Amah Mutsun Tribe Sends Sixth Letter to Pope Francis Opposing Canonization of Serra

Letter to Pope Francis, Sept. 2015
http://amahmutsun.org/archives/1138

Amah Mutsun Tribal Band
http://amahmutsun.org/


The Amah Mutsun Tribal Band currently has an enrolled membership of nearly 600 BIA documented Indians. These are the Previously Recognized Tribal group listed by the Indian Service Bureau (now known as the Bureau of Indian Affairs) as the “San Juan Band.” All lineages comprising the “Amah Mutsun Tribal Band” are the direct descendents of the aboriginal Tribal groups whose villages and territories fell under the sphere of influence of Missions San Juan Bautista (Mutsun) and Santa Cruz (Awaswas) during the late 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries.

As a result of the Congressional Appropriation Acts of 1906 and 1908 our Tribe came under the legal jurisdiction of the Indian Service Bureau (BIA), and the Reno and Sacramento Indian Agencies until 1927. Our Tribe was never terminated by any Act or intent of the Congress, however, we remained a landless Tribe since our Federally Acknowledged status began in 1906. As a result of the Congressional California Indian Jurisdictional Act of 1928, both living members and direct ancestors enrolled with the BIA between 1930 and 1932. Our members also enrolled between 1948 to 1955 and during the third enrollment period between 1968 to 1970.

Our Tribe is currently listed with the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs as Petitioner #120 as we are seeking status clarification to have our Recognized status restored by the Secretary of the Interior.