Former members of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians of California are appealing their removal from the tribe.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise said the tribal council held hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday. Ousted members made their case that the tribe's enrollment committee exceeded its authority.

More than 130 people were disenrolled because their ancestor allegedly cut ties to the tribe more than a hundred years ago. The family has a lawsuit pending in state court.

The ousted members lost a $10,000 a month per capita payment from the tribe's casino.

Get the Story:
No longer a family matter (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 7/2)
pwpwd

Relevant Links:
Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians - http://www.pechanga.com

Related Stories:
Judge weighs ruling in Pechanga disenrollment (04/20)
2,000 California Indians face disenrollment (04/14)
Pechanga descendants protest against enrollment policy (04/06)
Opinion: Greed, spite, history behind disenrollment (4/5)
Opinion: Calif. tribes disenrolling more people (4/1)
Pechanga tribal committee disenrolls 130 people (03/22)
Calif. judge waits on Pechanga enrollment dispute (02/18)
Calif. judge delays Pechanga Tribe's disenrollment (02/05)
Judge won't protect 130 from disenrollment (2/3)
Case tests Pechanga Tribe's right to disenroll 130 (02/02)
Adopted man protests exclusion Pechanga Tribe (01/15)
Pechanga tribe threatens to cut off newspaper (03/14)
Pechanga disenrollment campaign to continue (02/25)
Pechanga chairman surprised by his 'racist' statement (2/24)