Rep. Mike Thompson (D-California) is asking the House Natural Resources Committee to hold an oversight hearing on tribal disenrollment. Thompson says tribes are removing people from the rolls for seemingly legitimate reasons. But in other cases, he said there appears to be no basis for kicking people out. “On behalf of the growing number of disenrolled Native Americans, I believe this issue merits a congressional oversight hearing be convened to review enforcement of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968,” Thompson said in a letter to Rep. Nick Rahall (D-West Virginia), the chairman of the committee. Thompson's district includes the Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians. The tribe recently removed 67 people from the rolls because it said they didn't quality for membership. Get the Story:
Efforts increase to draw attention to Indian disenrollment problem (The Lake County News 5/10) Related Stories:
People disenrolled from Robinson Rancheria plan appeal (4/19)
Robinson Rancheria cites BIA approval of disenrollments (4/16)
Opinion: Rancheria evictions and disenrollment (9/18)
Rancheria Leader: Evictions and disenrollment (9/14)
BIA to rule on Robinson Rancheria disenrollment (8/31)
Group challenges removal from Robinson Rancheria (3/31)
Opinion: Civil rights abuses among California tribes (2/25)
Robinson Rancheria approves mass disenrollments (12/17)
Potential Interior picks pressed on disenrollment (12/10)
Series on Robinson Rancheria disenrollments (12/8)
Tribal membership disputes on nominee radar (12/2)