The chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians says the U.S. Supreme Court's refusal of the tribe's enrollment case is a "win" for Indian Country.

The tribe opposed review of the case, filed by more than 130 people who were removed from the rolls. State and federal courts have refused to get involved in what they say are internal tribal matters.

John Gomez Jr., a leader of the ousted Pechangas, says the fight isn't over. He said disenrolled Indians will seek other ways to put the issue in the spotlight.

Get the Story:
Justices refuse to hear Pechanga membership policy dispute (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 5/24)
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Case Documents:
Salinas v. LaMere (Native American Rights Fund)

California Appeals Court Decision:
Lamere v. Superior Court (August 8, 2005)

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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