THE SRMT HAS STOLEN MY LAND -

I’m writing to inform the community of the illegal wrong doings that the tribal chiefs, Ron Lafrance, Paul Thompson and their legal department Michelle Mitchell have done to me.

On December 12, 2012, my mother Agnes Bero signed her house and land over to me. She did this with a clear mind. I was then given the deed to the house and property. The tribal Deed was signed, stamped and recorded with the SRMT Tribal Council. Everything was done legal and my deed was fine for months.

In February 2013, I received a phone call from Corleen Jacco informing me that the deed that was issued to me was no good because the Chiefs changed their mind. She told me that it was going to be rescinded by the same two chiefs that had signed the deed in December 2012!

I was then notified that I should meet with the Chiefs. At that time it was Randy Hart and Ron Lafrance and no way were we informed that their legal department Michelle Mitchell would be present.

We felt that we were walking into a trap with no legal representation. Ron Lafrance explained to me that my sister Carol Bero Jacobs and my brother Leroy Bero had sent a letter requesting that the Tribe rescind the deed that was issued to me “due to error”. They said that in 1962 it was my mother’s wish to have the three children have the property. But the fact is that my mother changed her mind.

My mother went to these Chiefs and she even told them to their faces that she had changed her mind. She explained her reason to Ron Lafrance, Randy Hart and their legal department, Michelle Mitchell. She said yes, it was her wish back then, but now her wish was to give the property solely to me. I feel that the Tribal Council chiefs are refusing to honor my mother’s wish and request to keep the land in my name. My mother is still alive and has a clear mind!

I met with Ron Lafrance, Paul Thompson a couple times and they stated that the deed was issued in error. I disagreed but they ignored me and my mother and they revoked my legal deed in March 2013 and issued a new one in all three names (John, Carol, Leroy).

So now my concern is, “How can the tribal chiefs get involved in a personal matter between a mother and a son? How they can ignore their own tribal law that says they don’t even have the right and jurisdiction over land disputes any more??” I asked them these questions and all they said was that I have to now take it to the land dispute tribunal. How is it that they make a mistake and I’m the one that has to now take this issue to the tribunal because the tribal chiefs Ron Lafrance, Paul Thompson and their legal department Michelle Mitchell took it upon themselves to steal my land from me and divide my property the way THEY see fit. It’s not right!

I want everyone to know that I am fighting this Tribal Council all the way because if they think they can steal my land, what’s stopping them from stealing yours??

In peace and friendship,

John Bero, Jr.