recognition should be based on the cumulative impacts of his actions- including the gross violations of the ICRA and the termination of hundreds of Pechanga tribal members.______________________________________________________________________________
For more information, please visit: http://video.knbc.com/player/?id=64156. and http://originalpechanga.blogspot.com
Friday, October 10, 2008
Can the MONGOLS CLUB and DOC Cavasos Help Save Bear Butte?
Original Pechanga asks whether the MONGOLS Motorcycle Club can take the lead in saving a sacred site in South Dakota. One of the largest motorcycle clubs certainly could lead the way, in a similar way that bikers for Muscular Dystrophy do.
HELP!
Bear Butte, SD A SACRED Site That Needs YOUR Help
Our friend Tamra Brennan, of NDNews has been working for years along with many other to protect the Bear Butte sacred site in South Dakota.Maybe the MONGOLS and Doc Cavasos can take the lead with bikers on protecting this site
This article on the struggle has many comments from Tamra, who has been so supportive of the disenrolled people of California. Remember her emails to Pechanga cousins Victor Rocha and Mark Macarro, that we wrote about HERE?There are people who are working to protect Bear Butte, but their efforts could be described as loosely organized.
Among them is Tamra Brennan, who lives near Bear Butte and identifies herself as a Cherokee tribal member. She runs Protect Bear Butte, an offshoot of Protect Sacred Sites. Both organizations are grassroots in nature and lack official nonprofit status.Protect Bear Butte's activism has so far taken the form of public information campaigns.
HELP!
Bear Butte, SD A SACRED Site That Needs YOUR Help
Our friend Tamra Brennan, of NDNews has been working for years along with many other to protect the Bear Butte sacred site in South Dakota.Maybe the MONGOLS and Doc Cavasos can take the lead with bikers on protecting this site
This article on the struggle has many comments from Tamra, who has been so supportive of the disenrolled people of California. Remember her emails to Pechanga cousins Victor Rocha and Mark Macarro, that we wrote about HERE?There are people who are working to protect Bear Butte, but their efforts could be described as loosely organized.
Among them is Tamra Brennan, who lives near Bear Butte and identifies herself as a Cherokee tribal member. She runs Protect Bear Butte, an offshoot of Protect Sacred Sites. Both organizations are grassroots in nature and lack official nonprofit status.Protect Bear Butte's activism has so far taken the form of public information campaigns.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Nighthorse Campbell Honored Where they violate Civil Rights
Apparently, Campbell has no qualms about being honored at a location that is a known civil rights violator. The Pechanga Tribe has abused their members civil and human rights. Senator Campbell, a change in venue should be requested.
Bill Cosby avoided Chukchansi because of disenrollments and violations. Take a cue from Mr. Cosby and get a clue.
Casino Enterprise Management magazine will recognize Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell as the "Indian Gaming Advocate of the Year." Campbell will be presented with this award Sept. 10 during CasinoFest7, held at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif. National Indian Gaming Association Chairman and previous Indian Gaming Advocate of the Year award winner Ernie Stevens Jr. will preside over the ceremony.
Bill Cosby avoided Chukchansi because of disenrollments and violations. Take a cue from Mr. Cosby and get a clue.
Casino Enterprise Management magazine will recognize Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell as the "Indian Gaming Advocate of the Year." Campbell will be presented with this award Sept. 10 during CasinoFest7, held at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif. National Indian Gaming Association Chairman and previous Indian Gaming Advocate of the Year award winner Ernie Stevens Jr. will preside over the ceremony.
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