To: Ryan.Hunter@bia.gov, Harley.Long@bia.gov, IAPolicy_and_Directives@bia.gov Cc: info@wopumnes.com

Subject: Public Request for Compliance with Assistant Secretary Kirkland's Sept 30 Directive; Correction of Shingle Springs Rancheria Records (CEQA/NEPA compliance)

Dear Bureau of Indian Affairs:

I am writing as a concerned member of the public to demand immediate compliance with Assistant Secretary William Kirkland's September 30, 2026, directive (under 25 C.F.R. § 2.604) to correct the federal lineage records associated with the historic 1935 Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) electorate of the Shingle Springs Rancheria.

On September 29, 2026, the Department of the Interior's Office of the Solicitor issued a memorandum identifying a critical error in the BIA's determination of Wesly Yielding's ancestry. The memorandum confirmed that this lineage through Manuel Wing Padilla—a member of the historic 1935 Shingle Springs IRA electorate family—was not extinguished by the 1966 land distribution.

By acknowledging this lineage remains intact, the federal government's concession triggers established federal Indian law precedent (specifically the 2015 Sheep Ranch decision). Under this precedent, the rights of the broader historic tribal community cannot be extinguished by an individual land distribution. Therefore, the United States must make the Wopumnes Tribe whole by acknowledging its federally recognized status, providing Snyder Act services, and restoring its Rancheria rights as the historic 1935 IRA Shingle Springs Indians.

The public has a legitimate interest in ensuring that federal agencies maintain accurate records and comply with lawful directives without unlawful delay. Accurate federal records describing Federally Recognized Tribes are essential to CEQA and NEPA compliance, particularly where Tribal identity, ancestral lands, and cultural resource protections affect public decision-making in El Dorado County.

PUBLIC REQUEST FOR FEDERAL ACTION As a member of the public, I respectfully demand that the Bureau of Indian Affairs:

1. Immediately comply with Assistant Secretary Kirkland's September 30 directive and provide the written response required under 25 C.F.R. § 2.604.

2. Correct the identified lineage error concerning Wesly Yielding's descent through Manuel Wing Padilla, consistent with the Solicitor's September 29 memorandum.

3. Provide public accountability concerning the status of the required corrective action, including the responsible BIA office and anticipated completion date.

4. Ensure the accuracy of federal records relied upon by state and local governments, including records relevant to Tribal consultation and cultural resource protection.

5. Notify appropriate California agencies and local governments of any operative federal corrections that affect governmental consultation or other public administrative proceedings.

6. Provide a written acknowledgment and response explaining the action taken to comply with the Assistant Secretary's directive.

SEPARATE MATTER: WOPUMNES TRIBAL CLAIMS The Wopumnes people maintain that they are the continuing historic Tribal community associated with the original 1935 IRA electorate of Shingle Springs Rancheria. The restoration of their historic Tribal governmental standing and resolution of disputed federal records is mandatory in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act. Furthermore, the Wopumnes dispute the historical basis for the "Sacramento-Verona" business organization occupying the Rancheria and operating as the "Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians."

While those specific claims are advanced by the Wopumnes and require separate formal determination, my request as a member of the public is that the Bureau fulfill its existing administrative obligations, correct identified errors, and maintain accurate records upon which the public and other government agencies rely.

Please acknowledge receipt of this correspondence and provide a written response.

Respectfully,

[Name] [City, California]

Reference: United States Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, Recommendation on Yielding Agency Inaction Appeal, September 29, 2026, pp. 3-4.