And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 00:02:22 EST
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Attorney General Will Form ' Indian Desk' For Tribal Business
Mark Henry of The Press-Enterprise
State Attorney General Bill Lockyer wants to change the way the state
does business with Indians.
Instead of scattering tribal issues throughout his department, Lockyer
plans to funnel them through one person - ideally an American Indian.
Creation of an "Indian desk" is part of Lockyer's plan to change the
legal division over the next couple of months, said his spokesman,
Nathan Barankin.
Historically, tribes and the state have had an adversarial
relationship. Tribes are independent governments that deal with the
federal government on most issues and oppose efforts for increased state
control. And states cannot impose their laws on tribes without
congressional permission.
"We don't expect to agree on every single policy issue with every
tribe," Barankin said. "But we do expect to have a respectful and
honorable relationship with the sovereigns."
Issues facing the person in charge of the planned desk include water
rights, gambling, law enforcement, environmental protection,
transportation, child welfare, land use and tribal sovereignty.
Tribes clashed with former Attorney General Dan Lungren and former Gov.
Pete Wilson, who considered the popular video slot machines operated by
gaming tribes illegal.
Lockyer and Gov. Davis, who received substantial contributions from
Indian gaming, have promised more open, nation-to-nation dealings with
tribes.
"There are a number of areas that would benefit by developing
relationships based on trust, not mistrust," Lockyer said Friday.
That's the purpose."
All Californians will benefit from the Indian desk in the long run, said
Mark Nichols, chief executive officer of the Cabazon Indians in Indio.
It will mean fewer costly lawsuits and save taxpayers millions of
dollars, he said.
"For Lockyer to actually create a desk is something that we regard as
special and important," said Mark Macarro, chairman of the Pechanga
Indians near Temecula.
But Macarro and other tribal leaders said the Indian desk must be more
than window dressing. It will fail if Lockyer uses the desk to placate
the Indians without any real change, Macarro said.
Richard Milanovich, chairman of the Agua Caliente Indians in Palm
Springs, said the Indian desk is evidence that Lockyer is following
through on promises to improve relations with tribes. He said he hopes
tribes will have a say in the appointment.
Lockyer said he is waiting to see if American Indians in his department
are interested and can qualify before he looks outside.
His goal is to find someone with legal experience, not necessarily a
lawyer, who is familiar with tribal issues.
Ken Ramirez, vice chairman of the San Manuel Indians near San
Bernardino, praised the idea of an Indian desk.
The San Manuels may ask the state to help them deal with a threat to
their groundwater supply posed by Metropolitan Water District's tunnel
to its new reservoir near Hemet, Ramirez said.
Staff writer Sam Delson contributed to this report.
Published: Saturday, February 6, 1999
Section: A SECTION
Page#: AO3
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Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
Unenh onhwa' Awayaton
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