Pit River People Web Log (Blog)

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This entry was posted on 8/4/2006 11:26 AM and is filed under General.

Welcome to the Pit River People Web Log (Blog) for the descendants of Susan Suthermire and others who are being challenged about their Member status in the Pit River Indian Tribe.  This is a PUBLIC blog associated with our website at http://www.pitriverpeople.org and can be viewed by anyone who knows the URL address or finds us through a search engine.  Be cautious and don't post any names of our supporters - it brings great grief to them.

 

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Comments

    • 8/31/2006 8:34 AM PJ wrote:
      I'm wondering why Chairperson Jim has not been seated? She won the election by a land slide and I see no reason she should not be seated. Our people elected her, Our people want her seated, What do we have to do to get our tribe back on track. It is time for our people to stand up to the council and let them know the people come first and that the council can do what the people want, not what the council wants, Council should remember they were elected by the people and they can be voted right back out and should be.
      The Councils job is to do what the people elect them to do, Let the council stand up soon and be true Pit River Indian.
      These people will stop at nothing to get what they want. And who is next.
      Reply to this
    • 8/31/2006 8:59 AM Link wrote:
      Similar thing happened last year with some of the Band Councils - the Tribal Council simply refused to 'seat' them. There is no provision in the Constitution or Election Ordinance to 'seat' anyone. The elected person is to take office at the next scheduled Council meeting.
      Reply to this
    • 9/9/2006 5:20 PM Pro wrote:
      You people do not qualify for base enrollment, their is no such thing as a base enrollee less than 1/4 Pit River... wake up your white!!!
      Reply to this
      1. 9/12/2006 11:44 AM PJ wrote:
        Dear Mr Ward? I have looked over this web page and I see no mention of your last name and I am just sure it is not spelled Ward or Word. Will the real Pro Ward please stand up. Got Ya pj
        Reply to this
        1. 9/13/2006 4:33 PM can'tstandtopee wrote:
          I am curious as to what it really takes to be in the circle of Medesi tribe memebers. This is my take. You have to be willing to bully people around, using a threating demeanor, stab your relatives in the back, ( or at least the ones you want out of the tribe ) lie, steal, cheat, and just be abnormally vindictive. As I see it you are not really protecting your heritage, you are extincting it. But, I am just too white to understand all of you who believe you are a higher class of Native American and need to rid the tribe of infidels.
          Reply to this
          1. 9/13/2006 6:24 PM JJ wrote:
            Yes your right, you are too white to understand....
            Reply to this
    • 9/9/2006 5:38 PM Pro wrote:
      P.S.

      My name is Ward not Word...

      Reply to this
      1. 9/9/2006 5:41 PM Brandy McDaniels wrote:
        Enrollment Criteria

        (a) To be eligible for enrollment, under Article III, Section 1(a), of the Pit River Constitution, an individual must prove by substantial evidence that they are not enrolled in any other federally recognized Indian tribe and are at least one-quarter degree Pit River Indian blood. Acceptable evidence shall be taken to mean proof of biological descent from persons whose names appear on the 1928 Census Roll as Pit River Indian or who are otherwise recognized as of Pit River Indian blood. A certification of Indian quantum issued by the BIA, or similar documentation, shall be acceptable evidence. Degree or quantum of Indian blood of each parent as calculated from information obtained from the 1928 Census roll or similar documentation. If proof of paternity does not exist, degree of Indian blood will be determined by taking one-half the degree of Indian blood of the mother.

        (b) To be eligible for enrollment under Article III Section 1(b) of the Pit River Constitution, the applicant must be born to parents, one or both of whom are enrolled members of the Pit River Tribe, and must not be enrolled in any other federally recognized Indian tribe. Acceptable evidence of such birth shall include a certified copy of a birth certificate; an order of a court of competent jurisdiction; or, a sworn statement of paternity executed before a judge.
        Reply to this
      2. 11/13/2007 10:54 AM see wrote:
        Glad to know you can at least spell your own name and read it.
        Reply to this
    • 9/10/2006 8:03 PM Nina wrote:
      Who does this Pro person think he is. Yes we are White but we are also Madesi Pit River Indians. We have never denied our white blood the same as we never denied our indian blood. We sure as hell don't need you to tell us who we are. We already know. Our Gr Grandmothers, were on the 1928 roll. As a matter of fact so were my grandmother and father. Yet the Elmores would have you believe otherwise. I'm sorry if you were offended by your mispelled name. We are not offensive people and would never deliberately offend anyone. Have a good day. 9
      Reply to this
      1. 9/10/2006 11:01 PM carrie wrote:
        they want to act so prejudice about us being white. but they weren't acting that way when they needed us as head count to become federally reconize.they need to realize that kicking everyone out of the tribe eventually we wont have a tribe left. and that money is not everythingin life . being their for your people is more important than money. i bet all their ancestor that were a live when our ancestors were are turning in their graves at how their families are acting right now.
        Reply to this
        1. 10/31/2007 8:25 PM wilson wrote:
          How about your ancestors?they must be doing the same!!! Listen how you are acting!!!
          Reply to this
    • 9/11/2006 4:54 PM Pro wrote:
      Shows how much you know about Indian Business... more head cound does not get you more funding, you just spread the little funding you do get amungst people who are not entitled to it.

      Letting people into the tribe that do not belong is what will destroy our tribe, kicking out people who do not belong will insure the future of the tribe is with the people who have a right to call them selves Pit River.

      It's not about money, its about health care and education.
      Reply to this
      1. 11/13/2007 11:00 AM see wrote:
        First learn to spell, then pull your head out of your ass. It was your friends that all of the sudden found and registered all these of unknown and or forgotten Pit Rivers around election time. Why don't you ask them where they came from? You don't ask, because they support your lying, cheating ways. And speaking of health care and education, if your so damn concerned about these topics, then why don't you do right by your own people and open services up to the tribal members who don't live within the 25 mile radius of the centers. Get To Work! And shut up already!
        Reply to this
    • 9/11/2006 5:00 PM Pro wrote:
      Being Indian is having every third white person you meet tell you about his great grandmother who was a real Mo-des-i.
      LOL
      Reply to this
    • 9/11/2006 9:43 PM carrie wrote:
      pit river tribe is a descendency tribe.read the by-laws. if it wasnt for the head count pit river tribe would have never of become federally recognized.you can try and tell us that we do not belong in the pit river tribe.it is about money to you people.their was never an issue until this little bit of profit sharing checks started being sent out. my family was true pit river indians way before that.what makes you the only true pit river indians? our ancestors all had to fight together for the rights that indian people have today
      I know that it was not just your ancestors who fought for indian rights. yours truly a real pit river indian
      Reply to this
    • 9/12/2006 8:26 AM Link wrote:
      Size matters...as the Country & Western song says. I'm currently at a conference of 54 Tribes - the large ones drive the agenda - the small ones are ignored. Size does matter when it comes to federal money - not a direct per capita allotment, as Pro says, but health care, education, administration, housing, road and other funds are based upon the size of the Tribe. And more important than the money, is the number of people in the Tribe when you go talk to our elected representatives at the local, state and federal level. I've met with 9 representatives and 2 senators this last year. "Pit River," they ask, "Where's that?"
      Size matters!

      The Tribe is so hog tied with these internal struggles, it is hard for them, and us, to raise our eyes and look a little further out into the real world.
      Reply to this
    • 9/13/2006 6:26 PM Anonymous wrote:
      Jessica has her powers pulled because she caused the tribe to loose BIA funding.
      Reply to this
      1. 9/13/2006 6:40 PM PJ wrote:
        How did she lose funding? We all need to know the facts, we should deal in facts not fiction. I am not saying she did not do this but what paper work do you have to prove it? as it seems to me alot of rumors sometimes do not = the truth and if she did do this and you have proof we need as a tribe to know . no matter if we are white or a darker shade of white. PJ
        Reply to this
      2. 11/13/2007 11:02 AM see wrote:
        Your an idiot!
        Reply to this
    • 9/14/2006 9:15 AM Nina wrote:
      PJ is right. I think everything the Elmores are involved in should be examined closely. They seem to specialize in half truths and outright lies. They are somewhat like a bad case of Flu. 9
      Reply to this
      1. 9/15/2006 8:02 AM JJ wrote:
        kinda like the Shadleys, Orrs, Taylors.....
        Reply to this
    • 9/15/2006 8:08 AM Denise wrote:
      (c) Base Roll is a list of persons eligible for membership as specified in an Indian tribal constitution or other organic tribal document specifying membership criteria.

      Key words "eligable" "membership criteria"
      Reply to this
    • 9/15/2006 8:10 AM Denis wrote:
      Membership Criteria. Membership in the Pit River Tribe (Ajumawi-Atsugewi Nation) shall be open to all persons who meet the following criteria:

      a. He/She is at least 1/4 Pit River Indian blood and is not enrolled in any other federally recognized Tribe.

      b. Any child born to enrolled members regardless of blood quantum and as long as he/she is not enrolled in any other federally recognized Tribe.
      Reply to this
      1. 9/15/2006 8:57 AM Link wrote:
        The 'key' words are in the Constitution and Enrollment Ordinance:

        "Section 2. Base Membership Roll. There shall be a Base Membership Roll which shall consist of the persons who are deemed to have met the criteria set forth in Section 1 hereof by virtue of any one of the following:

        ...
        c. He/She is listed as a Pit River Indian on the 1928 Census roll and is at least 1/4 Indian blood or descendant thereof."

        "3. The applicant was listed as a Pit River Indian on the 1928 Census roll and is at least 1/4 Indian blood or descendant thereof."
        Reply to this
    • 9/15/2006 8:58 AM Nina wrote:
      JJ Darlin, So we put a new name to the Hatfields and McCoys. Who do you want to be??
      Reply to this
    • 9/16/2006 11:26 AM PJ wrote:
      Where is Sybile? The 3 faces of Eve or whatever that family is calling themselves today. Oh I forgot today is Saturday , must not have access to the computer. PJ
      Reply to this
    • 9/16/2006 12:48 PM kc wrote:
      Have the election results been challenged for the band? Has anyone heard anthing about a petition or WHATEVER?
      Reply to this
      1. 9/17/2006 1:12 PM PJ wrote:
        K.C. hi kid,
        I did hear at one time that there were to many ballets cast for our Band Rep. Vote, by that I mean not enough people and to many votes, I wonder if that was what we saw her destroying after the election? (wonder, not really what I want to say)I don't know for sure but a lot of people saw and do believe (someone)was destroying ballets outside the building after certain elections? I don't know for sure but I have heard we have stills of it. Anyway I think there is a recall for the SUPPOSED Band rep. IF he does get away with it that will be 2 years in a row, Something is wrong in Dodge City. Love ya much and see ya soon APJ
        Reply to this
    • 9/22/2006 5:40 PM kc wrote:
      link,
      Did you get a chance to talk to that lady the other day? If so what was your take on her. I felt I could trust her, was almost scary. Thanks for your help again. Mae
      Reply to this
    • 9/29/2006 12:40 PM Daniel wrote:
      Hello,

      It looks like this issue could have been resolved at the beginning if the tribal enrollment and other tribal officials had read our governing documents properly.

      First of all, in the "Pit River Tribal Constitution, Article VII Powers, Section II, Band Powers, a. The Band is to approve its own membership subject to eligibility requirements as set forth in Article III- Membership"

      These individuals are obviously tribal members and were enrolled at some point. So obviously, the Madesi Band accepted them and enrolled them at some point, As well as the tribal enrollment committee.

      "Pit River Tribal Constitution, Article VII, Section II, Band Powers, b. To have priority approval/disapproval in matters of individual Band religious, cultural and/or archaeological concerns, provided that such concerns are not to detriment to the Tribe as a whole."

      It is obvious that the power to enroll and disenroll is futher strengthened by this section. Enrollment is an issue of culture, which the band has power over.

      "Pit River Tribal Enrollment Ordinace, Article IX, Section 904, (b) If the band's tribal council representative rejects the applicant's request for band enrollment or if a tribal member is enrolled in more than one band, the dispute shall be resolved by the band (s) according to the customs, traditions and practices of the band, in consultation with the Enrollment Committee. Band determinations shall be final."

      Under this ordinace, it again proves that the Madesi Band has the power over enrollment and disenrollment issues, and is allowed to decide these issues according to their own customs, and traditions.

      The important question is, what are the customs, traditions, and practices of the Madesi Band when it comes to enrollment or disenrollment? I cant answer that, because I am not a Madesi member, but the Madesi band members should be asking themselves this question.

      My suggestion is that the proper way for this issue to have been resolved, would have been, once any question on this families legitimacy was brought up within the band, the tribal council member representing the band, should have called a Madesi Band meeting, requesting that all Madesi Band members attend and sent to all Madesi members, to answer the question. The Madesi members would have discussed the question and resolved it there. The Madesi band according to their tradition, and practices would have decided to either keep this family within their band, or remove them.

      That would have resolved the issue, as far as the Madesi Band is concerned.

      I cant answer if they are Madesi or not, but it is obvious that they qualify for tribal enrollment.

      The enrollment ordinance has not been updated in any significant way since it was approved. There are obvious inconsistencies and holes in the document. Those problems coupled with misinterpretation of the document has cause this issue.
      Reply to this
    • 9/29/2006 1:09 PM Daniel wrote:
      Hello,

      My first comment talked about the first issue that I see here. This comment deals with my second point.

      The second issue is the whole issue of disenrollment. The Pit River Tribe rarely disenrolls anyone for any reason. The only disenrollents that have been issued in the past say five years, have been for relinquishments, someone who quits the tribe out of their own free will, and for those people who have been shown who are members of another tribe, or dually enrolled.

      The Pit River Tribal Council has the power to disenroll in the "Pit River Tribal Constitution, Article VII Powers, Section 1, Tribal Council k. To provide for the exclusion of persons from Tribal property or membership for good cause. Such exclusion shall be pursuant to a Tribal ordinance that provides for due process of law."

      The definition of good cause has not been defined in the constitution or anywhere and is open to any interpretation. The more important part of this power is the last sentence. "Such exclusion shall be pursuant to a Tribal ordinance that provides for due process of law." Why this is important is that the council has this powere only as long as there is an ordinace that provides for the proper due process and it doesnt. There is a mention of disenrollment in the enrollment ordiance, but it is incomplete, and gives the power to the Enrollment Committee not the tribal council.

      According to the "Pit River Tribal Enrollment Ordinance, Article VIII Loss of Membership, Section 801. Grounds for Disenrollment. The Enrollment Committee may take action to disenroll a tribal member for one of the following reasons.

      (a) The person obtained membership rights by fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.

      (b) The person is or becomes a member of another Indian tribe; provided that, no minor shall be disenrolled under this section unless one year has elapsed since reaching his/her majority and the minor has not relinquished membership in any other tribe in which he/she has been enrolled.

      (c) The person is a descendant of a person disenrolled pursuant to subsection (a) and does not otherwise meet the membership criteria of the Pit River Tribe.

      (d) The person has provided written notice of relinquishment of tribal membership.

      Section 802. Process of Disenrollment. The burden of proof for disenrollment of a tribal member is upon the Enrollment Committee. The Enrollment Committee shall provide written notice to the person in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance."

      According to this, the Enrollment Committee has the power to disenroll members for only four reasons, if you commit fraud on your application, you lie, if you are found to be a member of another tribe, the person is a descendant of a person disenrolled, or they voluntarily relinquished their membership. Also, the ordinance in Section 802 mentions a process for disenrollment, which does not exist. Ther is no mention of it for disenrollment in the entire document.
      Reply to this
    • 9/29/2006 1:18 PM Daniel wrote:
      Hello,

      This is the second part of my previous post.

      In the entire enrollment ordinance, there is no process for a disenrollment appeal or due process for disenrollment.

      The process listed in the enrollment ordinance is for a person who applies for enrollment and is denied, he or she has the process for appeal. Please read it yourself if you do not believe. No where does it talk about disenrollment or a process for it prior to Article VIII.

      The process that the tribal council is going through currently is thus illegal and improper, and is following no tribal governing documents or due process.

      Second, the Constitution that I quoted in my last post does mention and give the power of disenrollment to the Tribal Council, only as long as there is a legal and proper due process and spelled out in an ordinance. I have shown that there is no mention of disenrollment process in the enrollment ordinance, and in fact in the enrollment ordinance, the right to disenroll a member is given to the enrollment committee, not the tribal council.

      In the letter provided to this family as the reason for their disenrollment was that they enrolled through fraud or deceit. The enrollment ordinance tells the enrollment committee that the burden of proof is on them to prove this. The enrollment committee has not proven any fraud or deceit, in fact, the enrollment committee was deadlocked, and could not make any decision in regards to this case.
      Reply to this
    • 9/29/2006 1:30 PM Daniel wrote:
      Hello,

      Again, this issue should be simple. The Pit River Tribal Council is illegally holding "hearings" that they do not have the power to hold, and are trying to disenroll or will disenroll people that they do not have the power to disenroll.

      Again, the Constitution gives the right to the council to disenroll for good cause, but that the council needs to put into a place an ordinance for due process in these disenrollments. Because they havent ever done that, they can not now use that power to disenroll, because they have in fact taken that power from themselves, by not following through.

      The tribal council has infact delgated their power to disenroll to the enrollment committee, as stated in the enrollment ordinance, but for only four very limited reasons. If in fact that the enrollment ordinace is the ordinance stated in the constitution as one that allows for due process, then in fact, the council has defined good cause as the four reasons listed previously, and can not disenroll for any other reason, unless listed.

      But the flaw in this is that the process outlined for due process is only for applicants for enrollment and not tribal members, so again, the tribal council has hand tied itself in this issue and can not legally rule in this case.

      If everything was done correctly in this case, and it hasnt been that way, but if it had, since the enrollment committee deadlocked, the issue should have died there. The enrollment ordinace does not give the right of the enrollment committee to refer issues that it can not handle.
      Reply to this
    • 9/29/2006 1:38 PM Daniel wrote:
      Hello,

      Another thing is this. The tribal council is using as its defence is one thing. They are saying that the members of the tribe changed the requirement for enrollment in 2002.

      This is not true. The whole reason that the vote took place was that there was those who wanted to kick out members who did not have a 1/4 blood quantum. The measure did not pass.

      The Pit River Tribe does not have a blood quantum requirement as long as you are a descendent of a person on the 1928 roll, the 1964 roll, or the 1983 list of people eligible to vote for the constitution. You only have to meet one of those lists, not all of them or any combination of them.

      There is a blood quantum requirement of 1/4 as long as you can not prove you are a descendent of one of those persons, you have to prove at least 1/4 blood quantum.

      Even if the members had changed the constitution or enrollment ordinance in regards to the blood quantum or the family tree, which was already a required document in any applicants application, the rule could not be retroactive. This means that everyone who was a member at the time of the 2002 meeting, would still be a member after the meeting, the rule would only apply to those enrolled after the date of the meeting, everyone would be grandfathered in, and no one could be kicked out.

      Tribes can not pass laws that are retroactive, this is illegal according to the Indian Civil Rights Act. Even if the tribal council were right in their argument, they could not apply it to this family.
      Reply to this
    • 9/29/2006 1:44 PM Daniel wrote:
      Hello,

      The last post on this issue.

      The tribal council put the issue of blood quantum to the members to vote on because they could not come to an agreement.

      What the tribal council decided to put onto the members plate for vote that day, was not what the members voted on.

      The council made a motion to place certain items on the agenda of the meeting.

      When the council arrived to vote at the membership meeting, the wording of the questions placed before the members, was not what the council had voted on, it had been changed.

      We all know who changed the wording, the person who is running the show now in these so called "hearings". The council did nothing then as now, because they are intimidated by him and his illegal actions.

      Therefore the membership meeting was illegal, the vote illegal, and the issue should not even be in play.

      The council has reviewed the documents proving descendancy of this family, and they know they are wrong, but will continue to act in this way as long as controlled by this individual.
      Reply to this
    • 9/30/2006 9:01 PM kc wrote:
      When did the appeal hearing become an appeal for tribal enrollment status? When did we "lose" our Madesi Band enrollment? Was anyone ever notified of this before the letter we last received from the tribe?
      Reply to this
    • 10/2/2006 10:52 PM Chris Taylor "paga qaljijiks" wrote:
      One point you have missed Daniel is that "You" are assuming that all of the council members have read the Constitution and Enrollment Ordinance. It is obvious that at least 4 of them haven't read it or can not read English or at all.
      And if they have read it then the only other conclusion that I can think of is that they are -committing fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation for their personal gain. And I hate to think that a council representative would stoop that low.
      Reply to this
    • 10/20/2006 6:45 PM PJ wrote:
      Subject: 9/30/06 meeting


      Sept. 30, 2006

      Please accept my apologies for this being so late. I have had a very difficult time trying to put the events of the "Appeal Hearing" down on paper, much less in any kind of order. I am still very angry and upset over the way things were handled at this supposed hearing and the way we were all treated.

      Our meeting started late. All of my family that were able to attend were allowed into the building, but after signing in, all were "excused". Only the eldest person was to be allowed before the council. Now that was me and I said that I wanted Gary, my son, to be with me as I thought we were there to present proof of our ancestry and the family tree. What a farce.

      We were asked our names for the recorde3r. Next we were given the power points. I'll send a copy. At one point, Gary was reading along with them in the constitution, and the added the words "and decendents of". This was met with some comment of "Everyone adds that".

      We finally got out of Matt that our problem was Orilla Viola Shadley Taylor. She had died before she could enroll in the Band. She died in 1939, but the Band wasn't formed until 1950, so she could not have been enrolled. Matt stated that this is the reason for our disenrollment. He, as well as every council member that was there, has the same packet that I am sending to you. He does know that onyone who dies before 1950 was to be enrolled.

      This is all backed up by fact. We were told they would not accept any B.I.A. paperwork, and did we have any "new" proof. I asked about the 1963 voters list, which they don't have because it was burnt in a fire. Some names were saved, but both Matt Elmore and Gene Preston say there was no fire. This is backed up by a letter that was sent by Lester Potts. I felt their little minds were made up long before the meeting.

      Gary mentioned the fact that the accuser and the judge shouldn't be the same person. Gene Preston then asked Matt if he could be fair. Matt assured everyone that he could.

      I mentioned the fact that this was a Band issue and was told it had already gone through the Band. I said we had not had an appeal hearing and Gene Preston told me that we didn't have to be at the meeting that disenrolled us from the Band. He also said that if that event hadn't happened that we wouldn't be here today.

      One lady stood up and - pointing to the packet we had handed out - said "I believe we should take another look at this."

      They said they would take this under consideration and respond to us in fifteen days.

      Gary will add his 2 cents later.
      Mae
      Reply to this
      1. 10/21/2006 11:31 AM Daniel wrote:
        Hello,

        This is crazy! The Pit River Tribe as a federally recognized tribe did not exist until 1986. If someone died in 1939, they could not possibly be enrolled in any Pit River Tribe. No one was enrolled officially in the tribe until 1986.

        That is why there is something called the base enrollee. There is an understanding that there can not possibly be enrollees prior to the base enrollment.

        There is no gap in enrollment for this family. They are pulling at straws when they point to someone who died in 1939 not being a tribal member enrolled, when the tribe did not officially exist then. `

        My grandmother who was born in 1921 and was listed under her father who was born in the 1885 or so in the 1928 census. She was not officially enrolled in the tribe until 1991. She was full blood pit river. Does that mean that because her mother and father who were born in the 1880's and died sometime in the 1930's are not Pit River because they were not enrolled?

        Also, enrollment in the Madesi Band is not a requirement for enrollment in the Pit River Tribe prior to the tribe being recognized. We do have to belong to a band to be in the tribe, but we do not have to show enrollment in a band in 1950. That is not a requirement according to the tribal constitution.

        I believe that the new tribal council has just been seated, and half of them are new, five old, five new, so hopefully this travesty will get a new look.
        Reply to this
        1. 11/2/2006 9:56 AM Patty wrote:
          I miss the input of Daniel. please write. PJ
          Reply to this
    • 10/21/2006 2:41 PM Nina & Mae wrote:
      What about the Base Roll? We understand that the 1963 voters list was taken from the Base roll. We have that list but if there is a true untampered base roll in existance we would like a copy. Anybody?

      Does anybody know the names of the new council representatives? We would like to send them a pamphlet showing the proof we tried to present at the kangaroo court.
      Nina and Mae
      Reply to this
    • 10/21/2006 3:24 PM Daniel wrote:
      Hello,

      The base roll is really made up of three documents. The original base roll is the 1928 census roll, the 1964 list, and those on the list eligible to vote for the constitutional committee in 1983.

      The 1928 census is available at many university libraries, but I dont know if it is available in its entirity from the BIA. It is like on 5 cdroms and contains the entire 1928 census of california indians. From that census, someone, I dont know if it was the BIA originally, but they compiled a list of people from the census who were Pit River.

      The 1928 census is not complete, because everyone who was Pit River did not necessarily take the census thus, they were not counted. So in comprimise, they came up with the 1964 list which would include others not on the 1928 list plus those on the 1928 list and anyone that the elders considered tribal members at that time.

      The 1983 list is another list that was supposed to include even others who were not on the previous two lists. Thats why in the constitution, you could be considered a base enrollee if you were listed on the 64 or 83 lists or on the 28 census or a descendent of someone on the census who was at least 1/4 in 1928.

      As far as an untampered list of the 1964 voters list, I dont know if it exists. Mrs. Diane Taylor who was our tribal secretary for many years and who was also kicked out of the Madesi Band by the Elmores and who is the sister of Ms. Jessica Jim, may have a copy of this roll that you seek. She lives in Johnson Park outside of Burney, but I dont have her phone number.
      Reply to this
    • 10/21/2006 5:44 PM humbird wrote:
      hello to all
      Daniel i have a question
      on the 1928 census if a person was not added to it only because they did not live in california at the time of the census but was added to the revised one of the 1928 would that still count. it was signed by congress.
      Reply to this
    • 10/21/2006 7:34 PM Daniel wrote:
      Hello,

      I dont see why it would not count. I dont know if the tribe has ever dealt with a case such as that, its the first time I have heard about it.

      I think that the way they would think about it, would be that they would not allow it, even though I think its valid. They want any reason not to recognize those that belong.

      If there is an addendum to the 1928 census that congress passed, then it is part of the 1928 census and should be recognized by the tribe as part of the document.
      Reply to this
    • 10/21/2006 7:50 PM humbird wrote:
      their is a revised one and on that they put the ones that where rejected only because they didn't live in california at the time of the census congress had them added if it was proven that they where california indian we have some on the 1928 and some on the revised 1928 i beleive it was done in 1933 and completed in 1950 i think those were the years that it was done .
      Reply to this
    • 2/2/2007 11:55 PM Nina wrote:
      I Hope everyone had a merry Christmas and a Happy new year. Where is everyone? It has been a bit boring to plug in and see nothing. Nina
      Reply to this
    • 3/1/2007 4:02 PM kristin wrote:
      Hi !! Has anyone heard if Jessica and Jolee are still being harassed by the Tribal Council ??
      Reply to this
    • 3/5/2007 9:13 PM )**( wrote:
      The council loves Jolee and Jessica is working hard to get her powers back.
      Reply to this
    • 3/31/2007 6:28 PM "Sympathizer" wrote:
      Celebration in the streets of Burney tonight as Jessica Jim was given her powers back!!!!

      Also Randy Wolfin was given his job back!!!

      and.....

      The dictators were placed on ice as they have had their powers frozen!!!!

      Yeah!!!!
      Reply to this
    • 10/5/2007 2:38 PM see wrote:
      Did anyone else receive the monthly stupid newsletter with Boyce's comments for the month? I find it highly unethical that he can allow tribal members name to be printed in this newsletter when he knows that the writers of these stories are in dispute with the individuals named. Hey Boyce why don't you go back to white man country and screw that up for a change. Tired of hearing your bullshit. Pull Elmore/Lego's lips off your ass and get some real work done. And as for your buddies who write the for pitrivertruths.info, buy them a dictionary and or teach them to read and write. Take that out of our budget!
      Reply to this
      1. 10/12/2007 8:10 AM PJ wrote:
        Morning See On,
        I have not received a copy of Boyce's newsletter, But I would like to. If you still have a copy of this outhouse reading I sure would like to have a good look at it.
        As for the removal of lips from said ass, I don't know is the money in the budget for that?
        Take care, PJ
        Reply to this
    • 10/19/2007 3:07 PM see wrote:
      Here we go again! The butt-heads have managed to push through another general election for October. Because of the few spinless reps who refused to sign a letter to BIA, we have to gather ourselves and vote once again on matters that were deemed legal at the last election. But of course the evilness that is the idiocy that runs our tribe seems to have prevailed yet again. However, let these people be aware that their back handed tactics will fail at elections once again. Power makes people drunk, but in their case it just makes them stupid and greedy.
      Reply to this
      1. 10/23/2007 1:54 PM SS wrote:
        I agree, we have already voted. There is no need for another election. Now he has asked "his family" members who for some reason were not registered during the last election, are now registered so he will have more votes, talk about corruption. Why were they not registered back then? Are they even Pit River? How many times do we have to do this...until he wins? We all need to stick togeather again and show them they can not win no matter how EVIL they are.
        Reply to this
        1. 11/19/2007 2:26 PM SS a witness wrote:
          Today if you read the Bull S_ _t on pitrivertruths.info – Do not believe what you read there. They are making comments and lies “again” about what happened at the last election. This proves they get there information second hand and they don’t confirm or find out from valid resources to verify what is the truth or not. They stated below “We still don’t have all the information” Do they ever? Also, Brandi was not even near those stupid women that were fighting. She was behind the crowd like a lot of innocent by standards and did not say a word to them at all; she did not call anyone any names at all. Then Pro’s wife decides to attack her for no reason, except Pro’s wife did not want her actions on video or anyone taking pictures of her. Why,.. was she ashamed of what she was doing? Of course Pro’s wife who was hired as security (which is funny in itself – security making threats and attacking people) (and not a tribal member) did not want her actions on video. Of course not, why would she want it on video or tape, maybe because it would be “evidence”. She out right made threats; we all heard it loud and clear. It took at least two men to hold her back. That is why she hid in the corner while the police were there. So unless you (dumb lying website) were there and saw what really happened, don’t make any comments and spread lies. One other thing I don’t’ understand about this stupid website below (being run by people who have to hide behind a website that protects the owner.) Why do they slander people on this website and yet they are supposed to be for the people. Why not set an example and be a type of website that even if you do not agree with what is happening, then state it with out being a foul mouth, slandering, lower than dirt type of website. Why not have a open website where people can comment or blog on your statements weather they agree with you or not. Are you afraid of what people will put on your website? If you got the guts to put in on pitrivertruths.info, then state who you are and don’t hide behind your words. Pitrivertruths.info states: “We still don't have all the information. As much as we hate to bring the subject up again, The Buffalo Club was right in the middle of it. Consuelo Vargas, Rosa Martinez, fueled by nasty attitudes from Marina Martinez and Jessika Jim... They tackled outgoing Council Member Patricia Preston witch same BS fellow member Brandi McDaniels used at the elections...shove a camera right up someone's nose and call them names until the fight starts. Remember, this is the same club that battered our Finance Manager and Administrator. And, by the end of this day they will all complain the we have the guts to tell the rest of the Tribe about their nasty behavior that every day gets in the way of progress for our Tribe. All Members need to know about this stuff and all members need to come together and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! The COUNCIL needs to do something about it! “ Know this website is evil.
          Reply to this
      2. 10/27/2007 8:23 PM Anonymous wrote:
        Who are the spineless reps? andwhat letter? I heard that the election was a repeat of august, only it backfired on them and gwen wolfin did not get elected again.
        Reply to this
    • 10/27/2007 3:42 PM crazee arrows rustdick wrote:
      A few seasons have passed since I made my stand with blistered feet
      there for all to see
      went from disenrolled to a challenged Madesi
      Mom is still enrolled
      so is my sister
      Can I ever be re-enrolled
      Reply to this
      1. 10/27/2007 7:56 PM Anonymous wrote:
        What? Is this a poem???? I don't get it.
        Reply to this
        1. 10/29/2007 4:15 PM crazee arrows wrote:
          Maybe it is a poem. Maybe not. Maybe I am just wondering about my current status with the tribe I have been standing with for over 25 years. Maybe I am wondering how I could receive a BIA education grant and then be wiped off the rolls. Whatever the case, are the elders being taken care of? What about munuk chun, are they cared for? Anyone have a recipe for good salmon flour? Seen any BEAR SHAMAN lately?
          Reply to this
          1. 10/29/2007 4:21 PM crazee arrows wrote:
            p.s. Matthew Lee Shadley is my direct great grandfather
            Reply to this
    • 10/29/2007 1:54 PM see wrote:
      Yet again the Madesi Band fills it's seats with less that trust worthy people, so here we go again. On a good note certain individuals did lose their seats, thanks to the powers that be. And hopefully this will be the last election this year. If not, then it only goes to show you who the truly ignorant members of our tribe really are. They have no shame and fight their own band for power rather than accept the fact that their own members are tired of their crap. To those who participated even though they thought it was a waste of time, Thank You!
      Reply to this
      1. 10/29/2007 4:23 PM crazee arrows wrote:
        I am not trying to be OBSESSIVE about my disenrollement, but it was strange that it occured right after I registered to vote
        Reply to this
    • 10/30/2007 3:57 PM crazee arrows wrote:
      Can anyone tell me why Illlmawi members have been following me from Eureka To Cheyenne? Maybe it is just a condition of my CRAZINESS. Maybe it is just my imagination when I hear someone say Illmawi when they enter a room. Anyone else hear what I hear?
      Reply to this
    • 11/7/2007 1:06 PM Daniel wrote:
      I have not been involved in tribal politics for the past couple of years. From the first day that I was an elected tribal council member, I stated that the Pit River Tribe would not last ten years. We have a couple of years to go. I honestly do not think that the tribe will last or deserves to last. The eleven autonomous bands that make up the tribe have never gotten along with each other, from day one, till today, even before we were a federally recognized tribe. I have always advocated that the tribe split into 17 federally recognized tribes. Each of the eleven bands can and should be their own tribes. Each of the rancherias as well as the XL Reservation can each be their own tribes as well. I think that the bickering and fighting will cease when this happens. We each belong to a band. We could either stay with our band or if we qualify for enrollment with one of the rancherias, we should be able to do so. If you or your family has an ancestral or historic link to a rancheria or reservation, you should be allowed to enroll there, which is a right that we have according to the Indian Reorganization Act. Our bands are prehistoric and predate any pit river tribe. If the Indian Claims Commission were allowed to do their jobs, each of our bands would have received a settlement from the government rather than being lumped in with the Indians of California.

      My views are not wide spread yet or most people would not admit to having this view. Think of all the stress and heartache that we would be saving each other if we were split up and into our own tribes. All it takes is a resolution of the tribal council or a resolution of the members to release the rancherias on the path to their own tribal status.

      The reason that we dont do this, is because of jealousy. Right now we are all linked together, sink or swim. If we were our own tribes, we could do as we like, sink or swim, independent of the other bands and rancherias. If one of our bands or rancherias was successful, the others would be jealous and hateful. This is why this hasnt happened yet. Havent you seen how one band does something that the tribe or tribal officials do not like, how they react? Nothing in our constitution bars our bands from acting independently of the tribe, that is what autonomy is. We are autonomous, and only have come together for areas which benefit each of us.

      But if we do not do something, in several years, our tribe will not exist. As things are, our tribe should not exist. Our ancestors are rolling in their graves. When we go to the otherside and see them, they will be very upset with us, for losing our language and culture. We do our past and futures disservice by not splitting and get a divorce. Pit River Tribe, its time for a divorce.
      Reply to this
    • 11/12/2007 6:24 PM crazee arrows wrote:
      Does anyone even know the traditional tribal boundaries? Who lived at Goose Lake and who lived along the big bend in the river? Which band now has the tribal office, clinic and the casino? What a forced march the Pit River People have been on these past hundred years or more.
      Hey, with the greatest amount of respect for the ancestors of the people, here is some interesting possible info. Susan Suthermires OTHER native name, one passed to her children and passed so on to my family was Tsudamayer or Sudameyer. There once was a Chimariko village along the Trinity River (now long since dredged over for the gold it had)
      by the name of Tsuda madjii. The Chimariko had a female dialect and a male dialect, according to A. Kroeber, who was the last and only scholar to study the now mostly lost people. Put that into your pipe and smoke on it for a sweat or two.
      Reply to this
    • 11/13/2007 11:05 AM see wrote:
      Idiot comment was meant for Anonymous.
      Reply to this
    • 11/16/2007 4:05 PM crazee arrows wrote:
      I am still being WAY harrased and antagonized by someone either of the Illmawi band or trying to blame said band. What do they want of me? Sorry about all the stupid mistakes I've made in the past, mistakes are the only thing I seem to be able to do right. You've taken my heritage, left me bitter and even have my brother. What the hell else do you want of me? I would happily give my spirit to the people if thats whats needed, but my clan has never been really welcome there and it wouldn't be any different for me.
      Reply to this
    • 11/17/2007 11:53 AM crazee arrows wrote:
      Another morning of attack and harrasement from the meth addicted goose valley transplants.
      If anyone cares, be forwarned that Madesi band members are being harrased by this group and that half the lies perpetuated about Madesi are more than likely originating from these greedy people and are in fact their reality. Here is another story handed down about my great grandad, who fought for a long time to have his tribal heritage recognized, and to receive his musa ska that was owed to him. He received his musa ska allright, in the form of a check for $800 or so two weeks after he had moved on to the happy hunting ground. Tell me that our family has not been harrassed for a long time. Even after our heritage was taken there is this attack on our persons and family. BE CAREFUL ALL MADESI FAMILY MEMBERS
      Reply to this
    • 11/19/2007 4:17 PM crazee arrows wrote:
      Here is a juicy little morsel or two for everyone. She showed me great kindness during my visit to the tribal office, and I mean no disrespect at all, but do you all know that Chairperson Jim is half Wintu? and that the Wintu (or pachawe as the Chimiriko called them) were influential in the forced slavery of many northern california tribes to the spainish? That the Wintu refered to the mighty Pit River nation as their eastern enemies? Did you know that the current Madesi council rep is affiliated with not one, not two, but FOUR DIFFERENT california tribes? SHE HAS AN EDUCATION THOUGH. I bet she received THE SAME GRANT I DID.
      WHERE ARE YOUR REAL LOYALTIES, MS. MCDANIELS? Are they with the jealous Yurok? Have you ever walked the slave trail of the People of norther Cali? Return the council to the Pit River Tribe I say, and not to those with mixed native heritage.
      Reply to this
      1. 11/29/2007 9:56 AM crazee arrows wrote:
        Dear Crazee Arrow,

        This is the first time I read these blogs as I now have a computer and I am glad to respond to your "juicy little morsel". I am Jessica E. Jim, and yes I am of Wintu descent on my mothers side. By the way she was (deceased for (40) years Pitt River & Wintu. I am well aware of your family plight and what makes you believe that the same "people" do not recognize my mother as Pitt River? I am Pitt River/Wintu/Yana for your full information. I, as a adult chose to enroll with the Pitt River Tribe. Prior to the Constitution, Ordinances and Enrollment documents, I made that choice when my father, (Chairman at the time)Leo James (Jim) and my Uncle Perry Allen approached me when I was young(er)and asked me to keep our family involved in our Pitt River tradition(s)AND become politically active in our Tribal Government. I pondered for awhile, however, here I am and have been involved with the PR Tribal Government since 1979. Before the Tribe had its 1987 Copnstitution and other governing documents. So, I know of your bitterness and aggravation when it comes to Pitt River disenrollment issues. I am fond of "quoting" before we had a Casino and started "declaring you are not Indian" we used your family and a lot more of disenrolled Natives for "tribal population for grant purposes. Now, we are of a younger generation who believes that the Casino has always been there, and that the Tribal Government (as it is today) has always been this way. So, I am very proud of being who I am, what I have become (Chairwoman)as I was told by my elders "that you have to know where you come from-to know where you are going". Yes, I do know a lot of the Pitt River history and the land to which is our ancestral boundry because that is what I was told to do, before, I became an Tribal leader. I have had the pleasure of serving amongst some great Pitt River leaders and they have taught me well. I attended UC Davis but I applied under my Father as he was a Vetern. Back in those days, I was one of the young persons that did not recognize the BIA and I fely very strongly about our occupations for the ancestral boudaries that I cam home to continue the struggle with my family. In conclusion, I have a strong family heritage, because I love my people. I have endured years of personal & physical attacks, threats, defeats, termination of employment, cussed out & removed for speaking the truth for and in behalf of the membership, including you & yours and I have done this while I was and am a Pitt River/Wintu/Yana Native. The Tribal Elections may have occured, but, now comes the transistion, of educating our people. Simply put, the Good has overcome bad and there is a new Council which appears to want to make the membership a priority. That is the "real reason" that all this occured within the Tribe. The former Council would not recognize the "tribal membership" invested authority. I remain the Tribal Chairperson, but, I do not get paid, and have no authority. JJIM
        Reply to this
        1. 12/2/2007 3:31 PM crazee arrows wrote:
          I will never forget the kindness you showed me when I attempted to appeal the disenrollment action. You gave me a challenged status in the Tribe where before I had nothing but disenrolled of membership. The Wintu people and the Yana people are a great and well known people whose traditional tribal land directly bordered those of the Pitt River nation. These people were eventually betrayed by the "European Invasion" in the end even though their ancestors did all they could to preserve the memory of their people. Thank you for your work in protecting the sacred places and the people of all the nations. Where once their was animosity between some peoples perhaps there now is unification to protect what was, what is, and what will be.
          Reply to this
    • 11/30/2007 12:33 PM Eager wrote:
      Chimeesumwi

      Greetings to all Pit River. This is Jessica E. Jim, Chair of the Nation. I forgot (in my response to crazee arrow) to mention that I know how he feels regarding family disenrollment when you are Pitt River. My sisters were the first tribal members who were "disenrolled from the Pit River Tribe" due to the same persons who claim or believe they personally have to know you to be considered a Pit River member. The Tribe has determined that these issues regarding enrollment are a priority, however, the intererpation of our Constitution has been re-reviewed by those in power and that is our problem. When the Constition Committee was elected and placed into power to draft this Constitution we had (2) other entities (Legitimate Tribe & Pit River Home & Agricultural Association) known as Erin Forrest who objected very aggressively and vocal because they did not want the Rancherias and the Xl Reservation under the jurisdiction of the Pit River Tribal Council. Based upon the amendments to the Enrollment Ordinances, the Ordinances you may have,and the one on the website, is not the final amended Enrollment Ordinances recently amended. Please contact the Tribal office and request CURRENT ORDINANCES so you will have more information for your continued struggle.
      Reply to this
    • 12/2/2007 5:53 PM Daniel wrote:
      Hello,

      Band sovereignty needs to be protected at all costs. I just viewed an enrollment ordinance that was reportedly passed by the tribal council this past year. In the document, the word band does not appear once. Not once. If this document is the real deal, and I suspect that it is, then it has come to pass, that this Pit River Tribe, no longer recognizes bands. Our band powers still exist according to our constitution, but our bands are not part of the enrollment process according to our new enrollment ordinance.

      I guess everyone who is enrolled from now on, are Pit Rivers, rather than band members first. I think this is the beginning of the end for our tribe.

      I will keep on saying this till I cant speak no more. Our bands came before the Pit River Tribe, and will exist long after the Pit River Tribe is no more. The Pit River Tribe, Tribal Council, Enrollment Committee, even the Pit River Tribal Membership do not have the right to dictate to bands who their members will or will not be. That is our right, our sovereignty as a band.

      Our bands never signed treaties, we were never pushed into submission, therefore, we never gave up our inherent sovereignty as bands. This inherent sovereignty was gathered together incorrectly to create the Pit River Tribe way back when.

      If you read the ICC claims case, it mentions in various places that the bands, and not the tribe, has claim to the lands, our own territory, our own culture, and history.

      It saddens me that our bands will no longer be a part of the enrollment process. It is time for our bands to create our own constitutions and governing documents. Nothing in the Pit River Constitution says that we can not do so. We need to exert our sovereignty and take back our future.

      Our bands, including my Hammawi Band, need to leave this Pit River Tribe as soon as we can. I no longer have faith in our tribal leadership to lead us into the future. I will be heavily encouraging my band members to petition the tribe to withdraw from the politics of the tribe.
      Reply to this
    • 12/2/2007 6:07 PM Daniel wrote:
      Hello,

      I should have said this long ago, but today is as good a time as any.

      The Pit River Tribal Council, old and new, does not have the right to tell our Hammawi Band who our council member will be. My mother, Marina Martinez, is the duly elected tribal council member representing the Hammawi Band. No one has the right to deny our Band our representation. It was illegal for the old council to have any action against her. They have no right to do the things they did to her. Its not constitutional, its not legal, its not ethical or moral. Its not Indian. But then again, no one would mistake our council as being indian or native.

      If the Pit River Tribe, Tribal Council, and membership, do not want our Hammawi Band at the table, then tell us to leave. Let us leave! If you dont want our progressiveness or our ideas, tell us to go. We will go.

      Tribal Council, please pass a motion, a resolution to allow our band to leave, since you dont want our representatives to properly represent the Hammawi people.

      You are violating my civil rights by denying me and my people our representation.

      Let us go so that we can forge our own destiny and show you how things really should be done. And please do not be jealous when we succeed.

      Let us go. We have our ancestral homeland, which belongs to us, not any other Pit River bands. Its our home, and the home where our people have always lived and where we will go and be with them when our time comes.

      Let us have our Likely Rancheria, which is ours, and not the Pit River Tribes. The land was purchased for the Rancheria by the BIA from a Hammawi man, for Hammawi people, no others. Our people are buried there. We dont need the Pit River Tribe to have its gruby hands all over our land and our ancestors.

      I can see a time in my life time, that we Hammawi will be our own tribe, recognized by everyone. We will be successful, have our language back, our culture, our heritage. My Hammawi ancestors will be smiling down upon us and we can go to them when our time comes, proud of ourselves once again.
      Reply to this
    • 3/28/2008 7:07 PM Tribal Elder Assulted wrote:
      March 27th, 2008 - Tribal Elder and Tribal Secretary assaulted at a gaming meeting in Burney.

      Jessica Jim, her daughter Shelly and Grandson Colby along with her brother Andy just assaulted the Tribal Secretary Shanda and a tribal elder James Write. It was sad to see James surrounded by Jessica and her daughter with her grandson standing in the middle hitting him. James is a tribal elder and well respected in our community, I can not under stand what motivates these people to attack a helpless old man. It was sad to just stand there and feel so helpless to even attempt to pull them off of him, they were like ravenous wolves attacking the elderly.
      Reply to this
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