F.A.Q

The answer is short: "We have too many people that oppose our petition that would use our own information against us to kill our petition." Anyone that tells you, let's broadcast our meetings, let's use modern technology to inform our people about the recognition process, is doing nothing short of taking a lit match to our petition and watching our dreams go up in smoke! In 2011, we received a negative determination for Federal Recognition. WE WERE DENIED! What did we learn from that? We learned who our enemies were, from JPA's to other Native Tribes, to local and state legislatures. We learned who they were specifically and what they did to help the BIA issue the denial. We will not make that mistake again. Likewise, we won't make other obviouse mistakes again either. If you hear about opportunities to let everyone help with the recognition process, beware. Our original petition was put together with a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. At times we had a lot of help, at other times we were told only our Tribal Council could work on the petition. And in the end what did we get...denied! If re-elected, we won't make the same mistakes expecting a different outcome. We will continue on the path that has proven successful. Want more details, call Tribal Hall or reach out to any member of Tribal Council.

WE DID NOT CUT THE ROLLS or kick out hundreds of members. The last time the rolls were cut was in 2009. Rightfully so, the previous Tribal Council was trying to meet the criteria for Federal Recognition, which resulted in 1) removing members who lacked documentation and 2) a closing of the rolls. Since taking office, this Tribal Council has not cut the rolls or kicked out members. One member was removed after due process according to our Constitution. Anyone else that claimes they were kicked out, are misinformed or confused. We've even heard one member say they received a letter saying they were kicked out. However, when asked to produce the letter, the member fell silent.

This has happened far too often and there is no good answer as to why your family members, who submitted their paperwork before the deadline back in 2009, weren't included on the rolls submitted to Washington. When we took office in 2013, we found hundreds of documents that were never processed, filed, or maintained. It is painfully unfortunate, but we can't answer for what went on before we took office. So why can't we open the rolls now and right the wrong your sibling suffered? Our rolls were closed in 2009 in order to submit our petition for Federal Recognition and until that process is finished, we can not open the rolls and risk jeopardizing our petition. Myself, along with current Tribal Council understands the injustice, we feel your pain when we see that lack of respect that was afforded to families and individuals that were told they were included and they were not. Our constitutional obligation is to our enrolled members and our petition for Federal Recognition must take priority. We will not jeopardize the entire Nation to satisfy a few families or individuals. Once the Federal Recognition is finalized, I believe the rolls should be opened immediately.

A full Tribal Council consists of 6 positions: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and 2 Members at Large. In this election, the positions of Secretary and Treasurer are both running unopposed and therefore will win their positions automatically with the casting of a single vote.

Kim Olivares Leone has done a phenominal job over the last 4 years. She has honored her Ancestors by not only serving in one roll, but in two as Secretary and Treasurer. Kim chose not to run again because she is moving over 40 minutes away from Tribal Hall. While 40 minutes doesn't seem far, Kim knows all too well how often she had to be at Tribal Hall to not only meet the needs of the General Council, but the Tribal Council and all of the related contacts as well, like City staff, carriers, etc. With her children and grandchildren living so far away, it was time for her to be closer to them...we will miss her terribly but wish her happiness and good health.

Before taking office, our meetings were less than acceptable. Meetings were a free-for-all for anyone that wanted to speak up, lash out, or rant on...ultimately accomplishing nothing. We instituted Robert's Rules of Order to conduct orderly and respectful meeting and ultimately accomplishing far more in 4 years, than the last 20 years.

Click the contact page and ask me directly. Be sure to leave your phone number is what you want to speak about is confidential or sensitive to the Tribe.