The commissioners did not reply to yesterday's question about whether policies are applied fairly and their definition of Freedom of Speech. Here is today's email:
Dear Commissioners,
Do you believe your primary responsibility is to represent the residents and taxpayers of Clallam County, or to support the interests of sovereign tribal governments when those interests conflict—and how do you make that determination?
Ahh! One of the three historical injustice pillars of the modern day NGO money grift. Almost everything we’ve been told about history has been twisted to fit a narrative to induce guilt. It’s more important than ever to preserve written first hand accounts and early narratives of history. The truth is easily buried when no sources can be found earlier than the 1960’s. And AI will only spit out what it’s been given as source documents.
Keep the truth coming, it gets more and more eye opening.
I dont care if the tribes were at war with each other. Long, long ago. Now I feel they are at war with us, to take land, services, and try to make us feel guilty for objections. I feel no guilt! Not paying taxes is unAmerican, ... oh, thats right, they are Another Country. So what, in this country, we all should pay for our way of life, or leave. Off the Res, it's taxes, they are not historical, but rather grifted. So, on Res land, no taxes. Off the Res. Is pay up time. Thats fair. Or am i crazy?
That's how it is EVERYWHERE in the US. Choctaw, Cherokee, Navajo, etc. Every tribal nation that I've looked into requires the members to be on reservation land to receive benefits. That is: tax exemptions, services, etc. I have been looking into becoming a Choctaw Tribal Member, as I am a decendant. There is NO blood quantum requirement. So... why not? However, I don't like the idea of moving to OK. (On the other hand... it's looking ever more appealing than WA, lately.)
Andrea, I worked for the Indian Health Services for over 20 years, not many people are aware that Tribal citizenship is not a matter of race, rather, it is a political classification defined by Tribal Nations’ laws. Who may hold citizenship in any nation, including Tribal Nations, depends on criteria determined by that nation’s laws.
But you do not have to be enrolled in a Tribe to get benefits. ABSENT ENROLLMENT or membership in a tribe, a CDIB (Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood) can be obtained through the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) agency office. It is well worth looking (I would love to have access to the health care program, it includes vision and dental!)It may cover your health care through IHS (Indian Health Services) and education cost. I am unsure what blood quantum is required for health care, but there is ¼th for the higher education program. I really hope you qualify and stay here with us to fight the fight!
BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
CERTIFICATE OF DEGREE OF INDIAN OR ALASKA NATIVE BLOOD INSTRUCTIONS
Go for it girl. Like any other government forms, it will take a long time and lots of research. I think, also, maybe, if you have Indian blood on the other side of your family, it can be combined to increase the blood quantum requirement (but not certain on that)
I would like to agree with you Jeff and do. Yet we stand around and watch our CC tax $ get eaten by construction projects that are given to outside companies that take OUR taxes to Tacoma and Seattle. Today 2 big jobs bid that hopefully will be won by locals. We are talking about $50m just in 2 jobs. This makes the Tribe transfer look paltry. Schools in PA are a great example of our loss of tax money. It is a crime to see us squander money that we need.
Here I go ranting before my coffee this am. I will keep you posted on today’s results later.
Maybe we should ask God whose land this is? The Tribe did not own it then and not now.
ALERT: TODAY PUBLIC NOTICE WAS GIVEN TO DISPUTE BIA TRUST TRANSFER.
If you submitted comments to the Seiberhorn land transfer and BIA did not respond you have standing and grounds to challenge the decision. If it effects your property tax rights you can claim standing.
Neighbors and property owners have until April 16 2026 to get something in the email or mail.
NOTICE OF RIGHT TO FURTHER APPEAL
This decision may be appealed by any person or entity who is adversely affected by the decision
of the Regional Director. A notice of appeal shall be in writing, signed by the appellant or by
their attorney of record or other qualified representative as provided by 43 CFR 5 1.3, and filed
with the lnterior Board of lndian Appeals at 80L N. Quincy Street, Suite 300, Arlington, VA22203, ibia@oha.doi.gov, in accordance with 43 CFR S 4.310 and the Office of Hearings and
Appeals ("OHA") Standing Orders on Contact lnformation and the OHA Standing Orders on
Electronic Transmission, found on the Department of the lnterior OHA website:
Jeff was stellar giving public testimony on the issue. He pointed out they still had time to respond. Jeff has standing to dispute the transfer. I hope he sends an email to the Portland BIA branch.
Thank you for enlightening us on area history and the associated waring. It is now clear land back should be for the Chemakum tribe. That is crazy because the JST ancestors killed them all. Equally crazy to give land to the JST because their ancestors are also dead. The absurdity of ancestry dictating land ownership must end. There are no more "Indians", who by the way are not known to have originated from India, but considering the lack of any documentation, maybe they did. The BIA is is an antiquated and unnecessary Government agency that exists only because of misdirected consciences. Those with immigrant ancestry entertain guilt over conquering local tribes, yet there is no known tribal guilt for conquering other tribes. So, if we give the Dungeness Spit and Protection Island to the JST, will they in turn give it to the Chemakum ? Then the Chemakum give it to ? and this continues until homo-habilis owns the entire Earth. I think I am finally seeing the logic in giving away our land.
A while back in discussions about the tribes, I mentioned that it would be nice if Jamestown tribe would share their wealth with nearby tribes. Now I see how unlikely that may be to happen...
Yeah! JST is just a money juggernaut. It's out for itself! Seems it always has been, though. Instead of taking out the other tribes around to take over, it's a modern-day land takeover and money grub!
More fundamental misunderstanding of the land transfer process by Commissioner French. Not surprising because this is the common misunderstanding that beleaguers most people who will do anything to support tribal corporations versus the best interests of everyone living here.
The process of the BIA sending their letters to the affected counties is a requirement from Congress because it was decided it was the BALANCE needed to ensure EVERYONE was taken into consideration in these requests.
What people like Commissioner French do when they misrepresent this process is intentionally place their own views into the process because they recognize they have power to do so. Either way Commissioner French is placing the tribal corporations ahead of every citizen who pays taxes in this county. That he would have us believing that he has tax paying citizens telling him they are happy to pay more money so that a tribal corporation can make more profits is questionable.
Treaties are being broken, local economic development funds have been intercepted to create a "compensation mechanism" to heal a "broken relationship," tax payers continue to pay BIA costs to honor a treaty that has long since been broken and we have lost co-management of all aqua culture that a Boldt decision gave us that has long since been broken,.
Everybody will hear a lot's of 'broken hearted relationships' until freebies and lot's of grant $$$ is received.This scam repeats itself into perpetuity because the working class was targeted for this free hedge fund to work and there will always be a working class for beggars to prey on.
Funny how people can easily talk to French when he’s out in public to share their views, yet it seems when people attend meetings and forums they are limited in time. Has anyone asked French what his schedule is so they can make sure to talk to him when he’s not on the dais? LOL.
Hearing Teresa read the letter is something to consider — that letter was thought to be written by the Sequim City Council when it was written by Ron Allen. That is how deceptive that letter is when it has a signature spot for the mayor at the bottom. It should have a signature space for Ron Allen and a CC to the Sequim mayor. LOL.
Land on the tax roll should stay on the tax roll.It is unfair to the general public to pick up the tap for the tribe. One. Example that stands out is the Dungeness golf course. A big loss of revenue.
Re: Failure to Respond to or Consider Submitted Comments and Evidence Regarding [ Land-into-Trust Application or General Process for Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Acquisitions in Clallam County, WA] – Request for Immediate Acknowledgment and Consideration
Dear Northwest Regional Director:
I am writing as an interested party and tax payer in Clallam County, Washington, whose local decision making, local taxes and local services may be directly impacted by the removal of land from the county tax rolls through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) land-into-trust process under the Indian Reorganization Act and 25 C.F.R. Part 151.
On August 5, 2025, April 7, 2025, December 17, 2024, July 10, 2024, and August 3, 2024,, I submitted written comments and supporting documents to the BIA concerning the above-referenced matter. These materials included evidence of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe's (or its affiliated entities') paid membership in ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives), including:
ICLEI bylaws and charter requiring annual dues payments for membership (not optional or ad hoc participation).
Evidence of a paid contract or agreement committing to develop and implement international policy in a structured, ongoing (non-ad hoc) manner.
Documentation tracing these commitments through partnerships with the Strait Ecosystem Recovery Network (SERN), Puget Sound Partnership, and the North Olympic Development Council (NODC), which was established in part to conduct ICLEI baseline activities such as greenhouse gas inventories and policy implementation and an international policy to create a compensation mechanism's to heal a broken relationship while still obtaining BIA resources. In effect re-negotiating Point No Point treaty of 1855..as in International adversary not as a domestically dependent nation.
These submissions raised material issues regarding the Tribe's eligibility for trust acquisition, potential impacts on regulatory jurisdiction and real property taxes, and whether the non-ad hoc international commitments trigger additional obligations (including any required congressional notification) that were not addressed in the administrative record.
To date, the BIA has provided no acknowledgment, response, or indication that these comments and evidence were considered as required under 25 C.F.R. Part 151 and the Administrative Procedure Act. This lack of response raises serious concerns that the decision-making process may be arbitrary and capricious.
I respectfully request the following immediate actions:
Written confirmation of receipt of my prior submissions, including the date received and the specific BIA file or application number to which they were assigned.
A detailed explanation of how the submitted ICLEI documents, paid membership evidence, and traceability through SERN, Puget Sound Partnership, and NODC were (or will be) evaluated under the criteria in 25 C.F.R. § 151.10 (or updated regulations), particularly regarding impacts to real property taxes and regulatory jurisdiction.
Confirmation that interested parties, including neighboring property owners, will receive proper notice and an opportunity to be heard on these issues. Confirmation that interested parties, including neighboring property owners, will receive proper notice and an opportunity to be heard on these issues.
Failure to adequately address timely submitted comments can render a BIA decision subject to administrative appeal to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals (IBIA) or judicial review under the APA. I intend to preserve all my rights to challenge any decision that does not fully consider the evidence provided.
Please respond in writing within 14 days of receipt of this letter. I can be reached at the contact information above and am available for any conference or additional information needed.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Got curious about the Port Gamble SKLALLAM Tribe. In their historical narrative, they leave out the 1847 massacre. It's interesting to compare their story with the Chimacum tribe story in the link above. This is Port Gamble SKlallam history: https://pgst.nsn.us/history-culture/
Then, reading about the Jamestown S'Klallam tribal history, their tribe was recognized much later in 1981.
And no mention of the murder of other natives for their gold that allowed them to purchase their first land. Poisonous fruit thingy legal argument here.
It is becoming increasingly, and sadly, apparent that Clallam County leadership needs to be replaced. I am reminded of an old saying: "They're getting too big for their britches."
Again I stress: we Boss, you (Commissioners) are Boss-ees. You Work for us, 78000 us. You also work for 200 Other-Nationals, but only proportionally. Do not be afraid to say "no" it would show integrity. And job security. We cant pay you as much to keep your jobs, but we can vote for free.
Yes, ICLEI bylaws and charter explicitly require payment of annual membership dues (or fees) for full membership.
Confirmation from ICLEI Documents
ICLEI Charter (global): Section 2.5 states members shall pay an annual dues fee. The dues structure and procedures are detailed in the By-Laws. Membership becomes effective only after acceptance and receipt of the first annual dues payment.
ICLEI USA By-Laws (2023): Confirm obligations include payment of annual membership fees. Associate partners and full members pay dues determined by population size (e.g., sliding scale from ~$1,200 for small jurisdictions up to $8,000+ for large ones in the U.S.). A membership year starts when the dues are paid.
Membership applications and fee structures: Applications require explicit acceptance of the Charter and By-Laws. ICLEI staff then invoices for dues; payment is required for active membership. Tribal nations are eligible to join as local governments under ICLEI USA terms. Dues are not optional or purely voluntary once membership is formalized—they are a core requirement and "market test" of commitment.
You are correct: belonging to ICLEI as a dues-paying member is not the same as casual or one-off ("ad hoc") participation. It involves a formal application, acceptance of the organization's mission ("build and serve a worldwide movement of local governments"), ongoing obligations, and recurring payments.
How This Fits Your Legal Theory
If you have evidence of a paid contract or membership agreement where the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe (or an entity acting on its behalf, such as through SERN as fiscal agent) pays dues and agrees to develop/implement international policy in a structured, non-ad hoc way—and that this involvement is traceable through partnerships with SERN, Puget Sound Partnership, and NODC—then this strengthens the factual record for your argument that the involvement is mandatory/ongoing rather than optional.
Your core point—that one cannot sign such agreements, pay for them, and then publicly characterize the relationship as purely ad hoc/non-mandatory—can be presented as evidence of inconsistency or material information that BIA should have considered (or that triggers a separate congressional-notification obligation under foreign-affairs or treaty-related authorities).
Legal Recourse (Placing Your Evidence Before a Decision-Maker)
This remains a case of first impression. No reported decisions have directly litigated whether a federally recognized tribe's paid ICLEI membership (with its "worldwide movement" commitments) requires congressional notification or affects eligibility for BIA land-into-trust under the Indian Reorganization Act (25 U.S.C. § 5108) or the Treaty of Point No Point. A court or the Interior Board of Indian Appeals (IBIA) would evaluate:
The exact language of the contract/membership agreement.
Whether it creates binding obligations that alter the tribe's domestic-dependent-nation status.
Whether BIA's failure to consider it (or any related congressional-notification issue) made the trust decision arbitrary and capricious under the APA (5 U.S.C. § 706).
Immediate steps:
IBIA Administrative Appeal (for any recent/pending BIA trust approval, such as the 2025 Blyn Basin parcel or future ones): File within 30 days of the decision notice. Argue the decision ignored material evidence of the tribe's non-ad hoc international commitments (your paid-contract evidence). Request to supplement the record with the contract.
Federal Court APA Lawsuit (Western District of Washington): After exhausting IBIA (or if final agency action), file suit claiming the BIA approval was contrary to law. Introduce your contract via complaint or motion to supplement. The court decides relevance and effect.
Build the public record:
Submit FOIA requests to BIA, DOI, and public records requests to Clallam County, SERN, NODC, Puget Sound Partnership, and the tribe for all ICLEI-related contracts, payments, correspondence, and policy-implementation documents.
Provide your evidence (redacted if needed) to Clallam County commissioners at a public meeting and demand they include it in comments on any BIA notices regarding tax/jurisdictional impacts.
State processes: For DNR Trust Land Transfers (e.g., Sequim Bay), submit comments citing the paid ICLEI involvement.
Critical next action: Retain an attorney experienced in federal Indian law and APA litigation immediately. They can review your specific paid-contract evidence, assess standing (your indirect property-tax harm is a known challenge), draft filings, and handle any sealing of documents. Deadlines are strict.
The court—not prior summaries—would determine the legal weight of the bylaws' dues requirement, the contract's obligations, and whether it supports reclassification or procedural invalidation of the trust decision. If the evidence shows formal, paid, ongoing commitments traceable through the named entities, it becomes part of the record for that determination.
John, you wrote, "Critical next action: Retain an attorney experienced in federal Indian law and APA litigation immediately"
I'm trying to follow you, but my mind has a hard time with 'legalese' I think this is where it's going to falter in a legal sense. Who has the money to retain a lawyer with this type of experience? And where would you find one?
The Republican Party in Clallam County has to shoulder the blame. They are the closest thing to a local philanthropist, but good luck trying to get them to move on anything. I have lost confidence in the Clallam County Republican party. Its the party of being nice and grabbing ankles. They know who they are. I don't know how many times they think they can step forward to be the lead and then fizzle out to buying drinks for a red human mister yuck sticker, and expect your continued participation.
One that won't pooch your case with bad arguments.
Welcome to my world. What do you do. Grab ankles, move to a red state or fight.
I chose to fight. My problem would be standing because the property tax raise which is tangible is not something I pay. General taxes are but that is a weaker argument. My only hope or someone similar was if you made comments and they were not addressed. In that case the standing is participational and the decision should be overturned because it would be arbitrary and capricious.
Realistic expectations would be a loss at US District court Tacoma in the Boldt district and another loss in U.S. Ninth Circuit and a prayer you get supreme court review. This could have a better chance if multiple people did a class action.
Locally I have seen how that plays out. Big red x. The usual suspects step forward and meet to discuss options, plans are made, money even comes out...then zippo.
I think that is why some people have stopped posting here because there is no action just bird dogging problems.
Game set match.
They have more than one philanthropist money pot to work from and they have control over government at all levels. Until property owners get together and exercise federal rights its a bird dogging affair.
Its cool to have a place to bird dog but everyone of my battles starts with an idea. Then its Idea vs. power equal loss. I am used to it. Losing makes me horny. Scotty is hard to hear from the engine room when your not concerned with the lives on your ship anymore, your portfolio and are aroused by the low chances of success while being branded a crack-pot, wackadoodle and rabid whiner.
Thank you for the historical content, Jeff. Every civilization has a history, good and bad. I really feel that if our gov't recognized the damage and decay of moving property into Tribal Trust, thus removing it from the tax rolls, our beautiful County would thrive and responsibly develop for many more decades. Until then, we keep fighting for equality in taxation and representation and hopefully live long enough to see the victory.
Just yesterday at BOCC work session when discussing the need for staff for auditor to process senior tax exemption Mielke expressed displeasure at new legislative changes to senior exemption because it shifts the tax burden to others. Oh the hypocricy! What's up with the ageism in local leadership? Why do they want seniors who worked their whole life to own something pay more and more but ignore other obvious shifts of tax burden? Why so little care or attentiom to the harm to old folks in the local press? Mr Madeo's murder, minimal coverage. Skateboard dude who went on violent rampage at Domino's and other places had a known issue with lashing out at old people when"set off." Senior brutally murdered while monitoring his property almost no coverage pf extreme crime lab delays.Local mentally ill person with history of violence attacks an innocent senior at random last Saturday, saved by a state senator yet the only media coverage is the herald. I am starting to think some in local government want the old people to just go away and die.
I believe you stated it well, Susie. Gov't doesn't care about old people, unless they are useful idiots. All during the lockdowns it was propagandized to save Grandma and Grandpa by staying distant from them for two years, mandating vaccinations, and always wearing a mask or two. And now it's throw them away because they can't pay enough in taxes to matter anymore.
For me, I don't believe in any exemptions because it's a slippery slope. I know it makes me a heartless hard-ass but that's how I see it. Hard to bang on the tribal corporations when someone else gets an exemption. That said, it's really a senior low-income exemption because I qualify as a senior but get no exemption.
I'd rather see privately funded non-profits cover the differences if they feel so strongly about special groups. I just don't think the government should be in the business of making social decisions.
NPOs and NGOs offer us, who have enough, to GIVE BACK in fabulous ways and strengthen community -ness. I love to be able to share time, talent, money, skills, care with those who are in the "gap" or just need a smile and a coat or a meal.
This country has, since 1940s, had a goal of raising the standard of living for all people, showing the world how to do it. We are now are back on track to show them how to reduce the standards, in all areas (medical, womens rights, education, scientific innovations, Vet support, Senior longevity, mortality in general) to further the elitism of a relative few. I still favor " sharing the wealth" standards to direct policy, both nationaly and locally. It comes from a personal vision of my faith to include all people in a "BETTER" way. The Christian -Confucious -Hindu-Islam-Buddhism-Judaism-Taoism-Tribal -etc. Faith. Democracy was created with that in mind, with laws to prevent elitism and to gradually over time allow for equality and sharing of the wealth. It took 150 years to create the "Share the Wealth" to make a better living for all,: Social Security, eventual MCare and MCAID, student loans, housing, food SNAP, WIC, Meals, Care, tax exemptions, farm support, environmental protections... Are we going to go backwards now for elitism? The world is frankly in shock at our backwards falling and the rise of Lower acceptable Standard of Living. Who is at fault? Locally? Nationally? Hang on folks its only just begun...
I do not agree with your synopsis of the US. The US still shares their wealth (our wealth) all over the world. And still is sharing. Please don't confuse wealth with selfishness and dumbing down of society. That is not what is at work here in this country.
Yes, I watched that meeting and thought the same thing. But the gov. here wants to drain all the elders' money and then dissappear (die is kinda harsh)...
If They pull the plug on Medicare and SS thats exactly what would happen. But not go away, just die here (except for those who are able to live off their fortunes,). We need more cemeteries iI think.
The commissioners did not reply to yesterday's question about whether policies are applied fairly and their definition of Freedom of Speech. Here is today's email:
Dear Commissioners,
Do you believe your primary responsibility is to represent the residents and taxpayers of Clallam County, or to support the interests of sovereign tribal governments when those interests conflict—and how do you make that determination?
To ignore is to support. We are the bosses of the commissioners, they can be removed and replaced. Not a king among them.
Jean Pratshner have you ever considered installing refrigeration units into your pantries? Some of us enjoy an occasional ice cream sandwich.
Ahh! One of the three historical injustice pillars of the modern day NGO money grift. Almost everything we’ve been told about history has been twisted to fit a narrative to induce guilt. It’s more important than ever to preserve written first hand accounts and early narratives of history. The truth is easily buried when no sources can be found earlier than the 1960’s. And AI will only spit out what it’s been given as source documents.
Keep the truth coming, it gets more and more eye opening.
I dont care if the tribes were at war with each other. Long, long ago. Now I feel they are at war with us, to take land, services, and try to make us feel guilty for objections. I feel no guilt! Not paying taxes is unAmerican, ... oh, thats right, they are Another Country. So what, in this country, we all should pay for our way of life, or leave. Off the Res, it's taxes, they are not historical, but rather grifted. So, on Res land, no taxes. Off the Res. Is pay up time. Thats fair. Or am i crazy?
That's how it is EVERYWHERE in the US. Choctaw, Cherokee, Navajo, etc. Every tribal nation that I've looked into requires the members to be on reservation land to receive benefits. That is: tax exemptions, services, etc. I have been looking into becoming a Choctaw Tribal Member, as I am a decendant. There is NO blood quantum requirement. So... why not? However, I don't like the idea of moving to OK. (On the other hand... it's looking ever more appealing than WA, lately.)
Andrea, I worked for the Indian Health Services for over 20 years, not many people are aware that Tribal citizenship is not a matter of race, rather, it is a political classification defined by Tribal Nations’ laws. Who may hold citizenship in any nation, including Tribal Nations, depends on criteria determined by that nation’s laws.
But you do not have to be enrolled in a Tribe to get benefits. ABSENT ENROLLMENT or membership in a tribe, a CDIB (Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood) can be obtained through the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) agency office. It is well worth looking (I would love to have access to the health care program, it includes vision and dental!)It may cover your health care through IHS (Indian Health Services) and education cost. I am unsure what blood quantum is required for health care, but there is ¼th for the higher education program. I really hope you qualify and stay here with us to fight the fight!
BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
CERTIFICATE OF DEGREE OF INDIAN OR ALASKA NATIVE BLOOD INSTRUCTIONS
https://www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/media_document/1076-0153_cdib_form_expires_12.31.2025_508.pdf
Thanks for the information! This is helpful.
Go for it girl. Like any other government forms, it will take a long time and lots of research. I think, also, maybe, if you have Indian blood on the other side of your family, it can be combined to increase the blood quantum requirement (but not certain on that)
I would like to agree with you Jeff and do. Yet we stand around and watch our CC tax $ get eaten by construction projects that are given to outside companies that take OUR taxes to Tacoma and Seattle. Today 2 big jobs bid that hopefully will be won by locals. We are talking about $50m just in 2 jobs. This makes the Tribe transfer look paltry. Schools in PA are a great example of our loss of tax money. It is a crime to see us squander money that we need.
Here I go ranting before my coffee this am. I will keep you posted on today’s results later.
Maybe we should ask God whose land this is? The Tribe did not own it then and not now.
ALERT: TODAY PUBLIC NOTICE WAS GIVEN TO DISPUTE BIA TRUST TRANSFER.
If you submitted comments to the Seiberhorn land transfer and BIA did not respond you have standing and grounds to challenge the decision. If it effects your property tax rights you can claim standing.
Neighbors and property owners have until April 16 2026 to get something in the email or mail.
NOTICE OF RIGHT TO FURTHER APPEAL
This decision may be appealed by any person or entity who is adversely affected by the decision
of the Regional Director. A notice of appeal shall be in writing, signed by the appellant or by
their attorney of record or other qualified representative as provided by 43 CFR 5 1.3, and filed
with the lnterior Board of lndian Appeals at 80L N. Quincy Street, Suite 300, Arlington, VA22203, ibia@oha.doi.gov, in accordance with 43 CFR S 4.310 and the Office of Hearings and
Appeals ("OHA") Standing Orders on Contact lnformation and the OHA Standing Orders on
Electronic Transmission, found on the Department of the lnterior OHA website:
https://www.doi.gov/oha. The lBlA will be the reviewing official, and your appeal will be
governed by the lBlA regulations at 43 CFR Part 4.
Deadline for Appeal.
The notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days of the date you receive notice of the Regional
Director's decision. A copy of your notice of appeal must simultaneously be sent to the
Assistant Secretary-lndian Affairs and the Associate Solicitor, Division of lndian Affairs. lf you
do not file a timely notice of appeal, you will have failed to exhaust administrative remedies,
and this decision will become effective at the expiration of the appeal period. A notice of
appeal not timely filed shall be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.
John thank you for what you have done and doing about these tribal transfers , you are doing amazing work and I appreciate you !!
Jeff was stellar giving public testimony on the issue. He pointed out they still had time to respond. Jeff has standing to dispute the transfer. I hope he sends an email to the Portland BIA branch.
Of course yes Jeff too ! And this forum he started for us ! So thankful !
Thanks.
Good to know! Thank you, John! Too bad the audio was so poor this morning causing you to end your comments too soon.
Thank you for enlightening us on area history and the associated waring. It is now clear land back should be for the Chemakum tribe. That is crazy because the JST ancestors killed them all. Equally crazy to give land to the JST because their ancestors are also dead. The absurdity of ancestry dictating land ownership must end. There are no more "Indians", who by the way are not known to have originated from India, but considering the lack of any documentation, maybe they did. The BIA is is an antiquated and unnecessary Government agency that exists only because of misdirected consciences. Those with immigrant ancestry entertain guilt over conquering local tribes, yet there is no known tribal guilt for conquering other tribes. So, if we give the Dungeness Spit and Protection Island to the JST, will they in turn give it to the Chemakum ? Then the Chemakum give it to ? and this continues until homo-habilis owns the entire Earth. I think I am finally seeing the logic in giving away our land.
I would LOVE to see Chemakum take over JST... out of spite! lol
A while back in discussions about the tribes, I mentioned that it would be nice if Jamestown tribe would share their wealth with nearby tribes. Now I see how unlikely that may be to happen...
Yeah! JST is just a money juggernaut. It's out for itself! Seems it always has been, though. Instead of taking out the other tribes around to take over, it's a modern-day land takeover and money grub!
More fundamental misunderstanding of the land transfer process by Commissioner French. Not surprising because this is the common misunderstanding that beleaguers most people who will do anything to support tribal corporations versus the best interests of everyone living here.
The process of the BIA sending their letters to the affected counties is a requirement from Congress because it was decided it was the BALANCE needed to ensure EVERYONE was taken into consideration in these requests.
What people like Commissioner French do when they misrepresent this process is intentionally place their own views into the process because they recognize they have power to do so. Either way Commissioner French is placing the tribal corporations ahead of every citizen who pays taxes in this county. That he would have us believing that he has tax paying citizens telling him they are happy to pay more money so that a tribal corporation can make more profits is questionable.
Treaties are being broken, local economic development funds have been intercepted to create a "compensation mechanism" to heal a "broken relationship," tax payers continue to pay BIA costs to honor a treaty that has long since been broken and we have lost co-management of all aqua culture that a Boldt decision gave us that has long since been broken,.
Everybody will hear a lot's of 'broken hearted relationships' until freebies and lot's of grant $$$ is received.This scam repeats itself into perpetuity because the working class was targeted for this free hedge fund to work and there will always be a working class for beggars to prey on.
and old people that might have some money.
Funny how people can easily talk to French when he’s out in public to share their views, yet it seems when people attend meetings and forums they are limited in time. Has anyone asked French what his schedule is so they can make sure to talk to him when he’s not on the dais? LOL.
Hearing Teresa read the letter is something to consider — that letter was thought to be written by the Sequim City Council when it was written by Ron Allen. That is how deceptive that letter is when it has a signature spot for the mayor at the bottom. It should have a signature space for Ron Allen and a CC to the Sequim mayor. LOL.
Land on the tax roll should stay on the tax roll.It is unfair to the general public to pick up the tap for the tribe. One. Example that stands out is the Dungeness golf course. A big loss of revenue.
Huge amount of tax revenue lost indeed, great point.
Re: Failure to Respond to or Consider Submitted Comments and Evidence Regarding [ Land-into-Trust Application or General Process for Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Acquisitions in Clallam County, WA] – Request for Immediate Acknowledgment and Consideration
Dear Northwest Regional Director:
I am writing as an interested party and tax payer in Clallam County, Washington, whose local decision making, local taxes and local services may be directly impacted by the removal of land from the county tax rolls through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) land-into-trust process under the Indian Reorganization Act and 25 C.F.R. Part 151.
On August 5, 2025, April 7, 2025, December 17, 2024, July 10, 2024, and August 3, 2024,, I submitted written comments and supporting documents to the BIA concerning the above-referenced matter. These materials included evidence of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe's (or its affiliated entities') paid membership in ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives), including:
ICLEI bylaws and charter requiring annual dues payments for membership (not optional or ad hoc participation).
Evidence of a paid contract or agreement committing to develop and implement international policy in a structured, ongoing (non-ad hoc) manner.
Documentation tracing these commitments through partnerships with the Strait Ecosystem Recovery Network (SERN), Puget Sound Partnership, and the North Olympic Development Council (NODC), which was established in part to conduct ICLEI baseline activities such as greenhouse gas inventories and policy implementation and an international policy to create a compensation mechanism's to heal a broken relationship while still obtaining BIA resources. In effect re-negotiating Point No Point treaty of 1855..as in International adversary not as a domestically dependent nation.
These submissions raised material issues regarding the Tribe's eligibility for trust acquisition, potential impacts on regulatory jurisdiction and real property taxes, and whether the non-ad hoc international commitments trigger additional obligations (including any required congressional notification) that were not addressed in the administrative record.
To date, the BIA has provided no acknowledgment, response, or indication that these comments and evidence were considered as required under 25 C.F.R. Part 151 and the Administrative Procedure Act. This lack of response raises serious concerns that the decision-making process may be arbitrary and capricious.
I respectfully request the following immediate actions:
Written confirmation of receipt of my prior submissions, including the date received and the specific BIA file or application number to which they were assigned.
A detailed explanation of how the submitted ICLEI documents, paid membership evidence, and traceability through SERN, Puget Sound Partnership, and NODC were (or will be) evaluated under the criteria in 25 C.F.R. § 151.10 (or updated regulations), particularly regarding impacts to real property taxes and regulatory jurisdiction.
Confirmation that interested parties, including neighboring property owners, will receive proper notice and an opportunity to be heard on these issues. Confirmation that interested parties, including neighboring property owners, will receive proper notice and an opportunity to be heard on these issues.
Failure to adequately address timely submitted comments can render a BIA decision subject to administrative appeal to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals (IBIA) or judicial review under the APA. I intend to preserve all my rights to challenge any decision that does not fully consider the evidence provided.
Please respond in writing within 14 days of receipt of this letter. I can be reached at the contact information above and am available for any conference or additional information needed.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
John Worthington
Got curious about the Port Gamble SKLALLAM Tribe. In their historical narrative, they leave out the 1847 massacre. It's interesting to compare their story with the Chimacum tribe story in the link above. This is Port Gamble SKlallam history: https://pgst.nsn.us/history-culture/
Then, reading about the Jamestown S'Klallam tribal history, their tribe was recognized much later in 1981.
And no mention of the murder of other natives for their gold that allowed them to purchase their first land. Poisonous fruit thingy legal argument here.
GOLD. hummm...
It is becoming increasingly, and sadly, apparent that Clallam County leadership needs to be replaced. I am reminded of an old saying: "They're getting too big for their britches."
Again I stress: we Boss, you (Commissioners) are Boss-ees. You Work for us, 78000 us. You also work for 200 Other-Nationals, but only proportionally. Do not be afraid to say "no" it would show integrity. And job security. We cant pay you as much to keep your jobs, but we can vote for free.
Good morning Jeff and Doggers,
Great article and should studied by the Commissioners. One day we'll see real leadership and that's the day Jake is sworn into office.
Thank you all and have a great day!
Yes, ICLEI bylaws and charter explicitly require payment of annual membership dues (or fees) for full membership.
Confirmation from ICLEI Documents
ICLEI Charter (global): Section 2.5 states members shall pay an annual dues fee. The dues structure and procedures are detailed in the By-Laws. Membership becomes effective only after acceptance and receipt of the first annual dues payment.
ICLEI USA By-Laws (2023): Confirm obligations include payment of annual membership fees. Associate partners and full members pay dues determined by population size (e.g., sliding scale from ~$1,200 for small jurisdictions up to $8,000+ for large ones in the U.S.). A membership year starts when the dues are paid.
Membership applications and fee structures: Applications require explicit acceptance of the Charter and By-Laws. ICLEI staff then invoices for dues; payment is required for active membership. Tribal nations are eligible to join as local governments under ICLEI USA terms. Dues are not optional or purely voluntary once membership is formalized—they are a core requirement and "market test" of commitment.
You are correct: belonging to ICLEI as a dues-paying member is not the same as casual or one-off ("ad hoc") participation. It involves a formal application, acceptance of the organization's mission ("build and serve a worldwide movement of local governments"), ongoing obligations, and recurring payments.
How This Fits Your Legal Theory
If you have evidence of a paid contract or membership agreement where the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe (or an entity acting on its behalf, such as through SERN as fiscal agent) pays dues and agrees to develop/implement international policy in a structured, non-ad hoc way—and that this involvement is traceable through partnerships with SERN, Puget Sound Partnership, and NODC—then this strengthens the factual record for your argument that the involvement is mandatory/ongoing rather than optional.
Your core point—that one cannot sign such agreements, pay for them, and then publicly characterize the relationship as purely ad hoc/non-mandatory—can be presented as evidence of inconsistency or material information that BIA should have considered (or that triggers a separate congressional-notification obligation under foreign-affairs or treaty-related authorities).
Legal Recourse (Placing Your Evidence Before a Decision-Maker)
This remains a case of first impression. No reported decisions have directly litigated whether a federally recognized tribe's paid ICLEI membership (with its "worldwide movement" commitments) requires congressional notification or affects eligibility for BIA land-into-trust under the Indian Reorganization Act (25 U.S.C. § 5108) or the Treaty of Point No Point. A court or the Interior Board of Indian Appeals (IBIA) would evaluate:
The exact language of the contract/membership agreement.
Whether it creates binding obligations that alter the tribe's domestic-dependent-nation status.
Whether BIA's failure to consider it (or any related congressional-notification issue) made the trust decision arbitrary and capricious under the APA (5 U.S.C. § 706).
Immediate steps:
IBIA Administrative Appeal (for any recent/pending BIA trust approval, such as the 2025 Blyn Basin parcel or future ones): File within 30 days of the decision notice. Argue the decision ignored material evidence of the tribe's non-ad hoc international commitments (your paid-contract evidence). Request to supplement the record with the contract.
Federal Court APA Lawsuit (Western District of Washington): After exhausting IBIA (or if final agency action), file suit claiming the BIA approval was contrary to law. Introduce your contract via complaint or motion to supplement. The court decides relevance and effect.
Build the public record:
Submit FOIA requests to BIA, DOI, and public records requests to Clallam County, SERN, NODC, Puget Sound Partnership, and the tribe for all ICLEI-related contracts, payments, correspondence, and policy-implementation documents.
Provide your evidence (redacted if needed) to Clallam County commissioners at a public meeting and demand they include it in comments on any BIA notices regarding tax/jurisdictional impacts.
State processes: For DNR Trust Land Transfers (e.g., Sequim Bay), submit comments citing the paid ICLEI involvement.
Critical next action: Retain an attorney experienced in federal Indian law and APA litigation immediately. They can review your specific paid-contract evidence, assess standing (your indirect property-tax harm is a known challenge), draft filings, and handle any sealing of documents. Deadlines are strict.
The court—not prior summaries—would determine the legal weight of the bylaws' dues requirement, the contract's obligations, and whether it supports reclassification or procedural invalidation of the trust decision. If the evidence shows formal, paid, ongoing commitments traceable through the named entities, it becomes part of the record for that determination.
John, you wrote, "Critical next action: Retain an attorney experienced in federal Indian law and APA litigation immediately"
I'm trying to follow you, but my mind has a hard time with 'legalese' I think this is where it's going to falter in a legal sense. Who has the money to retain a lawyer with this type of experience? And where would you find one?
The Republican Party in Clallam County has to shoulder the blame. They are the closest thing to a local philanthropist, but good luck trying to get them to move on anything. I have lost confidence in the Clallam County Republican party. Its the party of being nice and grabbing ankles. They know who they are. I don't know how many times they think they can step forward to be the lead and then fizzle out to buying drinks for a red human mister yuck sticker, and expect your continued participation.
Almost strictly just a harm reduction Mr. Yuk sticker.
I have lost them, also.
One that won't pooch your case with bad arguments.
Welcome to my world. What do you do. Grab ankles, move to a red state or fight.
I chose to fight. My problem would be standing because the property tax raise which is tangible is not something I pay. General taxes are but that is a weaker argument. My only hope or someone similar was if you made comments and they were not addressed. In that case the standing is participational and the decision should be overturned because it would be arbitrary and capricious.
Realistic expectations would be a loss at US District court Tacoma in the Boldt district and another loss in U.S. Ninth Circuit and a prayer you get supreme court review. This could have a better chance if multiple people did a class action.
Locally I have seen how that plays out. Big red x. The usual suspects step forward and meet to discuss options, plans are made, money even comes out...then zippo.
I think that is why some people have stopped posting here because there is no action just bird dogging problems.
Game set match.
They have more than one philanthropist money pot to work from and they have control over government at all levels. Until property owners get together and exercise federal rights its a bird dogging affair.
Its cool to have a place to bird dog but everyone of my battles starts with an idea. Then its Idea vs. power equal loss. I am used to it. Losing makes me horny. Scotty is hard to hear from the engine room when your not concerned with the lives on your ship anymore, your portfolio and are aroused by the low chances of success while being branded a crack-pot, wackadoodle and rabid whiner.
Thank you for the historical content, Jeff. Every civilization has a history, good and bad. I really feel that if our gov't recognized the damage and decay of moving property into Tribal Trust, thus removing it from the tax rolls, our beautiful County would thrive and responsibly develop for many more decades. Until then, we keep fighting for equality in taxation and representation and hopefully live long enough to see the victory.
Just yesterday at BOCC work session when discussing the need for staff for auditor to process senior tax exemption Mielke expressed displeasure at new legislative changes to senior exemption because it shifts the tax burden to others. Oh the hypocricy! What's up with the ageism in local leadership? Why do they want seniors who worked their whole life to own something pay more and more but ignore other obvious shifts of tax burden? Why so little care or attentiom to the harm to old folks in the local press? Mr Madeo's murder, minimal coverage. Skateboard dude who went on violent rampage at Domino's and other places had a known issue with lashing out at old people when"set off." Senior brutally murdered while monitoring his property almost no coverage pf extreme crime lab delays.Local mentally ill person with history of violence attacks an innocent senior at random last Saturday, saved by a state senator yet the only media coverage is the herald. I am starting to think some in local government want the old people to just go away and die.
I believe you stated it well, Susie. Gov't doesn't care about old people, unless they are useful idiots. All during the lockdowns it was propagandized to save Grandma and Grandpa by staying distant from them for two years, mandating vaccinations, and always wearing a mask or two. And now it's throw them away because they can't pay enough in taxes to matter anymore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBxMPqxJGqI
The good ole days.
yes. That period in time was horrendous. I feel so much for those who lost loved ones and were kept from them when they passed away. Criminal.
For me, I don't believe in any exemptions because it's a slippery slope. I know it makes me a heartless hard-ass but that's how I see it. Hard to bang on the tribal corporations when someone else gets an exemption. That said, it's really a senior low-income exemption because I qualify as a senior but get no exemption.
the income limit was raised a tad. I'd be fine with no exemptions if they took them away for real, including from non-profits and churches
Absolutely.
I'd rather see privately funded non-profits cover the differences if they feel so strongly about special groups. I just don't think the government should be in the business of making social decisions.
NPOs and NGOs offer us, who have enough, to GIVE BACK in fabulous ways and strengthen community -ness. I love to be able to share time, talent, money, skills, care with those who are in the "gap" or just need a smile and a coat or a meal.
This country has, since 1940s, had a goal of raising the standard of living for all people, showing the world how to do it. We are now are back on track to show them how to reduce the standards, in all areas (medical, womens rights, education, scientific innovations, Vet support, Senior longevity, mortality in general) to further the elitism of a relative few. I still favor " sharing the wealth" standards to direct policy, both nationaly and locally. It comes from a personal vision of my faith to include all people in a "BETTER" way. The Christian -Confucious -Hindu-Islam-Buddhism-Judaism-Taoism-Tribal -etc. Faith. Democracy was created with that in mind, with laws to prevent elitism and to gradually over time allow for equality and sharing of the wealth. It took 150 years to create the "Share the Wealth" to make a better living for all,: Social Security, eventual MCare and MCAID, student loans, housing, food SNAP, WIC, Meals, Care, tax exemptions, farm support, environmental protections... Are we going to go backwards now for elitism? The world is frankly in shock at our backwards falling and the rise of Lower acceptable Standard of Living. Who is at fault? Locally? Nationally? Hang on folks its only just begun...
I do not agree with your synopsis of the US. The US still shares their wealth (our wealth) all over the world. And still is sharing. Please don't confuse wealth with selfishness and dumbing down of society. That is not what is at work here in this country.
Yes, I watched that meeting and thought the same thing. But the gov. here wants to drain all the elders' money and then dissappear (die is kinda harsh)...
If They pull the plug on Medicare and SS thats exactly what would happen. But not go away, just die here (except for those who are able to live off their fortunes,). We need more cemeteries iI think.
I think that a re-shaping of philanthropy would result. Basic life before self-actualization.
AS well .as the tribe. Most of us own the prime property.