The Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians of California has removed more than 700 people in the past few years.

Only 23 people were members of the tribe when it regained recognition in 1983 as part of litigation. Enrollment boomed to 1,500 in the late 1990s.

But the tribe is now down to about half the size. Some say greed is behind the mass removal.

"What better way to get more money in the future than to whittle down your tribe?" 71-year-old Mary Chapman, one of those removed, told The Fresno Bee.

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Hundreds expelled from Chukchansi tribe (The Fresno Bee 2/28)