Echo Hawk decision allows ouster of dozens from San Pasqual Band

Tuesday, February 1, 2011  

Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk has issued a decision in a membership dispute within the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians of California.

Echo Hawk ruled that descendants of Marcus Alto Sr. don't have enough San Pasqual blood to qualify for membership. Alto was adopted into the tribe in 1907.

“The Assistant Secretary’s thorough and well-reasoned decision vindicates the tribe’s continuing opposition to the Bureau’s enrollment of Marcus Alto’s descendants,” tribal spokesperson Allen Lawso told The San Diego Union Tribune. “Nothing is more important to the exercise of tribal sovereignty than a tribe’s right to define its own membership. After 20 years the Bureau has finally acted to correct its mistake.”

About 60 of Alto's descendants will be disenrolled from the tribe.

Get the Story:
Ruling ousts 60 from San Pasqual band (The San Diego Union Tribune 2/1)

Relevant Documents:
Larry EchoHawk Order | BIA Superintendent Letter

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