The Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights has agreed to investigate claims of racism against Indians but some members have already concluded complaints of hate speech are unwarranted.

The Coast Miwok Tribe, also known as the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, submitted a report to the panel last year detailing its allegations. Examples included comments that residents wrote in response to a tribal mailing -- "Indian speak with forked tongue," "Go back to your Indian land," "The only good Indian is a dead Indian," and "Dead Indians upcoming."

Some panel members said the examples didn't qualify as racist or hate speech. But others felt they were problematic.

Get the Story:
Commission: Little racism in RP casino opposition (The Santa Rosa Press Democrat 2/23)

Relevant Links:
Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria - http://www.coastmiwok.com

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Panel to investigate tribe's hate crimes complaints (2/19)
Calif. county to consider anti-Indian sentiments (01/27)
Calif. tribe accuses county of ignoring racism (1/26)