News - CVMT WebPortal

03/06/2010 - CVMT TRIBAL OFFICES, TRIBAL LAND, STOCKTON, CA -
The legitimate California Valley Miwok Tribe, being the possesser of the only two tribally ran sites on the internet - one being a United States government-sanctioned website and this site (containing factual information that the United States government (BIA/DOI) deemed too revealing to allow us to post in continuing to bring awareness to the facts, deceit, criminality and corruption) shall now have featured writers’ postings to give everyone whom reads this site a journalist's point of view.

Featured this month is an indigenous writer that goes by the pen name of “Buffalohair”. He is an independent and blatantly honest reporter whom thoroughly researches and compiles all the factual information that he then assesses before putting pen to paper. This writer has much experience himself with the federal government and he (himself) is a member of an indigenous tribe. And as such, he has great introspect and is in no way fooled by the misrepresentations or immorality of the type of individuals that continually cross this tribe's path. Read his latest column below and enjoy.

http://buffalohair.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/barbseeno.jpg

In a Thursday morning raid 30 FBI, IRS and Secret Service agents stormed the offices casino mogul, land developer, contractor *Albert Seeno and his associates with search warrants in this quiet Concord California community. The exact nature of the raid was still under seal of the court. According to William Goodman, attorney for the multi faceted business empire the Seeno family was working with investigators to resolve the situation and were confident they would reach a positive resolution to the matter.

The smorgasbord of federal agents has caused some speculation as to the true nature of the raid and seizure of documents. Seeno enterprises range from construction to casinos with a multitude of other lucrative businesses that span several western states including California and Nevada. The list of political beneficiaries to the Seeno family’s generosity spans both sides of the political isle Are their nasty little secrets about to get exposed?

The media listed a host of past criminal complaints that were lodged against the Seeno Empire in the past ranging from environmental to financial foibles. Millions in fines and penalties have been paid out over the years by this firm and it would appear they are set to pay out more green stamps if criminality is found again. But the media as a whole forgot to make mention of a current complaint that was lodged against the Seeno empire and that is with the California Valley Miwok Tribe.

From court documents it was discovered that Seeno and associate Chadd Everone were involved in a multi state scam to remove members of a federally recognized **Native Tribe and replace them with non natives who would allow for the Seeno’s to build a casino in California. Apparently the Peppermill Casino’s Incorporated, A Seeno holding, was not happy with their lucrative enterprises in Nevada. Chadd was mentioned in one complaint selling tribal cards to bolster the number of non natives to claim Miwok lineage in an effort to throw out the true blood line and real Miwok people. Mr. Everone also started several web sites under the Miwok tribal name in an effort to legitimize his bogus band of Miwoks. Albert Seeno was clearly identified as the moneyman behind the criminal act of fraud and identity theft as well.

The plot thickens since the California BIA as well as other authorities not only did nothing, they assisted the Seeno’s in perpetrating this crime. The California BIA shuttered the tribes funding forcing this beleaguered band of natives to fend for them selves regardless of the fact they were a federally recognized tribe. Tiger, the tribal consultant, joked that this is the only federally recognized tribe that is operated solely on unemployment insurance. Granted, it was dark humor at its best but from Tigers vantage point cynicism replaced faith in the political system long ago. Their last bastion of tribal land went into foreclosure since the state and federal governments failed in their obligation to uphold the law. The state and feds played ball with the Seeno scam by making it all but impossible for this tribe to exist by shuttering their funding since 2007.

Calculated and divisive is the only way to describe how politicians and unscrupulous corporate interests have financially crippled this humble tribe of people just to build another casino. Are state and federal agencies going to stand behind the tribe now that death threats have been lodged against these people or is the government going to send in their own hit men to whack the tribe? I wager it would be the second choice eh. I can almost hear Gary Owen being played as government troops prepare to wipe out the Miwoks. Is this our contemporary Manifest Destiny and wave of the future?
Director of marketing for the Peppermill Casino Corporation in Reno NV., Bill Hughes said the Seeno situation in California had nothing to do with the casinos in Nevada. It would appear this raid has only opened a Pandora’s Box of intrigue. Now there will be focus on politicians who’ve allowed the Seeno’s to do as they wished in Northern California as well as wage war on a sovereign tribal nation to steal their identity for a casino. Though Hughes said there was no connection in the case and the Peppermill Casino Corp it would behoove Renee Shaffer of the Nevada Gaming Commission to look deeper into Seeno and Chadd Everone’s exploits since they were involved on both sides of the Nevada border with regard to the California Valley Miwok Tribe and casino gambling. Or does Harry Reid have the Seeno’s back on this one? No doubt Harry Reid’s involvement or lack there of will be called into question. Dirty Harry was a scoundrel in his own right anyway. Oh well, to bad so sad Harry.

Barbara Boxer has the most dirt on her hands since I’ve read complaints sent to her office clearly identifying the Seeno’s and others in the scam to steal their tribal lineage. She was given names, dates and addresses as well as an in depth report yet Barbie turned a deaf ear to their complaints. Predictably the California Governator, Arnie, did less than nothing to stop the siege of the California Valley Miwok Nation and allowed state agencies to join in the shooting match. It is a very sad state of affairs when legality is set aside in favor of corporate contributors and this is the case of the California Valley Miwok Nation. Maybe if the Miwok greased Barbara’s palm with $20,000 or so she would have stood by existing laws that govern sovereign tribal nations. Fraud and bunko are still crimes in most states Barbie or is California above such nuisance laws? Pandering for money at the expense of the electorate has become an art form it would appear. Maybe the school system should pencil in this dark side of American politics in civics class. “Buying Politicians 101”

With an affluent businessman armed with loads of cash and an army of morally bankrupt politicians the Miwok people face insurmountable odds in surviving the onslaught that has besieged this impoverished nation. Where the hell is Secretary Ken “Howdy Doody” Salazar since he was notified by the tribe about the crime being committed in his jurisdiction and on his watch? After all he is the Department of the Interior mast head. Is Ken in the deep pockets of the Seeno Empire as well? How come all these hot shot natives appointed to the Obama administration are not raising a stink? Aren’t they supposed be on the side of justice and Indigenous issues or are they simply political eye candy? The real issue in the California Valley Miwok case is tribal sovereignty because if corrupt politicians succeed in stealing tribal lineage from one nation they will make a dangerous precedent. Other tribes will be caught in the crosshairs of corporate greed and ultimately loose their birth right to satisfy the needs of corporate interests. Silly me, this is happening throughout the Central/South America and Africa since the needs of corporations overshadows the concerns of Indigenous populations already.

On the bright side, the plight of the California Valley Miwok Nation is no longer a secret Californian act of corruption for now the whole world is becoming aware of this crime. The world is coming to know who all the players are in this identity theft scam including some very prominent politicians. There is no question more dirty politicians will be rousted from the fetid depths of deceptive practices as this investigation delves deeper into the matrix of the Miwok scam. Like David and Goliath, the California Valley Miwok Tribe is standing in defiance against a giant casino/construction mogul with deep pockets and powerful political friends. And from what I gathered from conversations with the tribe, the California Valley Miwok Tribe will fight to the last breath to save their nation. In all reality these human beings have no other options since they are fighting for their very existence.

For more current information on the California Valley Miwok scandal contact the California Valley Miwok Tribe:

s.burley@californiavalleymiwoktribe-nsn.gov
http://www.californiavalleymiwoktribe-nsn.gov
* http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_14426353
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/19/BA721C3VBK.DTL
** http://www.poormagazine.org/index.cfm?L1=news&story=2427&pg=1

Your Devil’s Advocate
Buffalohair

CA Miwok Tribe Court Battle

by William Grindstone – Indian Voices * February 2010 MULTICULTURAL NEWS FROM AN AMERICAN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

On January 28th, 2010, I was given the opportunity to speak to Ms. Silvia Burley, Chairperson of the California Valley Miwok Tribe and Mr. Tiger Paulk, consultant for the Tribe. This is a story only movies are made from. I was given information about the illegal withholdings of tribal funds of the Indian Gaming Revenue Sharing Trust Fund (RSTF) monies that have been illegally stopped by the California Gambling Control Commission since2005.

The tribal members of CVMT had recently been given a notice to vacate the property located at 10601 Escondido Place, (Morada) Stockton, CA 95212 from the San Joaquin County Superior Court, Case No. 39200900210084CLUDSTK, (One West Bank vs CVMT), an Order to vacate immediately. A letter written on behalf of CVMT by Tribal attorney Saba Bazzazieh, Esq., of Rosette & Associates 565 West Chandler Blvd., Suite 212, Chandler, Arizona 85225 asking for a 30 day extension of time was denied by One West Bank. This property of one and one half acres has been considered by the tribe to be its reservation and has served multipurpose functions in regards to the 10 tribal families it services.

On January 15th with no extension given, the Tribe with the support of various activist organizations and the local community went back into lockdown to defend its Tribal land until late in the afternoon when the bank relented and gave the time for the current suit against the CGCC to be heard in the California Appeallant Court in San Diego. The California Valley Miwok or “Sheep Ranch Tribe” has been a federally recognized tribe since 1915. In 1915 the tribe was allotted 0.92 of an acre and in 1966, Ms. Mabel Hodge Dixie was identified by the government as the sole authority for the Tribe. At this time, the Tribal landbase was relinquished to her as an Individual. Upon her death in 1971, the landbase was probated to be distributed among her heirs with its most recent resident and Spokesperson being Yakima Dixie, before the formal Tribal organization of 1998.

In 1998 the Tribe expanded to 5 members and sought government contracting. In 1999 they acquired their first ever PL-93 638 contract under the leadership of newly elected Chairperson Silvia Burley. They were trying to organize under IRA but due to the local BIA’s mishandling of their request and subsequently trying to force non-Tribal people onto the Tribe, the Tribe exercising their sovereign authority rescinded their request for a Secretarial Election and voted to organize under Custom and Tradition.

In 1999 the state of California initiated compacts with Gaming Tribes. Within these agreements was language that Compact Tribes provide monies to the state gaming commission Revenue Sharing Trust Fund (RSTF), as a federally recognized Tribe, as listed in the federal register the California Valley Miwok Tribe is eligible to receive quarterly distributions from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund. In 2000, Yakima Dixie as Vice Chairman became influenced by Mr. Chadd Everone aka Chadd Ludwig, a non-native, whom was brought in by Le Roi Chapelle and William “Bill” Martin to help facilitate control of the tribe. Yakima under the control of Chadd Everone then decided to challenge Ms. Silvia Burley’s position as Tribal Chairperson. The Tribe has successfully defended against time and time again. Protecting it’s elected leadership and Tribal sovereignty that even though Mr. Dixie was not the recognized Tribal authority he tried to give away. When, what later became known as the Everone Group discovered in December of 1999, through Ray Fry, Tribal Operations, BIA / CCA, that Mr. Dixie was not the chairperson nor the leader of the tribe, Bill Martin and Le Roi Chapelle conspired with Chadd Evereone to manipulate Yakima Dixie’s role (who had no authority to sign any contracts or agreements on behalf of the tribe and certainly no authority to put the sovereignty of the entire tribe in jeopardy). Nor had he the authority to sign the proposed agreement with the fictitious group created by them known as ABC Boxing, Inc. and/or Martin/Chapelle Group.

Upon the discovery of the true Chairperson being Ms. Silvia Burley, in 2000, Mr. Everone aka Mr. Ludwig was brought in to orchestrate and initiate an agenda of deceit and lies that a few opportunists in the DOI / BIA have used to diminish the tribal rights, as a way to oust the legitimate body of tribal members that will not surrender their sovereignty or adhere to their preposterous agenda to take over the tribal existence.

In the deposition of Dale Risling, Sr., Superintendent CCA / BIA, Tuesday, February 10, 2004, Mr. Risling states that the Central California Agency / Bureau of Indian Affairs recognizes Ms. Silvia Burley as the chairperson of the California Valley Miwok Tribe since the tribe notified the BIA in May of 1999. He also states that the California Valley Miwok Tribe is a federally recognized tribe. On record in this same deposition, it is recorded that the CCA / BIA takes the position that the CVMT does not need to organize pursuant to the Indian Reorganization Act. Further in to the deposition of Mr. Risling, he states that the Bureau “does not get involved into the internal election disputes of tribes”. When asked if there were any internal issues relating to an election at Hoopa while Mr. Risling was Chair, he answered, “Yes, there were.” Asked if the BIA involved itself in that internal dispute. He answered, “No.”

In regards to CVMT’s ongoing court battle with the state of California Gambling Control Commission, Ms. Rose Davis and I met with Mr. Manny Corrales, Esq. tribal attorney, he gave us a rundown of events and court proceedings up to this point. He was very adamant that tribe’s rights were being violated. He was confident that the court case would be won and the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund (RSTF) monies would be released to the California Valley Miwok Tribe and that an Writ of Mandate order to comply would be instated.

On February 9, 2010, at 1:30 pm in San Diego, state of California Court of Appeals,4th District division, court case # D054912, between the California Valley Miwok Tribe (CVMT) vs. State of California Gaming Control Commission. A three judge panel heard arguments of the ongoing litigation of the unjustified withholding of the yearly distributed $1.1 million dollars California Gaming Compact, Revenue Share Trust Fund (RSTF) allocation to the CVMT.

CVMT Legal Counsel Manny Corrales supported by the lawyers, Juan Carlos Sanchez & Jorge Luis Barraza of the Singleton & Associates law firm presented argument and clarity of statutes pertaining to RSTF yearly tribal award. Issues discussed for review was “authority over distribution of monies funded to the tribe, tribal membership and the federal government 638 contract allocation of $100,000.00 yearly award. Argument of the Indian Board of Indian Appeals vs. federal tribal recognition, that it was understood that the IBIA has no authority or jurisdiction over the CA Gaming tribal accounts and that the California Gaming Compact is not a requirement of the Indian Reorganization Act.

The CVMT Legal Counsel Mr. Manny Corrales was very well prepared and presented and outstanding argument of facts and statutes of the CA Gaming Compact in regards to the proceedings. The prosecution for the state of California seemed less confident and often times contradicted themselves in defense of their case.

After the summary & rebuttal was heard the judge’s panel gave notice that “the matter is submitted for further briefing and review.” This is a 30 day process in which the state of California Court of Appeals judges’ panel will make judgment.

The California Valley Miwok Tribe
“The official and legitimate Tribe”

WHERE:
California Valley Miwok Tribe - Tribal Land
10601 Escondido Pl., Stockton, CA 95212

TIME:
Gathering at the Tribal property throughout the day followed with a
Candle light vigil to be held after sunset
1hour Press Conference starting at 3:00 pm
COME EARLY - STAY LATE

We humbly ask that everyone please bring your medicines, drums, candles, lighters, wood, lawn chairs, and sleeping bags. Please dress warm. We are asking for singers, dancers, storytellers and drummers. Also donations of water & non perishable foods, flash lights, batteries, etc...
All Individuals, Media, Tribes, and/or Organizations are welcome
Our Tribe is facing the threat of a forced eviction on Jan 15th, 2010
Please join us! We need community/public support!

For more information contact the
California Valley Miwok Tribe at (209) 931-4567

01/11/2010 - CVMT TRIBAL OFFICE, STOCKTON, CA -
The California Valley Miwok Tribe has again received written permission from an unbiased and investigative reporter whom is just trying to uncover the truth as to what is taking place in our Tribe's troubled affairs, unassociated to either the real tribe, located at 10601 Escondido Place, Stockton, CA - or the transparently criminal faction ran by Chadd Everone/Ludwig. Here below is reporter Andy Kreamer's perceptive and in-depth article that appeared in Poor Magazine Online, on Friday, Jan 8th 2010. The California Valley Miwok Tribe thanks reporter Andy Kreamer for this truly magnificent in-depth article.

A Mama Bear in the Woods

Andy Kreamer/PNN Indigenous Peoples Media Project
Friday, January 8, 2010;

ï¿½There might be things that you have a hard time doing, but that doesn't mean that its impossibleï¿½ says Silvia Burley. Silvia is the Chairperson of the California Valley Miwok Tribe and she doesn't just say this in passing- but rather as her Tribe of mostly women and children prepare to lock themselves inside their Tribal Headquarters in Stockton, CA. This is the plan for January 15th, when the Sheriff is coming to forcibly evict them from their land because of foreclosure. Silvia adds: ï¿½These people have apparently never seen a mama bear in the woods, because then they would know how a mother is willing to fight and do anything for her child.ï¿½

Hoping to stave off the eviction, the California Valley Miwok called for a 2-day protest and speak-out gathering at the Bureau of Indian Affairs recently on January 6th and 7th. The BIA was targeted because they have been withholding funds that the CA Valley Miwok need in order to pay for their land, and also because the BIA could push the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) to also release funds due to them. The CA Valley Miwok don't have a casino, so under the Indian Gaming laws they are entitled to revenue that gets taxed off the Tribes that do have casinos.

ï¿½The event was a great show of Unityï¿½ said Quanah Brightman of the United Native Americans. ï¿½9 organizations came together for 2 days to show our support of the California Valley Miwok and also to bring up other issues that we all have with the BIA. Filipinos were there, the Brown Berets, Wounded Knee and the defenders of Glen Cove, several Miwok nations as well as other nations all came because when one of us is attacked, we are all attacked.ï¿½

Brightman, Burley, and a lawyer for the CA Valley Miwok were able to get a meeting with Troy Burdick, head of the Central CA BIA because of the commotion caused by the events. They demanded that the BIA tell them the reasons why the money has not been released to the CA Valley Miwok since December 2007. In addition to paying for their land, the money is needed for medical insurance, education, and the welfare of children. The group also brought up some other concerns that they want to BIA to consider and investigate: ï¿½In South Dakota the Crow Creek reservation is being sold by the IRS to pay off that Tribe's unpaid taxes- but Native Tribes are like non-profit organizations, we don't have to pay taxes, so why is the IRS involved with a Tribe at all?ï¿½ questioned Quanah Brightman.

They also pushed the BIA to take a stand to protect Indigenous Sacred Sites, the traditional burial ground in Glen Cove, Vallejo, CA in particular. Finally, they demanded that the BIA grant 'Federally Recognized' status to all Tribes who currently have only 'State Recognized' status, because these people are being denied Federal protection of their human rights and desperately needed services. There are over 500 Tribes that are not Federally Recognized, and 76 in California. Many of these California Tribes need the Federal status so that the remains of their ancestors can be returned to them from anthropology museums across the State, including UC Berkeley and UC Davis.

Burdick didn't have anything to say for himself nor the BIA, and the meeting was interrupted quickly by a staff person interrupting and informing him that he had a 'really important phone call.'

On Thursday afternoon the lawyers for the CA Valley Miwok heard that there have been 2 meetings in Washington D.C., and the matter is being discussed very heatedly. The decisions will be made there by the new BIA director Larry Echohawk instead of in California. This is good news because folks have only gotten the run-around here at the California office of the BIA. Before their meeting with Troy Burdick about the funds from BIA and also the CGCC, Burdick has said that the ï¿½BIA doesn't have any authority to tell the CGCC to hold or release your funds because they are a State Agency that we don't have any control over.ï¿½ This while the CGCC says that they cannot release the money without authorization from the BIA.

The BIA is a federal agency, and their only job is to look out for the welfare of Native Americans. Surely they have the ability to overrule State agencies when a Tribe's livelihood is at stake. Unfortunately, this current run-around is not different from the BIA's actions historically. ï¿½Over 1 billion acres have been stolen over the last 500 years by the US cavalry and the BIA,ï¿½ says Quanah Brightman. Cesar Caballero, Chief of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok states that ï¿½families have been destroyed by children being moved away to BIA boarding schools, and forced relocation policies have broken spiritual connections to land. The few strong people who have survived all this are faced with the BIA providing no roads or utility infrastructure for the small lands that are left, often times leaving us to be shot at by our neighbors who don't want us crossing their land to get to ours.ï¿½

He continues, ï¿½Our tribes are made up of a lot of war veterans, and we have little education. The genocide that started with the Gold Rush into our Miwok lands is almost complete, but we are still here.ï¿½ Silvia Burley says: ï¿½Us Miwok, we used to live on 10 Counties worth of land, now we are left with only 1.5 acres, and they are trying to foreclose that on us.ï¿½

The BIA's choice of doing nothing thus far to stop the eviction of the California Valley Miwok is not just a bureaucratic mistake of overlooking a small tribe while attending to a busy work schedule; it's much deeper than that. The local Central CA agency, and Superintendent Troy Burdick in particular, are corrupt and working with several casino investors and developers in a new tidal wave of colonization that is drowning Indigenous folks all over the Central Valley. Entrepreneur Chadd Everone/Ludwig has been recorded on tape describing the ways that he has been working with this local BIA office and the CGCC to discredit the Tribe and instate impostor leadership. They will then sign casino building deals with multimillionaire Albert D. Seeno Jr. who runs the giant Peppermill Casino chain and 30-40 assorted businesses in the Bay Area. Silvia Burley says that ï¿½Seeno was told by the BIA at one point that he couldn't have just one elder sign a deal for a casino.ï¿½ Check out the audio archive at: http://www.californiavalleymiwoktribe.us/

Chadd Everone/Ludwig has gotten the BIA office to view the Leadership of the Tribe as 'in dispute,' which the BIA is now using as a reason to withhold funds; even though the BIA considered the leadership to be in dispute for years and released funds regularly for years, because the funds go to the Tribe and not the leader anyways. There are now an unknown, and growing number of people with CA Valley Miwok identity cards who have not registered yet with the legitimate Tribe nor the BIA. A group of these people came to the protest on Thursday and were reportedly paid $1000 each by Everone/Ludwig to be there, when they were questioned by a man who went to the protest about whether they wanted to build a casino or not they changed the subject.

ï¿½Straight up identity theft of Tribes' names is real, and it's happeningï¿½ says Cesar Caballero, of a nearby band of Miwok called the Shingle Springs Miwok Tribe. His Tribe's name was stolen in the 1970's and 1980's by some people of Maidu/Hawaiian bloodlines who were living near Sacramento. A bit later they worked with two white guys from Vegas named Kevin M. Kean and Jerry A. Argovitz and the local BIA office to be instated as leaders of the Shingle Springs Miwok Tribe. Kean and Argovitz then arranged for a whole succession of deals to be signed by the Tribal Impostors, ultimately resulting in an agreement between the Tribal Impostors and Lakes Entertainment- a company that has deals with 4 'Tribes' in 4 different States.

ï¿½This identity theft issue is huge.ï¿½ says Cesar Caballero. ï¿½I am part of a lawsuit right now, along with 5 other tribes across the United States, who are dealing with our Tribes being infiltrated by outsiders, who then go on to sign deals and build casinos. We filed it with the Supreme Court and they will decide whether or not to hear our whole case on January 15th. The BIA is facilitating this theft to happen, and the original Tribal members are being left out of even the basic healthcare services that we got before we were infiltrated.ï¿½ You can see the case at: http://www.mklaw.com/mdewakanton.htm

The Original Miwok Tribes are coming together in a consortium, as they are all being similarly infiltrated. It is time to stand with the Miwok Tribes, and all Indigenous Americans, and fight off these attacks by greedy casino developers who seek to use the Tribes' ability to have casinos for their own profit-making. After all, Cesar states, ï¿½A typical casino deal looks like this: very publicly 50% of the profit goes to the private investor and 25% gets taken in taxes by the State. Of the remaining 25% only 5 or 6% goes to people in the Tribe, because some has to be used to do repairs on the casino, and a lot goes to the people who signed the deals with the casino company.ï¿½

The eviction of the CA Valley Miwok is currently scheduled for January 15th, in Stockton. A temporary restraining order and an injunction have been petitioned for, but not granted.

Silvia Burley pleads: ï¿½We are requesting that all people who know what its like to have an injustice done to you and who can remember how it felt for people to walk away without helping, or for those who had been wrongly accused and had to stand alone and fight through the tears and frustration to be ridiculed and finally justified in the end when the truth came out in the open, you are the ones that we are asking to step up and help us.'

'Please send letters, faxes, and or emails to your elected officials, and also leave voice messages regarding how appalled you are about the Bureau of Indian Affairs allowing such abuses to happen to a federally recognized Tribe, for this has gone on (years) too long!!! Do not allow the lies of Chadd Everone and his Gaming Developers (financial backers) to continue to cover up the truth of what they have been doing to destroy us. DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CRIMINAL ACTIONS OF THE LOCAL BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS/CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AGENCY, and SUPERINTENDENT TROY BURDICK, REGARDING HIS WORKING WITH CHADD EVERONE AGAINST OUR TRIBE.

For more information on how to help the Tribe, please contact us at the Tribal office at 209.931.4567 or by fax 209.931.4333

January 6/7th, 2010 - JOHN MOSS FEDERAL BLDG, SACRAMENTO, CA -
The California Valley Miwok Tribe (located at 10601 Escondido Place, Stockton, CA 95212) held a two day protest at the John Moss Federal Building - located at 650 Capital Mall, Sacramento, CA. This building houses the Central California Agency of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Superintendent in charge, Troy Burdick, is responsible for initiating all actions on behalf of the government in working with non-Indian, non-tribal members and powerful and politically connected developers to drive this sovereign tribe and its proud people into financial oblivion to be able to then seize the Tribe's inherent sovereign rights and exploit those rights for their own financial gain.

Due to the nefarious actions of developer-sponsored individuals and also officials within the BIA, the Tribe, is now facing a second threat of eviction on January 15th. One West Bank whom holds title to the tribal property, has patiently waited these long seven months in utter amazement that the federal government has been unable or unwilling to rectify the situation that they themselves have created. The bank now feels that they have no other alternative but to move forward with the proposed eviction.

This new and much more dire situation has not gone unnoticed by the community. The Tribe now has an abundance of organizations and supporters that came together to host and attend an event that not only addressed the disdain felt by all against Interior officials' ineptness but by their criminality against the California Valley Miwok Tribe and her people. The BIA/DOI has so violated the very existence of this Tribe that now it has come down to the question of violations against the members' very civil rights, but now with all the positive energy flowing, this proud tribal nation's search for Justice shall not be thwarted. Being supported by righteous organizations that fight for the betterment of all the peoples whom they represent and now all coming together for one cause. It is truly a strong and positive period in time in this Tribal people's history. This event is just the beginning and it was enhanced even further by the negative presence of the criminal factions attempt to also be there huddled in a little out of the way corner on the federal buildings grounds.

Many new supporters were made and existing relationships strengthened just by these individuals exposing whom they really are. They were so transparent that all whom came to attend in a good way could see their true nefarious and criminal intent. So we thank them also, for it strengthened the spirit and righteousness of the protest. The winds of change are upon us and a positive river of support is now fully flowing in the Tribe's direction and as the writer of this article I will not taint this now positive force bestowed upon us by the Great Creator by even the mentioning of any of their names for fear of bringing forth the negativity of these criminals that if given the opportunity would steal the identity of this proud tribe so that they and their developer may have a casino that they have no right to. We would like to thank the creator for giving us the strength to fight for these so many years, for the representation that has now come to assist the Tribe in acquiring legal justice, to all of the individuals who came forth to support the Tribe and to all of the organizations listed below that have assured the Tribe that they shall stand strong with us and that we shall endure.

United Native Americans Inc.
The United Hip-Hop Culture Coalition
Chicano Consortium
Save the Sacred Sites
Vallejo Inter-Tribal of California
The Modesto Anarcho
Justice Reform Coalition
Modesto Brown Berets
Affiliated Obsidian Nation
California Valley Miwok Tribe
Calaveras County Mountain Miwuk
Calaveras Band of Mi-Wuk Indians
Yung Buu Tee Village - Jackson Valley Reservation
San Joaquin First Nations Fellowship
Choinumni Tribal members
Poor Magazine
Revolutionary Hip-Hop Report

The Tribe gives thanks to the Great Creator for your support and allegiance in the continuing struggle to right the injustices wrought against it by those without moral or ethical conviction - together WE SHALL PREVAIL!

CVMT Update - Chadd Everone/Ludwig vs the California Valley Miwok Tribe - 12/22/09

We the Tribe thought that to further demonstrate that Chadd Everone/Ludwig and his dominions have no legitimacy, we should now display his most recent legal attack to date that has already been decided upon. Through his attorneys, Chadd Everone/Ludwig attempted during the first eviction threat to our tribe, to acquire through the federal courts ownership to all of the tribe's files containing all current information and complete history of everything that this tribe has ever done in the course of its relations and day to day business. Of course, Mr. Everone/Ludwig needs our files if he is ever to one day build his own tribe, for he doesn't know the first thing about how a real tribe operates. Why would he? He and his phony group are not a real tribe, he has never worked for a real tribe and he is not a member of any tribe - currently or in the past. He is not even of any American Indian ancestry.

Although Mr. Everone/Ludwig tries to take credit every time the Tribe suffers injustices within the federal legal system, mostly due to lack of specified relief, statute of limitations, late filings and unconvincing or weak arguments by previous attorneys - these cases are between the legitimate tribe and the federal government. The Tribe has always prevailed against Mr. Everone/Ludwig and his attorneys whenever they initiated a filing against the tribe. The courts as listed below have always found in the Tribe's favor where Mr. Everone/Ludwig is involved. Please note that the document can be confusing to someone not accustomed to Mr. Everone/Ludwig's style, for in the filing he represents that they are the tribe even though the name is copyrighted and that they are suing our Chairperson, Silvia Burley, as an individual. Now if they are really the tribe, why would Silvia Burley, "the individual", have all of their files?

Please note: The first reason listed is that the court found that they lack standing because they in no way are or ever were representative of the California Valley Miwok Tribe.

PDF Document - Order Denying Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Dismissing Complaint

CVMT Update - Sanctions Against Chadd Everone/Ludwig and His Legal Respresentation in the Case Displayed Above - 12/22/09

Below in pdf. form is the court ordered sanctions against Mr. Everone/Ludwig's attorney, Mr. Thomas Wolfrum. The first cause listed for the sanctions is that they lacked standing to sue. They and their group are in no way affiliated with the tribe and the judge understood that fact. The judge was just in his decision and as Mr. Wolfrum scurried back into whatever cave that he came from to lick his wounds, the Tribe is hopeful that he will think twice before attempting something as frivolous as this again.

Please note: Sanctions were granted in favor of the defendant, Silvia Burley (who is the duly-elected chairperson of the California Valley Miwok Tribe).

PDF Document - Order Granting Defendant's Motion for Sanctions

The California Valley Miwok Tribe webpage staff, upon learning of the abundance of support generated by a recent release by Chairperson Silvia Burley, decided in an attempt to inform the general population that it would display the release on this site. The December 16th "Please Pass This Forward" release is printed below in its entirety.

To All: PLEASE PASS THIS FORWARD - DECEMBER 16, 2009

Once again, we are being threatened with a forced eviction due to the Department of the Interior/Bureau of Indian Affairs ineptness of actions to do anything to assist or protect our Tribe. The governmentsï¿½ failure or intentional lagging to correct the abuses and inflictions caused to our Tribe by the corruption within the local BIA's Central California Agency and Superintendent Troy Burdick who is personally working with and allowing outside influences to viciously attack and interfere into our Tribal Affairs is now on the brink of causing more serious concerns.

We have continued to forward documented factual information (including the criminal histories of the individuals plotting against us) to the BIA/Dept. of the Interior and our local elected officials, and they still have not stepped in to stop the continued criminal actions (fraud and identity theft) being perpetrated by Chadd Everone and his phony group. Mr. Everone continues to mislead government, court, and other agency officials to believe that he and his attorneys represent our Tribe.

We need your support. We need our story to be put out all across America and abroad. All those who can help us get justice, please come forward. Call your friends, Tribes (recognized or not), Universities, Veterans, Students, Elected Officials, and anyone who can step up and stand with us to get the government to take notice of the hardships and emotional suffering that is being cast upon our Tribe and its members. Due to our local Governor, Congressman, Senators, Assemblymembers, etcï¿½ turning a blind-eye to our cries for justice, we are now asking you (the Public) to contact your Congressional representatives, Senators, and Assemblymembers, etcï¿½ to help us.

We are requesting that all people who know what its like to have an injustice done to you and who can remember how it felt for people to walk away without helping, or for those who had been wrongly accused and had to stand alone and fight through the tears and frustration to be ridiculed and finally justified in the end when the truth came out in the open, you are the ones that we are asking to step up and help us.

Please send letters, faxes, and or emails to your elected officials, and also leave voice messages regarding how appalled you are about the Bureau of Indian Affairs allowing such abuses to happen to a federally recognized Tribe, for this has gone on (years) too long!!! Do not allow the lies of Chadd Everone and his Gaming Developers (financial backers) to continue to cover up the truth of what they have been doing to destroy us. Demand that an investigation be set forth.

Appointed and elected officials get paid by our tax dollars to protect their citizens. Why is it that they have deaf ears to our situation? Is it because we are Native American Indians? Is it because they just donï¿½t care? The last I remember, identity theft and fraud was illegal in this country, so then, why isnï¿½t Chadd Everone not in jail? Is the Government waiting for one of us, or all of us (in the Tribe) to be seriously or fatally injured? What is going to happen on January 15th 2010 when the Sheriffï¿½s department comes in to force the Tribe and its members out into the street? Will the American Indian Movement come to stand with us? Will the college and university students come to stand with us? Will our local community stand with us? The system of law and righteousness has failed us. Please help us !!

Again and again, weï¿½ve tried to negotiate, weï¿½ve tried the courts, weï¿½ve tried to be patient but unfortunately words donï¿½t pay the bills. One West Bank wants to get paid. WE WANT TO GET PAID!!! THERE IS NO LEGITIMATE REASON FOR THE CALIFORNIA GAMBLING CONTROL COMMISSION TO WITHHOLD OUR RSTF MONEY!!!! NOR IS THERE ANY LEGITIMATE REASON FOR THE LOCAL CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AGENCY/BIA TO WITHHOLD OUR MATURE STATUS 638 CONTRACT!!!THEREFORE WE ï¿½THE TRIBEï¿½ ARE ASKING YOU ï¿½THE PUBLICï¿½ TO DEMAND THAT OUR FUNDS BE RELEASED!! DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CRIMINAL ACTIONS OF THE LOCAL BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS/CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AGENCY, SUPERINTENDENT TROY BURDICK, REGARDING HIS WORKING WITH CHADD EVERONE AGAINST OUR TRIBE. The truth is in the files, all one has to do is investigate!!!

ï¿½Chadd Everoneï¿½ (who is a non- Indian and is not in any way associated with our Tribe, other than trying his best to steal it) has an agenda to cinch his Gaming Agreement with Albert D. Seeno, to build ï¿½the Biggest Casino in Northern Californiaï¿½ but to do that, he must replace us with his phony group.

We the California Valley Miwok Tribe are asking all of you out there, to please make the calls, write the letters, emails, blogs, twitter messages, radio and tv announcements. Contract your friends, if anyone knows of any actors who are willing to help us get justice, any one who has influence in the media whether it be youtube, rez radio, newsletters, newspapers, banners, flyers, one-linersï¿½. Anything helps!!

While (as another year is set to pass), once again, Government Officials (Bureau Officials included), etcï¿½ are readying themselves for the holidays!! Again, they have NO TIME for our concerns, our fears, our cries or our suffering, or our REALITY!!!. SCROOGE IS ALIVE AND WELL . . . WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

For more information on how to help the Tribe, please contact us at the Tribal office at 209.931.4567 or by fax 209.931.4333 or you may contact the Tribal attorneys at Rosette & Associates, PC at 480-889-8990.

IT SHOULD BE THE GUILTY BEING PUNISHED . . . . NOT THE INNOCENT!!!

Put yourself in our place and think about how youï¿½d feel if you were the one that was quiet and shy and had a bully constantly abusing you. Please make a difference, make the contacts, get President Obamaï¿½s attentionï¿½ let him know that you want change, and that the American public supports the rights of the Native American Indians. Let him know that the California Valley Miwok Tribe needs him to step in and save it from being destroyed due to the lack of action(s) by appointed and/or elected officials who are either unwilling or unable to step up and do their job to protect this Tribe from those individuals who are causing the ï¿½Tribeï¿½ GREAT harm by using illegal tactics such as identity theft and fraud to discredit it, destroy it financially, and leave us homeless and without any recourse to defend ourselves.

/s/
Silvia Burley, Chairperson
s.burley@californiavalleymiwoktribe-nsn.gov

Physical Address:
California Valley Miwok Tribe
10601 Escondido Pl
Stockton, California 95212
Tribal Office: 209.931.4567 Fax: 209.931.4333

Mailing Address
California Valley Miwok Tribe
1163 E. March Lane, Suite D-PMB#812
Stockton, California 95210-4512

http://www.californiavalleymiwoktribe-nsn.gov

http://californiavalleymiwoktribe.us

07/05/09 - CVMT TRIBAL OFFICE, STOCKTON, CA -
While watching a classic movie yesterday, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", circa 1939, starring Jimmy Stewart, we members of the California Valley Miwok Tribe, realized that our Tribe's personal story is not so unlike his. Our Tribe received federal recognition from the U.S. Government in 1915, but as of today, much of our inherent sovereign rights have been ignored or outright disregarded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Even though the BIA acted as if they would help the Tribe in whatever direction it wished to go. Silvia Burley was in college pursuing her degree when the acting Chairman of the Tribe voluntarily resigned from the position, citing a desire to pursue other interests. The General Council appointed Silvia Burley to act as interim Chairperson. An Election of Officers was held on May 8, 1999, in which Ms. Burley was unanimously elected Chairperson.

Officials within the BIA were enthused to work with the newly-elected Tribal Council, perceiving them to be naive, gullible and probably easily controlled. Those persons working within the BIA, no doubt, were salavating over all of the ways that they could mislead and redirect this Tribe away from achieving the goals which the Tribal Members asked of their Tribal Council to accomplish - but much like the Mr. Smith story - the Chairperson and Tribal Council became quick studies. Even though the Tribe did not quite fully understand sovereignty or all that it entails and to this day, have not been allowed their rights to it under federal law, they knew it was something worth fighting for, even if it was no more than an idea that must be protected.

We do not feel that agents of mortgage companies thought as children, "When I grow up, I want to throw people out of their homes" or that BIA officials thought, "When I grow up, I want to destroy my people, their culture and take from them their sovereignty" or that politicians thought "When I grow up, I want to represent the rich and powerful at the expense of the common man's futures", but all these situations are now upon not only the Tribe, but upon all of the American people.

As the BIA began forcing their will upon the Tribe, the Tribe was advised to seek economic opportunities to prevent financial alienation which could be exacted against them by corrupt beaurocrats, as a means to bring the Tribe to its knees and force it to capitulate to the BIA's incredulous demands, which is exactly what has now happened. Much like the "Mr. Smith.." story, large and well established corporations started seeking favor with the Tribe, promising much and delivering nothing. It soon became apparent that they too looked at this little-known Tribe as a opportunity to be exploited for personal gain. Their true motivations revealed, they disappeared from the scene as quickly as they had appeared.

During all of this, the Tribe has for these many years tried countless times to even secure but one meeting with any of their state or federally elected officials - whom have largely ignored the Tribe and their requests to personally present their case to these persons - but much like the "Mr. Smith.." story, these individuals were elected to office with the help of special interests and corporations; an exclusive club in which the Tribe has no membership.

Now is the time, like the "Mr. Smith.." story, that someone, somewhere with the power or influence to right all the years of wrongdoing against this Tribe, needs to find the courage to harken back to their own upbringing, when their parents taught them the importance of ethics and morality; things that in the field of government/politics and business, in a modern society, are often convoluted, lost or forgotten altogether. Sometimes we as people should do the right thing - not because it is easier, not for personal gain and not even for notoriety or personal glory, but simply because it is the right thing to do.

This is why our country is currently in such dire straights financially, legally and politically, because those in charge of our institutions choose to ignore their moral and ethical obligations to those whom they are supposed to represent.

Doing the right thing is never the easiest, but is always the simplest thing to do. It only gets complicated when people personally try to confuse a very simple situation to be able to do the wrong thing and then try to get away with it.

06/26/09 - CVMT TRIBAL OFFICE, STOCKTON, CA -
The Great Creator willing, the Tribe shall continue making the Food Distribution Program available to all needy indigenous peoples that qualify through the USDA Food Distribution Program regulations.

We are still here and standing strong, defending our sovereignty against those who would oppress us. The criminal group led by non-Indian opportunist Chadd Everone/Ludwig and overseen by multi-billionaire casino developer and home builder A.D. Seeno, Jr., (assisted by Troy Burdick, Superintendent of the Central California Agency - Bureau of Indian Affairs) will not help others outside their group. If you find their fraudulent website, it acknowledges that fact, as it only speaks of themselves and shows that they only consume benefits, but offer no actual services other than lies and deceit about the real tribe and its members; as well as expressing joy over the loss of Indian-held property and the impending homelessness/suffering of Indian peoples, but we shall overcome with the help of all of you whom have taken a personal interest in our plight and have become standard bearers of the truth; we thank you.

We can only hope that these sites will someday be seen by President Obama himself, so that he may see that this tribe is a community organizer, focused on assisting in the betterment of our peoples, much like the nation's President stated he was, as a platform in his quest for the presidency.

06/23/09 - CVMT TRIBAL OFFICE, STOCKTON, CA -
To enable the public to better understand the issues behind our ongoing crisis, we have made the following documents available. For more information, you can also listen in on a live discussion, hosted by DreamCatcher Entertainment, which will be held this evening at 6pm, PST on BlogTalkRadio. Click this link to listen to the programme.

Updated Information: (Note: Your computer will need to be able to read PDF files.)

06/18/09 - CVMT TRIBAL OFFICE, STOCKTON, CA -
Concerned students of the University of California - San Diego, have stepped forward and created an online petition in support of the California Valley Miwok Tribe, whose members are currently facing the threat of forcible eviction from the only property that the Tribe possesses, which for so many years has served as a Tribal Office and lodging for Tribal members; bringing for the first time in the Tribe's history, a central location which provided the stability needed to efficiently conduct Tribal business, as well as support the cultural events and services which helped to empower the Miwok people. As a tribe.. as people.. as grandparents, parents and children, we are asking for your support in our darkest hour. Please stand with us in support of sovereign rights and reject the corrupt activities which have culminated in the crisis our tribe is facing now!

02/17/09 - KKUP 91.5 FM, SANTA CLARA, CA -
The Tribal Council and membership of the California Valley Miwok Tribe, with its offices located at 10601 Escondido Place, Stockton, California - would like to thank Chaplin Jack Hyatt - host of KKUP 91.5 FM "Indian Time" (seated center), and Mr. David Romero - host of "Native Way" (seated right) for the opportunity to discuss various issues adversly affecting tribal governments and their members, caused by the current economic downturn and shortfalls in financing for various tribal programs.

01/26/09 - NATIVE VOICE TV, SAN JOSE, CA -
The Tribal Council and members of the California Valley Miwok Tribe, with its offices located at 10601 Escondido Place, Stockton, California - would like to thank host Cihuapilli Rose Amador of Native Voice TV (which airs on Sundays at 6 p.m. PST on Comcast channel 15 in San Jose/Campbell) for inviting Tribal Chairperson Silvia Burley to discuss various issues which affect indigenous peoples' lives and future prospects.

Cihuapilli Rose Amador first appeared on the air waves with Native Voice TV in March of 2004. Native Voice TV is a highly informative talk show with knowledgable and sometimes well known guests from across the USA, whom discuss topics of concern for indigenous peoples, along with community and civic-minded interaction. Updates on activities and current events are also a staple of the show.

Miss Amador is also credited with co-founding La Raza Roundtable, as well as actively participating in the National Council of La Raza, based in Washington D.C., and has worked for decades in non-profit organizations such as CTC/WorkNET. She is a "Woman of the Year" award winner, as presented to her by the state of California in 2005.

For further information about "Native Voice TV", please visit http://nativevoicetv.com/

Along with the above mentioned topics at both the radio station and the television interviews, the discussions centered around a current event that can only be listed on this website, because when the full truth of what this website comprises of was originally listed on the Tribe's official government website, Scott Keep - Senior Solicitor of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior - in a vain attempt to silence the voice of truth, orchestrated an attempt to either dissolve the official tribal site or at the very least, have it censored in an effort to still the Tribe's voice from exposing his nefarious activities and those of his inner circle; as well as corruption within the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and illegal actions being perpetrated against the Tribe by Troy Burdick, Superintendent of the Central California Agency Bureau of Indian Affairs (CCA/BIA) in conjunction with Keep. Mr. Keep has worked with a ficticious group of non-indians being led by Chadd Everone/Ludwig (this is Mr. Everone's third group - two previous groups failed). Mr. Everone's real last name was Ludwig, but he legally changed it in 1980. He is known to plagiarize other people's medical information for his personal use and refers to himself as "Dr.Internet".

Mr. Everone's Washington-based attorney, Elizabeth Walker, has been working very closely with Mr. Keep, but at some point, Mr. Everone also hired an ex-colleague of Mr. Keep, a former solictor named Tim Vollman who although now in private practice, is utilizing a prior professional relationship with Mr. Keep to their advantage. Mr. Keep has been working against the California Valley Miwok Tribe since 2002, when this tribe, along with the Buena Vista Rancheria (also a federally recognized tribe) and the Chinook Tribe (a non-recognized tribe in Washington State) became whistle-blowers in the BIA "money for hire" scandal, involving their No.2 man, Wayne Smith. Since this time, the BIA has constantly chipped away at the Tribe's sovereignty and now not only has the Tribe on the verge of financial ruin, but is working with Chadd Everone/Ludwig to fraudulently create a leadership dispute, with hopes of removing our Chairperson and tribal membership's federal recognition.

The BIA successfully created a leadership dispute within the Buena Vista Rancheria and had their chairperson removed from the tribal membership rolls. In the Chinook case, the tribe was denied federal recognition by Neal McCaleb - Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Interior (Wayne Smith's boss), a few months after the incident. Anyone can see by this what happens when you expose corruption at the BIA.

Whether Mr. Keep has his own agenda or if he in some way is currently or in the future is to recieve compensation from Mr. Everone/Ludwig's ficticious group, whom is being supported by the money and power of big business (supplied by A.D. Seeno, owner of the Peppermill casino chain in Nevada and Seeno Homes whose corporate offices are located in Contra Costa County, California) is currently unclear, but in the process of the decimation of this tribe, Mr. Everone/Ludwig, with the assistance of Troy Burdick, is being allowed to cause irreversible damage to the memberships and tribal structures of two other local tribes; the Calaveras Band of Miwuk Indians and the Calaveras County Mountain Miwoks, by convincing members of these tribes whom are desperate in these trying times, to join him with promises of future casino riches (though what his true opinion regarding indigenous peoples cannot be disputed when you listen to the Everone/Ludwig audio archive on this site), not withstanding his actions are causing families in these tribes to fractionalize - turning brother against brother, sister against sister and in some cases, children against their parents.

Mr. Everone/Ludwig has even initiated a phoney tribal membership identification card that he offered for $5.00 at a recent meeting. To anyone with $5, you could now be a member. His membership drive escalated at this point ($5 for federal recognition, who wouldn't buy in at that price?) and this ficticious group, with their fake identification cards, are now accessing and overloading all kinds of local services, depriving the local indian tribes in the area from receiving direly needed benefits.

Disruption or cancellation of some services, as well as physical altercations, are becoming common-place and a people that used to live together within their culture now will not even acknowledge one another. If the current conduct of the BIA which has created this situation within our tribes is allowed to go unchecked and elected officials representing the districts in which the California Valley Miwok Tribe, the Calaveras Band of Miwok Indians and the Calaveras County Mountain Miwoks and their members are constituents, do not find the courage to intervene and correct these injustices, then the damage will be irreversible.

We would like to thank Ms. Cihuapilli Rose Amador, host of "Native Voice TV" on Comcast channel 15 in San Jose/Campbell, Chaplin Jack Hyatt, host of "Indian Time" and David Romero, host of "Native Way" at KKUP 91.5 in Santa Clara, for being able to present these issues on their programs and for the open invitations for future interviews to update the hosts and their audiences as to what will eventually be done. Whether someone of courage comes forth or these despicable actions are allowed to continue, we know our voices will never be silenced.

INTERIOR BOARD OF INDIAN APPEALS
CALIFORNIA VALLEY MIWOK TRIBE, Appellant, BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Appellee, YAKIMA DIXIE, VELMA WHITEBEAR, and CHADD EVERONE, Interested Parties
Docket No. IBIA 09-13-A
RESPONSE TO INTERESTED PARTIES ANSWER IN OPPOSITION TO THE APPEAL & TO APPELLANT'S RESPONSE TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE PLUS RESPONSE TO REQUEST TO EXPEDITE IBIA 7-100-A ALSO, A RESPONSE TO CONTINGENT INTERVENOR STATUS The California Valley Miwok Tribe (the "Tribe") provides its Response to the 'Interested Parties' Answer in Opposition to the Appeal & to Appellant's Response to Show Cause plus Response to Request to Expedite IBIA 7-100-A also a Response to Contingent Intervenor Status.
APPELLANT RESPONSE
Appellant opposes any and all documents posted on Interested Parties ('putative members' , of which the definition of putative is "supposed rather than real, alleged or assumed") web-site of http://www.californiavalleymiwok.com because Interested Parties do not represent the federally recognized California Valley Miwok Tribe and/or its legitimate Tribal Members, nor does Interested Parties have federal recognition as a Tribe, therefore, Interested Parties (by purporting themselves to be the California Valley Miwok Tribe) are in violation of the law and are committing fraud and identity theft.
1
As for 580 individuals filing their genealogies with the BIA, Appellant's response is that that has no bearing on our Tribe or its enrollment process. The enrollment process is the inherent right of the Tribe and individuals who believe themselves to be Indian of any Tribe have the responsibility to contact said Tribe(s) and request an enrollment application and are expected to return the application to the Tribe with documentation verifying their Indian heritage and/or lineage as affiliated with said Tribe, and then the enrollment process begins. Appellant opposes Interested Parties leading IBIA to believe that any 'Tribal Council' appointed by Yakima Dixie (cir. 2003) was accepted by the BIA. Yakima Dixie has no authority to appoint a Tribal Council or any other official to represent the California Valley Miwok Tribe. Interested Parties mentioning "some 120 adult persons who are prospective Members" has nothing to do with the legitimate California Valley Miwok Tribe. Appellant opposes Interested Parties leading the IBIA to believe that the California Valley Miwok Tribe is the only Miwok Tribe in this area. Interest Parties fail to mention other Miwok Tribes such as Buena Vista Rancheria, Chicken Ranch Rancheria, The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Jackson Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, The United Auburn Indian Community, lone Band of Miwok Indians, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians, The Sierra Native American Council, American Indian Council of Mariposa County, Wilton Miwok Rancheria, the Calaveras County Mountain Miwoks, Miwok Tribe of EI Dorado Rancheria and the Calaveras Band of Miwok Indians. In the enrollment process it is usually found that individuals are lineal descendents of these other Miwok Tribes.
Basis For Appellants Opposition To Interested Parties Opposing Appeal
Appellant, hereby Oppose the 'Interested Parties Answer in Opposition to the Appeal & to Appellant's Response to Order to Show Cause plus Request to Expedite IBIA 7-lOO-A and Contingent Intervenor Status" on the basis that Interested Parties are misleading the IBIA to believe that the California
2
Valley Miwok Tribe is no longer a federally recognized Tribe because it is considered unorganized. Being 'unorganized' in no way circumvents the inherent sovereign rights of the Tribe or its authority. In fact, the Tribe has a ratified Constitution, a General Council, Tribal Council, Ordinances, Policies & Procedures and Tribal Resolutions. The Tribe has passed all annual federal audits (without findings) of which it had received Mature Status in contracting. The suspension of the PL 93-638 Mature Status Contract was improper (without merit or due cause) and was instigated by the continued interference of Chadd Everone who's actions have caused continued hardships on the legitimate Tribe and its Tribal Members. In previous pleading, Mr. Chadd Everone claimed to be an representing Yakima Dixie (of whom continues to break the law and is currently serving time is State Prison), now Mr. Everone is submitting court pleading with Yakima Dixie's name being signed by Velma Whitebear (without certified documentation proving that Yakima Dixie gave his consent for any such person to sign his name to any document(s). Appellant opposes Interested Parties misleading IBIA to believe that I, Silvia Burley do not have any authority within the California Valley Miwok Tribe. The Tribe is a federally recognized Tribe that was in existence many years before Mr. Everone decided to interfere into its Tribal Governmental Affairs for his own greedy purpose of obtaining a casino deal with A.D. Seeno, William "Bill Martin" and Le Roi Chapelle. Appellant Opposes Interested Parties slanderous accusations that I, Silvia Burley, Chairperson have misused Tribal Funding /Resources. The Tribe has denied sending any financial records to Yakima Dixie (a felon who is incarcerated in State Prison) or to individual persons who are deliberately and viciously interfering in Tribal Governmental Affairs. Interested Parties failed to provide to IBIA crucial facts that show a conspiracy of said persons purporting themselves to have authority to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, Yakima Dixie (a felon, falsely claiming to be Chief) and Albert D. Seeno
3
(who due to his Gaming License is barred from associating with known criminals and/or felons) signed an agreement in which they conspire to overthrow our Tribal Government and appointing and/or electing Yakima Dixie or Velma Whitbear to the leadership position of the Tribe in which the above mentioned shall comply with said agreement. And to further their agenda, they hired Arlo Smith and Peter Melnicoe (former employees of the California Gambling Control Commission 'CGCC') to advocate on their behalf. Appellant Opposes Interested Parties accusations that I, Silvia Burley, Chairperson denied benefits to Tribal Members, in fact the "Tribe" has in the past and continues to assist individuals and non-recognized Indians on a daily basis, circumstances vary depending on the specifics of what is being requested. Due to the callous actions and continued threats of harm to Tribal Members by Interested Parties, the Tribe has erected a security fence around the Tribal Property. It is a known fact that the Interested Parties are associated with A.D. Seeno, who has and endless supply of money and is willing to assist them in overthrowing our Tribal Government so they can proceed forward with their casino deal and it is also a know fact that A.D. Seeno admitted he knew he was not suppose to associate with underworld figures or convicted felons, therefore, the Tribe and its legitimate members in fearing for their safety are vindicated in protecting themselves and the sovereignty of the Tribe. Appellant Opposes Interested Parties Request for Intervenor Status. Interested Parties are not representing the legitimate California Valley Miwok Tribe or its Tribal Members. Yakima Dixie is incarcerated in State Prison, Velma Whitebear is not a federally recognized member of our Tribe, nor does she hold any official authority to represent our federally recognized Tribe or to sign and legal documents on Yakima Dixie's behalf, and Chadd Everone is a non-Indian who's only agenda is
4
to benefit from a casino deal with his associates William "Bill" Martin, Le Roi Chappelle and A.D. Seeno Jr.
Appellant Opposes Interested Parties statement that "The Appellant's Main Argument is Untenable"
I, Silvia Burley, am the duly elected Chairperson of the California Valley Miwok Tribe and do not project myself to be the "absolute" authority as the Interested Parties are falsely leading the IBIA to believe (apparently, Yakima Dixie shown to 'Delusions of Grandeur, Interested Parties state that Yakima Dixie appointed in 2003 the "Tribal Council' is there no room for democracy within his group of people, do they not possess the ability to elect a council of their own free will?) Unfortunately, the Interested Parties do not understand what sovereignty means to a Federally Recognized Tribe and are willing to give away the inherent sovereign rights of the sovereign Indian Nations located in the United States of America, starting out by destroying our Tribe. Appellant Opposes Interested Parties claiming that "Indian Tribes being Domestic Sovereign Entities that are Dependent on the USA (for benefits and recognition)" This is clearly a misleading statement. Due to the clear fact that many Tribes are self-reliant especially since many Tribes have casinos or other economic development (s) to sustain them, many Tribes have rejected or refused to accept the PL 93-638 government funding. Interested Parties failed to inform the IBIA that the California Valley Miwok Tribe submitted a ratified Constitution to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in March 2000 of which in accordance to the CRF 25 the BIA has 180 days to act on the Constitution and if no action was taken within that timeline, the Constitution is automatically considered approved. In accordance with the PL 93-638 Contract between the United States of America and the United States of America and the California Valley Miwok Tribe was asked to send a courtesy copy of the Tribal Constitution to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs upon any changes
5
Therefore, at a Special Election of the General Council, a change was voted upon and approved by the vote of the membership of the General Council and a revised copy of the Tribal Constitution was submitted to the BIA to file. A miss understanding occurred and the Constitution was returned to the Tribe. The Tribe's ratified constitution has been in effect since being approved by the Tribe and is in full effect today. The Interested Parties failed to inform the IBIA that the Declaration of Brian Golding Sr., Tribal Operations Specialist of the BIA was in retaliation. In a letter dated January 31, 2003, CCAIBIA granted the Tribe's official request to replace Brian Golding, Sr. as the Tribal Operations Specialist to the California Valley Miwok Tribe and in his place they assigned Carol Rogers Davis to serve as the SAOTR for the Tribes Indian Self-Determination and Educational Assistance Act contract (s). In 2004, the Tribe deposed Mr. Golding and a month after being deposed, Mr. Golding gave his retaliatory declaration. Appellant Opposes Interested Parties misleading IBIA to render Mr. Olsen's Determination of February 11, 2005 letter as a final Bureau action. The Tribe was not given due process and at the time was unaware that Mr. Melnicoe and Mr. Smith were in contact with Solicitor Scott Keep and Mr Jerry Gidner acting of behalf of the fictitious group claiming themselves to be representing the California Valley Miwok Tribe, in which untruths (without merit) were presented to Mr. Olsen unbeknownst to the Tribe (nor was the Tribe allowed due process to counter these vicious attacks) and therefore Mr. Olsen having heard only the side of the group with the agenda to overthrow our Tribe wrote a letter completely blind-siding the Tribe.
6
In actuality, the second paragraph of the letter addressed to Mr. Yakima K. Dixie (dated FEB 11 2005) from Mr. Olsen states "Your appeal of the BlA's recognition of Ms. Burley as tribal Chairperson has been rendered moot by the BlA's decision of March 26, 2004". Numerous times, Mr. Dixie had been given "special treatment" affording him extra time to present his case and the Leadership case had been acted upon, not only by the Tribe in its inherent Tribal Appeals Forum but the Leadership question was rendered moot by the BIA, and in defiance of the final decisions made the Interested Parties ignored these official actions and continue to take up the Courts and the Tribes valuable time by resubmitting arguments that have already been decided upon and rendered moot. In doing so, the Interested Parties also are causing undue financial hardships on the legitimate Tribe and its members. Appellant Opposes Interested Parties claims and slanderous comments that I, Silvia Burley, Chairperson "hold myself to be sui juris, an un-reproachable sovereign authority for the Tribe" and the comment that my status was given authority by Yakima Dixie. When the Tribe organized in August 1998, an election was held in September 1998 in which official Bureau representatives Raymond Fry and Brian Golding Sr., were in attendance of our first election at that time there were only 3 adult members eligible to vote. Yakima was elected Chairperson and I was elected Secretary Treasurer. When Prop I-A and Prop 5 came into being then became the new phase of Indian Gaming. In 1998 Senator Slade Gordon declared a Moratorium of one year (1) on first time contracting and/or newly recognized Tribes, in regards to the P.L. 93-638 Contracting. Since we our Tribe was never terminated and had never contracted with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, we were considered a newly contracting tribe and had to wait one full year before contracting. In April of 1999 Yakima Dixie called together a special meeting of the General Council and complained that being Chairperson was too overwhelming and confusing and that he wanted to resign effective immediately because all he wanted to do was go fishing.
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The General Council told Mr. Dixie that he would have to submit a formal resignation to the General Council. At a Special General Council Meeting of April 20, 1999, Mr. Yakima Dixie's resignation was accepted by the General Council and an Elections of Officers was scheduled for May 8, 1999 to be held at a duly scheduled General Council Meeting. At the Special Meeting of May 8, 1999, I, Silvia Burley was duly elected Chairperson and Yakima Dixie actively participated in this election. Yakima Dixie was elected Vice Chairperson, and Rashel Reznor was elected Secretary Treasurer. Yakima actively participated in General Council meetings signing as Vice Chairperson until he was approached (unbeknownst to the Tribe) by developers who were interested in a casino (William 'Bill" Martin and Le Roi Chapelle, calling themselves ABC Boxing Inc.) They signed with Yakima Dixie who then falsely claimed himself to be the Chairperson. Mr. Dixie had no representation at the signing of said document, nor was he in any authoritative position to sign contracts on the Tribe's behalf, nor did he or they approach or consult with the Tribe regarding any such agreement. A signature page (s) of which the Tribe is submitting shows the date of the Joint Venture Agreement commencing on November 24, 1999 (make note that the Notary Public states that Bill Martin and Le Roi Chapelle proved to the notary evidence, yet there are (4) four signatures), July 14, 2000 and January 30, 2003 Appellant Opposes Interested Parties slanderous comments as made in pleading suggesting that I, Silvia Burley, Chairperson or the Tribe in any way mishandled Tribal funds. In fact it is in the PL 93-638 Contract that annual federal audits be performed and our Tribe had received Mature Status due to our commendable financial management of said funding. The Interested Parties allege that Appellant has not provided provisions to the broader community or any financial support, yet the Interested Parties fail to show any documentation of the California Valley Miwok Tribe denying benefits or resources to individuals or community members.
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Appellant Opposes Interested Parties slanderous comments that I, Silvia Burley purchased the property at 10601 Escondido PL, Stockton, California 95212 for my own purpose. The comment made by Interested Parties is false and misleading. Unfortunately, the California Valley Miwok Tribe does not have a land base, reservation or Rancheria in trust (as many federally recognized Tribes have). The 0.92 of an acre that was deemed the Sheep Ranch Rancheria was deeded (in fee) to an individual in the Termination Era. As history shows, the land was given away to an individual by the United States but our Tribe was never deemed terminated, therefore leaving our status as that of a Landless Tribe and a Tribe without a credit history. The Tribe is within its rights to purchase property to be used as its office to do day-today business and for the use of its Tribal Officials and Tribal Members. All necessary legal documents have been verified in audits. It is not mandatory for the Tribe to forward its Governmental documents to individuals residing in State Prisons or to persons who have shown willful discontent and threatened harm towards our Tribe and its membership. Appellant Opposes Interested Parties accusations/comments "it is likely that some of the payments on the real estate where made from the P.L. 638 grant money". This is a false and misleading assumption on the part of the Interested Parties. In response to the Interested Parties comments to taxes not being paid on Tribal Property, if the fictitious group would stop interfering into the Tribe's Governmental Affairs, the Tribe could stop wasting money and resources defending itself against frivolous lawsuits and appeals brought on by the fictitious group, then the Tribe would be in a position to once again pay its debts. Unfortunately, the legitimate Tribe is not fortunate enough to have high paying casino developers (A.D. Seeno Jr. and Associates) paying for high end attorney services and/or paying for individuals like Chadd Everone Ph D from Berkeley, while their self appointed "Chief Yakima Dixie, sits in State Prison. Mr. Dixie's criminal history shows a continuing pattern of
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his repeat offenses of breaking the law. is out, the 0.92 acre held in trust for the individual, is used by Yakima Dixie as a safe haven to return to each time he is released from jail or prison. Yakima Dixie is not required to pay rent or taxes on the land or his home and according to the MOD he signed Midstate Consultants LLC, dated May 17, 2006 his outstanding legal fees are paid by A.D. Seeno (income Yakima receives (on his behalf as being the 'self appointed Chief of a fictitious group claiming to be a federally recognized Indian Tribe) and also, one can assume income generated from the MOA to Yakima Dixie has not been reported to the IRS). Appellant Opposes Interested Party (Chadd Everone) to have any authority in this matter, for he has hidden from the IBIA that fact that he is an associate of William "Bill" Martin and Le Roi Chaplle (developers), he continues to mislead the IBIA in believing that he is representing a large group of 'putative members' of Miwok Indians being denied benefits or enrollment. Mr. Everone's only interest in this Tribe and its functions are to overthrow the federally recognized Tribe and its elected officials, replace them with the phony group and proceed forward with his and his associates plans to build an Indian Casino, backed by A.D. Seeno Jr. a casino owner/developer located in Reno, Nevada and Contra Costa County, California. In a letter dated January 29, 2007, it clearly states that I, Silvia Burley am recognized as a "person of authority". It is with the purest intentions of the California Valley Miwok Tribe to work closely with the United States Department of the Interior/Bureau of Indian Affairs in repairing and rebuilding our government-to-government relationship, without the vicious attacks and continued outside interference of the fictitious group purporting itself to be 'putative members' and using malicious tactics (funded by A.D. Seeno to overthrow our Tribal Government for their own greedy agenda of acquiring an Indian Casino) by using shameless attempts to overthrow and/or override the inherent sovereign rights of our tribe.
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The California Valley Miwok Tribe, a federally recognized Tribe (listed in the Federal Register) has repeatedly requested assistance from the Department of the Interior / Bureau of lndian Affairs to treat our Tribe equally and fairly as it would any and all other federally Recognized Tribes, and afford us the protection of the Government, from harm being caused to our Tribe and its members by outside 'gaming developers' influences and interferences into our Tribal Governmental Affairs. Appellant Opposes Interested Parties Request to Expedite the Determination of IBIA #07100-A and/or IBIA 09-13-A. Due to the unwarranted hardships Interested Parties have caused to the California Valley Miwok Tribe, its Tribal Officials and its Membership, Appellant requests that a proper amount of time be given in this matter, affording the Tribe its 'Due Process'. Therefore, Appellant requests that IBIA Deny Interested Parties request to expedite the Determination of the IBIA #07-100-A and/or IBIA 09-13-A.
Respectfully submitted this 17th day of December, 2008, (Signed by Silvia Burley) Silvia Burley Chairperson California Valley Miwok Tribe 10601 Escondido PL. Stockton, California 95212 http://www.californiavalleymiwoktribe-nsn.gov Telephone: (209) 931-4567 Facsimile: (209) 931-4333 PLAINTIFF
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Silvia Burley,Chairperson of the California Valley Miwok Tribe located at 10601 Escondido PL, Stockton, California 95212 declare that copies of the 'Response to Interested Parties Answer in Opposition to the Appeal & to Appellant's Response to Order to Show Cause plus Response to Request to Expedite IBIA 7-100-A, Also a Response to Contingent Intervenor Status' have been served by certified mail to the "Potentially Interested Parties", persons or entities and at the addresses indicated below. I declare under the penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. (Dated December 20, 2008) (Signed by Silvia Burley)
Bureau of Indian Affairs Central California Agency Attn: Mr. Troy Burdick, Superintendent 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 8-500 Sacramento, California 95814-4710 BY CERTIFIED MAIL 7006 2760 0004 6406 3599 Board of Indian Appeals U.S. Department of the Interior 801 North Quincy Street Arlington, VA 22203 BY CERTIFIED MAIL 7008 1300 000 4746 2507 U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs Attn: Mr. George Skibine Assistant Secretary 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240 BY CERTIFIED MAIL 7008 1300 0000 4746 2484 Hon. Secretary of the Interior Dept. of the Interior - Indian Affairs 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240 BY CERTIFIED MAIL 7006 2760 0004 6406 3438 Regional Solicitor Pacific Southwest Regional Office U.S. Department of the Interior 2800 Cottage Way, Room E-1712 Sacramento, California 95825 BY CERTIFIED MAIL 7006 2760 0004 6406 3421	Yakima Kenneth Dixie, CDC #V96007 c/o Deuel Vocational Insititution State Prison Facility P.O. Box 600 Tracy, California 95378 BY CERTIFIED MAIL 7006 2760 0004 6406 3704 Chadd Everone 2140 Shattuck Ave. #602 Berkeley, CA 94704 BY CERTIFIED MAIL 7008 1300 0000 4746 2491 Velma Whitebear 213 Downing Dr. Galt, CA 95632 BY CERTIFIED MAIL 7006 2760 0004 6406 3445 Mr. Dale Morris, Regional Director Pacific Regional Office - BIA 2800 Cottage Way Sacramento, California 95825 BY CERTIFIED MAIL 7006 2760 0004 6406 3605 Associate Solicitor Division of Indian Affairs MS-6513-MIB 1849 C. Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240 BY CERTIFIED MAIL 7006 2760 0004 6406 3414
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The original pdf. format version of this document may be viewed here.

The hand-game or “hiding the bones.” The booming sound takes your breath away, squeezing out every last bit of courage, for I do not know the outcome of our fate, of our days left in this world, or of the days left of our Tribe’s sovereignty.

Off in the distance rolling thunderclouds are rapidly approaching. We warn others of the immediate danger but they don’t take notice, they are deaf to our words. We yell louder of the approaching storm that is closing in, vastly approaching, to engulf us all. We yell till our voices go quiet. My body is weak, but I gather up what strength I can to face the wind.

As the storm grows in size, my soul shudders with fear, the end is never as one expects it to be. Tears flood forward stinging my eyes like the heat of the lightening. The ground shakes, the wind blows, I find myself standing alone. Memories flash through my mind so fast that I can barely decipher them through the flashes of the lightening that is zigzagging across the sky.

The music, I can hear the music of the old hand-game songs. I can see the rows of teams, the showing of the hand-game bones, the old songs pound louder and louder causing the rhythm of my heart to beat with the song. I become one with the music, my body becomes part of the song. I look with pride at my Grandfather for he is so crafty at the game and such a powerful singer. My Grandmother smiles and laughs as the hands are now stretched out, its time to choose, which hand hold the bones and which is empty? OHHHHH!!! HA HA HA HA HA!!!!! You loose, the hand is empty! The winning team keeps the stick and the bones are hidden again. The song becomes more intense.

BOOM!!!!! More thunder. The storm is menacing. Darkness falls. The wind howls and lightening pierces the awesome picture that is developing in front of me. The music re-enters my mind, the hand-game. Our ancestors would know what to do. Think! Think! Although they have passed over, they are still near. They comfort us in sorrow and in fear. Please Grandmother and Grandfather hear me now. The storm is upon us and I am standing alone with nowhere safe to go.

I’m facing my worst fears by standing here looking straight into the eye of the storm. How does such a storm happen one may ask?

The storm started with two people getting together to find an investment and when Prop 1-A passed in California, the media started reporting how Indian Tribes can make a lot of money by now being given an opportunity to own Vegas styled casinos to create revenue to improve the lives of their people. The two individuals (non-Indian) in this particular storm approached one of our tribal members and signed a casino deal (unbeknownst to the Tribe), and when they did their due diligence, they found out that the individual tribal member possessed no official

authority to sign any contracts and/or agreements on behalf of the Tribe. Instead of letting the matter go and/or approaching the Tribe, these two individuals hired another non-Indian from Berkeley, California to create havoc in order to destroy the rightful tribal members and legitimate Tribe.

The storm begins to take shape, for now an ill wind begins to blow onward towards the California Valley Miwok Tribe. The Tribe tells others that a storm is approaching and what is causing it, but others are too busy with their own lives and their own problems, they do not believe that such a storm would overtake them as it is about to hit the California Valley Miwok Tribe head on.

The Updrafts and the Downdrafts
First, a group of individuals were put together who claim themselves to be putative members (false claim) misleading the local Bureau to believe that it can force these people into our tribe. We will call this the updraft (the transporting of enormous amounts of false information to officials). Secondly, there is the downdraft (the officials in the local Bureau who abuse their powers and give preference to the non-Indian developers with their phony group of people who are trying to steal our tribe). The updraft and the downdraft combined, creates a turbulent environment and the people who suffer from this violent storm are the California Valley Miwok Tribal members and the duly elected tribal government.

Because the updraft and the downdraft have been able to freely interfere into our internal tribal affairs, the total destruction of our Tribe is what is being allowed to take place. The message is, this is not a one-time phenomenon. If we are left to stand alone, to fight this storm, the storm will rise again to devour more Tribes and innocent tribal members.

We are in possession of Bureau archival letters by officials, of which our Tribe has been determined to have-never been terminated, so we are not a Tillie Hardwick tribe. We have always been a small tribe. We officially organized in 1998, ratified our tribal constitution on March 6, 2000, have policies, procedures, ordinances, resolutions, a financial management system, etc...

We have continued to successfully pass our annual federal audits without ever having even one finding, yet the greedy developer “group” and the one local Bureau official have managed to work together to stop our RSTF monies and our PL-93 Mature Status 638 Contract. Now that they have strangled our Tribe financially, they are going to unilaterally try to force a re-organization upon our tribe.

The phony group submitted their phony Miwok lineage/ancestry and forwarded it to the Bureau, and without giving due process, the local Bureau official and a couple of his official friends in DOI will finally destroy what is left of us. We have no resources to fight for our rights or our sovereignty. The lies that are being told are too overwhelming since they have the backing of a casino owner to finance them to steal our tribe. Their so-called chief is as we speak, serving a three-year sentence in Folsom Prison, California.

The storm engulfs us. We pray for courage and strength to make it through the storm alive. I am asking that if you cannot see the storm, then please listen. HELP US!!

Help us find shelter for the storm is taking everything we own. All we have left is our very lives, our memories, the injustices and the Indian blood that which pumps through our veins.

Remember, the storm dissipates from the bottom up and the updraft is what caused this storm to begin. We must stop the updraft and the downdraft will stop itself.

Please Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Brothers, Sisters; Cousins, Mothers, and Fathers, we need your assistance. Our Tribe has been here for centuries but can easily disappear in the blink of an eye. And what will be left is just an image pretending to be real. The individuals who will steal our image will be soulless, no true Miwok blood, no true history or ancestry. The phony group will have disgraced our people who have passed over to the spirit world. Our culture, traditions, memories and stories forever lost. Our Tribe is seeking shelter from this storm and is pleading for those of you who have heart, to please not turn away. Please don’t close your ears to our sobs or our pain, for once we are gone, we may never cross this path again.

Generally this site is dedicated to the exposure of government corruption and the malicious and illegal activity of CCA BIA Superintendant Troy Burdick’s illicit relationship with Chadd Everone/Ludwig and his financial backer Albert Seeno, Jr. Even if these individuals are allowed to succeed by the very system that is supposed to prevent these kinds of intrusions into tribal sovereignty, this site shall continue to update and inform the public. The Tribe will never cease to exercise its 1st Amendment rights and dedicates this byline to the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, Miccosukee Tribe of Florida, Quinault Tribe of Washington State and the Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri, all of whom recently have given their support to allow the Tribe to bring forth a new and competent legal team with the goal of finally putting to rest the fabricated stories of Chadd Everone/Ludwig and still the dark desires of Albert Seeno, Jr., and Troy Burdick.

To these four tribes that truly understand and have come to our aid in writing and in funding, our people thank you for supporting tribal sovereignty.

To further demonstrate the lack of ethical and moral behavior in the business affairs of Mr. Albert Seeno, Jr., a Nevada casino owner, home builder (Seeno Homes) and current developer/financial backer of the fraudulent group seeking to overthrow the legitimate Tribal Council, the Tribe has now added two published articles illustrating Seeno’s previous criminal activities. Also, in violation of book #25 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR 25), under the National Indian Gaming Commission Regulations, is his contract with Mr. Yakima Dixie, which discloses the direct intent to forcibly take control of the tribal government, in which he would then make cash payments directly to his co-conspirators upon the successful execution of their illegal agenda.

Licensee Associated with Criminals (.pdf)
Peppermill Licensees Fined for Criminal Associations (.pdf)
Midstate Consultants, LLC (.pdf)

The argument that Troy Burdick, Superintendent of the BIA’s Central California Agency, is using in his attempt to decimate the legitimacy of the Tribe by enrolling random people of his own choosing, is that there is a leadership dispute within the Tribe. All other arguments aside, the Tribe retains detailed records of Yakima Dixie’s own signed resignation of Chairmanship, personal voting history and subsequent 4-6 months worth of Tribal documents which he signed as Vice Chairperson, before he was intercepted and manipulated to enter into an unlawful scheme by Everone/Ludwig and his group.

If this were not enough to still the argument that Mr. Troy Burdick, Chadd Everone/Ludwig and Mr. A.D. Seeno are trying to use to illegally steal the Tribe from its recognized members, the very fact that Mr. Dixie, aged 68 years, is currently serving a three year sentence in California State Prison in Folsom, California, should be enough for any reasonably intelligent, law-abiding citizen to accept that the question of leadership for all practical purposes should be over.

Mr. Burdick, it is time to stop this ridiculousness and acknowledge the facts, even though they are to your personal disliking.

The California Valley Miwok Tribe presents these informative videos detailing the dire situation that the Tribe is experiencing due to the actions of Troy Burdick, Superintendent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Central California Agency, A.D. Seeno, a greedy Nevada casino developer and Chadd Everone/Ludwig, an opportunist hoping to capitalize on the situation for his personal gain.

The local Bureau of Indian Affairs office has been influenced by a group that intends to take over the Tribe in order to conduct casino gaming under the Tribe’s name. The Tribe is fighting to protect our tribal sovereignty to determine our membership and elect our own leadership.

For several years, the California Valley Miwok Tribe has successfully fought off the efforts of Chadd Everone, a.k.a. Chadd Ludwig, and his associates who are trying to take over the Tribe.

In addition to taking over the Tribe, Everone and his associates are seeking to take the Tribe’s share of the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund. Through the influence of two former California Gambling Control Commission employees, Peter Melincoe and Arlo Smith, Everone and his associates have successfully halted the disbursement of the Tribe’s RSTF money. Everone sought investors in his scheme by pledging the Tribe’s Revenue Sharing Trust Fund money.

Everone and his associates have managed to convince the BIA that there is a large group of “putative members” of the Tribe that deserve to be enrolled into the Tribe. This is a fabrication that the Tribe is trying to dispel.

Everone and company convinced Yakima Dixie, after signing a “development contract” with him, to assert that he never resigned his leadership position in the Tribe. In emails from Everone to a potential investor in his scheme, Everone revealed that he and his associates have plans to establish an Indian casino in California. Before they can have an Indian casino, they need an Indian Tribe. Their plan to take over the small California Valley Miwok Tribe hinged on Yakima.

Based on the evidence, the Tribe believes that Everone and his associates are preying on the instability and simplicity of Yakima Dixie, the former leader of the Tribe, who resigned his office as Chairperson in 1998 of his own accord, concerned that his extensive criminal record would interfere with the Tribe’s plan for engaging a development partner for gaming. Until 1998, Yakima was the only member of the Tribe. Yakima spent most of his adult life in jail or prison for various crimes and was not willing to continue as Chairperson of the Tribe. Given Yakima’s low level of education, his life spent behind bars and his battle with alcoholism, he was easy prey for Everone and his associates.

According to historical BIA records, the California Valley Miwok Tribe, formerly known as Sheep Ranch Rancheria, was comprised of just one individual when the BIA conducted a survey in 1935 for purposes of a tribal election under the Indian Reorganization Act. Again in 1966, the BIA counted only one member who was eligible to vote for termination of the Tribe. In 1998, the BIA recognized that the

Tribe’s only member was Yakima Dixie until he enrolled five other relatives, including the Tribe’s current Chairperson.

On September 24, 1998, the BIA acknowledged that Silvia Burley, Rashel Reznor, Anjelica Paulk, Tristian Wallace, Yakima Dixie, and Melvin Dixie were the only members of the Tribe and that they possessed the right to organize a government for the California Valley Miwok Tribe. With the assistance of the BIA in 1998, a majority of the adult members of the Tribe, including Yakima, voted to adopt a “General Council” form of government. This is memorialized by Resolution # GC-98-01, which was drafted by BIA staff and adopted by the members. A general council form of government consists of all adult members of the Tribe and decisions are made by a simple majority.

On September 17, 1999, a simple majority of the General Council voted to approve a resolution to establish a Tribal Council and to hold elections for tribal leadership positions (See General Council Resolution R-1-9/17/99). The majority of adult members voted for Silvia Burley as the Chairperson of the Tribe, Yakima Dixie as the Vice-Chairperson and Rashel Reznor as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Tribe (See T.C. #99-010 and General Council Resolution R-9-/17/99). The Tribe, through its elected tribal leaders, then promulgated tribal laws for governing the Tribe, including a permanent election ordinance. It was this election ordinance under which Silvia Burley was elected Chairperson of the Tribe for a six-year term ending in 2006 by a majority of the adult tribal members. In 2006, she was re-elected to another six year term.

Shortly after the election and after signing a development contract with Yakima, Everone convinced Yakima to attempt to rescind his resignation as the Tribe’s Chairperson (apparently Everone did not know about Yakima’s election to Vice-Chairperson). However, the BIA acknowledged the election results and for a time addressed Yakima as the Tribe’s Vice-Chairperson. When Yakima persisted in his complaint, the Tribal Council voted to provide due process by allowing Yakima an opportunity to pursue his grievance before the Council. He never took the opportunity (R-2-3-16-2000).

Everone encouraged Yakima to take his complaint to the BIA. However, on February 4, 2000, the BIA notified Yakima Dixie that his allegations involved an internal tribal matter and should be handled by the Tribe. On March 16, 2000, the Tribal Council passed resolution R-2-3-16-2000, which resolved that pursuant to resolution R-2-10-9-1999 (Interim Operations Authorities and Rights for the CVMT), Yakima Dixie failed to pursue his right to contest his resignation from the office of Chairman by failing to respond to the Tribal Council within the prescribed 30-day period.

When Yakima continued to complain however, the Tribal Council relented and voted to hire a tribal judge – an experienced Indian law attorney, to hear the evidence and decide the matter. Yakima was represented by several attorneys who submitted briefs and a large number of documents to support the claim that Yakima did not resign. After submission of briefs and documents by the Tribal Council, the judge scheduled a hearing. When Yakima informed the tribal court that he would not attend the hearing, the judge chose to decide the case on the written record. The judge reviewed all the evidence and in March 2004, determined that it showed Yakima had voluntarily resigned, voted in the tribal elections that followed and voluntarily participated in the Tribe’s government as the Vice-Chairperson of the Council after the election. That written decision was forwarded to the BIA. The BIA refused to give the tribal court’s decision any credence and thus has allowed the appearance of a conflict in the Tribe’s leadership to fester, despite the Tribe’s internal resolution of this issue.

As far as the Tribe can determine, when Everone and his associates failed to destabilize the Tribe by asserting Yakima’s leadership, they launched a new effort to take over the Tribe through sheer numbers. Everone and his associates have succeeded in convincing the Superintendent of the BIA’s Central California Agency, Troy Burdick, that there is a large group of Miwoks who are “putative” members of the Tribe but who are being kept out of the Tribe. This is untrue. The Tribe has always been very small.

In litigation in 2000, the Tribe’s former attorney mentioned in passing a potential Miwok pool of applicants of 250 members. The estimate of the number of Miwoks included all of the un-enrolled Indians who claim Miwok ancestry, but does not distinguish from which of the fourteen Miwok tribes in the state of California that those individuals are descended. Of the fourteen Miwok tribes in California, eight are federally recognized; including Jackson Rancheria, Chicken Ranch Rancheria, Buena Vista Rancheria, California Valley Miwok Tribe, Tuolumne Rancheria, Ione Band of Miwok Indians, Shingle Springs Rancheria and the United Auburn Indian Community (Miwok/Maidu). The remaining six tribes are not federally recognized—Wilton Miwok Rancheria, American Indian Council of Mariposa, Calaveras Band of Me-Wuk Indians, Calaveras County Mountain Miwok, the Sierra Native American Council and Eldorado Miwok Indians.

The estimated 250 Miwok Indians could be descended from any one of the fourteen tribes, not just the California Valley Miwok Tribe. However, the Central California Superintendent, Burdick, has now begun a process to “include the greater tribal community” in the Tribe and has compiled a long list of applicants that the BIA intends to enroll into the Tribe under BIA criteria for membership. The BIA has vastly broadened the criteria for membership to include descent from a number of Indians, though in 1935, 1966 and 1998 the BIA recognized only one member. The BIA, on Burdick’s direction, has published a notice asserting these individuals have a right to be enrolled into the tribe under criteria set by the BIA and to then “reorganize” the Tribe’s government.

The Tribe appealed the BIA’s actions to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals and to the federal district court in Washington, D.C. When the Tribe filed its appeal, BIA’s regulations (25 C.F.R. § 2.6) require the Bureau to halt any action based on the decision being appealed. However, BIA is plowing ahead with its “reorganization” of the Tribe and ignoring its own regulations.

During this entire time period from 1999 to the present, Chairperson Silvia Burley has been the signatory to a mature status 638 contract (No. CT J51T62802) with the BIA, where she signed no fewer than twenty-four different contract modifications with the BIA, the most recent signed on September 19, 2007. Because the contract is a Mature Status contract, the BIA cannot cancel it without cause. The Tribe has been very conscientious in fulfilling its contractual obligations, keeping good records and passing the required audits.

The existence of the 638 contract (under the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act, “ISDEA”) between the BIA and the Tribe is crucial in determining tribal leadership because by federal law, the United States, through the BIA, may only enter into such contracts with either a tribal government or a tribal entity authorized by that tribal government. In the case of the California Valley Miwok Tribe, that tribal government has been lead by Silvia Burley.

The Tribe’s responsibilities under its 638 Contract with the BIA have been to develop and strengthen the tribal organization. By agreement between the parties, the Tribal Council has promulgated tribal resolutions since 1999 in compliance with ISDEA, 25 U.S.C § 450f(a)(1).¹ The Secretary of the Interior, through the BIA, has relied upon the efficacy of these tribal resolutions each year since 1999, to renew the Tribe’s 638 Contract. By accepting these resolutions, the BIA has recognized the California Valley Miwok Tribe’s Tribal Council, including its signatory and Chairperson, Silvia Burley, as the tribal organization with whom they have entered the ISDEA Contract and with whom it maintains a government-to-government relationship.

Acceptance of those resolutions also affirms BIA’s knowledge that the California Valley Miwok Tribe’s Tribal Council has the authority to enter into such contracts in the name of the Tribe, issue resolutions relating to those contracts and serve as the tribal organization pursuant to section 450f(a)(1) the ISDEA.²

The BIA has acknowledged the Tribe’s government in litigation in which the BIA is defending its contract with the Tribe before the Department’s Indian Appeals Board. Chadd Everone appealed the BIA’s distribution of the FY 2006 638 contract funds to the Tribe (See Everone v. Pacific Regional Director, Docket No. IBIA 06-70-A). The BIA responded to Everone’s challenge on January 26, 2007, wherein the BIA states that the Pacific Regional Director properly reversed Superintendent Burdick’s finding that the California Valley Miwok Tribe did not have an “organized government.” (Id. at 1). The BIA seeks to dismiss Everone’s challenge to the 638 contract and in so doing, states that “ISD[E]A contracts are between the United States government and tribal governments. It is a government-to-government relationship. Because the appellants [Chadd Everone and associates] do not constitute the tribal government they do not have a legally protected interest in the ISD[E]A contract.” The Bureau of Indian Affairs acknowledged in its pleadings before the Interior Board of Indian Affairs, that Silvia Burley is a “person of authority” within the Tribe with whom the BIA conducts its government-to government relationship.

The Tribe, under the signature of Silvia Burley, has again submitted its contract to the BIA on October 1, 2007 and has again received its most recent quarterly distribution from the BIA pursuant to the contract. During the entire time in question, Silvia Burley has continued to conduct the business of the Tribe and to receive and act on official correspondence from the federal government (including the BIA), the California state government and other tribal governments.³

The California Valley Miwok Tribe is Formally Organized
And Functions as a Tribal Government

The BIA and other federal agencies have continually corresponded with the Tribe, recognizing Silvia Burley as the leader of the Tribe since 1999. On January 24, 2002, the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of California took judicial notice of the BIA’s recognition of Silvia Burley as the recognized leader of the California Valley Miwok Tribe (Sheep Ranch Miwok, et al. v. Silvia Burley, et al., 01-CV-01389-LKK/DAD)(Eastern District of California 2002). The court then dismissed the case filed by Yakima Dixie relating to his claim that he was the rightful tribal leader. The BIA informed Yakima numerous times that his complaint involved an internal tribal matter that should be handled by the Tribe. As recently as September, 2007, the BIA has parroted this same response in a letter to Congressman McNerney’s office. However, the BIA refuses to recognize the holding of the tribal court convened specifically to hear Yakima’s complaint in 2004.

From July 12, 2000 through November 2, 2004, the BIA’s official correspondence to the Tribe recognized Silvia Burley as Chairperson of the California Valley Miwok Tribe. During that time, on November 24, 2003, the BIA released a recognition letter acknowledging that the BIA maintains a government-to-government relationship with the Tribe through the Tribal Council chaired by Silvia Burley. In February 2004, both the Superintendent of the Central California Agency of the BIA – Dale Risling and Raymond Fry, the Tribal Operations Officer, testified under oath that the BIA recognized Silvia Burley as the Tribe’s Chairperson and that the BIA had recognized her as such since at least 1999 (California Valley Miwok Tribe v. United States of America, et al., 02-CV-00912-FCD/GGH)(Eastern District of California 2004)(depositions of Risling and Fry, on file with the Tribe). Sometime between August 17, 2004 and November 2, 2004, the BIA changed its designation of Silvia Burley from Chairperson to “Spokesperson”, with no explanation as to the authority or legal basis for the change.

BIA Interference with Tribal Sovereignty
On Membership and Leadership Issues

Superintendent Burdick is aggressively trying to enlarge the Tribe’s membership based on the BIA’s own criteria of who should be a member of the Tribe. The Tribe appealed Burdick’s actions, which resulted in an automatic stay of BIA actions under Interior’s appeal regulations. However, BIA has ignored its own regulations and is pursuing this effort. After the Tribe filed its appeal, the BIA invited people to apply to the BIA for membership into the Tribe. The Tribe believes that the BIA received 486 applications to date for membership into this small Tribe. Superintendent Burdick informed the Tribe that the BIA will permit the applicants to “organize” the Tribe.

The Tribe has been fighting a running legal battle with the BIA over these issues of inherent tribal sovereignty. However, without access to the RSTF money, the Tribe will not be able to retain its attorneys and will be forced to give up the battle and possibly close its offices. The Tribe has obtained evidence that the local BIA has encouraged Everone and his associates to submit a 638 contract with the BIA to compete with the Tribe’s own existing contract (See attached email from Everone).

Because the California Valley Miwok Tribe has opposed the local BIA’s efforts to take over the Tribe, the BIA has asserted that the Tribe is not an organized tribe. In Indian country, this simply signifies a tribe that has chosen not to organize under the Indian Reorganization Act. Other “unorganized” tribes include the Navajo Nation, the Oneida Nation of New York, the Mooretown Rancheria, the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and many others. However, Superintendent Burdick and others at the BIA are using this term to confuse the uninformed—including the California Gambling Control Commission.

The Website of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association acknowledges that tribal sovereignty is exercised by Indian nations in efforts to fulfill basic governmental obligations, including providing for the general welfare of its members, developing economies within its jurisdiction and creating the governmental institutions by which local control and input are the foundation for tribal community prosperity.

These inherent sovereign powers of a tribe – determining its own membership and electing its own leaders – are under direct attack by the BIA. The BIA’s efforts to usurp the inherent governmental functions of a sovereign tribe should be alarming to every tribe.

The BIA continues to distribute money to the California Valley Miwok Tribe through its tribal leader, Chairperson Silvia Burley. The most recent payment was made in October, 2007. The contract, signed by Silvia Burley on behalf of the Tribe, is an agreement between the BIA and the Tribe, for the Tribe to provide governmental services to the tribal population, including enrollment and development of governing documents. That contract is currently in effect and will continue to be in effect for the foreseeable future because it is a mature status contract.

1 Further guidance as to the necessity of a tribal resolution is offered under the Department of the Interior’s ISDEA regulations at 25 C.F.R. Section 900.3 (a) (8) which states that: “Congress has declared that all self-determination contract proposals must be supported by the resolution of an Indian tribe(s).”

2 The Supreme Court in Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma v. Leavitt, 543 U.S. 631 (2005) found that ISDEA contracts are no different than regular government procurement contracts and that the Federal government is bound by the terms of those agreements and the ISDEA.

3 Official correspondence to the Tribe, recognizing Silvia Burley as the Chairperson has been received from federal agencies including the Department of Interior’s Associate Deputy Secretary of the Interior, the Office of the Solicitor and the Bureau of Land Management in Washington, D.C., from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, the California Division of the Department of Transportation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Indian Health Service, the Census Bureau in the Department of Commerce, the Greenville Rancheria NAGPRA Cultural Specialist, the California Tribal Business Alliance, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, the National Indian Child Welfare Association, the California Gambling Control Commission, the California Resources Agency and others. Documents available upon request.

California Valley Miwok Tribe Donation Account

CA Miwok Tribe Court Battle

A Mama Bear in the Woods