Post by blackcrowheart on Jul 24, 2007 13:43:42 GMT -5
Disenrolled Native Americans ask for redress
By Mary Weston/Staff Writer
Article Launched: 07/24/2007 12:00:00 AM PDT
The author of a resolution to reform the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 claimed a small victory this week.
The Native American Caucus of the California Democratic Party passed a resolution to reform the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 if there are inadequacies, according to Steve Haze, author of the resolution.
"We still have our work cut out for us, but this is a significant first step," Haze said.
This happened on Saturday in Sacramento at the California Democratic Party Executive Board Meeting during the Native American Caucus.
The California Native American Justice and Equal Opportunity Legislative Initiative addresses the lack of redress available to victims whose rights have been stripped or denied in violation of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968.
Haze, also Vice Chairman of the Democratic Party in Fresno, said the caucus voted 24-13 to seek ways to address the civil rights of Native Americans by their own tribes if any deficiencies existed in the state law.
Now, Native Americans who think they have been disenrolled, reclassified or denied other rights by a tribe have no recourse except to appeal to the tribal council, and many disenfranchised members say this violates their civil rights.
Haze
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said California tribes have disenrolled or reclassified about 3,000 members since gaming casinos became sources of revenue. Many disenrolled members are calling it "paper genocide," Haze said.
"Just with an act of the pen on paper they banish tribal members," Haze said.
He said it affects cultures, families and tribes. Haze says when voters approved legislation to allow Indian gaming, they thought it would benefit all Native Americans, but it only benefits about 10 percent of them. The tribes hide behind sovereignty to decrease tribal membership, and therefor increase income to a few tribal members, he said.
Haze said they will now seek support from other parts of the democratic party, as well as from civil right groups to introduce legislation to reform the Indian Civil Rights Act.
However, Haze said it will be a long journey, as gaming tribes would oppose any legislation, and tribes would put up millions of dollars to block any legislation that would limit tribal sovereignty.
He likens the victory at the Native American Caucus to Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat in the back of the bus.
"No one knew the significance of that at the time," Haze said.
Robert Edwards, disenrolled by the tribal council of Enterprise Rancheria in Oroville, attended the caucus as delegate of the 21st Congressional District on Native American Affairs.
"This was an important action for Indians who have been victimized by their tribes here in California," Edwards said. "We will now go forward seeking support and legislation for this issue."
The Native American Caucus' passage of the Resolution acknowledges the growing problem of human and civil rights abuses in Indian Country and seeks legislative reform to allow the abused individuals an opportunity to have the rights listed in the ICRA enforced against the arbitrary and unjust acts of tribal governments said Edwards, also Board Member of the American Indian Rights and Resources Organization (AIRRO). Edwards is Chairman of the "Indians of Enterprise No.1," formed by the disenrolled members of Enterprise Rancheria.
"This was an important day in California for Indians who have been victimized by their tribes", Edwards said. "Our political process can work for you when you work within that system. We are confident as we educate more and more people as to the purpose of this resolution, that it will indeed result in the legislation that is so desperately needed by the victims in Indian Country today."
The resolution was originally brought to the California Democratic Party at its annual convention in April of this year. However, the Resolution was tabled to allow the author, Haze and the executive committee of the caucus to meet.
By Mary Weston/Staff Writer
Article Launched: 07/24/2007 12:00:00 AM PDT
The author of a resolution to reform the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 claimed a small victory this week.
The Native American Caucus of the California Democratic Party passed a resolution to reform the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 if there are inadequacies, according to Steve Haze, author of the resolution.
"We still have our work cut out for us, but this is a significant first step," Haze said.
This happened on Saturday in Sacramento at the California Democratic Party Executive Board Meeting during the Native American Caucus.
The California Native American Justice and Equal Opportunity Legislative Initiative addresses the lack of redress available to victims whose rights have been stripped or denied in violation of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968.
Haze, also Vice Chairman of the Democratic Party in Fresno, said the caucus voted 24-13 to seek ways to address the civil rights of Native Americans by their own tribes if any deficiencies existed in the state law.
Now, Native Americans who think they have been disenrolled, reclassified or denied other rights by a tribe have no recourse except to appeal to the tribal council, and many disenfranchised members say this violates their civil rights.
Haze
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
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said California tribes have disenrolled or reclassified about 3,000 members since gaming casinos became sources of revenue. Many disenrolled members are calling it "paper genocide," Haze said.
"Just with an act of the pen on paper they banish tribal members," Haze said.
He said it affects cultures, families and tribes. Haze says when voters approved legislation to allow Indian gaming, they thought it would benefit all Native Americans, but it only benefits about 10 percent of them. The tribes hide behind sovereignty to decrease tribal membership, and therefor increase income to a few tribal members, he said.
Haze said they will now seek support from other parts of the democratic party, as well as from civil right groups to introduce legislation to reform the Indian Civil Rights Act.
However, Haze said it will be a long journey, as gaming tribes would oppose any legislation, and tribes would put up millions of dollars to block any legislation that would limit tribal sovereignty.
He likens the victory at the Native American Caucus to Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat in the back of the bus.
"No one knew the significance of that at the time," Haze said.
Robert Edwards, disenrolled by the tribal council of Enterprise Rancheria in Oroville, attended the caucus as delegate of the 21st Congressional District on Native American Affairs.
"This was an important action for Indians who have been victimized by their tribes here in California," Edwards said. "We will now go forward seeking support and legislation for this issue."
The Native American Caucus' passage of the Resolution acknowledges the growing problem of human and civil rights abuses in Indian Country and seeks legislative reform to allow the abused individuals an opportunity to have the rights listed in the ICRA enforced against the arbitrary and unjust acts of tribal governments said Edwards, also Board Member of the American Indian Rights and Resources Organization (AIRRO). Edwards is Chairman of the "Indians of Enterprise No.1," formed by the disenrolled members of Enterprise Rancheria.
"This was an important day in California for Indians who have been victimized by their tribes", Edwards said. "Our political process can work for you when you work within that system. We are confident as we educate more and more people as to the purpose of this resolution, that it will indeed result in the legislation that is so desperately needed by the victims in Indian Country today."
The resolution was originally brought to the California Democratic Party at its annual convention in April of this year. However, the Resolution was tabled to allow the author, Haze and the executive committee of the caucus to meet.