The Bureau of Indian Affairs isn't getting involving in a disenrollment dispute within the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians in California

The tribe removed 54 people from the rolls last October. Among those who were disenrolled were Ruby Cordero, an 87-year-old woman who is one of the last fluent Chukchansi speakers and is an expert on basket weaving.

The tribe has since removed another 70 people, The Sierra Star reported. The descendants of Chief Hawa, one of the last Chukchansi chiefs, were among those who were disenrolled.

"In my family, from the day I was born, my dad told me I was Chukchansi," Chris Ballew, 70, told the paper. "We were always proud to be Indian, even when it wasn't a fad to be Chukchansi."

The BIA says it's up to the tribe to determine its membership.

Get the Story:
BIA says Chukchansi people can 'work it out' (The Sierra Star 2/9)
Chukchansi removes more members (The Sierra Star 2/9)

Related Stories:
Opinion: BIA intervention required for Chukchansi dispute (02/02)
Opinion: Tribe heads in wrong direction with disenrollment (12/15)
Turtle Talk: Intolerance can lead to a weak tribal sovereign (12/14)
Chukchansi Tribe takes one of last fluent speakers off rolls (12/13)
Picayune Rancheria removes dozens of people from the rolls (11/21)
Rande Payne: Disenrollment threatens tribal sovereignty (10/28)
Some tribes turn to DNA tests to help determine membership (10/13)
Picayune Rancheria to vote on DNA tests for new members (6/17)