Fraud in New Mexico - Bush Administration Cheating Native American Indians

[Jon8503]

By Scott Patterson Published: December 3, 2004

An investigation by SmartMoney.com has found that officials in the Bush administration had detailed knowledge of fraudulent practices that allowed energy companies to cheat impoverished Native American Indians out of vast sums over dozens of years. These officials were aware that employees of the federal government were helping oil and gas companies underpay to operate on Indian lands in the state of New Mexico — and did nothing to stop it. This is the first in a two-part series.

ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN August, Air Force One ascended above the town of Farmington, N.M. Enthusiastic supporters of the president fanned out of Rickets Park in the center of town waving Bush-Cheney placards. The police cars and motorcycles blocking the streets from traffic during George W. Bush's brief visit switched off their lights and drove away. Normalcy returned to Farmington.

For Ervin Chavez, president of the Shii Shi Keyah Allottee Association (shii shi keyah is Navajo for "this is my land"), normalcy means another day fighting against the federal government and big industry for Native American rights. In his darker moods, he despairs that it's a fight he'll never win.

"You think it would get better someday, and it only gets worse," Chavez says from behind his gold square-framed glasses in a near-empty Farmington restaurant a few hours after the president's plane had taken off.

http://www.smartmoney.com/onthestreet/index.cfm?story=20041203&nav=RSS20

[glitch]

1. Typical. Thanks for posting. Outrage overload. nt

[Jon8503]

2. Thanks, I appreciate it. You know I get so pissed when this kind of stuff

happens and I find myself again trying to understand how this administration got itself back in office a second time. There has not been anything good out of this administration. Just don't understand it.

[Sara Beverley]

3. Well what's new? Haven't we always dealt with Native Americans this way?

We still occupy their land.

[devilgrrl]

4. And Native Americans voted for him anyway....

Sorry, people like Ben Nighthorse Campbell pretty much blew any credibility Native Americans had I my eyes. What can you say about someone who joins the party of ultimate "Indian Givers"?

[glitch]

5. ONE GUY blows an entire groups credibility? Are you kidding? nt

[Astarho]

6. First of all, Nightmare

Is not well liked by some in the Native American community. I believe he's only something like 1/64th Indian anyway.