A federal judge in Washington is presiding over a trial into the banishment of nine people from the Snoqualmie Tribe.

The former chairman, several council members and an elder were removed amid a dispute into the tribe's finances. They say rivals denied them their rights under the Indian Civil Rights Act.

"We were treated like criminals," testified former council member Carolyn Lubenau, The Seattle Times reported.

Tribal officials gave testimony that contradicted the accounts of those who were removed, the paper said. At issue is whether the banished group were given an opportunity to defend themselves and respond to the council.

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Snoqualmie banishment case ripping apart tribe (The Seattle Times 2/20)