The Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians has removed an unspecified number of people from the tribal roll.

The tribe started an audit three years ago to determine who is eligible for membership. Chairwoman Dixie Jackson said some "a lot of people" were enrolled when they shouldn't have been.

The tribe is basing membership on a 1988 constitution. Mary Chapman, one of the disenrollees, says that is unfair because the constitution is based on a roll that doesn't include all Chukchansi descendants.

The constitution requires members to have Chukchansi blood. But membership is also tied to a list compiled when the tribe was terminated in the 1950s. Alternatively, descendants of those who were given allotments can qualify.

The tribe was restored to recognition in 1983 due to a court case. The tribe currently has 1,250 members.

Get the Story:
Tribe takes some off roll (The Fresno Bee 11/27)
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Relevant Links:
Tribal Corruption - http://www.tribalcorruption.com
Bureau-of-Indian-Affairs.com, Disenrollment site - http://www.bureau-of-indian-affairs.com

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