Leadership drama continues within the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians of California.

The tribe held an election last December in which Reggie Lewis, the chairman, was ousted. Morris Reid, Dora Jones, Dixie Jackson and Harold Hammond won seats on the council and vowed to put a stop to disenrollments within the tribe with their new majority.

But Lewis and his allies on the council refused to step down after they disqualified Hammond. They said the tribal constitution allowed them to stay in power while the dispute was being resolved.

So Lewis scheduled a new election to fill the vacant seat. He ended up winning the March 10 vote.

Now Lewis has started removal proceedings against Reid and Jones. Lewis claims Reid and Jones participated in a violent clash at the tribal headquarters in late February.

The Lewis faction also says Jackson can't serve on the council due to her alleged participation in the clash. She was a newcomer so she won't be given the chance to defend herself during a removal proceeding.

The tribe has removed hundreds of people from its membership rolls.

Get the Story:
'Credible threat' cancels Chukchansi tribal swearing-in (The Fresno Bee 3/27)
Chukchansi Tribe Hoping to End Leadership Dispute (KSEE News 3/26)

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