ALERT: Court Ordered Eviction of California Valley Miwok Tribe
Below, an URGENT request for assistance from Silvia Burley, Chairperson of the California Valley Miwok Tribe (CVMT). The Tribal community has lost their land to foreclosure and an eviction notice was issued for their removal. The eviction was scheduled to take place yesterday, June 17, 2009.
In response to the eviction, Silvia Burley and others from the community have barricaded themselves in the Tribal Office building.
The eviction has not been carried out as yet, however, the community is deeply concerned because they have nowhere else to go.
If you can help, please contact Silvia Burley at 209 931 4567. A Petition has also been set up in support of the CVMT. You can sign it at: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/cvmtUCSD/
UPDATES
June 17, 2009 at 9:00pm - I just got off the phone with Silvia Burley. Everybody’s safe at the moment, but the situation is still very much uncertain. She said they barricaded themselves in the tribal office, placing file cabinets against the doors and anything else they could use to secure the building.
They’re now waiting to hear from lawyers to get a TRO (temporary restraining order), but it's unclear if it's going to happen. They do not have any dedicated legal advice
And the BIA is refusing to speak with her. She said they literally hung up on her after saying "she waited too long" even though she’s been doing everything in her power for the past five years to have this situation addressed. They've consistently brushed her and her people off since day one.
At this point, she said they have nowhere to go if the eviction is carried out - and that they are doing what they can to defend their Sovereignty and their Rights as a Federally Recognized Tribe.
I've asked Silvia to send me updates by email. I will post them as they come in. If you can help, please do not hesitate calling Silvia Burley, Chairperson of the California Valley Miwok Tribal Council, at 209 931 4567.
To: Subject: CRISIS AT CVMT - PLEASE CONTACT US AT 209 931 4567
To All:
We need immediate assistance, this is the outcome from Troy Burdick's (Superintendent at the Central California Agency/BIA, located in Sacramento Calif.) continued efforts to illegally interfere into our Tribal Governmental Affairs (and the effects of our rightful Tribal members pleas for assistance, being ignored by the Bureau). We are a federally recognized Tribe, listed in the Federal Register and in the Dept. of the Interior/Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tribal Leaders Directory, Winter 2009.
Because our pleas for help have been constantly ignored, we now have lost our only piece of tribal property to foreclosure and will be removed by force on June 17th, 2009 (Elders and children included). We are asking for your assistance.... if anyone of you that I am contacting have a way to contact Mr. Salazar or Mr. Echohawk to make them aware of our crisis.... please do so!!!!!
PLEASE HELP!!! PLEASE FORWARD THIS INFORMATION ON TO ALL WHO CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE.
We need to get the attention of Mr. Echohawk or Mr. Salazar, IMMEDIATELY!!!!
The Tribe has no money and nowhere to go.... we will be forced to barricade ourselves at the property for local and international news crews to hear what is happening to our Tribe and how the BIA is allowing this to happen.
Our Tribe will not go willing on the 17th (we have no where to go) and we will not allow our Tribal Governmental "Confidential" documents to be given to INDYMAC BANK. We are asking that someone help us get this important information to the attention of Mr. Salazar and/or Mr. Echohawk. The Tribe has been located at this property for over 7 years. The "TRIBE" and its legitimate members have vowed to not leave this property until we have a place to move to. That means we need Mr. Salazar, Secretary of the Interior and/or Mr. Larry Echohawk to CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY to help resolve this URGENT MATTER/CRISIS.
Again, PLEASE HELP!!!!
/s/
Silvia Burley
Chairperson
California Valley Miwok Tribe
http://www.californiavalleymiwoktribe-nsn.gov
Tribal Office 209.931.4567 or 209.487.9519
Action Alert originally posted by Tamra Brennan, blogs.myspace.com/savethesacredsites.
Background Video, 2008 - California Valley Miwok Tribe - Tribal Extinction Conducted by the BIA/Developers
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Does anuone know what has happened with this tribe? Where does this thing stand? Are they still living in their mansion or were they foreclosed on?
CA tribal member That’s very balanced of you. Thanks for sharing!
Paula – Unfortunately, the ICC isn’t of any real use to Indigenous People, Paula… Because it’s for prosecuting individuals—-only in circumstances where a “recognized” Nation state is unwilling or incapable of doing it themselves (and, only if the crime occurred after July 1, 2002. Plus, even an Indigenous Nation somehow got a case going, and then somehow won, the US government would just claim the court doesn’t have any jurisdiction. But that will never happen. That’s especially true for the International Court of Justice, and also for the IACHR (the only court that I know of, to actually rule in favor of Indigenous people. )
questios – Actually, they just got another eviction notice a few days ago. It’s set for Jan 15. See http://www.argusleader.com/article/20091218/NEWS/912180316/1003/BUSINESS
Thanks for the update.
This eviction has been a long time coming….. Their own family lives in poverty while they are nice and warm in the mansion. She tries to get her pic taken to show she does things for her people. But, if you notice in past pics these are pictures of people in her immediate family… Could there be NEPATISM running amuck?
From what I know of this case the only “tribe” she represents is her own family. The only “tribal lands” she has is a mansion they live in, in a gated community. Her own family members are paid administrators of the “tribe”. How she has gotten away with this scam for so long is beyond me.
I have tried my best to keep my big mouth shut, i can’t do this any longer….This bashing each other on the internet is’nt good. It’s gotta stop! Allowing developers into our areas with promises of building Indian casinos; i don’t think so…..It’s gotta stop! You need too ask yourself “what’s in it for him” We are Miwok; related too each other one way or another. I was born in Calaveras County, same as my grandparents and great-grandparents; so i should have some say….Silvia Burley and I are closely related through our mothers. They were sisters! My mother died in 1990, her sister is a well respected Elder, she’s a traditional dancer, a basket-weaver, and speaks Miwok fluently. We have a few Elders left; our “Old Ones” are all gone. The few that are left are in their 80s now and have health issues that come with old age. Our clinic was closed down last year because of the economy was so bad; so we no longer have a clinic, transporters that drove our people to and from doctor, dental, eye appts. etc….We still manage, just like anyone else would. Right now; the main concern is supposed to be for The People…..Health education and welfare. There is a great need for jobs and or training, and of course making a difference for our future generations. Our tribe voted “No Casino” like i said i was born and raised in Calaveras County so i should have some say….Too bad Chadd.
with this America distroys her fundamental relayance on God. She now relays on money and corruption. Schawnee Truth!