Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

January 8, 2009

Protest: Non-Indian holds Pyramid Lake Paiute cultural items hostage

Good afternoon,

My name is Wayne Burke, member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.

Attention Holymen, Warriors, Dancers and all our neighbors from all cultures, races, and religious backgrounds who support Indigenous Rights and Native Resistance.

The Pyramid Lake Tribal Governing Body entered into a 10 year lease agreement (during a previous tribal administration) with Thomas Bobella, owner of High Desert Recreation. The lease pertains to the Sutcliffe Marina and surrounding property.

However, the lease does not give Thomas Bobella the right to have in his possession Tribal artifacts, and sacred cultural items that belong to the Paiute Tribe. He is using Our Tribal artifacts and sacred items as "bargaining chips." He and his staff have no right to handle, or have in their possession sacred cultural items. It is my concern these items are being mishandled, sold, and or given away by "outsiders."

Mr. Bobella's disrespect and discrimination of Tribal Members is unacceptable. Mr. Bobella has refused services to some Indians, and has directed Tribal Elders and Tribal Leaders to vacate "leased property."

The Paiute Tribe has the rights and freedoms to peaceably assemble, the freedom to roam, pray and worship on OUR HOMELANDS. These rights and freedoms did not come for free, Our Ancestors and Elders fought hard to secure Our Nation.

The lease agreement was a poor decision, however both parties should honor the agreement and terms and conditions of the lease.

WE STAND IN PROTEST OF THE DISCRIMINATION AND DISRESPECT THOMAS BOBELLA HAS SHOWN THE PAIUTE PEOPLE.

WE STAND IN PROTEST OF THOMAS BOBELLA HOLDING "HOSTAGE" OUR TRIBAL ARTIFACTS AND SACRED ITEMS. THOMAS, OUR CULTURE IS NOT HERE FOR YOU TO EXPLOIT AND USE AS A "BARGAINING CHIP." SURRENDER WHAT DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU!
WE ARE SHOWING A PRESENCE AND STANDING FOR OUR RIGHTS TO PEACEABLY ASSEMBLE, THE FREEDOM TO ROAM, PRAY AND WORSHIP ON OUR HOMELANDS.

Protest Rally: Sat., January 17, 2009 from 11:00am to 12:00pm, at the Sutcliffe Marina. Protestors and Supporters will meet above the Marina Parking lot and march to the protest site. Any questions, call Wayne Burke @(775) 232-1764
email: onetomtomtwo@hotmail.com
website: http://www.holymenwarriorsdancers.com/
Photo: Pyramind Lake Tribe website

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Interesting comments and perspective by Wayne Burke, who shortly thereafter became as fact, a short term very contested Tribal Chairman who elected to put a real gun to his head and pull the trigger, leaving the real world rather than deal with it.