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Grand Ronde Tribes disenroll 86 descendants of treaty signer






The 2014 Marcellus Norwest Memorial Veterans Powwow was held July 11-13. Photo from Facebook

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in Oregon are removing 86 people from the rolls.

The enrollment committee voted 5-1 on July 23 to remove the family, whose ancestor was Chief Tumulth. He signed the 1855 Willamette Valley Treaty but was executed by the U.S. Army before he could join a base roll so not all of his descendants qualify for membership, according to the tribe.

"Tribal officials driven by greed and self interests are going to destroy what Indian Country has worked so hard to achieve. When citizenship and tribal identity are under attack, nobody is safe,” Valerie Alexander, who is among the disenrollees, said in a press release. “This is a tragedy for a tribe that was once known for its integrity and generosity."

The family plans to appeal the enrollment committee's decision in tribal court.

Get the Story:
Family faces tribal disenrollment (AP 7/26)

Related Stories:
NPR: Grand Ronde Tribes moving to disenroll descendants of chief (04/01)
OPB: Grand Ronde Tribes to remove descendants of treaty signer (03/25)
Grand Ronde Tribes to disenroll 66 descendants of treaty signer (12/9)

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