The Pechanga Band of Luise�o Mission Indians of California has decided to remove 130 people from the tribal rolls.

The tribe's enrollment committee says the group cannot show Pechanga descent. But members of the extended family say they can trace their heritage to a Pechanga leader from the 1800s.

The disenrolled people will lose their per capita payments from the tribe's casino. News reports put the entire figure at $15 million. The tribal enrollment will drop by 10 percent.

The family members filed a lawsuit alleging the tribe's enrollment committee actions are illegal under Public Law 280, which grants state jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters on California reservations.

Get the Story:
Tribe ejects more than 100 members (AP 3/20)
Pechanga committee ejects members (The North County Times 3/20)
Pechanga panel ejects 130 adults from tribe (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 3/20)
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Pechanga Band Ousts Scores of Tribal Members (The Los Angeles Times 3/20)
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Relevant Links:
Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians - http://www.pechanga.com

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