Four members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts who were shunned after questioning tribal leaders have been welcomed back into the tribe.

Michelle Hughes Fernandes, Stephanie Tobey-Roderick, Amelia Bingham and Steven Bingham filed a lawsuit that sought more information about the tribe's finances. It turned out that the tribe's chairman at the time was making illegal campaign contributions and committing other crimes.

But after a new slate of leaders came in, the tribe started the process to reinstate the group. "I obviously like this side better," Fernandes told The Cape Cod Times. "My love for this tribal family has never wavered, and my commitment has never wavered."

Fernandes and Tobey-Roderick have become more active in tribal politics since rejoining the tribe.

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Tribe members 'shunned' no more (The Cape Cod Times 1/19)