Expert contradicts Pechanga disenrollment
By: JENNIFER KABBANY - Staff Writer | ∞
TEMECULA ---- A renowned anthropologist hired by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians to study their lineage and ancestry has called the tribe's recent disenrollment of a large family from its rolls "unfortunate and not based on solid evidence."
"They ignored whatever I did in their decision-making," said John Johnson, who was hired by Pechanga to determine whether Paulina Hunter was one of the tribe's ancestors. "It's too bad economics and politics have been injected into (tribal lineage rulings)."
Johnson has worked as curator of anthropology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History since 1986. He earned his doctorate in anthropology at UC Santa Barbara and teaches a course called "California Indians" at the campus. For more than three decades, he has worked on detailed studies and recordings of California Indians' archaeology, archival records, cultures and history.
He researched the Hunter lineage as a paid independent consultant.
Last month, Pechanga's enrollment committee handed down a ruling that rejected an appeal by Hunter's descendants, a family of about 100 adults, to reverse the tribe's decision to disenroll them.
When Pechanga disenrolls a family, it not only strips the extended family of their membership in the tribe, but also health insurance, college scholarships and other benefits provided by the tribe, including thousands of dollars in casino profits tribe members get each month.
The Hunters are the second large family in two years to be booted from the tribe's rolls, in addition to the large Apis clan. There is talk that another family is set to be disenrolled from Pechanga soon.
Hired by Pechanga two years ago, Johnson researched whether Hunter was of Temecula descent. He made his comments on the tribe's ruling earlier this month, after it rejected the Hunter appeal. He said he is "90 percent" sure Hunter was an original Pechanga Indian, based on all the available documentation.
The reason he said he cannot be 100 percent sure is because when studying the lineage of Luiseno Indians ---- who include the Pala, Pauma, Rincon, La Jolla, Soboba and Pechanga bands ---- there are three "primary" mission record books missing that detail births, marriages and deaths from 1835-1852. These books were established when the mission was founded.
The name "Luiseno" derives from their having lived at or near the Spanish mission San Luis Rey, established in 1798 and located in northern San Diego County near Oceanside.
Hunter was born sometime during the 1830s or 1840s, and lived on the reservation in Temecula, Johnson's research shows. That is the tie her descendants point to to show they are Pechanga descendants.
Determining exactly who Paulina Hunter's parents are is not cut and dried without those primary record books, Johnson said. With that, he made his determinations using other various baptismal and marriage records, California census books, Pechanga Indian census records, genealogical evidence and other sources, he said.
He determined that Paulina Hunter was an original Pechanga Indian based in part on the fact that the man most likely to be her father, Mateo Quasicac, was the only person listed from "Pechanga" in census books from that time.
Moreover, he said, Hunter was listed on tribal rolls in the late 19th century and was the recipient of Pechanga Reservation allotment No. 62.
"Paulina Hunter would not have been given an allotment if she was not of the Temecula Indians," Johnson said. "So, why was she given an allotment?"
What's more, anyone currently enrolled in the Pechanga band whose ancestors were born between 1835 and 1852 would have the same trouble proving their heritage using primary resource books, he said.
"They are all in the same boat as Paulina Hunter," Johnson said. "She is not unique."
Johnson said he wrote a lengthy report to the tribe detailing his results in 2004, and sent a letter to them reiterating his findings a few months before the enrollment committee's August ruling.
Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro would not comment on Johnson's remarks. He did not respond to requests for an interview.
In an August statement, Macarro said the decision to deny the Hunter appeal was reached after months of investigation and hearings.
"This is a very complex intertribal matter involving Pechanga history and genealogy," he wrote. "Questions about citizenship, therefore, are resolved by the Pechanga enrollment committee, the government body with the proper authority and ability to determine if a person meets criteria for Pechanga citizenship.
"The insinuation that these actions are motivated by politics or profits is reprehensible. The fact is that disenrollments occurred long before Pechanga ever opened its gaming facility."
One Hunter family member who asked not to be named because she said she would face retaliation as she lives on the reservation, said Pechanga enrollment committee members are taking the word of former Tribal Chairman Vincent Belasco Ibanez, who is finishing up an eight-year prison term for child molestation, over Johnson's findings.
Ibanez was known as a local expert on the preservation of American Indian artifacts and for conducting nature walks and seminars on native plant species for the Dorland Mountain Arts Colony east of Temecula.
The Hunter family member also said that because records show Paulina Hunter's mother was baptized at the San Luis Rey Mission, enrollment committee members are taking it to mean she was from there. But everyone traveled to that mission to be baptized during that century, she said.
"These people are targeting certain families," said the Hunter family member. "They are just throwing out all the facts. It's all about financial gain. It's all about more money."
The ousted members of the Apis family turned to the courts to plead their case, but have not won a verdict. Indian sovereignty and disenrollment have taken on a new significance around the nation, with the rise of Indian casinos and the money and political clout that accompany them. Pechanga is not the only tribe to disenroll some of its members.
"I don't agree that it was an unfortunate mistake. In my opinion it was a premeditated decision to disenroll the Paulina Hunter descendants," said John Gomez Jr., a spokesman for the 130 disenrolled adult Apis family members.
"We've been proud of (our heritage) and participated in the different aspects of being a tribal member, an Indian person ---- and one decision has all that taken away. We can't participate in tribal affairs, we lose our health benefits, the children lose their culture. That's the most devastating because that is your identity."
Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com.
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noyo" wrote on Sep 24, 2006 5:18 PM:Pechanga is one example of many all over indian country. When people voted in the propostions to allow indian gaming they thought it was for the indians. Little did any of us know it was to take away all rights of long time members while bringing power to those who are not true bloods. A great injustice that must be stopped.
Harry wrote on Sep 24, 2006 8:25 PM:What the American calvary didnt destroy the love of money will.
Rick wrote on Sep 25, 2006 10:18 AM:The Pechanga Tribal Spokesman doesn't have a comment? That's because all he could truthfully say is: "you're right, we disenrolled the Hunters because we want more money, and because we couldn't control their votes." Why would the people of Riverside County patronize a business that treats their people worse than Wal-Mart?
Paulina wrote on Sep 26, 2006 1:02 PM:Whom to believe in this matter? A noted anthropoligist with expertise in this area or a jailed, felony child molester who stands to gain financially? I can't decide.
Rick wrote on Sep 27, 2006 10:04 AM:Until the city council and county government start walking the walk when it comes to taking money from an "evil corporation" like Pechanga. They will be free to do the same to their visitors. "oh, sorry, you didn't really win that jackpot" "no, we didn't see your odds bet" NO YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS HERE.
Rick wrote on Dec 25, 2006 3:47 PM:Thanks to Jennifer's article, more and more people are finding out about what Pechanga is doing to their people. THANK YOU NC TIMES!
Linda wrote on Dec 29, 2006 9:38 PM:What's treason?
Paulina wrote on Jan 5, 2007 10:27 AM:Temecula residents and NCTIMES readers, Jennifer's article has spelled out how terrible Pechanga's actions are. It's better to support Pala or Soboba with your gambling dollars. Let the Concerned Pechanga People gamble by themselves. Thank You NCTIMES for telling the tale of dishonor on the Pechanga reservation.
Lori wrote on Jan 17, 2007 7:31 AM:Indian peoples of all nations need to read PAULINA's article, blog, etc. The time may come to your reservation, where the same thing could happen. Money is the root of all evil!
anotherview wrote on May 18, 2007 1:38 PM:No new compact for Pechanga.
anotherview wrote on May 18, 2007 1:39 PM:we love Pechanga.
anotherview wrote on May 18, 2007 11:23 PM:"NOT"-civil rights violations against Pechanga members-NO NEW COMPACTS FOR pechanga.BOYCOTT PECHANGA-go to Pala or Saboba where they respect their own people
anotherview wrote on May 18, 2007 11:25 PM:NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Edie wrote on May 22, 2007 2:02 PM:This is such an injustice to this family. The evidence of their roots is clear and proven. Why is there not a way in which the degree of ancestry of all the recipients in not questioned and proven? My heart goes out to you and your family Pauline. Stand strong and remain honorable, don't lower yourself to the substandards of those who have tried to shame you. You have touched my heart with your story.
Bob H wrote on May 24, 2007 10:50 AM:I came across this report by accident. It's good to know what Pechanga is doing. It makes me wonder how they can disregard an expert opinion on tribal matters. If they can do that, what is to say that they are not disregarding expert opinion on sacred lands, artifacts, or burial grounds as they expand their casino? Experts are out there too for advisement... are they listening to them?
greywolf wrote on May 24, 2007 11:58 PM:Greed took over everyone who being civilized now not any power for the power has tasted greed. Who cares now when even children hearts bleed. For greed shall one day end mankind. Not our greedy children by the power we invested now by the hand we hold containing greed handed down also unto our children.
grey wrote on May 24, 2007 11:59 PM:Greed took over everyone who being civilized now not any power for the power has tasted greed. Who cares now when even children hearts bleed. For greed shall one day end mankind. Not our greedy children by the power we invested now by the hand we hold containing greed handed down also unto our children.
santee wrote on May 26, 2007 8:50 PM:it sounds like pechanga tribal leaders want more money! see what greed can do to our people! to the families who were disenrolled continue the fight don't give up. i say don't gamble at pechanga go somewhere else!
UnName Member wrote on May 29, 2007 6:57 PM:Mark was noted saying once when extera money came through the members dont need it, they get enugh. Mark has forgotten were he came from. Were he started. We as a tribe moan and groan about how bad the tribal leader are. Well every four years we have a chance to put in NEW TRIBEL LEADERS. But YOU Dont! YOU VOTE IN THE SAME LEADERS. So please do us other members a favorer. Stop your moaing and groaning and do something about it, when you get the darn chance. Read the above notes and just mayby that will help
Pechanga wrote on Aug 17, 2007 10:01 PM:Spirit winds blow through the valley. The truth will soon be known. The TRUTH will prevail.
MEMBER wrote on Sep 17, 2007 1:30 AM:WHAT THE DISENROLLED PEOPLE ARE NOT TELLING EVERYONE IS THAT THEY HAD 30 DAYS TO "PROVE" THAT THEY WERE FROM PECHANGA AND THEY COULDN'T DO THAT NO ONE IS SAYING THAT THEY AREN'T INDIAN ALL THEY WERE TOLD IS THAT THEY ARE NOT FROM PECHANGA THEY COULD BE FROM SOME OTHER RESERVATION WHO KNOWS BUT THEY DIDN'T LOSE EVERYTHING JUST MONEY HELLO...INDIAN HEALTH IS AVAILABLE TO ALL INDIANS NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE FROM THERE ARE LOTS OF WAYS TO GET SCHOLARSHIPS FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OTHER THAN THE CASINO SO QUIT CRYING AROUND THAT YOU GOT JACKED OF 1000S OF DOLLARS YET EVERYONE ELSE IS GREEDY FOR MONEY YOU SHOULD BE OUT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE YOU CAME FROM-
PHunter wrote on Sep 19, 2007 7:25 AM:Member brings up some points to consider. WHY would lifelong members, who were alotted land on the reservation, with documents taken in the Luiseno lanaguage from people who were ALIVE in Paulina Hunter's time, have to PROVE anything? WHY, would the Pechanga Disenrollment committee HIRE the foremost authority on California Native Tribes and THEN not consider his work? WHY, would the disenrollment committee take the word of a child molestor, over the word of the foremost authority? WHY, would members of Pechanga try to convince themselves that they were doing something right?-
Another Member wrote on Sep 19, 2007 11:55 AM:Member, is a great example of the Mentality of the Greedy Evil Pechanga members known as the CPP. Walking around with a chip on your shoulder because you were able to BULLY & Intimidate the appropriate members of the tribe & its Councils into a "WITCH HUNT" against the Hunters,An Original Pechanga Family from the 1800's. Member, you must be soo proud. Don't worry the facts are being heard & the here say you spout is not holding water. Reinstate the "Hunters". Use that fat per Diem to learn how to write, guy.
Wrong wrote on Sep 19, 2007 12:05 PM:The Disenrolled did not receive 30 days to "PROVE" anything! The family turned in everything requested by the disenrollment committee & then some. They were then sent a letter of Decision of "Disenrollment". The reasons for disenrollment were totally new charges against the family & there was no 30 days to "PROVE" or contest these new charges which, by the way the family would have LOVED to contest. Had they been afforded the ability to do so. Get you facts straight,MEMBER. Enjoy the new golf course,WATCH OUT FOR SNAKES!!
wiaasal wrote on Sep 19, 2007 12:49 PM:Member, It is so common for the misinformed to say half truths. The Hunters did prove they were not only Pechanga, but Temecula Indians. We poured hundreds of cetified documents including certified and notorized depositions from tribal elders that said we were Pechanga Indians. Some had lived with Paulina Hunter at the Pauba ranch before the rez was established. Please get the facts straight.
anotherview wrote on Nov 4, 2007 6:06 PM:Dear Reader: The disenrollees lost their membership because they did not have the facts on their side. Hence, their disenrollment corrected an error in the membership roll. For his side, John Johnson knows the facts as he sees them in his professional opinion, but the decision-makers had to take into account all information before reaching a conclusion. Mr. Johnson holds a wrong view of this process and its governing principles. Yet he feels free to claim that external matters influenced the outcome of disenrollment. This process took about two years, as part of a legitimate tribal government action under a guiding written procedure. During it, the disenrollees, enrolled at that time, had every opportunity to present their case in writing to show descent from an original Pechanga Indian. They could not do it. After careful review, the committee in charge of determining membership had to terminate the membership of the individuals subject to disenrollment. Of course, the disenrollees in turn have become bitter and disappointed, and their expert feels insulted. Feelings, however, can never substitute for valid information. The disenrollees also try to sway others by repetition of assertion, accusation, and innuendo minus any factual material. Adults understand that mere persistent claims cannot replace a sound argument supported by plain facts. The disenrollees must accept their plight, and go on their way.
Wow to You wrote on Nov 6, 2007 3:42 PM:anotherview is part of the problem at Pechanga. He actually believes what he is writing. The truth is that the process to disenroll the Hunter's did take over 2 years,yes. That is because that's how long it took Pechanga Legal & the tribal council(ccp)to figure a way to pull off the disenrollment of "Original Pechanga People" with unbroken lineage dating back to the mid 1800's with thousands of pages of "Red Ribbon Certified" documents. Wow, the attack on John Johnson is soo laughable. He again stated that the disenrolled were 100% Pechanga, with more proof than most remaining members. Pechanga doesn't mention that they also used Mr. Johnson when they disenroled the first family(Manuela's) 4 years ago. He supported the disenrollment that time & they used his finding against that family. Now it is like he doesn't know what he is talking about. There have never been any facts substantiating the disenrollment,just here say. Feelings, however, can never substitute for valid information. As you can see there is just repetition of assertion, accusation, and innuendo minus any factual material against the Hunters. The fight is not over & sorry no one is going to go on their way Pechanga is our HOME. Also the Hunters were voted out on a 3-2 vote with the Chairperson not voting out of fear for the safety of her family that was threatened & it is quite obvious she cut a deal to have her sister enrolled while there is a moratorium blocking new adult enrollments. N.C. Times Thank you for allowing both sides to speak on this matter. Anotherview states no facts.
becca wrote on Jan 10, 2008 11:51 AM:It’s true
I am in the west now
where they have
water sunshine
in the south
the place where palm
trees immigrated
like white people
taking over the landscape expensive to
maintain
they will belong
here in California
where
decedents of the original
empire
battle the Pechanga
The Aqua Caliente
The Morongo
The Sycurcan
only now they use
words
they use technology
rich white men land owners
buy airwaves like weapons
to call the indigenous people
greedy
they call them crooked
they accuse them of lacking integrity
say they are making sweetheart deals
in back rooms
Pechanga’s own people speak out against them
on blogs like
open wounds on the
face of their once proud nation
they say Pechanga’s tribal government
violates the rights of it’s’ people
violates its elders, the earth, its sick and its children
I struggle to see the old redwoods
through the forest of palm trees
makes me want to stay inside a dark hotel room
I can’t even enjoy the winter sun
the only thing that still belongs to everyone
unless I could go out to the desert
dig the Truth out
of the Earth
find it
the answer
buried under dirt
in the bones of someone
who everyone has forgotten
Luiseno wrote on Jan 31, 2008 8:40 PM:anotherview wrote: "The disenrollees lost their membership because they did not have the facts on their side."
Wrong, we had ALL the facts on our side, but the enrollemnt committee told us that they can choose to reject any information at there own whim.
"This process took about two years"
Two years of the governing body stating over and over that no familys were slated for disenrollment.
"the decision-makers had to take into account all information before reaching a conclusion"
Mark M. stated during our hearing that he was completely unaware of Antino Ashmans statement, nor was he unaware of the report by Dr Johnson. So not only did he NOT take into account all the information, but he hadn't even reviewed any of the information we submitted before our meetings.
" Mr. Johnson holds a wrong view of this process and its governing principles"
Oh come now, his view was correct and right on the mark when it came to disenrolling Manuela's family 4 years ago, but now he dosn't know what he is taking about (maybe you should let the first family back in, if he is so misinformed). Again I ask, if only the tribe knows its own history, why did they hire Dr Johnson to research it for them, not once but several times?
"The disenrollees also try to sway others by repetition of assertion, accusation, and innuendo minus any factual material"
This is the EXACT methodology used by those who accused us. They even stated in there origional letter that "documents meen NOTHING", and no matter what evidence material we presented, it meent NOTHING..
We had (I never weighed it, but I wouldnt be surprised it if litteraly came in at around a ton) of evidence. Hard printed FACTS. Historical FACTS. ALL pointing to us being directly related from an origional Pechanga indian.
Facts that the enrollment committee choose to ignore (but we shouldnt be surprised, they did state to us in writting that they could choose to ignore and reject ANY information at there choosing).
ashamed wrote on Mar 20, 2008 1:06 AM:I being of Luiseno descent am and was ashamed by the actions taken against the Hunter family. I have always thought some people who claimed to be Pechanga people were not. Not so in this case. The Hunter Family had all the facts and evidence that was ever written down or photo copied about thier ancestry by the legal system or church which officially documented any matters of birth or baptism or marriage, and deeded property during the years the enrollment committee claimed that there might have been a question in verification or resonable proof, which they could disregard if they choose to do so and did. I question the enrollement committee members who voted to disenroll because some of committee members are the same committee members who enrolled some of members of the hunter family in the 70's, 80's, 90's whith the same information which they disenrolled them now. Did these enrollment members get new information or documentation stating that the Hunter Family was not from Pechanga? Did they forget they had BEEN THE SAME ENROLLMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT HAD VERIFIED THE HUNTER'S ENROLLMENT IN YEARS PAST. THOSE ENROLLMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO VOTED FOR THE DISENROLLMENT SHOULD HAVE TO PROVE THIER LINEAGE OF BEING FROM PECHANGA. SO THAT IT DEMOSTRATES TO EVERYBODY WHAT IT TAKES TO BE PROVEN THAT YOUR FROM PECHANGA. CAUSE IF WE CAN JUST THROW OUT OR EXCEPT ANY EVIDENCE THAT A FEW OLD WOMEN DECIDED THAT DAY TO TAKE AS PROOF OF LINEAGE TO THE ORIGNAL PECHANGA PEOPLE. WE MIGHT BE ALL IN DANGER OF DISENROLLMENT AND ALL BUT THREE OLD WOMEN WILL BE LEFT. THATS WHAT I'M ASHAMED OF!
Another View wrote on Mar 28, 2008 12:18 PM:The evidence provided against the Hunters was evidence such as that provided my people like:
1) A Convicted Child molester
2) People who stated that "Documents Prove Nothing"
3) A membre of the Enrollment committee who stated to a Hunter "you are GOING to be disenrolled, no matter WHAT evidence you provide"
They provided NO documents showing that the Hunters were not of Pechanga decent (they stated in writting to the Hunters that they didnt need to prove ANYTHING).
They choose to ignore thousands of certified documents showing that the Hunters were decended from an origional Pechanga member. They choose to ignore the wittnessed and signed documents from MANY tribal members who were there at the creation of the reservation. They choose to ignore signed statements from current tribal membres stating that "they always new the Hunters as Pechanga"
Insted the tribe allowed those that accused us to be the ones who would be both judge and jury on our case. Can you believe that.... our accusers bacame BOTH our Judge AND jury!! Some members of the enrollment commettee even slep during our meeting with them!
Terry wrote on May 6, 2008 10:00 AM:If the Indians were black, Congress would step in and correct this terrible injustice. Indian tribes are disenrolling their own people all over the United States in the name of greed and something needs to be done. NOW!
Lonely Indian wrote on May 23, 2008 11:07 PM:u people are all crazy, and since when does ncy times care about Indians ?? Its all for a headline.. And besides u don't know the real facts only what we want u to know
concerned wrote on May 27, 2008 11:50 AM:We do know the real facts LONELY, we are those that were taken advantage of by greedy tribal leaders. We provided all the proof to support Hunter lineage. Your PAID expert said " Hunter's are 100% Pechanga". It was all ignored by your enrollment committee & tribal council. There is not one piece of historical documentation that discredits Hunter lineage,just hear say from bitter tribal members, hell bent to increase their per Diem's. Crazy,look in the mirror. The truth hurts! Pechanga is our home & we will always be Pechanga, on OUR federally recognized land. Granted to the Hunters on the Pechanga reservation back in 1897. Please check your so called facts!!
Whats right wrote on May 27, 2008 12:28 PM:We do know the real facts LONELY, we are those that were taken advantage of by greedy tribal leaders. We provided all the proof to support Hunter lineage. Your PAID expert said " Hunter's are 100% Pechanga". It was all ignored by your enrollment committee & tribal council. There is not one piece of historical documentation that discredits Hunter lineage,just hear say from bitter tribal members, hell bent to increase their per Diem's. Crazy,look in the mirror. The truth hurts! Pechanga is our home & we will always be Pechanga, on OUR federally recognized land. Granted to the Hunters on the Pechanga reservation back in 1897. Please check your so called facts!!
to lonely wrote on May 27, 2008 2:40 PM:Wake up! The facts came out & were ignored. Where have you been? Oh wow. How many millions were spent to buy politicians & voters for the new casino expansion? Go back to enjoying your big fat "blood money" per Diem check. Quit the pointless attack on the times & the public. Yes, what you don't want the public to know is "THE TRUTH!"
Indian wrote on May 27, 2008 3:13 PM:Lonely,walking around with a chip on your shoulder because you were able to BULLY & Intimidate the appropriate members of the tribe & its Councils into a "WITCH HUNT" against the Hunters,An Original Pechanga Family from the 1800's. Lonely, you must be soo proud. Don't worry the facts are being heard & the here say you spout is not holding water. Reinstate the "Hunters".
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