Petitioner 309 Shaman Responds To Splinter Groups, Namely Rena Simon and Mr. Fretty

Dear Rena Simon,

I received your correspondence in the mail last week and I have decided to respond to it by addressing each item individually. Fist I will address the letter sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs signed by James Fretty. This letter unsuccessfully attempted to inform the BIA that Chief Chretien whose name was spelled incorrectly on this letter was no longer Chief. Neither you nor Mr. Fretty has authority to make such a declaration whereas the BIA recognizes tribes inherent right to self govern under their constitution, having said that the group known as petitioner 309 has been and continues to work under a governing document that has been received by the BIA. Under that governing document Chief Chretien as well as his governing body continues to represent the tribe and the only way any of that can change is through the outlined paths established by that governing document, period.

This has been explained to you and Mr. Fretty in person in several open meetings most recently the one you called in Lake Charles. The letter that was sent to the BIA signed by Mr. Fretty also spelled the Tribe’s name wrong which speaks volumes towards your splinter groups inability to properly represent our best interest. Rest assured that any one that was removed when Chief Chretien began to right our ship was done in due order under the Tribe’s bylaws. I have always treated you with respect and I feel this shall be my last communication to you at this point because that respect has not been returned. The meeting you called in Lake Charles was done so out side of the scope of the provisions of the bylaws, yet I showed up along with the Chief Chretien and several other members of the recognized governing body strictly to support the tribe. When that meeting turned against you, a meeting of people you called, you physically removed the microphone from my hand while a lady that has represented herself on several occasions to be your sister pushed me. I am a full time member of law enforcement and can not tolerate that behavior therefore, it is in your best interest not to contact me again because I demand the same respect I give. You as well as several of your relatives have also been given an in-depth explanation of why the ancestor you listed does not meet the criteria set forth in the bylaws which would allow you to belong to this tribe.

In summarization the ancestor in question is discussed in length on the Acadian Museum’s website and archived documents, along with census records indicating he was an Acadian from France by way of exile finally settling in what was then known as Atakapa Pariah which did not magically make him a Native American. These finding have been provided to members of your family. Lastly, the letter signed by Mr. Fretty asked if you all could be recognized with out Chief Chretien. You all received an answer to that question in a letter from the Department of the Interior dated November 1, 2013 where in that office informed Mr. Fretty that they had received his documents but does not accept them as an accurate representation of the Tribe’s wishes because you all could not and can not provide the cover letter of signatures of the Council members, a letter you will never receive as the current governing body which includes myself will never sign it for you. The last paragraph shows the position of the Federal Government as they acknowledge splinter groups where the Government mentions reconciliation.

The letter also made suggestion rightfully so that the submissions received discussed in this answer dated November 1, 2013 could have been submitted by two former members of the tribe, namely Rena Simon and James Fretty. Your unfruitful efforts have only halted the process of recognition just as your pervious efforts and misunderstanding of the Governmental process placed a microscope on Tribal affairs forcing the Tribe to address requests from the BIA before the tribe had an opportunity to prepare a completed submission and bid of recognition to the Federal Government which lead to the inactive status. Your efforts have also continued to stall real efforts made on behalf of the tribe by the Governing Body to collect and prepare the correct documents needed to place this tribe back in an active status. To rush this process as you have insisted on doing will only produce negative results just as your efforts have continued to do. You and Mr. Fretty will not be able to meet the demands outlined in the letter from the Federal Government dated May 17, 2013 because you lack our signatures as well as the certified role. Mr. Fretty mailed a request to the Tribe’s office for a copy of that roll but that request was ignored because he has no authority to request it as he does not represent the tribe’s affairs with the BIA. In that letter mailed to the Tribe’s Office Mr. Fretty acknowledged he does not have the roll or court papers because he does not have any Tribal affairs’ documentation which should have made it perfectly clear to you all that the lack of these items makes it impossible for you all to move forward because you don’t represent the tribe.

However, you all have decided in error to try and work with out it, there is no working with out the demanded documentation for the Department of the Interior, period. Mr. Fretty also said you all would have elections as soon as you hear from Washington D.C. The Federal government does not dictate a tribe’s governmental direction; the tribe does that, that has been explained time and time again and you all continue to misunderstand that fact which reflects your inability to conduct our affairs. On May 17, 2013 the Federal Government addressed a letter to Chief Chretien where in it outlines what concurs were and were not meet on behalf of the tribe. I have in my possession a copy of that letter in which you mailed me with your hand written notes on that copy as you, as well as the BIA’s statements in the letter both acknowledge they have in fact received our governing document and governing body, as well as some paper work reflecting any changes in the governing body by both former Chief Amos as well as Chief Chretien along with old minutes.

The role is currently being certified against the standards identified for membership under the bylaws, most importantly the historical documentation required from members that qualifies them as members. Before the Government can identify us we must first identify ourselves and again you all can’t even spell or pronounce our names correctly when addressing the Government. We all have to develop an intimate knowledge of what it means to be Native American members of this tribe. That is the number one task at hand after we accomplish that, recognition will come in due time and season. Lastly, I pray for understanding and prosperity for all interested parties. Mr. Fretty asked if you all could be recognized with out Chief Fretty and the Governing Body, and the BIA answered when they referenced reconcile as well as splinter groups present problems for recognition in two letters you mailed me, one dated February, 28, 2013 addressed to Chief Chretien and the other dated November 1, 2013 addressed to Mr. Fretty; so to answer the question no you all can not get recognition with out us. To continue to try to do so shows clearly selfish motives on your part as we have and continue to facilitate reconciliation as we strive to protect the benefits and interests of all members of the tribe, not just members of the Simon and Fretty family. Family names only make up a portion of the tribe not the tribe in entirety.

You have my best wishes as I hold no ill will towards any one, but I must impress upon you at this time you have made it unfavorable to continue any communication with you. This letter will be turned over to Chief Chretien to be placed on the website and a copy will also be mailed to the Federal Government.

Please direct all correspondence to Chief Chretien.

Shawn Michael Jude Papillion
Shaman Atakapa-Ishak Nation of South East Texas and South West Louisiana known to the United States Department of the Interior as Petitioner 309.