A view of the Picayune Rancheria in California. Photo by Native American Law Students Association - Suffolk University Law School
The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians in California is once again trying to remove more people from the rolls. This time the targets include members of the tribe's founding families. They are the ones who kept the Chukchansi people together following their termination by the federal government in 1958. The tribe was eventually restored to recognition through the landmark Tillie Hardwick case in 1983. "I am really disappointed by this council, though I should not be surprised," Sam Lawhon, 47, who has been threatened with removal despite being a member since 1983, told The Sierra Star. Lawhon's wife, Kim, also received a disenrollment letter, the paper said. She is one of the few people who can teach the Chukchansi language. One of the last fluent speakers was ousted by the tribe a few years ago. Read More on the Story:
Former tribal leader calls action retaliation (The Sierra Star 8/3)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
Chukchansi
Tribe threatens to remove rivals from membership rolls (8/1) Leadership of Chukchansi Tribe appears solid after IBIA decision (02/01)
Chukchansi Tribe hosts a big celebration for reopening of casino (01/15)
Chukchansi Tribe finally reopens casino after 14-month closure (01/04)
Chukchansi Tribe confirms IRS summons into economic arm (08/18)
Once rival factions of Chukchansi Tribe agree to 2015 election (08/27)
Rival factions unite in takeover attempt within Chukchansi Tribe (08/26)
Chukchansi Tribe reportedly goes through leadership takeover (08/08)
New leaders claim to be in control of Chukchansi Tribe council (05/06)
Tex McDonald: Clearing the air about Chukchansi Tribe's leaders (02/20)
BIA issues decision in Chukchansi Tribe leadership dispute (02/12)
Judge won't force HUD to release $3M to Chukchansi Tribe (01/13)
Nancy Ayala: Handling the daily business of Chukchansi Tribe (10/31)
Nancy Ayala: Handling the daily business of Chukchansi Tribe (10/31)
Chukchansi Tribe missing out on funds amid leadership dispute (09/03)
BIA asked to intervene in Chukchansi Tribe leadership dispute (07/11)
Rick Cuevas: 'Leaders' to blame in Chukchansi Tribe dispute (06/27)
One faction of Chukchansi Tribe claims victory in court case (06/12)
BIA wades into leadership dispute within Chukchansi Tribe (06/11)
Chukchansi Dispute: Rival factions fight it out in the media (05/16)
Faction calls on BIA to intervene in Chukchansi Tribe dispute (04/29)
Rival faction of Chukchansi Tribe disputes outcome of petition (04/25)
Group claims petition resolves Chukchansi leadership dispute (04/23)
This American Life: Chukchansi Tribe stuck in bitter disputes (04/03)
One faction of Chukchansi Tribe in control of bank accounts (03/21)
Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians embroiled in dispute (03/14)
Rival factions of Chukchansi Tribe meet BIA in leadership dispute (03/07)
Panel takes up Chukchansi disnerollment and leadership dispute (03/04)
Leadership dispute within Chukchansi Tribe draws local police (02/27)
Picayune Rancheria continues enrollment purge with another 43 (12/06)
Chukchansi Tribe reportedly removing another 100 from rolls (08/14)
Trio who won Chukchansi council seats told they can't serve (03/30)
Election fails to resolve Chukchansi Tribe leadership dispute (03/27)
Leadership controversy continues within Chukchansi Tribe (03/12)
Members of Picayune Rancheria to vote in disputed election (03/08)
Cooling-off period ends for rival factions of Picayune Rancheria (03/06)
Chukchansi factions agree to extend cooling-off thru weekend (03/02)
BIA agrees to mediate Chukchansi Tribe's leadership dispute (03/01)
Editorial: Plenty of blame to go around in Chukchansi dispute (03/01)
Standoff at Picayune Rancheria headquarters turns violent (02/29)
Chukchansi faction occupies tribal headquarters in dispute (02/28)
Disenrollment affects Picayune Rancheria leadership fight (02/27)
Opinion: Quit being sovereign and just become Americans (02/24)
BIA won't get involved in Chukchansi disenrollment dispute (02/10)
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)
Picayune Rancheria to vote on DNA tests for new members (06/17)
