Former members of the Pechanga Band of Luise�o Indians will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review their case, The Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.

The 135 disenrolled members lost their case in the state court system. An appeal court ruled that the state can't interfere with the internal matters of a sovereign tribe. The state Supreme Court refused to review the case.

A separate lawsuit seeks $35 million in damages from the tribe. The ousted Pechangas say they have been wrongfully denied a $15,000 monthly per capita payment.

In early January, California Indians who have been kicked out of their tribes plan to hold a rally during the Western Indian Gaming Conference in Palm Springs.

Get the Story:
Ex-Pechanga members to petition court (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 12/15)
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Relevant Links:
Pechanga Tribal Disenrollment - http://www.pechanga.info
Bureau-of-Indian-Affairs.com, Disenrollment site - http://www.bureau-of-indian-affairs.com

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