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MONDAY, MAY 13, 2002

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has affirmed an earlier ruling which determined who controls a tiny California tribe.

The BIA says Rhonda L. Morningstar Pope is the rightful heir to the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians. A woman named Donnamaria Potts was claming to be the tribe's leader.

Under Potts, the tribe consisted of herself and her two children. It is unclear how Pope will handle membership.

The tribe has been involved in allegations involving Wayne Smith, deputy to Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb. Smith accuses an ally of Potts of leaking information about his former business partner to the media.

Potts is represented by Monteau & Pebbles, the law firm former BIA deputy Michael Anderson joined upon leaving the Clinton administration.

Get the Story:
Woman has right to govern tiny tribe (The Sacramento Bee 5/11)

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