Law
Banished Snoqualmie members in federal court

A federal judge in Washington heard arguments on Tuesday over the banishment of nine members of the Snoqualmie Tribe.

The banished members said tribe violated the Indian Civil Right Act by ousting them without due process. They said federal court is their only means of recourse because the tribe lacks a court system.

The group was banished and another group was disenrolled in April. A rival group of leaders took control of the tribe from former chairman Bill Sweet, who was banished. Most of the people who were disenrolled are related to the people who were banished.

Get the Story:
Banished Snoqualmie tribal members await ruling (The Seattle Times 8/27)

Related Stories:
Eight banished from Snoqualmie Tribe file suit (6/2)
Snoqualmie group banishes, disenrolls rivals (4/28)
Snoqualmie Tribe in dispute amid casino work (4/25)