Dissident tribal members complained April 28 about the administration of President Sarah Misquez, alleging “blatant abuse of power, violations of civil and human rights” and other alleged wrongdoing. They held a conference to detail allegations against the administration, including “obstruction of justice, fraud, malfeasance, dereliction of duty, etc., on the part of tribal leadership and its political machine,” according to a news release. Several said afterward the Mescalero government was non-democratic and the administration was hiding behind claims of tribal sovereignty in committing abuses. Concepts of sovereignty should be changed, they said, to save tribal democracy. “It’s going to have to change,” said former Mescalero president Paul Ortega. “It’s not only us. I think other tribes have been violated – San Carlos, White River, Jicarilla – the council’s making decisions they shouldn’t be, all over the country. Something’s got to be done.” Ortega and then-Vice President Oliver Enjady were ousted last May by the tribal council, which seated Misquez as president. She was formally elected last November. On Friday, dissidents asked Misquez and Treasurer Arthur Blazer to step down. Misquez said through a spokeswoman that she would have no comment.
