Quechans push back casino plan vote

The Quechan Tribal Council has pushed back a public vote about controversial plans to build a casino on land considered sacred by a group of elders who are planning a weekend protest calling for a boycott of the vote.

The council had originally planned an Oct. 8 vote to decide the future of the Quechan Indian Tribe's plans to build a casino west of Yuma near Pilot Knob. That vote has now been moved to Oct. 17, according to Councilman Emilio Escalanti, who said he could not confirm the reason for the delay.

Calls by The Sun to Tribal President Mike Jackson were not returned.

A group of tribal elders has actively and loudly opposed the construction project throughout the summer, alleging that the mountain site is a culturally precious and sacred site. They have warned that any physical damage to the mountain or major religious offense could mean dire spiritual consequences for the Quechan Tribe.

Those elders, who have organized under the name Pipa A'Koots, plan to host yet another public protest at the proposed building site at noon Saturday. Elder Vernon Smith told The Sun that they feel the vote is an insincere gesture from a council that they allege will go ahead with building plans regardless of how the people vote.

"They are just going through this formality to make it seem like they are listening to the people." Smith said. "The council isn't going to stop. This vote doesn't mean anything. So why participate?"

Elder Priscilla Prettybird said the vote will simply be "another botched election."

"They control the process," Prettybird said. "They'll make sure they win."

Smith said Saturday's event will give Pipa A'Koots' elder activists the chance to educate people about the site, spread the word about their boycott and distribute newsletters they are now publishing. A potluck is also planned, along with traditional singing and dancing.

The proposed building site, which is on Quechan land, is southwest of the Interstate 8 turnoff for Algodones. Smith said people wanting to attend the event should simply turn south and watch for printed signs.

He added that elders have notified the tribal council that a protest is planned at the site, where protesters were arrested and their ceremonial was sweatlodge dismantled in June when organized opposition to the project began.

The elders have repeatedly said they are not against the idea of another casino and would support one being built at the right location.

The tribal council has acknowledged that cultural artifacts have been found at the building site, but details on archaeological findings have been limited. Members of Pipa A'Koots say rock paintings have been found, in addition to tool-making sites and possible ceremonial circles.

Smith stressed that strong evidence exists that the area may also contain burial sites, which he said are considered sacred and strongly protected by Quechan beliefs.

"They keep finding more things out there," Smith said. "But they have just barely begun work. What else are they going to find?"

He added that the elders also fear that the tribe not protecting its own sacred land will hurt the tribe's credibility in its fight to protect land from external threats.

Members of Pipa A'Koots have alleged that the tribal council has delayed the vote so that more progress can be made at the site, thus furthering the argument for going ahead with plans since an alternative site has not even been identified.

"They (council members) have said themselves that they have contracts with vendors and construction companies to do all this work," Smith said, "and there are deadlines for them to continue.

"Otherwise they will be fined by breach of contract. That is what they fear. They aren't going to stop just because of a vote."

The Pipa A'Koots elders have also alleged that the council may want to wait until after two events that may generate pro-council support with voters. One is a tribe-funded trip for all senior citizens of a certain age to visit the Elvis Presley estate, Graceland.

Smith said elders are also upset by the fact that the council allegedly is requiring that 1,000 people vote against the building site for plans to change.

Smith insisted that a majority vote should suffice. According to Prettybird, the average turnout for a Quechan vote is about 300 people.

The Pipa A'Koots elders warn that choosing commercial gain over ancient tradition could "spell the end of the Quechan people," said Smith. Several of the elders held a healing ceremony at the mountain this summer in response to sicknesses and deaths on the reservation that they blame on offending the land.

"The impact is already very evident today," Smith said. "Things are not working as they should.

"People are asking why so many people are getting sick. We tell them 'Don't you understand what we've been saying?' Wake up, people."

Smith and elders Preston Arrow-Weed and Milton Jefferson Sr. said they have never seen so many deaths on the reservation than have occurred over the summer. They also stressed that they have never seen their people so divided.

"People who are closely related are being split apart," Jefferson said, to which Arrow-Weed replied: "Our own people are the enemy. That's never happened before."