Harvey Hopkins is expected to challenge his removal as chairman of the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians of California.

Tribal members voted 165-85 to recall Hopkins, The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reported. But it's not clear whether enough participated in the election for the action to be considered valid by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Two tribal council members said they started the recall because Hopkins denied them access to financial and council records. They also said they were tired of Hopkins challenging the membership of certain people.

"People are scared to run for office or scared to speak up in a meeting, because who knows if their membership is going to be questioned? That was one of the reasons why we did the recall," council member Marina Nojima told the paper.

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Dry Creek tribal chief ousted; vote challenged (The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat 5/22)