Paulina Hunter Blog

What Makes a Pechanga Indian?

2012-01-12T20:59:00.000-08:00

Original Pechanga’s Blog posted this a few years back and the question was never answered.

I wanted to bring this question up because I am sort of at a loss to answer it myself.

I thought I knew the answer, but it seems I am in error in my judgment. Let me start by first stating a few facts that both the enrollment committee and myself agree upon.

1). Both the enrollment committee and myself agree Paulina Hunter and all her decedents were/are of Indian blood (Paulnia being 100%).
2). It is not disputed that she was a Luiseno/Temecula Indian (they have pretty much gone so far as to agree this also).
3). She moved with her fellow Indians when they were kicked out of the Temecula village to the place known as Pechanga to live there with them.
4). She was given a land grant on that reservation as a Luiseno/Temecula Indian.
5). She is listed on every census record from the creation of the reservation until her death, sometimes as a Luiseno Indian, sometimes as a Temecula Indian, and even some list her as a Pechanga Indian. Ok, now the enrollment committee says that being a Luiseno Indian is not enough, nor is being a Temecula Indian enough, also living on the reservation and receiving a land grant as a Temecula/Luiseno Indian is not enough to make her a Pechanga Indian (or so the enrollment committee has told us).
6).Also lets just forget the fact that other Pechanga Indians gave written statements that they knew her as a Pechanga member (they say that the reference to living with them is not enough proof, disregarding the inclusive references in there statements.).
7).Also lets forget that Ashman also stated in a witnessed and signed statement that he knew her as a Pechanga member.

So PLEASE tell me....... WHAT does make a Pechanga Indian a Pechanga Indian (I really would like an answer to this one please, because I seem to be at a loss for an answer myself). Apparently my family has been mistaken for several hundred years, and we need to set the record straight

Pechanga Spending Millions and what is it getting them?

2012-01-12T09:55:00.000-08:00

Pechanga has given the company of the tribal chairman, Mark Macarro's wife, Holly Cook Macarro, almost $750,000 the past three years. What have they gained?

They already have Darrell Issa in their pocket and they LOST their water rights battle.

Could it be just to pay his wife's salary?

Original Pechanga's Blog: FOLLOW THE MONEY: Theft of Per Capita from Califo...

2011-01-13T17:12:00.000-08:00

Looks like the total stolen via disenrollment will reach the HALF BILLION DOLLAR MARK soon.

We NEED enforcement of ICRA and we need to FOLLOW THE MONEY

Original Pechanga's Blog: FOLLOW THE MONEY: Theft of Per Capita from Califo...: "Closer to HALF of a BILLION DOLLARS! And that's just for Pechanga, Redding and Picayune ALONE. UPDATE: Includes ReddingRanc..."

Is the Pechanga Tribe ANTI-Military?

2010-12-02T09:01:00.000-08:00

We know they have a promotion of "Veteran's Eat Free" on Veteran's Day, but is that simply a marketing ploy to get more people to the casino?

Original Pechanga's blog detailed when the Pechanga Band scrubbed their tribal veteran's page and Biker's of America told the story of how veteran's were treated when they went to Pechanga to eat on their Veteran's Day promotion.

Is the tribe embarrassed that so few tribal members stood up to defend our country and that the majority of those were Hunter family members, so they just eliminated veterans, including decorated WWII and Vietnam era vets from their website.

IS THIS HOW PECHANGA REALLY FEELS about their veterans?

Original Pechanga's Blog: Why is Sen. Dianne Feinstein Working For Tribes That Violate The Civil Rights of Their Membership?

2010-11-30T06:05:00.000-08:00

Our Senator, Dianne Feinstein seems to think that it's better to work FOR tribes that violate civil and human rights of their membership, than it is to work to SUPPORT civil rights.

Is this a new Democratic Party Platform? Do the Democrats no longer care about civil rights, or did they EVER?

Original Pechanga's Blog: Why is Sen. Dianne Feinstein Working For Tribes That Violate The Civil Rights of Their Membership?

Original Pechanga's Blog: Does Mark Macarro's Tribal Council Practice: APARTHEID in Temecula

2010-11-22T09:17:00.000-08:00

YES! Apartheid in America. Apartheid in California. Apartheid in Indian Country.

Original Pechanga's Blog: Does Mark Macarro's Tribal Council Practice: APARTHEID in Temecula

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga Tribe's Termination Committee Called Out By Their Own Researcher

2010-11-22T09:16:00.000-08:00

Temecula People should realize that just because the Pechanga Resort and Casino creates jobs, it doesn't mean what Pechanga does is always on the up and up.

Pechanga HIRED this noted anthropologist to check the background of Paulina Hunter. Dr. Johnson PROVED she was Pechanga, so the enrollment committee refused to use his 20 page report.

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga Tribe's Termination Committee Called Out By Their Own Researcher

Original Pechanga's Blog: Original Pechanga's Blog in TOP 50 of Native American Blogs

2010-11-22T09:14:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to our family from Original Pechanga's blog. They are in the top 35 of Native American Blogs.

Original Pechanga's Blog: Original Pechanga's Blog in TOP 50 of Native American Blogs

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga's Tribal Disenrollment IS Paper Genocide and Filled with Civil and Human Rights Violations#links#links#links

2010-09-24T17:31:00.000-07:00

As usual, OP has it right on Genocide at Pechanga, Redding, Picayune

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga's Tribal Disenrollment IS Paper Genocide and Filled with Civil and Human Rights Violations#links#links#links

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga Tribe's Termination Committee Called Out By Their Own Researcher#links#links#links

2010-06-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

The Pechanga "Enrollment" Committee had PAID the most prominent researcher/educator to look into the history of Paulina Hunter, she was PROVED to be both Pechanga AND Temecula Person. Yet, the Bobbi LeMere led committee chose NOT to use his work.

Boycott Pechanga for Civil Rights Violations

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga Tribe's Termination Committee Called Out By Their Own Researcher#links#links#links

Original Pechanga's Blog: CA Politicians Need to Clean their OWN HOUSE of Civil Rights Violators.

2010-04-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

OP has it right. There are serious civil and human rights violations by tribes here in California. Pechanga and Picayune are serious offenders.

Please check out their blog:

Original Pechanga's Blog: CA Politicians Need to Clean their OWN HOUSE of Civil Rights Violators.

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga Denies Basic Human Rights to Many Tribal Members, the Story#links#links#links#links

2010-03-06T12:02:00.000-08:00

OP and team lays out the violations of human rights and basic civil rights at his blog

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga Denies Basic Human Rights to Many Tribal Members, the Story#links#links#links#links

Read the comments for more.

About the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians

2010-03-06T11:59:00.001-08:00

The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, which hijacked the Temecula Band of Luiseno Indian's federal recognition, is well known for terminating Indians from their rightful place in the tribe. Since the advent of casino gaming Pechanga's disenrollment of 230 adults from the tribe is second only to the Picayune Rancheria in the termination of Native Americans in CA. That's not the company a tribe should want to be associated with.

Pechanga violates the basic human and civil rights of their rightful members.

Running a large casino is one thing, RUINING your fellow citizens is another.

Rick and Bill: The Restaurant Guys

2010-02-19T17:10:00.001-08:00

Indulge me as I help some of my family members out. They are starting a new restaurant review site: Rick and Bill: The Restaurant Guys It's not a money maker, but for them, sampling the restaurants will be fun.

Please take a look! They have a section for Las Vegas too.

Who will take up the Cherokee Freedmen Cause after Rep. Diane Watson Leaves

2010-02-17T15:01:00.001-08:00

This year will have a BIG shakeup in Congress. How will that impact Native Americans in the United States that have been disenfranchised by their own tribes?

Who will take up the leadership role after Rep. Diane Watson leaves office?

Can she get any support now that she's on her way out?

WHO can we turn to?

Original Pechanga's Blog: Open Letter to Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro

2009-12-30T14:27:00.000-08:00

The comment section on this post is HUGE. Please check out the link and pass on to your friends.

Original Pechanga's Blog: Open Letter to Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga Indian Removal Acts

2009-12-30T14:22:00.000-08:00

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga Indian Removal Acts

Pechanga has harmed as many Pechanga people as the white man ever did.

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga's Macarro to Commissioners: DO as I say, Not as I DID, or I'm Really Not Lying THIS Time

2009-12-30T14:19:00.000-08:00

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga's Macarro to Commissioners: DO as I say, Not as I DID, or I'm Really Not Lying THIS Time

He's not very trustworthy....

Original Pechanga's Blog: Answering the Deluded Pechanga Members Statements

2009-12-30T14:18:00.000-08:00

Our cousin responds to a tribal hack, who is a member, but deluded.

Original Pechanga's Blog: Answering the Deluded Pechanga Members Statements

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga Tribal Member Bemoans the Fact That WE are FIGHTING BACK.

2009-12-30T14:16:00.000-08:00

Some Pechanga people don't like the fact that we are still fighting for our rightful place. Why stop? They have the watches, but we have the time

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga Tribal Member Bemoans the Fact That WE are FIGHTING BACK.

Original Pechanga's Blog: Airing PECHANGA'S Dirty Laundry in Public; Spotlight is a good Disinfectant

2009-12-30T14:15:00.000-08:00

From some Pechanga Tribal Members own mouths......

Original Pechanga's Blog: Airing PECHANGA'S Dirty Laundry in Public; Spotlight is a good Disinfectant

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga Tribal Council: Culture of Corruption

2009-12-30T14:12:00.000-08:00

Learn more about the TRUE Pechanga actions, and then stay away from their business enterprises.

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga Tribal Council: Culture of Corruption

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga's Culture of Corruption II: Pechanga Lawyer Macarro Accused of Threatening Tactics

2009-12-30T14:11:00.000-08:00

Mark Macarro may come off on screen as a gentle person, but that belies his true nature.

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga's Culture of Corruption II: Pechanga Lawyer Macarro Accused of Threatening Tactics

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga's Culture of Corruption IV: Elected PDC official REMOVED From Office without Recall

2009-12-30T14:10:00.001-08:00

First, the Manuela Mirandas, then The Hunters, then anyone who gets in their way.

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga's Culture of Corruption IV: Elected PDC official REMOVED From Office without Recall

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga's Culture of Corruption V: The Conspiracy to Control Elections

2009-12-30T14:10:00.000-08:00

Pechanga says disenrollments weren't about the money. They mean it wasn't JUST about the money, it was about power.

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga's Culture of Corruption V: The Conspiracy to Control Elections

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga's Culture of Corruption VI: Failure to follow PECHANGA Constitution and Bylaws

2009-12-30T14:09:00.000-08:00

If Pechanga will cheat their own people, they'd cheat you too

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga's Culture of Corruption VI: Failure to follow PECHANGA Constitution and Bylaws

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga's Culture of Corruption VII: Pechanga Expert Contradicts Pechanga DISenrollment UPDATED!

2009-12-30T14:08:00.000-08:00

Pechanga HIRED the foremost expert in Californian Indian Anthropology to prove that Paulina Hunter was NOT Pechanga. Guess what happened, read on.

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga's Culture of Corruption VII: Pechanga Expert Contradicts Pechanga DISenrollment UPDATED!

Original Pechanga's Blog: The Pechanga Lies About Tribal Membership Show Incompetence from Enrollment Committee

2009-12-30T14:07:00.000-08:00

We are looking to double the traffic at Original Pechanga's Blog so they've asked that we link some of their top stories here.

Pechanga's enrollment committee had two goals in mind: Eliminate the Manuela Miranda Family and then Paulina Hunters's Descendents.

Original Pechanga's Blog: The Pechanga Lies About Tribal Membership Show Incompetence from Enrollment Committee

Original Pechanga's Blog: U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals REJECTS Lawsuit against The Pechanga Band on 2-1 vote#links#links#links

2009-12-24T13:36:00.000-08:00

Well, at least one judge on the committee had it right. The next step is en banque with the entire appeals court. The ruling is NOT on the disenrollment claim, but habeas corpus.

Original Pechanga's Blog: U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals REJECTS Lawsuit against The Pechanga Band on 2-1 vote#links#links#links

New Battle of Pechanga Members Against Francesca Leyva Descendents

2009-11-12T12:39:00.000-08:00

From Original Pechanga's Blog, it looks like the CPP are eating themselves and have now raised questions of the Masiel Basquez Heritage.

Concerned Pechanga People INFIGHTING: Anti-Masiel Basquez Sentiment Growing?

Original Pechanga's Blog has received some paperwork prepared by the Concerned Pechanga People (CPP)that raises questions about the family history of the Masiel/Basquez/Leyva ties to Pechanga. They show NO lineal descent from an Original Pechanga person.

I have a shortened version embedded here, but also have a full version available which has census information. Suffice it to say, a family who has done the most to tear apart the tribe, has some questions to answer to the Pechanga Membership.

What drives a family to work so hard to eliminate members? Money, Power? We believe both are the driving forces.

It's time for the Pechanga General Membership to stand up for what is right and do right by those rightful Pechanga people that they eradicated from their rolls and stand up to this crime family. It's well past time for the Pechanga Tribal Council to uphold the rule of law and the Pechanga Constitution.

Anyone wonder if James Fletcher, former supervisor of the BIA in Riverside has run interference for these people? He's now has a high paying job with the PDC. Just asking.

Missing Temecula Teen Julianne Buzzelli, Made call from Pechanga Casino

2009-08-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

Julianne Buzzelli, a 16-year-old girl from Riverside County, Ca, is missing. She was sleeping over at her friend's house, when the two wandered off together Friday night. Neither Julianne Buzzelli nor 15-year-old Alexis Bailey have been heard from since.

The Union-Tribune reported that Buzzelli's cell phone records "show a call was placed at 2:45 a.m. Saturday requesting a taxi at the Pechanga Casino, which is a number of miles from the Bailey house in the French Valley Winchester area of Temecula." The phone has since been shut off.

Both girls attend the Temecula Preparatory School. Alexis's father, Michael Bailey, said it was uncharacteristic of either girl to run off.

Anyone with information about the girls whereabouts is asked to call the Riverside County Sheriff's Department at (951) 776-1099.

Come home safely girls.

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga Tribal Council: Culture of Corruption#links#links#links

2009-08-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

Original Pechanga's Blog: Pechanga Tribal Council: Culture of Corruption#links#links#links

Original Pechanga is doing an expose of Pechanga's Culture of Corruption. The tribal council has abused its authority, defied the Pechanga Constitution and bylaws and the will of the people.

The Dark side of Indian Gaming

2009-02-03T10:38:00.000-08:00

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

Please Contact Obama's Transition Team

2009-01-12T09:02:00.000-08:00

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:

Candlelight Vigil Planned for AIRI Forum at Pechanga

2009-01-06T16:37:00.000-08:00

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.

Pechanga Security BEATS ELDERLY customer

2008-11-03T22:01:00.000-08:00

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.

Pechanga Chairman Macarro deserves Pathbreaker Award; For Violations of the ICRA

2008-10-15T22:04:00.000-07:00

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

Can the MONGOLS CLUB and DOC Cavasos Help Save Bear Butte?

2008-10-10T14:27:00.000-07:00

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.

Nighthorse Campbell Honored Where they violate Civil Rights

2008-07-25T15:11:00.000-07:00

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.

Pechanga Resort and Casino announce MASS LAYOFFS

2008-07-22T21:22:00.001-07:00

First, Pechanga destroyed 25% of their membership and now, they will terminate 9% of their workforce.

Amy Minnear, the lovely director of the PDC. (no really, she's a cutie) announced it today and Original Pechangas Blog has it. Teetilawuncha had the news today also.

Sad for the employees. First, a tribal member Larry Miranda was stealing their tips, now, they are losing their jobs. When will the FBI and DOJ get the indictments done?

Pechanga Elections: JUST SAY NO to Masiel

2008-07-16T14:52:00.000-07:00

I think it's time for new leadership at Pechanga. But Andy Masiel is NOT the person.

Vote for Mark Macarro. He's smart and he knows enough not to trust Salazar people...

What is an Expert? To Pechanga, it's someone they pay to do the work

2008-06-05T20:28:00.001-07:00

AND if they don't like what he finds, they IGNORE it.

Dr. John Johnson is the foremost authority on California Tribes, hired by Pechanga to do ancestry background on Paulina Hunter.

HERE is what he says.

What is Pechanga Thinking? Crime Pays?

2008-06-05T20:14:00.001-07:00

Shortly, there will be indictments handed down to criminals from the Pechanga Tribe and other employees.

Is Pechanga's Empire crumbling? What started out promising, the entire tribe working to gain from tribal gaming has descended into a pit of greed, bad behavior and criminal enterprise.

The Pechanga people were united more when there was only a sand pit generating income than now, when there are billions generated.

It's amazing the change over the reservation, the evil that is present there, or should I say, prevalent?

Pechanga has spent over $50 million trying to convince Californians that they are still good people. But when the indictments come out, the story will change. How much more will Pechanga have to spend to keep themselves from being portrayed as they really are?

People of Temecula, THIS IS NOT what you voted for, this is NOT what self-reliance is. Restrain yourselves from spending your dollars at Pechanga. Support another tribal enterprise, or a local business.

Sovereignty Cracks By Tribes Own Hands

2008-06-05T18:22:00.000-07:00

Original Pechanga's Blog is saying there will be news on court case that weakens sovereignty? When will these tribes learn that it's THEY who are attacking sovereignty. When they abuse it, they weaken it.

Read it at OP's Blog.

Snoqualmie Tribe TERMINATES 43: Shameful Act of Degradation

2008-05-29T13:24:00.001-07:00

Snoqualmie Tribe banishes nine members, disenrolls 43

Posted: May 26, 2008
by: Babette Herrmann / Today correspondent
SNOQUALMIE, Wash. - In November, the Snoqualmie Tribe will open the doors to a brand-new casino about 30 minutes southeast of Seattle. But instead of the media spotlighting pre-opening news on the $330 million project, the focus has shifted to the banishment of nine tribal members and the disenrollment of about 43. The decision to banish former Chairman Bill T. Sweet and several of his family members, among other supporters, was made final during a closed-door general membership meeting at the Issaquah Hilton April 28. In addition to voting on the banishments, the tribal council announced that the 43 individuals purged from the rolls failed to meet the blood quantum requirement for membership. According to a tribal press release, some members have already appealed the decision, while others have accepted it.
Councilmember and Chief Nathan Patrick Barker said that Sweet and some of his supporters recently attempted to seize control of bank accounts, shut down health and social programs, fire the entire staff and reach out to the BIA in an effort to receive backup on the effort. They are accused of running a ''shadow government.'' ''They tried to undermine the tribal government in every shape and form, and that was what they were judged on,'' he said. Sweet, who was suspended as chairman in August 2007, has his own take on the events that led to his fate. And Barker was elected to the council during a general membership and emergency election meeting in September. For those facing banishment, the punishment is harsh. They are purged from the rolls and no longer eligible to receive benefits or dividends from future casino revenues. And those banished are no longer allowed to participate in tribal government and events, or even claim Indian identity.
Sweet's problems began during elections last May. He recalled that the election went according to protocol, and those that were nominated and elected are the true tribal council to this day. Barker, who served as the sergeant-at-arms during that election, said that a nomination to move the election process to the beginning of the meeting after the agenda was the first inconsistency to take place that day. He claimed the real eyebrow-raiser occurred when Sweet closed nominations while four tribal members stood waiting to nominate their person of choice for the council.
He also said that a former councilmember was forbidden to vote because she forgot to bring her tribal identification. The rule requiring members to present their IDs during elections was approved at the last meeting in 2006. Those minutes were not ratified by the council prior to the election, which Barker said makes that rule unenforceable. ''I think he let the room get away from him as far as the election process went,'' he said. ''It's unfortunate and, in hindsight, I think he would have run things differently.'' Over the course of the next three months, Sweet said that tribal business proceeded as usual and he felt no inclination that something big was going to happen. He said that he felt blindsided when, during open forum at an August council meeting, a tribal member stood up and read a letter written by Honorary Chief Jerry Enick. The letter stated that he was suspended and that the May elections were null and void. ''It was very emotional and I am still torn up inside,'' he said.
Sweet added that Enick and his supporters have spearheaded the process that ultimately caused his banishment and the disenrollment of numerous members of his family. A tribal press release stated, ''Many of [Sweet's] relatives were revealed to not meet the 1/8th blood quantum requirement for membership.'' Barker said that a tribal attorney, who was present at the August meeting, sent out a certified letter stating that Sweet had 30 days to file for an open meeting to discuss the charges. Yet Sweet claims never to have received the certified letter. And he further claims that his attempts to meet with Enick and other tribal council members fell upon deaf ears.

Save the Cogged Stone Site

2008-05-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

Some additional info:

The Cogged Stone site (CA-ORA-83) is an extremely important archaeological site that once covered over 17 acres on the Bolsa Chica Mesa. The site dates to 8500 years ago and is the last remaining prehistoric coastal village and cemetery dating to the Early Holocene in the region. Sites of this time period are rare and the life ways of the earliest settlers of California are largely unknown. The name for this site is derived from the recovery of over 1000 of the stone sculptures known as “cogged stones”. It is the only known location for the production of these unique circular artifacts that to our modern eyes, resemble cogged wheels. The site served as the center of a complex ritual interaction sphere in which the cogged stones were manufactured at the site and distributed among prehistoric Native Americans in southern California . Interestingly, a few cogged stones have been found at a 9,000 year old site on the northern coast of Chile .

Hearthside Homes owns the property now and plans to build 349 houses on it.
In a memo from the developer’s archeologist dated 11/5/07 it reads
There are 87 human remains that need to be reburied
There are 83 prehistoric features that were uncovered with the burials
There are 4217 artifacts that were found during grading monitoring on ORA 83
There are 1622 artifacts that were found during the grading monitoring on ORA 85
There are approximately 2,000 boxes of materials
There are over 100,000 artifacts that have been collected.

All of this hidden from the Coastal Commission and the Native people

In peace & solidarity,Tamra BrennanFounder/DirectorProtect Sacred Sites Indigenous People, One Nationwww.protectsacredsites.org www.protectbearbutte.com

Open Letter on Pechanga to David Stern and Jerry Buss

2008-05-20T18:41:00.000-07:00

Original Pechanga has an open letter to NBA Commissioner David Stern and Laker Owner Jerry Buss:

http://originalpechanga.blogspot.com/2008/05/open-letter-to-nba-commissioner-david.html

Go Original Pechanga.

Life as a Mixed Blood Ute

2008-04-25T23:05:00.001-07:00

Earl has the story of living life as a mixed blood Ute HERE

There are still many barriers facing the terminated Uintas that seem extremely difficult to over come. In the white communities adjacent to; along with the Indian communities on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, and some individuals within our own group; there exists a foundation of prejudice which inexorably target’s the mixed-bloods efforts at regaining their Indian identity.

While the full-blood Indian feels a need to marginalize the terminated mixed bloods and their descendant’s because of dogmatic tenets within the Ute Tribe; the tribe supercilious believes all mixed bloods must be held prisoner behind invisible bars and malevolently feel that to allow the mixed blood to escape this prison will be the very death of the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation in Utah.This kind of mindset is nothing more then a 1970’s colloquium on South Africa and the Coloureds.

California's Indian Country Suffers from Casino Squabbles

2008-04-25T23:02:00.000-07:00

http://originalpechanga.blogspot.com/2008/04/casino-revenue-causes-tribal-squabbles.html

Original Pechanga has the post of how the advent of casinos in California have cause problems that aren't getting the media coverage that they should.

A powder keg in a match factory.

What Keeps Disenrolled Tribal Members from Pechanga - Chukchansi- Redding- Enterprise From Standing United?

2008-04-23T18:35:00.000-07:00

So many people have so much in common, being on the receiving end of violations of civil rights, elimination from their rightful place on tribal rolls, inadequate representation from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Yet, each group has only a few members who are vocal, and active. Where are the rest? How can acceptance of stripping us from what is rightfully ours, be good?

Does ANYONE think laying down like a dog is the right way to gain back what is ours? Will PRAYING be enough? Will HOPING be enough? Will WATCHING a few others be the right thing?

How many of the 600 Chukchansi Disenrolled are together in their fight? I only know of TWO and they aren't even together.

How many of the 500 Pechanga disenrolled/moratorium people are together? 60?

Will AIM of the Central Valley stand with those in the south or far north, like Redding and Enterprise? What is the goal of AIM, AIRRO and individuals? Aren't they the same? Why not stand united. One twig is EASY to break, 10 is harder 1,000 will be difficult to break.

All of us who have been damaged by our own tribes need to come together. Who will lead?

Hoopa Valley Tribe, the ANTI-Pechanga way

2008-04-15T07:55:00.000-07:00

Excellent action by the Hoopa Valley Tribe in bringing rightful members back into the tribe. Original Pechanga has it here:

http://originalpechanga.blogspot.com/2008/04/unlike-pechanga-and-picayune-hoopa.html

Pechanga can learn quite a few things about doing what is right? Why are YOU still going to a casino that treats its people so badly?

Some History of Pechanga Disenrollments

2008-04-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

You can find much background information on this blog, but it's weak compared to other spots on the web:

http://originalpechanga.blogspot.com

www.pechanga.info/forum

http://blog.myspace.com/paulinahunterofpechanga

Please, take a look at the sites above.

Media Breafast Club of Los Angeles Backs up MabuhayRadio.com with NO on Prop 94!

2008-01-24T23:15:00.000-08:00

Original Pechanga has the story! This is very good news for the No on Pechanga, No on Props 94-97.

Thank You MBCLA and Mabuhay Radio. They are even considering a Filipino-American BOYCOTT of Pechanga!

Pechanga Ad Spend is Not Generating Results

2008-01-24T17:57:00.000-08:00

According to the latest Field Poll, Pechanga and the other three tribes $82 MILLION dollar spend has not help to widen the gap between Californians who vote NO.

It must be that people are starting to educate themselves to the fact that our legislators can do better for us. Make that NEW legislators. When we get rid of Perata and Nunez, we can tell the Governor to make a better deal.

SF Chronicle says NO
Sacto BEE says NO
Modesto Bee says NO
Bakersfield CA says NO

Original Pechanga is doing a great job keeping us updated

Mabuhay Radio Says No to Pechanga

2008-01-23T20:12:00.000-08:00

Bobby Reyes, editor of Mabuhay Radio has put up an editorial that says NO to Expanded gaming.

Take a look at the website here: http://www.mabuhayradio.com/ This is the voice of Filipino America. Thank you Bobby, for your support for NO on Props. 94.97;

Mabuhay Radio, San Francisco Chronicle, Bakersfield Californian, Sacramento Bee ALL say NO to Pechanga and NO to expanded gaming

NAACP Endorsement is FOR SALE. Pechanga buys them off

2008-01-20T18:03:00.000-08:00

Wow. So much for the NAACP's concern of civil rights. I guess for Huffman, it's all about the Benjamins.

NAACP head is paid by tribes, backs their plan
By Shane Goldmacher - sgoldmacher@sacbee.com

The president of the California NAACP has been paid more than $40,000 in consulting fees – and the organization itself has received $60,000 – from a coalition of Indian tribes at the same time the civil rights group has endorsed four ballot measures pushed by its tribal benefactors.
The payments to Alice Huffman, who has served as president of the state conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People since 1999, continue a three-year pattern in which Huffman's political firm has been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars by special interest groups.

QUESTION: What is it that Huffman does that's worth $40,000? How many hours has she spent on consulting?

The Pechanga Indian Removal Acts

2008-01-16T23:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.apoliticalblog.com/?p=146

Pechanga follows Andrew Jackson's lead in getting rid of Indians.

Original Pechanga is writing at another blog? What a story he has up at A Political Blog.

Vote NO on Props. 94-97.

NO on Prop.94: Handling of Gambling Compacts Merit Investigation

2008-01-06T12:21:00.000-08:00

Editorial: Bungling? Or ... Handling of gambling compacts at state and federal levels merits an investigation

www.sacbee.com

Dueling campaign ads alternately denouncing and praising four new Indian gaming compacts began hitting airwaves across California weeks ago. Opponents and proponents of four initiative referenda on the Feb. 5 ballot – Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97 – are spending millions to persuade voters to ratify the compacts or to repeal them. Despite the campaigns, the compacts could well be in effect already. In a series of curious – if not downright suspicious – actions, the disputed compacts were ratified by the U.S. secretary of the interior last month and their approval published in the Federal Register.
Here's what happened. After the Legislature approved the compacts last summer, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sent them to the California secretary of state's office. Even though the compacts were not set to become law until Jan. 1 and opponents were collecting signatures to place initiatives on the ballot to repeal them, Secretary of State Debra Bowen forwarded the agreements on to the U.S. Department of Interior in September.
Under federal law, the interior secretary has 45 days to review tribal state gambling compacts and accept or reject them. Given the fact that the compacts were being challenged, it's unclear how the secretary would have acted. But he never had a chance to review them. When the California compacts arrived at Interior, they were misplaced for 80 days.
They then appeared one day in the in-box of a key Bureau of Indian Affairs official. (We're not making this up.) Because they had been lost for a period well beyond the 45-day deadline for review, they gained automatic approval when they resurfaced. This peculiar saga does not end there. To officially become law, the compacts had to be published in the Federal Register. Given the pending referenda and the mysterious disappearance of the compacts, Interior officials initially said they would not publish them right away, which was sensible because there was no deadline for publication.
Then on Dec. 19 Interior officials reversed course and published them anyway. The sequence of events merits a thorough investigation, beginning in California. Why did Secretary of State Debra Bowen send the compacts to Washington before they became law? Where did they disappear for 80 critical days before they showed up in a federal bureaucrat's in-box?
If they stand, the gambling compacts will allow four of the richest and most powerful tribes in California to triple the number of slots at their casinos.
These deals are worth billions of dollars.

It's very hard if not impossible to believe that the series of events which led to their becoming law prematurely grew out of innocent bureaucratic bungling.

Comments against Prop. 94-97 and expanded gaming

2007-12-28T19:21:00.000-08:00

Some interesting comments on the California Progress report article

http://www.pechanga.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1755

Exposing Tribal Corruption by Pechanga

2007-12-28T19:12:00.000-08:00

We are looking for current information on Larry Miranda, Pechanga Tribal Member who was fired from the Pechanga Resort and Casino. Some news sources are looking to do a story.

If you are FBI, we need to find out who is the contact person for his case. Please contact us at the www.pechanga.info site.

Miranda is the son of former tribal spokesperson Jennie Miranda, one of the conspirators who wanted to remove families from Pechanga's membership rolls. She was the puppetmaster of her mother, who was on the disenrollment committee. The mother, Ruth Masiel, slept through most of our presentation, yet still was able to make a decision.

Will Larry Miranda be disenrolled from the tribe for theft? Or will he still collect his $32, 500 per month?

Vote NO on Prop. 94

Original Pechanga: Why Tribes will Win

2007-12-27T08:54:00.000-08:00

Original Pechanga has a post of why the tribes will win on expanded gaming in CA. He says the opposition to expanded gaming is weak and unorganized. Take a look at the No On Unfair deals website. They've had 5 blogs in a month! Pechanga is running 5 commercials a day. The "no" sites aren't even fighting the tribe's unfounded claims.

The disenrolled people are scattered an many are disenterested.

After Christmas Shopping

2007-12-26T17:45:00.001-08:00

There are sales and bargains out there. How much does a politician cost near the end of the year. How much are tribes giving this holiday season?

What does it cost for the Governator?

We must stay vigilant and keep the focus on the pols....

No Unfair Gambling Deals: No on Prop. 94, 95,96,97

2007-12-22T11:02:00.000-08:00

www.nounfairdeals.com

This website is against the gaming expansion. This is one of the weakest sites around. Look at the blog and it has something like FOUR blogs in a month. HOW can it hope to pick up momentum.
It's plagued by generalities and doesn't seem to have any real conviction. WHERE are the union members who want representation? Why aren't their THOUSANDS of comments from them on the site? Why haven't the so-called "those against unfair gaming compacts" written to voice their opinions.

Pathetic.

Another View of NO on expanded gaming

2007-12-15T10:22:00.000-08:00

http://www.menifee247.com/2007/12/california-proposition-94-95-96-97.htm

Steve at Menifee 24/7 has his breakdown of why he's not voting yes on expanded gaming. Take a look

Schwarzenegger Incompetence

2007-12-15T10:15:00.000-08:00

Original Pechanga has a blog up on the Governator's mishandling of our state budget.

http://originalpechanga.blogspot.com/2007/12/governor-to-declare-state-of-emergency.html

Pit River Membership issues parallels Pechanga

2007-12-12T16:32:00.000-08:00

Editor:
http://pitriverpeople.org/Template-Admin/LtrEditor8-14-07.html

Thank you for covering the Pit River Tribe Membership Meeting in your newspaper. Please allow me to clarify one point: Those who came to the Membership meeting that are being 'challenged' on Tribal enrollment, did not vote. The votes were only from legal registered voters from within the Tribe.
The 'Silent No More' group is quickly growing and opposes this current Tribal Council that is controlled by one family and their supporters. It has turned into a Council that operates for its own benefit, not the benefit of Tribal Members. Council meetings are called several days a week and Council Members get paid for each meeting so this has become the main income source of several people at the expense of the Tribe. People were recently asked or ordered to sign a loyalty oath, one of the first steps a dictator uses to maintain absolute power. Any Member questioning this group is disenrolled, or threatened with disenrollment.
This current struggle has many parallels to the Pechanga Band which has been in many headlines recently as a corrupt Tribal Council attempts to whittle down the number of Tribal Members to increase their per capita which sometimes runs as high as $20,000 per month. What I find almost incomprehensible in the case of the Pit River Tribe is that we have very few assets. Our per capita runs in the hundreds of dollars per year. This struggle is over power and an attempt to divert Tribal assets into favored families and hang onto what has become a full time income source.
Democracy is new to the Tribe. In the old days, a leader who got too greedy or steered the Tribe on a path that was detrimental, was simply shunned and we followed someone else. The BIA and local governments insist on recognizing only the formal entity which is the Tribal Council, although the BIA is finally beginning to recognize this Council is not representative of the Membership. So we must change this Council in a formal way according to our constitution. That is why two Membership meetings have now voted to seat our duly elected Chairperson and Secretary and make other changes, all of which have been ignored by the current Council.

Prop. 94 Will Teach Pechanga A Lesson

2007-12-08T13:22:00.000-08:00

That lesson should be: If you don't treat your people with respect and if you don't follow the rule of law (YOUR OWN LAW) you won't get 5500 MORE slot machines.

We will give them to your competitors and leave you on the outside looking in.

We will say, $380,000 is all your are going to get. We are not going to allow you to take your per capita up to $700,000 and have you say, "we don't need to do the right thing"

NO on Prop. 94 No to $700,000 for Concerned Pechanga People

Does California Really Need More Casinos?

2007-12-05T08:56:00.000-08:00

http://nounfairdeals.com/uploadedfiles/NoBig4_LA_Times_ARTICLE_3-11-07.pdf

The LA TIMES asks the question. But the answer is YES. But we don't need to give them to the big 4 tribes. There are tribes that have been waiting for their approval for their casinos, poor tribes that can really use the money that casinos will generate.

Pechanga is giving their members $32,500 now that they have terminated 300 people in an act of cultural genocide. Without bonuses, that comes to over $385,000 per year. Wonderful, but should they be given more machines to get them to $700,000 per year, when there are THOUSANDS of Native Americans are making nothing? I think not.

Pechanga Disenrollments = Elder Abuse?

2007-12-04T09:56:00.001-08:00

I believe it's a question that needs to be addressed. Pechanga has eliminated from the tribe over 55 Elders of the tribe. Some are now up to 90 years old, being born during WW1.
The young of the CPP/Splinter Group laughed at them and told them to "get a job".
Meanwhile, Pechanga cuts of the health care of seniors, and without healthcare what are they supposed to do? Go back on the government?
One of our family helped build the health clinic and now he can't go there.
These are the types of stories that aren't being told.
Pechanga should be publicly shamed.

Video on Pechanga's Corrupt Action of Disenrollment

2007-12-04T04:58:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wod-MkEj1xs

Details the story of Lawrence and Sophie Madariaga, elders of the Hunter clan. Abused by Pechanga.
Please watch and tell your friends.

Expert Contradicts Pechanga Disenrollment

2007-12-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

Dr. John Johnson, stands by his Pechanga-paid-for study on the Ancestry of Paulina Hunter

The Disenrollment Committee PAID him and didn't use his findings because it didn't fit their plan.

It's like saying "your guy got 90% of the vote, be he's still not getting elected."

Pechanga Puts Slot Expansion on Hold

2007-12-04T03:55:00.000-08:00

http://originalpechanga.blogspot.com/2007/12/pechanga-waiting-to-install-slots-after.html

Good thinking. Even though the Feds have approved expansion, the voters of California have NOT. Pechanga knows that they have done enough sneaking around the voters backs and they may not have survived another attempt.

KNBC may be producing another story on Pechanga violating civil rights and elder abuse in eliminating them from their health coverage.

CA Government in Corrupt Bed with Pechanga

2007-12-02T18:56:00.000-08:00

OP has the word at: http://originalpechanga.blogspot.com

There are lots of articles about Don Perata, head of the Senate in CA that is still under investigation.
Does anybody worry about Civil Rights anymore?

Website for Tribal Rights

2007-11-30T10:40:00.000-08:00

Where is everybody going for their news on Tribal Civil Rights violations?

www.pechanga.info is a good start

Open Letter to Pechanga Chairman Macarro

2007-11-28T14:37:00.000-08:00

Original Pechanga has a post that is an Open Letter to Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro. He's the one who was on television during the Prop 1A and Prop 5 campaigns. He talks like he has butter in his mouth, but his temper is legendary.

http://originalpechanga.blogspot.com

Anyone wonder why they don't use him as spokesman anymore? Could it be because he is not looked at with respect for what he has allowed to happen during his watch?

Please help with the traffic.

Standing Together as Family

2007-11-26T11:11:00.000-08:00

Standing Together as Family

We have been working togethere as family for years, trying to stave off criminal disenrollment actions. Most of us were willing to fight. But for some now, they have taken a back seat and aren't willing to continue the fight. I find that amazing. Getting beat down isn't a reason to quit, it's a reason to start.
Many of our family have been fighting for a DECADE trying to get in the tribe where they rightfully belong. They belong to the land and all that it offers.
Some have asked, "can we get a celeb to speak out for us?" I respond, "why would they, we can't even get all our family to speak out!" See the rest at:

http://blog.myspace.com/paulinahunterofpechanga

PECHANGA: NO on 94

2007-11-23T18:24:00.000-08:00

For violations of civil rights, human rights and the despicable practice of disenrollment, Pechanga does NOT deserve to receive a gaming expansion

NO on Prop. 94

No to Pechanga

Original Pechanga's Blog

2007-11-17T19:39:00.000-08:00

While I have not been active on this blog, others in the family have been very active in keeping up with the news of civil rights violations by Pechanga and other tribes in Indian Country.

You will not find much of this on Pechanga.net, but at Original Pechanga's Blog you will find more in depth blogging.

Also, my other blog at http://blog.myspace.com/paulinahunterofpechanga is still going very strong. Take a look.

Concerning Pechanga's Disgraceful Actions

2007-06-04T03:40:00.000-07:00

Concerning Disgraceful Actions by the Pechanga Tribal Council

In a notice dated August 7, 2006, the descendants of Paulina Hunter, an original allottee of the Pechanga Indian Reservation, were informed that the Pechanga Tribal Council and the Pechanga Enrollment Committee had denied their appeal to over-turn the Enrollment Committee’s earlier decision to disenroll the family.
The Hunter Family members were disenrolled in March of this year when the Enrollment Committee concluded that their ancestor, Paulina Hunter, was not a Temecula Indian.
Along with disenrollment notices from the Enrollment Committee, a memo from the Tribal Council explained that it had decided that a law passed by the Tribe’s governing body in July 2005 to bar future disenrollments applied to all tribal members except the Hunter Family.
The disenrollment of the Hunter family was initiated when several statements were presented to the Enrollment Committee claiming Paulina Hunter was non-Indian or not a member. One such letter came from a convicted felon currently serving time in the California State Prison system for child molestation.
In response to the allegations, the descendants of Paulina Hunter provided numerous documents as proof that Paulina Hunter was indeed of Indian ancestry and was an original Pechanga/Temecula Indian.
In fact, a report prepared by Dr. John Johnson, the curator of anthropology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, at the request of the Enrollment Committee concluded that a "preponderance of the evidence" from surviving historical records and census documents shows that Paulina Hunter was a Pechanga member who lived in Temecula and was allotted reservation land. There is no greater authority on this issue than Dr. Johnson.
"My feeling is it's a faulty interpretation of the record to reject this family. Paulina Hunter was definitely a core member of the Temecula Band of Luiseño Indians," Dr. Johnson said. "I don't understand the decision other than it is not based on fact. It is based on conjecture and politics."
The disenrollment of the Hunter family is the second such disenrollment of a large family from the Pechanga Band. Each has occurred just months before scheduled tribal elections for Chairman and Tribal Council.
The expulsions of the 2 families removed significant opposition to the current administration and others running for tribal office. Each “disenrollment” was done in violation of both tribal and federal laws which are intended to protect the rights and privileges of tribal members.
Specifically, the members were denied the due process and equal rights protections provided in the Indian Civil Rights Act, as well as language in the Band’s Constitution and Bylaws which mandates that tribal officials uphold the individual rights of each member without malice or prejudice. The disenrollments reduced the Pechanga Band's enrollment by nearly 30%, and each enrolled member, including those responsible for the violations of human and civil rights, could reap additional profits in the tens of millions of dollars.

For more information, please visit www.pechanga.info

Pechanga Tribal Treasurer Abruptly Quits

2007-05-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

It was posted on www.pechanga.info/forum

Why would she quit after 10 years so abruptly? The FBI took a member of the CPP who works in the casino away.

Does Christine have some information that Pechanga doesn't want to get out?

CA Compact for selected Tribe only.

2007-04-11T15:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/2061726/17459334

See the rest of the story at the LINK to Bryan's Website.

CA Compact Amendment Bills Introduced for Selected Tribe only
I am posting the following text from a bill now introduced into the California Legislative body by Assemblyman Charles Calderon, 58th District (LA County cities). How has the Morongo Band of Mission Indians proven that they are worthy of the type of specialized treatment they are getting from this bill?

I am presuming that this treatment is developing from the clause in this bill that states Morongo must pay a type of tax to the state general fund (which is calculated based upon the reported earnings of the Tribe-which they control the counting, validation and reporting of). It will be a frosty day in the Netherworld before any Tribe who signs this deal pays in what the Governor or this misguided Assemblyman has calculated.

But even if I am wrong and a Tribe doesn't take lessons from the American Corporations who are masters at shuffling of the expenses to lower reported profitability, I challenge the validity of any legislation that gives such broad authority to any group to violate environmental laws of California while expressly commanding California agencies that they are forbidden from breaking the law.

PLEASE, also check out: http://blog.myspace.com/paulinahunterofpechanga

Jamul FUNDRAISER!

2007-04-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

JAMUL COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER
FOR OUR HEROIC NEIGHBORS

JAC Fundraiser BBQ

Place: just past 17720 Lyons Valley Road

Look for the signs around town

Date: Sunday, April 15th Time: 2:00pm ?til Dark

With your help this fundraiser will raise funds for Walter Rosales, Karen Toggery and her son Louis. They are innocent victims in a ruthless grab of power by Lakes Entertainment and the Indian Village. After being brutally forced from their ancestral land, their long time homes have been destroyed along with many of their possessions. They need our help.

THEY DID NOTHING WRONG. THEY ONLY SAID "NO CASINO"

Entertainment: The Road Kill Band - Raffle and Auction

Cost: $20 per adult $10 per child

Tickets to be purchased at entrance

Beverages available, Desserts too!

RSVP by Thursday, April 12th

(so we can get a head count to the caterers)

jacjamul@yahoo.com or 619-468-4821

(Please leave your name, number of people attending and a phone number)

For those that are unable to join the fun, donations will be appreciated.

P.O. Box 1617 Jamul, CA 91935 or thru Paypal at www.jacjamul.com

Thank you for your support.

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Please be sure to RSVP for the Fundraiser. We are still looking for volunteers to help out. Please email Cyndy Hoffman at countrydolphins@cox.net if you have any donations for the raffle. Any Gift Certificates, Services, Crafts would be welcome. Cash works too!

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Housing Help: We are looking for a 2 bedroom house in Jamul for Karen. She would really like to stay in Jamul. Please email Marcia Spurgeon at mrsmas@hotmail.com.

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The website has been updated with new menus. It is much easier to search and navigate all the information we have for you. If you find a link that is not working or you have additional information that we could post, please email us at feedback@jacjamul.com. Thanks.

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Please keep up the letter writing to officials. It does make a difference.

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Patrick Webb was sited for trespassing on March 10th. His court date in El Cajon is April 23rd. He would like us to support him at court that day. As soon as we find out the time, we'll pass it along.

Call in to oppose Pechanga's Amended COmpact

2007-04-10T09:11:00.000-07:00

Call-in to Oppose Pechanga Amended Compact
Thanks to all who have faxed letters in Opposition to the Pechanga amended compact. Our voices are being heard.
If you have not yet faxed in your letter, it is not too late. Feel free to use the letter posted on http://blog.myspace.com/paulinahunterofpechanga">Paulina Hunter's blog and fax into the Governmental Organization Committee at the number provided.
Now is when we need people to start calling into the GO Committee and to the Committee members. If you can only make 1 call tomorrow, please call the GO Committee and express your opposition to the Pechanga Band's amended compact.
The phone number to the GO Committee is:
[b](916)651-1530[/b]

The phone numbers for the GO Committee members are as follows:
Chairman Dean Flores (916)651-4016
Senator Denham (916)651-4012
Senator Battin (916)651-4037
Senator Maldonado (916)651-4015
Senator Negrete McLeod (916)651-4032
Senator Vincent (916)651-4025
Senator Wiggins (916)651-4002
Senator Wyland (916)651-4038
Senator Yee (916)651-4008
Senator Peralta (916)651-4009

If you are asked why you oppose the Pechanga amended compact, you can tell them your opposition is based on the Pechanga Band's violations of the Indian Civil Rights Act and the fact that thesState Legislature has previously committed to support and enforce the Indian Civil Rights Act.
Any amended compact should have language that enforces the ICRA and prevents tribal officials from claiming immunity from suit so as to escape prosecution for their illegal actions.

Pechanga Killer gets 44 years!

2007-03-30T06:48:00.000-07:00

FRENCH VALLEY ---- After saying this was a "very, very difficult" case to forget, a Riverside County Superior Court judge Thursday sentenced a Pechanga tribal member to 44 years to life for running down and killing a Brawley woman and her young grandson nearly two years ago."I remember this vividly," Judge Albert Wojcik said.
Joey Barrientos, 27, was convicted in November of second-degree murder for the deaths of Martha Romero, 56, and her 9-year-old grandson, Pedro. Two other relatives of the victims, including a 4-year-old girl, were injured but survived the July 23, 2005 crash.
Barrientos, while under the influence of methamphetamine, drove a speeding, full-size Ford pickup into the group who were unloading their vehicle to go to a large family gathering on Autumn Woods Road in French Valley

Is giving $300K to a meth addict a smart thing?

PLEASE read: http://blog.myspace.com/paulinahunterofpechanga

View Paulina Hunter's Blog on MYSPACE

2007-03-29T17:29:00.000-07:00

Her blog is at: http://blog.myspace.com/paulinahunterofpechanga

There are a lot of links. She reports that she has reached over 10,000 blog views.

There are links to KNBC's Video, WITHOUT A TRIBE

Take a look

Here are a couple of other links on Pechanga Corruption

2007-03-29T08:11:00.000-07:00

Please make sure you are looking at : www.pechanga.info

and Paulina Hunter of Pechanga's blog at: http://blog.myspace.com/paulinahunterofpechanga

Letter in Opposition to Pechanga Band Compact

2007-03-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Please help by sending in a fax or letter to CA Senator Padilla

Senator Alex Padilla
6150 Van Nuys Blvd., #400Van Nuys, CA 91401
Phone: (818) 901-5588
Fax: (818) 901-5562

Dear Senator Padilla:
I write to you today in opposition to the Pechanga Band Compact for which you were reported in the Californian newspaper as being the sponsor.
My opposition to the Pechanga Band's compact is based on several issues. I oppose the Pechanga Band compact based on the Pechanga government's horrendous record of human and civil rights violations. I also oppose the Pechanga Band's amended compact because I do not believe that any government or agency which has committed atrocities against its own people should benefit from the public trust.
First of all, the Pechanga Band and its tribal officials have committed numerous human and civil rights violations since the signing and ratification of their last gaming compact with the State of California.
In 2004, just prior to regularly scheduled tribal elections, 130+ adult members and their immediate families were disenrolled from the Pechanga Band. The members were all descendants of Chief Pablo Apish, a historically significant leader of the Pechanga/Temecula people.
Apish's status as Chief of the Pechanga Indians was extolled on the Pechanga Band's Official website prior to and after his descendants disenrollments. It was not until after a story published in the local newspaper, the very same newspaper that mentioned your sponsorship of the bill to ratify the amended Pechanga Compact, pointed this fact out to Chairman Macarro that mention of Pechanga Chief Apish was deleted from the Pechanga Band's web site.
During the disenrollments, the descendants of Chief Pablo Apish were subjected to the very same actions prohibited by the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 ("ICRA"). The descendants were denied due process, equal protection of tribal and federal laws, and were eventually stripped of their tribal citizenship when Pechanga tribal officials applied, ex post facto, language claimed to have changed the tribe's membership requirements. This action too violated the ICRA prohibition on bills of attainder.
Unfortunately, Pechanga tribal officials did not stop there criminal ways. In March 2006, an additional extended family of approximately 100 adults was disenrolled when tribal officials determined that the ancestor from whom they are lineally descended from was not an Original Pechanga/Temecula person. This determination was made despite the fact that a report prepared by a well known anthropologist hired by the Pechanga tribal officials concluded the ancestor was in fact a Pechanga/Temecula person. The most recent disenrollment of 100+ adults and children was especially egregious as the General Membership, the Tribe's governing body, had previously passed a law which (1) repealed the Tribe's disenrollment procedures and (2) made it illegal for the Enrollment Committee to disenroll members.
However, several months after the enactment of the tribal law, Pechanga tribal officials, in private session, decided that the rights and protections enumerated in the tribal law applied to all tribal members except for 1 extended family. And, in a memo dated November 29, 2005, the Tribal Council notified the Enrollment Committee that the Committee could commence with disenrollment against the family.
The Tribal Council had a duty, under tribal law (Constitution and Bylaws, Article V), to ensure that the provisions of the tribal law enacted on July 18, 2005 were enforced and applied equally to all members of the Tribe. In violation of its own Constitution and the ICRA, Pechanga tribal officials breeched their duty.
As a result, nearly 100 eligible voting members were stripped of their right to participate in upcoming tribal elections, to receive the benefits and privileges of membership, and to receive allocations from gaming proceeds in accordance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
The Tribal Council's actions are prima facie examples of prejudicial acts intended to deny targeted citizens of rights guaranteed by the Constitution, the Indian Civil Rights Act, and tribal law.
I mention these violations of the ICRA because, as a matter of record, the California State Legislature supports and is committed to the enforcement of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1301 and following). Upon its passage, the ICRA 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.
Despite the prohibitions on tribal governments listed in the ICRA, Pechanga Tribal officials have hid behind the Tribe's sovereignty to escape prosecution and prevent the victims from seeking recourse for the injury and harm which have resulted from the human and civil rights violations. Although the tribal officials may be immune from suit, this does not equate to innocence of action.
Whereas the actions taken by Pechanga Band tribal officials are the very same as those prohibited by the ICRA, Pechanga tribal officials and the Pechanga government find themselves at odds with the California Legislature regarding the rights which should be afforded tribal citizens and citizens of California.
It is because of these gross violations of human and civil rights, that I oppose any further benefits be provided to the Pechanga Band until such time as the California Legislature holds hearings regarding the acts taken by the Pechanga government to deny tribal and California citizens rights guaranteed by law. I strongly believe that no entity that participates in, supports, or otherwise partakes in human and/or civil rights violations should benefit from the public trust.
Can the California Legislature trust the Pechanga government and its tribal officials to uphold the rights of other California citizens when they are so willing to strip and deny tribal citizens of the same rights? Is the California Legislature willing to play Pechanga Roulette with the rights of California's citizens?
I think the answer to both questions is a resounding "NO".
It is my firm belief that the Pechanga Band's amended compact should be denied and the State of California should require that the Pechanga Band go back to the negotiating table and agree to language that protects the rights of all California citizens and prevents the Pechanga government and Pechanga tribal officials from claiming immunity from suit for violations of the human and civil rights of California citizens.
Finally, I hope that you and your fellow legislators will not be held hostage by the money the State would gain under the Pechanga Band's amended compact. Such monetary gains could come at the expense of California's citizens if the State Legislature fails to address the issues listed above. I also believe that such gains are not solely tied to this amended compact but could be realized in an additional amended compact which includes protections of California citizens' rights and a form of redress for violations of said rights.Respectfully submitted,

Learn More about Tribal Disenrollments

2007-03-28T16:28:00.000-07:00

Tribal disenrollments, such as what the Pechanga Tribal Council did to their people, is a heart-wrenching act.

Please look at the blog Paulina Hunter of Pechanga at: http://blog.myspace.com/paulinahunterofpechanga

There is a ton of information, links to news articles.

PLEASE link to my blog, you will be helping me to get the story out.

PECHANGA GREED knows no bounds

2007-03-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

Pechanga is trying to get 3,000 more machines. FOR WHAT?

They have massacred 25% of their tribe, eliminating more Indians this century than any other nation.

They have taken the per capita of the disenrolled members and divvied it up amongst themselves. WHY would they need more income? They are NOT helping their rightful members, they are not adding members, they are denying their members civil rights.

See Paulina Hunters Blog on myspace: http://blog.myspace.com/paulinahunterofpechanga

Pechanga Disenrollment: Todays Genocide

2007-03-26T07:37:00.000-07:00

There is much more informationa and articles at:

http://blog.myspace.com/paulinahunterofpechanga PLEASE visit that blog too.

Pechanga Disenrollment: Today's Genocide

Beautiful article written by Tamra Brennan of www.NDNnews.com about the genocide that tribes like Pechanga practice on their people:
http://www.ndnnews.com/Tribal%20Dis-Enrollment%20Issues.htm
Please visit her site and tell your friends where they can find NDNnews.
Today's genocideTribal dis-enrollment and the blood quantum issue are spreading throughout Indian Country like a deadly cancer, eating away the cells of our existence. Tribal gaming has attributed to and brought the dominant cultures disease, greed. Before the existence of tribal gaming, tribes suffered from poverty, unemployment, apathy and no sense of a brighter future to come. The sudden wealth that tribal members have experienced has forced them into a new realm they have never known. California gaming tribes pay their enrolled members amounts up to $45,000 a month in gaming revenues. Tribal gaming has ignited old family feuds and corrupt leadership in several cases. If tribal members do not agree with council decisions they risk tribal dis-enrollment, in a few cases it has been entire families. This leaves more revenues available to divide among the remaining tribal members. This has become a lucrative benefit adding thousands of dollars in their corrupt pockets. Many of these reservations have non-Indians running their tribal councils. These people are part of families that were adopted into the tribe many years ago and have taken control, dis-enrolling families that have been on the reservation for generations. Many of the California Tribes have been severely affected by this epidemic, with approximately 1500 dis-enrolled tribal members and many more currently being threatened. Several tribes have diversified in their economy and have succeeded in benefiting their people. Many have invested millions of dollars in developing programs to care for elders, children, preserving their culture and language. Unfortunately, for some the other side is greed, which has resulted in tribes turning on each other, family feuds, hate, drugs, violence and attempted murder in several cases. Many of the dis-enrolled tribal members have filed lawsuits with the courts, have requested investigations from the B.I.A. and other agencies, only to continually be rejected or told it is a family issue not a federal issue. The dis-enrolled tribal members are left with nowhere to turn and to defend themselves. What this amounts to is, a modern day cultural genocide and is resulting in what we have been fighting since 1492, only now, it is Indians ~vs.~ Indians. We are falling into what the dominant society has been attempting to accomplish for hundreds of years; to conquer and divide. All Native people will be affected by this in the end. Our ancestors fought against genocide with thousands giving their lives to protect the way of life for the people. I think they would be disgusted and appalled with this disease that is tearing apart and dividing Indian Country. Our survival as Native people will only be achieved though unity and living as one people inhabiting Turtle Island. Tribal gaming should have strengthened tribal sovereignty, brought financial freedom to the people and given hope for the future generations. Instead in to many cases, it has brought disunity, greed and spiritual sickness. Some of these cases of tribal dis-enrollment have developed due to the blood quantum issues. Tribes can change their guidelines on what percentage constitutes being "Indian" and/or a tribal member. For generations tribes have mixed with other tribes, whites and many other cultures. A tribal member or entire family can possibly be dis-enrolled due to this change in policy, even if they have resided on the reservation for generations and can attest to their lineage. There have been dozens of cases of tribes being denied federal recognition by the B.I.A. because they can not prove their blood quantum. There are full blood Indians that can not get a tribal card because they either are not from a Federally Recognized Tribe, or they have mixed Native blood and do not have enough "blood" from one specific tribe to enroll. In these cases the bottom line is, you are told by the government, you are not recognized as being "Indian". One thought that comes to mind is; why is the B.I.A. still governing and determining who is and who is not, Indian? The blood quantum policy is undoubtedly a self imposed recipe for extinction. If tribes were to maintain the required blood quantum of their members from generation to generation, they would have to intra-marry (marry within the tribe) in an ever decreasing pool of people with the "appropriate" blood quantum level, giving rise to genetic diseases that would surely finish us anyway. So here is a very clever catch-22 imposed by the federal government with the sure outcome of our extermination. To prevent this, the only option is to change this policy and take control of how we determine who belongs to each of our Nations.
Another variable of the blood quantum issue that currently divides Indian Country is people that have mixed blood; Indian with white, African American, Asian and many other ethnicities. For hundreds of years Native people have been intermixing with many other cultures resulting in varied physical appearances. Many eastern tribes have people who are full blood tribal members and have lighter features than many western tribes. There are people that have been mistaken as being "white," by other native people, when if fact they are not. How is telling a mixed blood or non tribally recognized person that they are not Indian, any different than the racism that has happened to all Native people for 513 years? My response to that is simply, "I'm part white but can't prove it." It is bad enough that we continue to fight for our rights and what we are entitled to with the government, why continually fight each other? Today we continue to be suppressed, ignored and our cultures disrespected. The continual division in Indian Country over tribal gaming, dis-enrollment issues and blood quantum issues could ultimately destroy us. If everyone would unite as one people, one nation, we would become stronger and more powerful. This would be a step forward in ensuring as Indian people we don't loose our ways, or let them succeed in the pursuit of Native People's extinction. Written by: Tamra Brennan Director of NDN News
"helping to make a difference for our people in Indian Country, one day at a time. What will you do today to help make a difference?

Will Native American Rights Fund HELP those Disenrolled?

2007-03-26T01:10:00.000-07:00

Paulina Hunter's MYSPACE blog asks the question: WILL NARF HELP THOSE who were disenrolled from Pechanga and whose civil rights were violated?

If not, WHY NOT? What would make them choose a corrupt government's side versus those who have been wronged?

Please check out that blog at: Paulina Hunter's blog

Pass it on to your friends and feel free to link back to my blogs.

KNBC Video on Pechanga Disenrollment

2007-03-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

WITHOUT A TRIBE

The link has a compelling video, catching Mark Macarro in a lie right off. Please view and rate the video

Paulina Hunter Blog

2007-03-25T18:56:00.000-07:00

Please check out Paulina Hunter's Blog on MYSPACE:

http://blog.myspace.com/paulinahunterofpechanga

It also tells the tale of CORRUPTION at Pechanga