A group of California Indians who have been ousted from their tribes want the state and federal government to take a more active role in membership issues.

California Indians for Justice went to the state capitol yesterday to seek signatures for two petitions. One asks Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) to stop casino negotiations until tribes establish their own courts. They also want an inter-tribal appeals court.

The second petition asks Congress to hold a hearing on membership disputes.

Get the Story:
Indians barred by tribes seek help (The Sacramento Bee 7/15)
Ex-tribal members protest at state Capitol (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 7/15)
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Split widens between haves, have-nots among Indian tribes (AP 7/14)
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