What can we do for the Nation's First Settlers?

I am very much saddened as I watch a heritage and a culture slip below the waves of greed and corruption, laziness and indifference. When I try to help I get the bum's rush so to speak. Several years ago the Rincon Band of Indians had a water park that was connected to the forestry camp ground and I was asked to put together a computer kiosk system that intergrated the whole park. I worked hard and my fee was small. Then the indian agent, a member of another indian band, wanted all the details and software that I would be using. I was then told if any indigenous native could deliver the product for twice the price, all native contracts had to be awarded thusly. The indian agent tried to set himself up as a dealer for the equipment I represented but I had a teritorial exclusive so in the end the project just fell through. They had told me how much of a help I had been and how they were working on world wide rights to market a water park project and how I was to be included only to have the whole thing fall apart the following week. I am out a lot of time and money but these people cut their own throats.

A few years later I am new to this neighborhood and heard the local peoples plight was a sad one. I went to visit to see if there was anything our local business could do. Well it turns out they really don't like outsiders. They are led by this women but the men are stoned from booze and marijuna. The place was littered with trash and butts. They live in third hand mobiles and cast off trailers and just sit around all day. I was told I was unwelcome and the only outside help they wanted was to get permission and money to open a casino.

I am so saddened by this. Money that could help instead is the crux for wallowing in self pity.

Another local band of Indians received a cultural center donated by the forestry department. They wanted $10,000 for bars over the doors and windows. I told them if they could come up with $500 for the materials and a youngster or two to help, I would weld them first class arrowhead and feather tailed bars. They also wanted $20,000 for landscaping with imported ornamentals and I said they should be gathering native plants and herbs to label and have a native pharmacopia exhibit. THEY wanted ME to mind my own business.

I am not going to throw money at these people to watch them sell their /my birthright. Night used to be a holy time as the stars came out to do their dance but now in the mountains of Southern California the stars are veiled by casinos lights in the middle of nowhere. You walk in to these casinos fronted by Vegas and the workers are of every race and nationality except our indigenous peoples. This is a tragedy far worse than selling long island for a handful ouf baubles, it is the selling of our souls....

Can we do something to help our peoples and our heritage?

Rick Crockett GGGGrandson of Kassandra Pickett Durham