Vincent Armenta: Chumash Tribe battles opponents at every turn

Thursday, February 11, 2016  

Chairman Vincent Armenta. Photo from Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

Vincent Armenta, the chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians in California, responds to misinformation about the tribe's land-into-trust efforts:

Whenever an ad hoc meeting takes place between Santa Barbara County and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, it unfortunately brings out a lot of misinformation from local tribal opponents.

During the public comment period of those meetings and through letters written to local newspapers, these individuals create more confusion by spreading misinformation.

For example, take a recent letter to a local newspaper titled, “Chumash aren’t seeking equality.”

The headline of this letter sets the tone with a false statement. We are, in fact, seeking equality. When it comes to annexation, we would like to be treated like other entities. We know the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors doesn’t require ad hoc meetings of Vandenberg or UCSB when those entities annex their land.

In contrast to the support of the county for the new UCSB Long Range Development Plan, including towers of over 70 feet high, the annexation of 6.9 acres across the street from our reservation to build a Chumash museum was on appeal for over 14 years.

Get the Story:
Vincent Armenta: Untangling untruths about the Chumash (The Lompoc Record 2/11)

Editorial: Stop using every opportunity to battle Chumash Tribe (01/28)
Chumash Tribe asks county to enter land-into-trust agreement (01/14)
Chumash Tribe and county finally meet to discuss land issues (09/25)
County finally agrees to discuss land issues with Chumash Tribe (08/26)
Chumash Tribe asks county to come to the table to discuss land (08/12)
Chumash Tribe paid $15M for 350 acres by land-into-trust site (08/04)
Chumash Tribe buys 350 acres next to land-into-trust site (7/24)
Vincent Armenta: Chumash Tribe defeats opponents once again (07/16)
Editorial: County must treat Chumash Tribe as a good neighbor (7/10)
Chumash Tribe defeats lawsuit that sought to halt casino expansion (7/7)
Chumash Tribe wins dismissal of suit over status of reservation (7/3)
Editorial: County stonewalling Chumash Tribe on development (06/26)
Lawmakers slam county for poor dealings with Chumash Tribe (06/18)
The Canary: Guess what guys - the Chumash Tribe was here first (06/18)
Witness list for House hearing on tribal and Alaska Native bills (6/17)
House subcommittee sets hearing on tribal and Alaska Native bills (6/15)
Chumash Tribe legal team 'laughed' at suit over casino expansion (04/09)
Opponents not happy with land-into-trust bill for Chumash Tribe (03/05)
Chumash Tribe cheers introduction of land-into-trust measure (3/4)
Opinion: Let's rethink federal policy toward tribal sovereignty (02/19)
Vincent Armenta: You can't rewrite tribes and tribal sovereignty (02/09)
Eldon Shiffman: Give Chumash Tribe a chance to reclaim its land (02/02)
Luis Alejo: Apologize to the Chumash Tribe for 'hurtful' remarks (1/30)
County files appeal over Chumash Tribe land-into-trust decision (1/27)
Opinion: Wealthy tribes shouldn't follow land-into-trust process (1/26)
Chumash Tribe slams official for questioning 'reservation system' (01/16)
Chumash Tribe welcomes approval of land-into-trust application (01/08)