Acr 32 Miller Nac Enterprise

INDIANS OF ENTERPRISE NO.1 5835 Golden Oaks Road Paradise, CA 95969

Phone (530) 228-4910

Fax (530) 877-9228

August 26, 2009 Assembly Member, Jeff Miller Rm. 3147, State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: ACR 32 requires reference to the Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA) Dear Assembly Member Miller: Our tribe feels compelled to bring your attention to a disturbing development related to your legislation ACR 32. As recorded in the minutes of their July 18, 2009 meeting, the California Democratic Party’s Native American Caucus made the decision to withhold support for your legislation ACR 32 until such a time as the reference to the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 has been removed from ACR 32 as currently drafted. No explanation was provided by the Native American Caucus for their position, but as California Indians who have been so thoroughly exposed to the undercurrent of injustices related to the increasing civil rights violations at the hands of numerous tribal leaders within our state, no explanation was needed. We get it. The Native American Caucus Board and many of their membership have been and continue to be comprised of some of the very tribal leadership guilty of denying basic civil rights to their tribal members. In order to continue with business as usual they feel it is best not to provide the individual California Indian with any assurances such as the protections Congress intended with the Indian Civil Rights Act. If you don’t mention the ICRA then tribal leaders within our state need not be constrained by consideration for any civil rights for the individual California Indian. This is a totally unacceptable attitude.

1

ACR 32 by resolution would reaffirm the state’s recognition of the sovereign status of federally recognized Indian tribes as separate and independent governmental communities. In addition, it would call upon state agencies engaging in activities or developing policies that affect Native Americans to do so in a knowledgeable, sensitive manner that is respectful of tribal sovereignty. Very importantly, ACR 32 encourages state agencies to reevaluate and improve the implementation of laws affecting Native American tribal rights. We are asking you not to buckle to the pressure imposed by the Native American Caucus to remove reference to the Indian Civil Rights from ACR 32. Your legislation is providing California tribes with a reaffirmation of their sovereignty and future considerations involving dealings with the state that will assuredly be handled in a thoughtful, sensitive manner. The inclusion of the ICRA in ACR 32 provides some of that consideration and respect for the individual California Indian and the civil rights they have previously been denied. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Robert Edwards, Chairman Indians of Enterprise No.1 Phone (530) 228-4910

2