On Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013, representatives from the California Valley Miwok Tribe were in attendance today at the public auction held at 222 E. Weber Avenue, Stockton California, to observe the bidding process and make any potential bidders aware of the various multiple issues that they would inherit if they wished to bid on the Tribal Property.
Even though confident no one would want the tribal property with all of its current issues emotions ran high as the California Valley Miwok Tribe braced itself for whatever the outcome may be from the bidding process at the public auction. It's bad enough that we have no choice but to continue to do our jobs and duties, even though we don't get paid, but each and every day we remind ourselves that being a Tribe is not a job, it's about who we are as Indian People. In order to survive these past years without tribal funds, we've had to look deeper inside to find that little bit of strength that no one knows he or she has until the time comes that one has to hang on no matter what. Again, we know that you don't stop being a tribe just because you don't have any money. Wages or no wages, the jobs must be done and the Tribe has to continue being a Tribe. For the longest time, Tribal members had mixed feeling of anger because we felt alone, abandoned and forgotten. This whole experience has opened our eyes to a more caring world. We have come to realize that we have people who care; even people around the world have expressed concern.
Though there were no bidders today on the Tribal Property, the Tribe is still fearful (and with good reason) that the Bank will now initiate the process that concludes with serving an eviction notice, as they had done previously in 2009. Until the Tribe's revenue sharing trust fund money is released, the Tribe cannot have any sense of security. Every day we have to face the fact that today could be the day we are forced to go into a lockdown mode and secure the property. It is a very miserable existence to have to live each and every day with the threat of being thrown into the streets. We shall remain focused on retaining the Tribal Property and going after the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund money that has been owed to the Tribe yearly since 2005. Until our issue is resolved the tribe shall remain vigilant in trying to reach an amicable resolution of this matter with all parties involved, but will also protect the health, safety and welfare of its tribal members in defense of the only homeland left to it.
At this time the tribe would like to thank investigative reporter Tim Daly of NEWS10 ABC, and its affiliates of the Gannett Company for their tireless dedication in bringing forth to the American public the plight of the California Valley Miwok Tribe.