|
2001 CDP 2003 CDP 2003
Executive Board CDP
2004
CDP 2005
Executive Board CDP 2005
CDP
Oct.
2005 CDP Oct.
2005
Executive Board CDP
Jan. 2006 CDP Aug.
2006 Executive Board CDP
NATIVE
AMERICAN CAUCUS
CALIFORNIA
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Native American Caucus
Minutes July 14th,
2007
Sacramento, CA Democratic
Party E-Board Meeting
The meeting was called to
order by Helen Doherty at 5:00PM
The minutes from the April 28,
2007 Caucus meeting at the California Democratic Party
Convention in San Diego were passed out to the
attending members for review. Chair Helen Doherty
called for corrections or additions to the minutes.
None were forthcoming and the Chair requested a motion
to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was
passed and passed by a unanimous vote of the
membership.
In the absence of Kyle Crandell,
Treasurer, the Chair submitted the Treasurer’s report
and reported a total of $8,163.71 in the Treasury.
Motion was made and seconded to approve the Treasure’s
report as submitted and was passed unanimously by the
membership.
Old Business:
“California Native Justice and
Equal Opportunity Legislative Initiative”
Chair Helen Doherty called upon
Steve Haze, Vice Chair Fresno County Democratic Party
to present his resolution involving Sovereignty noted
under Old Business above.
Mr. Haze thanked the Chair for
her interest and civility regarding their many
discussions and phone conversations since the
California Democratic Party Convention on April 28,
2007 when the resolution was first submitted and
tabled. Mr. Haze also introduced the co-author of the
resolution L. Wass, Representative of the American
Indian Movement of Central California. His appeal for
adoption of the resolution by the Native American
Caucus was heard.
A general discussion broke out at
that point and Carol Robb called for a point of order
and requested the status of the resolution with the
party be made clear to the membership present. Chair
Helen Doherty advised that the resolution had been
tabled.
Lara Larramendi, Parliamentarian,
called for order and explained that Robert’s Rules of
Order must be maintained during the Caucus meeting.
Zephyr Tate-Mann then made a
motion to remove, table, and vote on the adoption of
the resolution. Robert Edwards seconded the motion
and discussion and debate ensued. Carol Robb called
for the question and then moved to terminate the
debate. The motion was seconded by Judy Jacobs. The
debate was then terminated by a majority vote of 25
yes to 7 nays.
The vote was then taken to remove
the resolution from the table and passed.
Zephyr Tate-Mann then made a
motion to adopt the resolution as submitted. The
motion was seconded by John Gomez. Discussion ensued
pro and con.
Concern was expressed by Chair
Helen Doherty that there were not enough copies of the
resolution to pass out to the Executive Board and the
Membership. Her concern was that there was not a
clear understanding of the resolution. Steve Haze
then provided copies of the resolution to the
Executive Board, however, there were a limited number
of copies and none were given to the membership. John
Senior then stated that a letter with the resolution
had been sent out by the Caucus to all members.
Chairman Dustin Graham of the
Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians then made a
statement to the membership regarding sovereignty and
the danger this resolution would create. His
statement is attached to these minutes as a record of
the objections to the resolution. He asked that all
tribal members remember so difficult the battle has
been to maintain tribal sovereignty and the court
cases still ongoing.
Ken LaBright spoke in favor of
the resolution and felt that adequate representation
had not been given to disenfranchised members.
Morris Reed spoke against the
resolution and pointed out to the membership that the
NAC and the California Democratic Party were not the
appropriate body to submit this resolution to, as they
are powerless to change the situation. He recommended
that all disenfranchised tribal members seek legal
council immediately prior to the time sensitive nature
of the statute of limitations.
Further discussion ensued and
Carol Robb then called for the question and made a
motion that we close the debate. Motion was seconded
by Judy Jacobs and the motion was passed by the
membership.
The vote was then called for and
a request for the motion to be read prior to the vote
was made. The motion was read by Betty McMillion,
Secretary for the Native American Caucus, as follows:
“The NAC to adopt the resolution.” The vote was taken
in a majority of 24 yes and 13 nays. The motion was
passed and the resolution adopted by the membership.
Committee Reports:
Betty McMillion reported on the
Women’s Issues Forum for 2008. The Forum will be held
March of 2008 and is tentatively to be held at the
Morongo Casino Resort and Spa. The Key Note speaker
invited will be Governor Bill Richardson. Workshops
will again be held with experts in specific fields
setting on each panel. California State Office
Holders, State Senators, Assembly Members, and
Congresswomen are expected to attend.
Judy Jacobs then reported on the
Scholarship Committee activity. The applications will
be distributed in November 2007 and selections to be
made March 2008.
Chair Helen Doherty reported on
legislation in the absence of Ron Andrade.
HR Bill 359, which is for a Park named after Caesar Chavez, is currently going
through the legislature. The legislation reported was reported on at the April
California Democratic Party Convention has passed and is now law. They are
HR1328, HR1276, HR 1103, HR 1427, and HR 2010.
Of concern is the 2010 Census.
The current form needs to be simplified for easier
use, that concern will be addressed by the NAC.
Meeting time was being expended
and given that there was no new business brought
forth, a motion was called to adjourn. The motion was
seconded and the meeting was adjourned following a
unanimous vote by the body.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty McMillion
Secretary, Native American Caucus
|
