Chukchansi Tribe starts disenrollment proceedings against more than 60 citizens

Thursday, June 27, 2019  

The Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians has initiated disenrollment proceedings against more than 60 tribal citizens, The Fresno Bee reports.

The tribal council voted to suspend the citizens pending disenrollment hearings, the paper said. No further details were reported beyond a statement provided The Bee.

“It was determined that these individuals do not meet the requirements for Tribal enrollment and it was necessary to suspend their memberships as part of a formal review and disenrollment hearing,” Chairwoman Jennifer Ruiz said in the statement.

The last publicized disenrollments within the tribe took place in 2016. Some of those targeted at the time included the families who helped keep the community together following termination in the 1950s.

The tribe regained its federal status through the landmark Tillie Hardwick case in 1983 and began rebuilding its nation. At one point the rolls boasted about 1,200 people.

But hundreds and hundreds of people have been disenrolled over the last decade. Some reports have put the number at about half of the citizenry.

The purges led to conflicts within the tribe, culminating in a clash at the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino in late 2014. The instability prompted federal regulators to force the closure of the facility for a record 14 months.

Chukchansi tribe kicking out dozens of new members it enrolled just two years ago (The Sacramento Bee June 26, 2019)

Chukchansi Tribe announces open enrollment period after years of mass purges (October 3, 2017)
Chukchansi Tribe sends disenrollment letters to founding families (August 5, 2016)
Chukchansi Tribe threatens to remove rivals from membership rolls (8/1)
Leadership of Chukchansi Tribe appears solid after IBIA decision (02/01)
Chukchansi Tribe hosts a big celebration for reopening of casino (01/15)
Chukchansi Tribe finally reopens casino after 14-month closure (01/04)
Chukchansi Tribe confirms IRS summons into economic arm (08/18)
Once rival factions of Chukchansi Tribe agree to 2015 election (08/27)
Rival factions unite in takeover attempt within Chukchansi Tribe (08/26)
Chukchansi Tribe reportedly goes through leadership takeover (08/08)
New leaders claim to be in control of Chukchansi Tribe council (05/06)
Tex McDonald: Clearing the air about Chukchansi Tribe's leaders (02/20)
BIA issues decision in Chukchansi Tribe leadership dispute (02/12)
Judge won't force HUD to release $3M to Chukchansi Tribe (01/13)
Nancy Ayala: Handling the daily business of Chukchansi Tribe (10/31)
Nancy Ayala: Handling the daily business of Chukchansi Tribe (10/31)
Chukchansi Tribe missing out on funds amid leadership dispute (09/03)
BIA asked to intervene in Chukchansi Tribe leadership dispute (07/11)
Rick Cuevas: 'Leaders' to blame in Chukchansi Tribe dispute (06/27)
One faction of Chukchansi Tribe claims victory in court case (06/12)
BIA wades into leadership dispute within Chukchansi Tribe (06/11)
Chukchansi Dispute: Rival factions fight it out in the media (05/16)
Faction calls on BIA to intervene in Chukchansi Tribe dispute (04/29)
Rival faction of Chukchansi Tribe disputes outcome of petition (04/25)
Group claims petition resolves Chukchansi leadership dispute (04/23)
This American Life: Chukchansi Tribe stuck in bitter disputes (04/03)
One faction of Chukchansi Tribe in control of bank accounts (03/21)
Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians embroiled in dispute (03/14)
Rival factions of Chukchansi Tribe meet BIA in leadership dispute (03/07)
Panel takes up Chukchansi disnerollment and leadership dispute (03/04)
Leadership dispute within Chukchansi Tribe draws local police (02/27)
Picayune Rancheria continues enrollment purge with another 43 (12/06)
Chukchansi Tribe reportedly removing another 100 from rolls (08/14)
Trio who won Chukchansi council seats told they can't serve (03/30)
Election fails to resolve Chukchansi Tribe leadership dispute (03/27)
Leadership controversy continues within Chukchansi Tribe (03/12)
Members of Picayune Rancheria to vote in disputed election (03/08)
Cooling-off period ends for rival factions of Picayune Rancheria (03/06)
Chukchansi factions agree to extend cooling-off thru weekend (03/02)
BIA agrees to mediate Chukchansi Tribe's leadership dispute (03/01)
Editorial: Plenty of blame to go around in Chukchansi dispute (03/01)
Standoff at Picayune Rancheria headquarters turns violent (02/29)
Chukchansi faction occupies tribal headquarters in dispute (02/28)
Disenrollment affects Picayune Rancheria leadership fight (02/27)
Opinion: Quit being sovereign and just become Americans (02/24)
BIA won't get involved in Chukchansi disenrollment dispute (02/10)
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)
Picayune Rancheria to vote on DNA tests for new members (06/17)