Pit River People

An Organization of Madesi Band Pit River Indian Descendants

Fighting for Traditional and Civil Rights

Documents

Letter to Tribal Council 7/29/06

Chairperson Jessica Jim and

Honorable Council Members

Pit River Tribe

37118 Main Street

Burney, CA 96013

Dear Council:

I am honored to come before you today and I pray that together we can resolve the enrollment dispute.  I know that a small group within the Madesi Band has diverted your attention and energy.  I know that in some ways, our family is being used as a pawn in a larger threat to Tribal leadership and stability.  I trust your wisdom and leadership to counter this threat, follow the Constitution and Ordinances of the Pit River Tribe, declare that I am indeed a full member of the Pit River Tribe and Madesi Band, and then move on to work for the good of all the Tribe.

Fact:  I am 1/16 Madesi Band, Pit River Indian and my Great-Great-Grandmother is Ya-Choo-Tit-Wih (Susan Suthermire) who was full blood Madesi Band, Pit River Indian.  She was born, lived, died and is buried in Big Bend.  My Great-Great-Great-Grandmother was I-choo-tit-wih, full blood Madesi Band, Pit River Indian.  My Great-Great-Great-Grandfather was Chee-mai-chee-wih, also full blood Madesi Band, Pit River Indian.

Fact:  Susan Orr , my Great-Grandmother, was born in Big Bend on November 17, 1856 is listed on the 1928 Roll as CRN 9978.  (First marriage to Thomas Arthur, second marriage to David Waters.)

Fact:  I have been enrolled in the Madesi Band, Pit River Tribe for many years.

Fact:  I meet the criteria in the Constitution for Base Membership Roll (Article III, Section 2 (c) “He/She is listed as a Pit River Indian on the 1928 Census roll and is at least ¼ Indian blood or descendant thereof.”)  Underline added for emphasis

Fact:  I meet the criteria in the Enrollment Ordinance for both Base Roll Member and Enrolled Member (Article I, Section 101 (g) “Enrolled Member means a person who meets the membership criteria of Article III, Section 1 or 2, of the Constitution…”) Underline added for emphasis

This book contains the documents and evidence tracing my direct lineage to Ya-Chu-Tit-We (Susan Suthermire) who married William Hugh Orr.  It is indexed by generation with highlighted for quick review.

I respectfully request that you accept this as evidence that I am indeed Madesi Band, Pit River Indian, declare the ‘challenge’ invalid, affirm my membership in the Tribe and restore my voting rights.

In balance,