Hate crime shocks Paiute reservation

**~pathwalker~** · 05-25-2005, 12:31 PM

Hate crime shocks Paiute reservation
Letters threatened to ''kidnap, rape and dismember'' young girls
By Valerie Taliman

Updated: 4:07 p.m. ET March 9, 2005
Shock, fear and anger rocked the Bishop Paiute reservation recently when letters left at the tribe's education complex threatened to ''kidnap, rape and dismember'' young Paiute girls, aged 5 to 9.

Three original letters, typed in red ink with a cover sheet signed ''KKK,'' were left at the tribe's gymnasium and on the baseball field adjacent to the tribe's Head Start program and daycare center. Other copies were tossed on nearby roadsides, according to the tribe's chief of law enforcement services, Cal Stafford.

The letters sparked a firestorm of outrage and anxiety on the reservation and in the surrounding city of Bishop, a small rustic town in the Sierra Nevadas.

"Teorroris threat"
Addressed to the Paiute tribe, the letters promised retaliation for ''your half-witted bucks taking another white life'' and alluded to crimes involving tribal members dating back a decade. The letters were turned over to the Inyo County Sheriff's office, which notified the FBI.

'This tragedy was not about race, but someone's hoping to set off a race war by twisting things to turn people against the Paiute community.'

— Cal Stafford
Paiute's chief of law enforcement

''This is a terrorist threat,'' said Bishop Paiute Vice Chairman Sandra Warlie, who spearheaded efforts to inform and protect tribal members. ''Whoever did this meant to put fear in our hearts by targeting our children. We are stepping up security measures and we will do everything we can to protect our people.''

The threats are believed to be retribution for the death of a white liquor store manager, Dave Pettet, 48, who was allegedly shot by tribal member Wayne Bengochia in an alcohol-related incident four days before the letters were found. Begochia, 48, was charged with homicide and is awaiting trial.

Stafford said it appeared that the author of the letter was trying to create racial tensions by exploiting Pettet's death as a crime against white people; ironically, Pettet was once married to an American Indian woman with whom he had two children.

''This tragedy was not about race,'' Stafford said, ''but someone's hoping to set off a race war by twisting things to turn people against the Paiute community.''

As word of the letters spread through the reservation, parents feared for their children's safety. Dozens of children were kept home from school, and many fathers and brothers on the reservation began arming themselves to protect their families.

The Bishop Paiute Tribal Council immediately held a safety meeting with tribal, state and federal officials in attendance to brief tribal members on the contents of the letters and to call for appropriate precautions.

Not to be "held hostage to fear"
Speaking to more than 600 people in a packed gymnasium, Chairman Michael Rogers said the tribe would use all its resources to protect families. He cautioned everyone to be especially vigilant in coming weeks and encouraged people not to be ''held hostage to fear.''

At the meeting, Monty Bengochia, Wayne's brother, confirmed Pettet's death was not racially motivated. In a heartfelt condolence message to the Pettet family, he asked that the tribe not be blamed for the random act of violence committed by one individual.

''I want to plead with all of you as we endure this tragedy not to get caught up in hatred and retaliation,'' he said. ''We worked for many years to build relationships with the surrounding white community and we need to think about setting examples for our children.''

Dave Pettet's children, James and A.J., told the crowd that their father was not a prejudiced person and that they held no anger or animosity against the Bengochia family.

''My father would never want anyone to use him as a reason for violence against Indian children,'' said James. ''He wasn't racist - just look at us, his half-white, half-Indian children. Whoever wrote those letters didn't know my dad. We came here today to let everyone know we don't blame the Bengochia family. We all need to get through this together.''

After he spoke, James and his family hugged members of the Bengochia family, setting the tone for good will rather than retaliation.

Safety measures in play
Police and school officials described additional safety measures put in place, including increased patrols at schools, bus stops and on the reservation. Parents were told that children should not walk home using hidden trails, and that family members should accompany children to and from bus stops.

And while some law enforcement officials played down the possibility that Klu Klux Klan members wrote the letters, others were not so sure.

''I lost my son to the Aryan Nation,'' Stafford told the crowd. ''My son was beaten to death by the Aryan Nation in 2001 when he was only 18 years old ...''

Stafford was the Paiute Tribe's administrator when his son, Christopher, was beaten to death in Bakersfield, Calif. where he had gone to buy a car. The FBI had warned Stafford that he and a former tribal chairman had been put on the Aryan Nation's hit list because they were trying to recover land that had been illegally taken years before. No one was ever prosecuted for Chris Stafford's death, and the crime remains unsolved.

Following the community meeting, Warlie met with local officials from the city of Bishop, Inyo County and the school district in an effort to bring the community together to take a stand against hate crimes.

Prominent members of the tribe, the city of Bishop and Inyo County released the following joint statement condemning hate crimes and calling for the protection of all children in the community:

''In an effort to promote unity and cooperation, we have come together to issue a joint statement condemning hate crimes, racism or any act of violence against any member of the Inyo County community, especially our children.

''We have worked long and hard over many years to achieve a peaceful community reflecting tolerance, understanding, acceptance and respect that allows us to live and work together for the benefit of all people. Threats against any child or any acts of violence in our community will not be tolerated.

''We ask all our neighbors and friends to join us in helping to secure the quality of life we all have enjoyed.''

As the community adjusts to the heightened sense of security, many hope that this was a one-time incident perpetrated by one individual. But the incident also raised new questions about the ever-growing presence of white supremacist groups in rural areas, particularly near Indian reservations.

© 2005 Indian Country Today. All rights reserved.

Blackbear · 05-25-2005, 10:01 PM

I think this was posted back when the article came out.... I'll try to find it cause there was discussion going on it I believe.

**~pathwalker~** · 05-25-2005, 10:08 PM

OK, I was wondering why noone seemed to care.

**drinkingfromysaucer2** · 07-24-2005, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbear

I think this was posted back when the article came out.... I'll try to find it cause there was discussion going on it I believe.

Hi Blackbear, were you able to find the discussion? If so, where is it?

**drinkingfromysaucer2** · 07-24-2005, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~pathwalker~

OK, I was wondering why noone seemed to care.

*this somebody cares*

Thumper · 07-24-2005, 10:54 AM

just subscribing......

**badmaninc** · 07-24-2005, 08:30 PM

That was disturbing. What is disappointing is the fact that it didn't received a lot of media coverage. It wasn't shocking that it wasn't, just disappointing. Whenever things happen to people of colour, there is very little media coverage unless it is negative. There wasn't a lot of media coverage when over 60 Aboriginal women went missing in the Greater Vancouver area in recent years until they charged somebody with their murders. Did you notice one non-coloured person went missing in Aruba and it was news around the world. It gets frustrating so I try not to think about the inequity between how our people are still treated.

Blackbear · 07-25-2005, 05:28 AM

I could'nt find it... I tried.. and I know we had a discussion on it when it happened... but there was an incident where a whole lot of posts were deleted instead of archived by accident and it might have been one of those.

**Joe G** · 07-25-2005, 11:00 AM

yes BB, I remember that too...but I think it wasn't it's own thread, but part of another one...about hate crimes....???

Blackbear · 07-25-2005, 03:23 PM

ahhh you may be absolutely right about that colonah....I think I'll look a little more now

**Joe G** · 07-25-2005, 03:25 PM

I think it was that one where the article about "hunting season" on ndns was posted...if I remember right...

Nope..so much for my memory! i found this thread...but it wsn't that one...

Blackbear · 07-25-2005, 03:55 PM

Yeah I just did a general search for piaute reservation and went through every article and it must have been one of the ones deleted... sorry. Man that was a good discussion too.

**drinkingfromysaucer2** · 07-26-2005, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbear

Yeah I just did a general search for piaute reservation and went through every article and it must have been one of the ones deleted... sorry. Man that was a good discussion too.

ty Blackbear for trying to locate the discussion.

I don't remember seeing it or reading it.

Again, ty.

05-25-2005, 12:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
~pathwalker~ PowWows.com Addicts Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In front of my puter...in VA. Posts: 18,051	Hate crime shocks Paiute reservation Hate crime shocks Paiute reservation Letters threatened to ''kidnap, rape and dismember'' young girls By Valerie Taliman Updated: 4:07 p.m. ET March 9, 2005 Shock, fear and anger rocked the Bishop Paiute reservation recently when letters left at the tribe's education complex threatened to ''kidnap, rape and dismember'' young Paiute girls, aged 5 to 9. Three original letters, typed in red ink with a cover sheet signed ''KKK,'' were left at the tribe's gymnasium and on the baseball field adjacent to the tribe's Head Start program and daycare center. Other copies were tossed on nearby roadsides, according to the tribe's chief of law enforcement services, Cal Stafford. The letters sparked a firestorm of outrage and anxiety on the reservation and in the surrounding city of Bishop, a small rustic town in the Sierra Nevadas. "Teorroris threat" Addressed to the Paiute tribe, the letters promised retaliation for ''your half-witted bucks taking another white life'' and alluded to crimes involving tribal members dating back a decade. The letters were turned over to the Inyo County Sheriff's office, which notified the FBI. 'This tragedy was not about race, but someone's hoping to set off a race war by twisting things to turn people against the Paiute community.' — Cal Stafford Paiute's chief of law enforcement ''This is a terrorist threat,'' said Bishop Paiute Vice Chairman Sandra Warlie, who spearheaded efforts to inform and protect tribal members. ''Whoever did this meant to put fear in our hearts by targeting our children. We are stepping up security measures and we will do everything we can to protect our people.'' The threats are believed to be retribution for the death of a white liquor store manager, Dave Pettet, 48, who was allegedly shot by tribal member Wayne Bengochia in an alcohol-related incident four days before the letters were found. Begochia, 48, was charged with homicide and is awaiting trial. Stafford said it appeared that the author of the letter was trying to create racial tensions by exploiting Pettet's death as a crime against white people; ironically, Pettet was once married to an American Indian woman with whom he had two children. ''This tragedy was not about race,'' Stafford said, ''but someone's hoping to set off a race war by twisting things to turn people against the Paiute community.'' As word of the letters spread through the reservation, parents feared for their children's safety. Dozens of children were kept home from school, and many fathers and brothers on the reservation began arming themselves to protect their families. The Bishop Paiute Tribal Council immediately held a safety meeting with tribal, state and federal officials in attendance to brief tribal members on the contents of the letters and to call for appropriate precautions. Not to be "held hostage to fear" Speaking to more than 600 people in a packed gymnasium, Chairman Michael Rogers said the tribe would use all its resources to protect families. He cautioned everyone to be especially vigilant in coming weeks and encouraged people not to be ''held hostage to fear.'' At the meeting, Monty Bengochia, Wayne's brother, confirmed Pettet's death was not racially motivated. In a heartfelt condolence message to the Pettet family, he asked that the tribe not be blamed for the random act of violence committed by one individual. ''I want to plead with all of you as we endure this tragedy not to get caught up in hatred and retaliation,'' he said. ''We worked for many years to build relationships with the surrounding white community and we need to think about setting examples for our children.'' Dave Pettet's children, James and A.J., told the crowd that their father was not a prejudiced person and that they held no anger or animosity against the Bengochia family. ''My father would never want anyone to use him as a reason for violence against Indian children,'' said James. ''He wasn't racist - just look at us, his half-white, half-Indian children. Whoever wrote those letters didn't know my dad. We came here today to let everyone know we don't blame the Bengochia family. We all need to get through this together.'' After he spoke, James and his family hugged members of the Bengochia family, setting the tone for good will rather than retaliation. Safety measures in play Police and school officials described additional safety measures put in place, including increased patrols at schools, bus stops and on the reservation. Parents were told that children should not walk home using hidden trails, and that family members should accompany children to and from bus stops. And while some law enforcement officials played down the possibility that Klu Klux Klan members wrote the letters, others were not so sure. ''I lost my son to the Aryan Nation,'' Stafford told the crowd. ''My son was beaten to death by the Aryan Nation in 2001 when he was only 18 years old ...'' Stafford was the Paiute Tribe's administrator when his son, Christopher, was beaten to death in Bakersfield, Calif. where he had gone to buy a car. The FBI had warned Stafford that he and a former tribal chairman had been put on the Aryan Nation's hit list because they were trying to recover land that had been illegally taken years before. No one was ever prosecuted for Chris Stafford's death, and the crime remains unsolved. Following the community meeting, Warlie met with local officials from the city of Bishop, Inyo County and the school district in an effort to bring the community together to take a stand against hate crimes. Prominent members of the tribe, the city of Bishop and Inyo County released the following joint statement condemning hate crimes and calling for the protection of all children in the community: ''In an effort to promote unity and cooperation, we have come together to issue a joint statement condemning hate crimes, racism or any act of violence against any member of the Inyo County community, especially our children. ''We have worked long and hard over many years to achieve a peaceful community reflecting tolerance, understanding, acceptance and respect that allows us to live and work together for the benefit of all people. Threats against any child or any acts of violence in our community will not be tolerated. ''We ask all our neighbors and friends to join us in helping to secure the quality of life we all have enjoyed.'' As the community adjusts to the heightened sense of security, many hope that this was a one-time incident perpetrated by one individual. But the incident also raised new questions about the ever-growing presence of white supremacist groups in rural areas, particularly near Indian reservations. © 2005 Indian Country Today. All rights reserved.

05-25-2005, 10:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Blackbear Space Cowboy Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Alaska Posts: 9,622	I think this was posted back when the article came out.... I'll try to find it cause there was discussion going on it I believe. __________________ Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear... just sing, sing a song.

05-25-2005, 10:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
~pathwalker~ PowWows.com Addicts Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In front of my puter...in VA. Posts: 18,051	OK, I was wondering why noone seemed to care. __________________ 90% Angel 10% Lil Devil

07-24-2005, 10:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
Thumper ROCKIN' THE FREE WORLD Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ALBUQUERQUE, NM Posts: 574	just subscribing...... __________________ if i could change i would, take back the pain i would. retrace every wrong move that i made i would. stand up and take the blame i would. i would take all my shame to the grave KEEP ON ROCKIN' IN THE FREE WORLD! WHAT'S 5'8 200lbs and HARD ALL OVER? how come everytime i turn around someone is speaking spanish to me? this is new HONOR THY CHILDREN

07-25-2005, 05:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
Blackbear Space Cowboy Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Alaska Posts: 9,622	I could'nt find it... I tried.. and I know we had a discussion on it when it happened... but there was an incident where a whole lot of posts were deleted instead of archived by accident and it might have been one of those. __________________ Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear... just sing, sing a song.

07-24-2005, 08:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
badmaninc PowWows.com Addicts Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Saanich Tribes, B.C. Posts: 3,037	That was disturbing. What is disappointing is the fact that it didn't received a lot of media coverage. It wasn't shocking that it wasn't, just disappointing. Whenever things happen to people of colour, there is very little media coverage unless it is negative. There wasn't a lot of media coverage when over 60 Aboriginal women went missing in the Greater Vancouver area in recent years until they charged somebody with their murders. Did you notice one non-coloured person went missing in Aruba and it was news around the world. It gets frustrating so I try not to think about the inequity between how our people are still treated.

07-25-2005, 11:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
Joe G ~the REAL me~ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 8,958	yes BB, I remember that too...but I think it wasn't it's own thread, but part of another one...about hate crimes....???

07-25-2005, 03:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
Blackbear Space Cowboy Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Alaska Posts: 9,622	ahhh you may be absolutely right about that colonah....I think I'll look a little more now __________________ Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear... just sing, sing a song.

07-25-2005, 03:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
Joe G ~the REAL me~ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 8,958	I think it was that one where the article about "hunting season" on ndns was posted...if I remember right... Nope..so much for my memory! i found this thread...but it wsn't that one... Last edited by colonah04; 07-25-2005 at 03:30 PM.

07-25-2005, 03:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
Blackbear Space Cowboy Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Alaska Posts: 9,622	Yeah I just did a general search for piaute reservation and went through every article and it must have been one of the ones deleted... sorry. Man that was a good discussion too. __________________ Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear... just sing, sing a song.