Chukchansi faction occupies tribal headquarters in dispute

Tuesday, February 28, 2012  

Members of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians in California are occupying the tribal headquarters as part of an ongoing leadership dispute.

A group led by Morris Reid stormed the offices on Monday. They are refusing to leave unless two council members who lost an election step down.

"We are not sure how long it is going to take," Reid told The Fresno Bee "We are in it for the long haul."

Reid and his allies have promised to put an end to disenrollments within the tribe. The disenrollments mostly took place under the leadership of Reggie Lewis, who lost the election but claims procedures weren't followed.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs says it won't get involved in the dispute.

Get the Story:
Indian Tribe’s Dispute Heats Up in California (The New York Times 2/28)
Power shutoff, pepper spray used against occupiers of Chukchansi tribal office (The Fresno Bee 2/27)
Chukchansi Feud: Tribal Office Takeover (KMPH-TV 2/27)
Chukchansi Members Storm Tribal Headquarters (KGPE-TV 2/27)
Feud Continues at Chukchansi Indian Reservation (KSEE-TV 2/27)
Chukchansi tribe members take over casino offices (KSFN-TV 2/27)

Related Stories:
Disenrollment affects Picayune Rancheria leadership fight (2/27)
Rick Cuevas: Disenrollments nothing short of tribal terrorism (2/17)
Opinion: Quit being sovereign and just become Americans (02/24)
BIA won't get involved in Chukchansi disenrollment dispute (2/10)
Opinion: BIA intervention required for Chukchansi dispute (02/02)
Opinion: Tribe heads in wrong direction with disenrollment (12/15)
Turtle Talk: Intolerance can lead to a weak tribal sovereign (12/14)
Chukchansi Tribe takes one of last fluent speakers off rolls (12/13)
Picayune Rancheria removes dozens of people from the rolls (11/21)
Rande Payne: Disenrollment threatens tribal sovereignty (10/28)
Some tribes turn to DNA tests to help determine membership (10/13)
Picayune Rancheria to vote on DNA tests for new members (6/17)