Editorial By Rick Cuevas

Sierrastar.com - Do They Care?

By Rick Cuevas — Guest Commentary

We've read so much about the issues at the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians. Does anyone really believe that the three groups led by Morris Reid, Nancy Ayala and Reggie Lewis have the best interest of the tribe as their priority, or the best interest of themselves?

All three of these so-called leaders were proponents of the first disenrollments in the tribe in 1999 and 2006. They cut 800 tribal members from their heritage and rights as Native Americans. Is that what someone who purports to care about the tribe does? I think not.

These actions against their own people and those subsequent disenrollments documented by the Sierra Star, have led to violence and huge police presence to protect Chukchansi's shrinking number of citizens from their own leaders. Is this what was meant by tribal self reliance?

Read Full Article Here - Sierrastar.com - Do They Care?

Rick Cuevas runs  Original Pechanga's Blog

Off-Reservation Casino Moves Forward

Capital Weekly - State’s first off-reservation tribal casino poised for OK

By Greg Lucas | 06/24/13 5:00 AM PST

Despite objections of a dozen Indian tribes operating casinos across California, the Senate is expected to approve legislation this week allowing the North Fork Rancheria Band of Mono Indians to build a hotel casino complex near Madera – the first off-reservation tribal casino authorized in the state.

North Fork says its 2,000-slot casino and 200-room hotel will jumpstart the economic livelihood of its 1,900-member tribe and buoy the area’s depressed rural economy.

“Ratification of our compact is going to bring jobs to the area and build up the economy,” Elaine Bethel Fink, chairwoman of the North Fork tribe, told Capitol Weekly. 

 Read Full Article Here - Capital Weekly - State’s first off-reservation tribal casino poised for OK