The new faction is made up of the tribe’s original descendants — 43 total voting members — who the federal government at one time recognized after restoring the Chukchansi and 16 other previously terminated California tribes. The new faction wants to gain control of the tribe and could remove members of the other three factions.
As the new faction meets, the three existing factions continue to wrestle for control of the tribe as they seek to reopen the Chukchansi casino — the tribe’s main source of revenue.
A group previously headed by Tex McDonald continues to maintain a tribal council. Meanwhile, the council led by Reggie Lewis and Nancy Ayala is arranging a tribal members’ meeting in Fresno on Saturday that could lead to new elections. A fourth group led by Morris Reid last month sued the Lewis/Ayala faction for failing to pay monthly stipends in accordance with a federal judge’s order
Read MORE: Shrinking the Tribe
Each faction could very well end up disenrolling each other and then no one would be left. This makes as much sense as everything else that has been going on. Good job folks, no working government and no more federal recognition? Sadly, they can't even see it.
ReplyDeleteIs the casino still closed?
ReplyDeleteYes its still shut down. Anonymous.
ReplyDeleteReggie group sound desperate to get members to vote, Willing to shell out "CASH" for votes. You other groups what are you going to do? You general council AKA TRIBAL MEMBERS still on the rolls "for now" going to keep living on your knees let fools lead your tribe. Think about it that casino lost millions and millions in the past months. Say GOODBYE to your Per Capita checks.
ReplyDeleteEveryday I'm Snuffling!!
Time to terminate this "tribe".
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad state of affairs to have your identiy/Indianess based on the amount of a check. This is not the Indian way. These people are fighting over "country club" statuse and the right to run the corporation. Where is the tradition and culture. I thought listening to the wind was a way of life. Now it is listening to the ka-ching of the till.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's time to disband this small tribe,...they obviously put no effort into learning how to run a big business and would be better off mainstreamed into the general population.
ReplyDeleteI never believed that 900 true Chukchansi existed much less 1800.
This would have nothing to do with their culture, let each keep his cultural background and practice as they wish.
It's time for the Band to come together. They'd do better with the original 2,000 members rallying Congress to act, rather than the shrinking tribe they represent now.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's past time for those that have been harmed to get off the sidelines and start flexing the power they have in NUMBERS, vs the cash that tribes have.
ReplyDeleteYou can embarrass them publicly...