Pit River tribal resolution

JESSICA JIM PIT RIVER TRIBE
TRIBAL CHAIRPERSON 37118 Main Street
Burney, CA 96013
Maria Orozco-cue
VICE-CHAIRPERSON Telephone
(530) 335 5421
JOLEE GEORGE (530) 335 3140 FAX
TRIBAL SECRETARY
______________________________________________________________________
ELEVEN AUTONOMOUS BANDS

Resolution No: 07-06-36

DATE: June 28, 2007

SUBJECT: University of California at Berkeley Decision on Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, (NAGPRA)

WHEREAS: The Pit River Tribe is a Federally recognized Tribe composed of Eleven Autonomous Bands located in northeastern California since time immemorial; and

WHEREAS: The Pit River Tribe is governed by the Pit River Tribal Council, the body duly elected under the Constitution of the Pit River Tribe, adopted August 16, 1987 and approved by the Assistant Secretary of Interior for Indian Affairs on December 3, 1987; and

WHEREAS: The Pit River Tribal Council is empowered by Articles VII of the Constitution to enact all ordinances and resolutions which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into effect the Council’s powers and responsibilities, contract with Federal, state and tribal governments, private enterprises, individuals and organizations; and

WHEREAS: The Pit River Tribe is a Native American tribe with a vested and legal interest in NAGPRA programs and activities within the boundaries of the State of California; and

WHEREAS: The Vice Chancellor of the University of California at Berkeley has, without properly allowing for comment or review in the decision making process by Native Americans, decided to discontinue the NAGPRA unit dedicated to discharging University responsibilities to tribes under federal and state NAGPRA laws, and to blend the NAGPRA program into activities of the Phoebe Hearst Museum which thereby diminishes its stature and program effectiveness; and,

WHEREAS: The decision places Native American remains and artifacts into the hands of employees who are archeologically and culturally untrained in the care and preservation of such items;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That said decision be stayed and implementation reversed until such a time as an appropriate review of the decision, by a committee including substantial representation from California’s Native American Tribes can be conducted and concluded with proper recommendation to the University.

CERTIFICATON

I, the undersigned Tribal Chairperson or other Constitutionally authorized and designated signatory of the Pit River Tribal Council, do hereby certify that the Pit River Tribal Council is composed of eleven (11) autonomous Bands, of which 8 were present, constituting a quorum at an officially called, noticed, convened and held meeting this 28th day of June, 2007, and that this resolution was adopted by a vote of 8 for, 0 against, and 0 abstaining, and that said resolution has not been rescinded in any way.

June Avelar, Recording Secretary

ATTESTED:

Jolee George, Tribal Secretary

Council Member Signatures:

Raymond Alvarez
Lillian Lego
Sheila Montgomery
Patricia Preston
Wesley Rhoades
Vernon Ward
Rose Wilson
Melvin Wolfin