Indian activists in California are hoping president-elect Barack Obama will take on tribal disenrollments.

Original Pechanga is circulating letters that ask Obama's potential Interior Department picks to consider the controversial issues. Letters were addressed to Rep. Mike Thompson (D-California) and Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona), both of whom have experience in Indian issues and are considered contenders for Interior secretary.

The letters cite a recent Government Accountability Office report that said Interior nominees should be asked about tribal leadership and membership disputes.

Get the Story:
Will tribal disenrollments make it onto Obama's radar? (Capitol Weekly 12/10)
Thompson still top contender to head Interior (The Eureka Times-Standard 12/10)
Interior secretary choice nears (The Sublette Examiner 12/10)

Related Stories:
Indian business grows with government contracts (12/8)
Tribal membership disputes on nominee radar (12/2)