Abstract for the

2007 California Indian Conference & Gathering

October 27th, UC Davis

The Struggle to Maintain Identity in an Era of Dishonor

Carla Foreman-Maslin

(Achumawi Band of Pit River Indians)

John A. Gomez, Sr.

(Temecula Band of Luiseno Indians)

For the American Indian Rights and Resources Organization

Over the course of the last 7 years, a growing number of California Indians have had their identity scrutinized and questioned as tribes reap the financial benefits from Indian gaming. As a result, nearly 3000 California Indians have been stripped of their tribal citizenship, and many more have been denied their right to identify themselves as “Indian”.  This discussion will focus on why this is happening, how it is affecting Indian Country, and why everyone should be concerned.

              Those who find themselves without a tribe now face a battle to re-claim their Indian identity in an arena where the rights of the individual Indian are often trumped by the sovereign rights of the Tribe.  The individuals are put in a position where their oppressors have the ability to spend millions of dollars to hire lawyers and lobbyists to ensure that sovereignty reigns.   

However, efforts on the State and Federal level are gaining momentum in the battle to ensure that the individual Indian is afforded the same basic human and civil rights other United States citizens are guaranteed. 

              In addition, the media is beginning to take a harder look at the issue and publish stories, both on the local and national levels, which tell the tales of those who were once considered Indian or tribal but who now find themselves disenfranchised. 

              In the end, Congress and the Courts may play roles in further defining Indian identity and tribal sovereignty.   How far they go will depend on the actions of the Tribes and individuals to address the issue.

PRESENTERS

Carla Foreman-Maslin, Chair

American Indian Rights and Resources Organization

Carla Foreman-Maslin is of the Achumawi band of Pit River Indians through her Great Grandmother, Virginia Timmons, who was one of the 17 original Indian distributees of the Redding Rancheria Tribe. 

Mrs. Foreman-Maslin served on the Redding Rancheria Tribal Council for a number of years and was employed as the Tribe's Health Clinic Director.  She also served as the Redding Rancheria’s Tribal Representative to the California Rural Indian Health Board and served on various tribal committees. 

Carla Foreman-Maslin has been married 30 years to husband, Mark, and they have two grown children and 3 granddaughters.  Mrs. Foreman-Maslin and her family were unjustly disenrolled from the Redding Rancheria Tribe in January 2004, and they have fought for basic rights for Indian individuals ever since.

John A. Gomez, Sr., Vice-Chair

American Indian Rights and Resources Organization

              John A. Gomez, Sr. is a direct descendant of Chief Pablo Apish, headman of the Pechanga/Temecula Indians during the 1800’s.  Mr. Gomez retired in 2002 as a Facility Captain from the California Department of Corrections after nearly 25 years of service.

              Mr. Gomez has spent many years participating in Tribal activities and programs as a member of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians in Temecula, California.  Mr. Gomez currently works on Indian rights issues and has presented to local and national organizations regarding human and civil rights.

              Along with Mrs. Foreman-Maslin, Mr. Gomez was elected to the inaugural Board of Directors for the American Indian Rights and Resources Organization and is serving his second term as Vice-Chair.