Man seeks healing over Pechanga disenrollment

Artist Austin Casson hopes his latest sculpture will lead to healing between the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians and the members the tribe disenrolled.

Casson created "The Healing" after talking to a tribal elder who was kicked out of the tribe. "I began to think what would happen to his family, his children and his grandchildren. Are they no longer Indians?" he told The North County Times.

The 24-inch-tall sculpture depicts an eagle in a manteling, or protective, position over eight Pechanga people. He plans to cast 35 copies in bronze but is saving the first one for a meeting between the tribe and its former members.

John Gomez Jr., a spokesman for one of the disenrolled families, doesn't think a meeting will be happening soon. The tribe has removed over 240 people from the rolls.

Get the Story:
Artist offers sculpture to inspire discussion, healing to disenrolled Pechanga members (The North County Times 3/13)

Relevant Links:
Pechanga Tribal Disenrollment - http://www.pechanga.info
Tribal Corruption - http://www.tribalcorruption.com
Bureau-of-Indian-Affairs.com, Disenrollment site - http://www.bureau-of-indian-affairs.com

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