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MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2002

The Buena Vista Me-Wuk Tribe of California was terminated in 1958 and restored in 1983 after a lawsuit was filed.

That was when the troubles surrounding the tribe appear to have arrived. Land on the 67-acre reservation was willed to Donna Marie Potts, who is not a lineal descendant of any tribal member, and she became the effective leader, striking up a $150 million casino deal.

Enter Rhonda Morningstar Pope, who has documents to show a lineal connection to the tribe. She sued and halted construction on the casino and convinced the Bureau of Indian Affairs to recognize her.

Enter Wayne Smith. The fired deputy assistant secretary for Indian affairs said he was pressured to intervene and reverse the decision to restore Potts.

The White House and Bush administration officials deny Smith was retaliated against for speaking out, although his lawyer won't produce the document in which he allegedly blew the whistle.

Get the Story:
Tiny Tribe's Clash Stretches 67 Acres Across the Nation (The Washington Post 6/23)

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