Tribal leaders explain trust application
March 10, 2003
By Shayla Ashmore 
News Editor 

Tribal leaders demanded an explanation of the dramatic shift in the Susanville Indian Rancheria's relationship with the City Council last week.

At the Wednesday, March 5 city council meeting, Alan Lowry said the Tribal Business Council was disappointed in the Feb. 19 letter outlining areas of council concern with the Rancheria's application to put into trust almost 900 acres just north of the city limits. 

Lowry read an eight-page letter from Tribal Chairperson Valerie Edwards urging the council, and Mayor Lino Callegari, to reconsider the letter to the Bureau of Indian Affairs concerning the 875 acres north of Spring Ridge Road between Paiute Lane and Hwy. 139. 

The letter to the BIA expressed concern that once the land goes into trust, the tribe as a sovereign nation can do whatever it wants and local governments would lose control over housing, water, transportation, sewer and property taxes. 

"We are disappointed that the city council would take action on an item that we believed would only be 'considered' at this meeting," he said. "Because of the importance and long-term impact such decision making may have on this tribe's future, the tribal council urges you to reconsider your action. On Feb. 19, 2003 the entire tribal council was out of town attending a strategic planning session and could not attend your meeting." 

When the tribal council learned of the letter, it immediately requested it be placed on the March 5 agenda, Lowry said. It also requested a public hearing. 

"We have not received a reply from the city council," the letter said. "Unfortunately, your city administrator, Mr. (Newell) Sorensen, has informed our tribal office that the city of Susanville does not recognize our tribal government and further will not allow our officials to address your council." 

Sorensen, who did not attend the March 5 meeting, said that rendition of events was not even close to accurate. 

"Obviously we recognize the sovereignty of the Rancheria," Sorensen said on Friday. 

The letter said the tribal council believes that if the city council would at least discuss the tribe's application, it would find its fears are more perceived than real. It said the letter to the BIA was not based on fact, but on fear and ignorance.