Tribal Resolution from the Stewart Point Rancheria, Kashia Band of Pomo Indians

Resolution in Opposition to the University of california at Berkeley
Decision on the Native American graves Protection and Repatriation Act
(NAGPRA) Program at the University

WHEREAS The Stewart Point Rancheria, Kashia Band of Pomo Indians is reconized
as a sovereign government by the United States of America, and

WHEREAS The tribal Business Committee of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians is duly
authorized body, empowered to conduct government affairs on behalf of the people and
to promote and foster the economic development and the well being of the general
membership, and

WHEREAS The Tribal Business Committee as the representative governing body of the tribe,
is responsible for the health and well being of the tribal membership, and

WHEREAS: The Kashia Band of Pomo Indians is a Native American tribe with a vested and legal
interest in NAGPRA programs and activites 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
activites 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 archaeologically and culturally untrained in the care and preservation of
such items;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point
Rancheria through its Tribal Business Committee does resolve that it opposes said decision
and formally submits that said decision be stayed and implementation reversed until such
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.

Certification

This is to certify that the foregoing Resolution was adopted at a duly called meeting
of the Stewarts Point Rancheria Business Committee at which a quorum was present
on this 3rd day of August, 2007 by a vote of 7 for, 0 against, and 0 abstaining.

Ralph Sepulveda, Tribal Chairman
Dino Franklin, Secretary