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DISENROLLING FOR DOLLARS September 21, 2007 Susan Bates

A new phenomena is happening in Indian Country today. Tribal members are being kicked out of their BIA recognized tribes without warning by entrenched tribal councils. The reason? The white man's sickness - Greed. The cause? Gambling. Huge casino profits are seducing more and more Indian People to turn on their own relatives to reduce the number of tribal members who get a share of the American Pie. I'm not talking about tribal members who've only been enrolled the past 20 years or so. I'm talking about people whose full - blooded ancestors have been a part of their Nation for many generations. Among the disenrolled Oneida is Danielle Schenandoah Patterson, sister of singer Joanne Schenandoah, who had her trailer home bulldozed while she was forcibly restrained and threatened with being sent to prison. Their sister Vickie's Uncle's home was also demolished while he lay in a hospital bed suffering from a stroke. Many other Nations, tribes and bands have also been ethnically cleansed including the Western Shoshone, Pechanga, Sauk Suittle, Las Vegas Paiutes, Redding Rancheria, Isletta Pueblo, Narragansett, Coushatta and Cherokee. Hiding under the "cloak of sovereignty" tribal councils ignore their People's cry for justice and do what they must to rid themselves of unwanted members, thus upping the per capita payments to remaining members. Many times these unwanted families are traditionals who have retained the values of the old ones. Disenrollment means an end to tribal checks and medical benefits. People who have always lived on a piece of land find themselves homeless and jobless. Where do they go? What do they do? Sadly, traitors are nothing new to Indians. They have always been around, waiting in the shadows to do their cowardly deeds. White People didn't know or care who was in charge of tribal land or decision making. Many of our own People have sold out their families by signing away lands without authority. When Chief Attakullakulla traded Cherokee lands for a cabin filled with trinkets and beads, his son, Dragging Canoe, took his warriors and vowed to hold his land. And hold it he did for another 20 years. Later, when Major Ridge, John Ridge, Elias Boudinot and Stand Watie signed the Treaty of New Echota which sealed the death march of the Cherokees, the angry Cherokee People invoked the "Blood Law" and murdered Major Ridge who was the author of the law, along with John Ridge and Elias Boudinot. Stand Watie alone escaped. And lest you think the Cherokees were the only People to have traitors, think again. They are found in every tribe. Sitting Bull, the revered leader and Holy Man of the Dakota Sioux, was murdered by his own People. He could not understand the white man's greed and was saddened by all the homeless hungry people he saw in the cities often giving away his money to those in need. Personal wealth was not an Indian concept. If fact, People who desired more than his brothers and sisters had were looked down upon. Goods and services were shared freely with all. But now the flesh of the Apple is bruised and the core is beginning to rot. No matter how much Native Blood a person carries in his veins, if he doesn't remember the Sacred Principles that Creator gave his People, then he is no longer Indian, only one who used to be. There is a Judgment Day coming. Soon each of us will get an opportunity to stand before the Great Warriors who have gone before. What will they have to say to you? What will you have to say to them? There isn't much time left. Pray for the People. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> For more information about tribal cleansing go to http://TribalCorruption.com

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