Native American Heritage on Trial: How Tribal Disenrollment Threatens Justice for Native All Americans

Tribal Disenrollment has set a Dangerous Precedent for Human Rights Violations:

Disenrollment shows that citizenship, identity, and rights can be stripped away without due process. If this can happen within sovereign tribal nations, it sets a troubling example for other governments or organizations to violate human rights under the guise of "internal matters." 

How can we, as a society, claim to stand for justice when we ignore the systematic erasure of Native Americans from their own tribes? Tribal disenrollment isn’t just an internal issue—it’s a human rights crisis that has stripped over 10,000 individuals of their citizenship, identity, and ancestral ties. While Native leaders often demand justice for centuries-old grievances like stolen land, voting rights, and broken health care systems, many of these same leaders actively strip those very rights from their own people. This hypocrisy not only devastates the lives of those disenrolled but also undermines the broader fight for Native justice. If we allow these injustices to continue unchecked, we send a chilling message: that sovereignty can shield oppression, that human rights violations are acceptable, and that justice is only for some, not all.

Trust in Sovereign Governance:

Tribal sovereignty is meant to protect and uplift Native communities, but when it is used to disenfranchise members, it casts doubt on the integrity of self-governance. This skepticism can spill over into broader discussions about autonomy and governance in other contexts.

Challenging Broader Civil Rights Protections:

Allowing disenrollment to go unchecked signals that some communities are above the law when it comes to respecting civil and human rights. This weakens the precedent for protecting rights in other marginalized or minority communities.

Fostering Inequality in Federal Oversight:

Tribes that disenroll members often continue to receive federal benefits meant for those they’ve ousted. This misuse of resources represents an injustice to taxpayers and a failure of accountability that could embolden other groups to abuse similar systems.

 Undermining the Concept of Citizenship and Identity:

Stripping people of their tribal identity resonates with broader debates about the stability and sanctity of citizenship in the U.S. If citizenship and identity can be arbitrarily removed in one community, it raises questions about protections in others.

Tribal Disenrollment a Violation of Human Rights:

Disenrollment cuts individuals off from their cultural identity, religious practices, political participation, and ancestral connections. Imagine being told you no longer belong to your own family or heritage. This is the ultimate act of isolation— a lifetime sentence of separation and erasure.

It Undermines Tribal Sovereignty:

Disenrollment threatens the integrity of tribal governance, providing skeptics with ammunition to argue that tribes cannot handle membership issues without external interference. Sovereignty should never be a shield for injustice.

It Reflects on All of Us:

Shouldn’t casino patrons, hotel guests, or concertgoers wonder: If a tribe will betray its own people, can I trust them? Disenrollment harms not only the disenrolled but also the reputation of tribal nations as a whole.

It Betrays Tribal Values:

Disenrollment is not the Native way. Historically, it was rare and reserved for only the most extreme cases. Today, it’s being called a “new genocide”—a systematic destruction of families and identities by those elected to protect them.

A Call to Action for ALL OF US

We cannot ignore the theft of tribal heritage and the crimes against Native people. The media must shine a light on these injustices. The public must demand accountability. Here’s how you can help:

Boycott Offending Tribes: Stop patronizing casinos, hotels, and businesses owned by tribes that disenroll their members. Instead, support tribes that uphold civil rights and protect their people.

Demand Federal Accountability: Call on the Department of the Interior and Congress to enforce laws, amend protections, and ensure tribes cannot use sovereignty as a shield for corruption.

Speak Out: Amplify the voices of disenrolled individuals. Share their stories, write to your representatives, and demand justice.

Disenrollment is a Moral Issue

When we turn a blind eye to the suffering of others, we allow injustice to flourish. Disenrollment is not just a tribal issue—it’s a human issue. It’s about protecting the fundamental rights of individuals, preserving cultural heritage, and ensuring justice for all.

Let’s stand with the disenrolled and demand better from tribal leaders, federal agencies, and ourselves. Disenrollment matters because justice matters. And justice for Native Americans is justice for all Americans.

The Disenrolled Native Americans' Story, YOU'RE NO INDIAN Gets Disenrolled from Palm Springs International Film Festival Despite SOLD OUT SHOWINGS Our RYAN FLYNN Interview

Documentary filmmaker   RYAN FLYNN
Gracious enough to accept our interview request

The 2025 Palm Springs Film Festival has removed YOU’RE NO INDIAN, a film highlighting the impacts of disenrollment in indigenous communities, from its lineup, citing “scheduling errors” as the reason. But this explanation doesn’t hold up. The film was scheduled for two screenings and had already sold out both showings. This decision feels less like a logistical mishap and more like an intentional effort to suppress the voices of disenrolled tribal members featured in the documentary.

As many of you know, I am Rick Cuevas, a descendant of Paulina Hunter, an Original Pechanga person and allottee of the Temecula Indian Reservation. In 1895, Paulina was granted a 20-acre plot of land that remains in my family to this day, providing a home for over 20 permanent residents. Despite our deep roots and history, my family—over 130 living descendants—was disenrolled in 2006 by the Pechanga tribe. We were stripped of our citizenship, removed from the tribal rolls, and denied the rights and recognition we were entitled to as tribal members.

This wasn’t an isolated event. In 2004, the Manuela Miranda family was similarly disenrolled from Pechanga, marking the beginning of Pechanga’s “Decade of Disenrollment.” Thousands of tribal members across the country have faced the same fate, with devastating consequences.

Now, with the removal of YOU’RE NO INDIAN from the Palm Springs Film Festival, it feels like another form of disenrollment—silencing our voices and erasing our stories as if we don’t exist. The festival’s decision to strike the film, despite its sold-out screenings, only amplifies the pain and frustration of the 10,000 disenrolled tribal members whose stories Ryan Flynn sought to amplify.

The Film’s director, Ryan Flynn, was kind enough to answer my questions about the film and its powerful message. I encourage you to stick with me and read his insights. These stories need to be told, even if some would rather they stay hidden.

OP: What inspired you to dedicate almost 7 years of your life to creating a documentary about tribal disenrollment? 

Ryan Flynn: As a father, I often think about the kind of world we’re leaving for future generations. I want to believe that our society, and the history we’re building today, will still be here 500 years from now. But for so many indigenous tribes, that’s not the case. Their histories, languages, and cultures have been systematically erased. I can’t help but think about a father from 500 years ago, experiencing the same fears and joys of parenthood that I do now. It’s heartbreaking that we can’t know his story—not only has his history been erased, but in many cases, even his language is gone.

This film is deeply personal for me. My role here is to amplify the voices of those who are fighting to preserve what little culture and history remains. Because what is a society without its language, culture, and traditions? With this new practice of disenrollment, I fear we are at risk of losing a massive part of our collective human history because of greed. While I’m not Indigenous, I am a human being, and Indigenous history is human history.

OP: How did you approach gaining the trust of individuals and communities affected by disenrollment to share their stories?

Ryan Flynn: One of the biggest challenges was gaining access and trust as a non-indigenous director. Building relationships with the community took years of effort and mutual respect. Additionally, fear around speaking out made it difficult for people to come forward. I see disenrollment as the weaponization of identity and fear, and I worked hard to create a safe space for people to share their stories.

OP: Were there moments during filming that were especially emotional or difficult for you as a director?

Ryan Flynn: For me, the most difficult moments were hearing how disenrollment led some people to consider suicide. The impact of being severed from their tribe—losing their identity, community, and sense of belonging—was so profound that it pushed some individuals into complete despair. Sitting across from someone as they shared this level of pain was devastating.

It wasn’t just the personal loss; it was the systemic erasure of everything they stood for—their history, their culture, their future. As a director, those moments weighed heavily on me, knowing that these stories needed to be told but also needing to approach them with care and sensitivity. It’s one thing to make a film about an issue, but it’s entirely different when you witness how deeply it impacts someone’s mental health and will to live.

OP: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while creating this documentary, both logistically and emotionally?

Dear President Biden, Aboard Air Force One: Why Mr. President Are YOU HONORING Tribal Leaders Who Disenroll Their Own People

 Dear Mr. President,

I write to you with deep concern and a heavy heart regarding an issue that profoundly affects the lives of countless Native Americans across this country: the abusive practice of tribal disenrollment. This egregious act, often carried out without evidence or due process, strips individuals and families of their heritage, identity, and rights. It is an injustice that not only harms the disenfranchised but also tarnishes the sacred principles of sovereignty and unity within Native nations.

As the leader of our nation, your platform carries immense weight in addressing injustices and standing with those who have been wronged. Yet, it is disheartening to see some tribal leaders—who have disenrolled their own people, violating their human and cultural rights—treated as if they are exemplars of integrity and leadership. When these individuals Chairman Mark Macarro of Pechanga being one , are invited aboard Air Force One, one of the most potent symbols of American values and honor, it sends a troubling message: that their actions are condoned, or at the very least overlooked, by the highest office in the land.   

Mark Macarro (short/right) with the President
         (photo courtesy)

Disenrollment is more than an internal tribal matter—it is a human rights issue. Entire families are being erased from their tribes, often for political or financial gain. These actions run contrary to the ideals of justice, equality, and respect for cultural heritage that you have championed throughout your presidency.

Disenrolling Tribal Leader Jack Potter 
cavorting with President Biden.

Your voice could be transformative in this matter. By publicly condemning the practice of disenrollment and refusing to honor leaders who engage in it, you can stand in solidarity with the tens of thousands of disenrolled Native Americans who have been marginalized and betrayed. Such a stance would not be an attack on tribal sovereignty but rather a call for accountability and ethical governance—a principle that applies to all leaders, whether tribal, state, or federal.

I urge you to use your influence to highlight this injustice and to meet with those who have been affected. Listen to their stories, hear their pain, and stand with them. Honor the resilience of Native Americans who fight for their rights and heritage, and make it clear that those who harm their own people will not be celebrated or embraced by the United States government.

The disenrolled deserve to know that their struggles are not invisible and that their cries for justice have reached the ears of their President.  Your Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland wouldn't touch the issue.  HOW MANY NATIVE AMERICANS does it have to happen to, to be wrong...?

Please, Mr. President do not let this opportunity to lead with courage and conviction pass by.

Palm Springs International Film Festival CANCELS Documentary YOU'RE NO INDIAN. Took DAYS to Realize Scheduling ISSUE.

 Was tribal disenrollment too HOT a topic to be seen?   Was it because it only affected TEN THOUSAND LIVING Native Americans?    YOU can ask them with this contact information from their website:

Palm Springs International Film Society

303 North Indian Canyon Drive, 3rd Floor

Palm Springs CA 92262 USA

Telephone: 1.760.322.2930

Toll Free (USA): 1.800.898.7256

info@psfilmfest.org

 WE HAVE QUESTIONS for you PSIFF

On the Decision-Making Process to CANCEL a film.  

Could you clarify the "scheduling error" explanation for pulling the film, especially given that it remained listed for two weeks and tickets were nearly sold out?

Follow-up: Was this explanation consistent with internal communications or festival policies regarding scheduling changes?

Were any external entities, such as sponsoring tribes or donors, involved in the decision to remove the film?

Follow-up: If so, how did their input influence the decision, and is there a policy addressing such situations?

On Your Festival Values and Censorship

The festival prides itself on showcasing diverse voices and addressing important social issues. How does pulling this documentary detailing what happened to TEN THOUSAND NATIVE AMERICANS align with that mission?

Follow-up: Are there specific boundaries on the types of controversies or topics the festival is willing to address?

Do you believe the decision to pull the film constitutes censorship, intentional or otherwise, of an important issue affecting Native American communities?

Follow-up: What steps are in place to protect the integrity of the festival’s programming against external pressures?

On Transparency and Accountability

Were Ryan Flynn and his team given a detailed explanation or an opportunity to respond to the decision before the film was removed?

Follow-up: How does the festival ensure fair treatment of filmmakers in situations like this?

Have other films been pulled under similar circumstances in the festival’s history? If so, how were those situations handled?

Follow-up: How does the festival balance honoring commitments to filmmakers with addressing concerns from sponsors or stakeholders?

On Sponsorship and Influence

How do sponsorship agreements influence the festival’s programming decisions, particularly regarding sensitive or potentially controversial films?

Follow-up: Are there safeguards to ensure that sponsors cannot unilaterally dictate or suppress programming choices?

What assurances can the festival provide to filmmakers and audiences that future selections will be protected from external pressures?

Follow-up: Are there plans to implement or strengthen policies to prevent similar situations in the future?

On Moving Forward

Given the outcry from those affected by tribal disenrollment, would the festival consider revisiting its decision or finding alternative ways to showcase the documentary?

Could the festival host a panel discussion or virtual screening to address the controversy and provide a platform for dialogue?

What message do you think the cancellation sends to marginalized communities seeking to share their stories through the arts?

How does the festival plan to rebuild trust with filmmakers and audiences who may feel disheartened by this decision?

The Trauma and Pain of Losing Tribal Heritage: The Devastating Consequences of Tribal Disenrollment Kept SECRET

 Disenrollment is the process of removing members from a tribe's rolls or membership, effectively stripping them of their tribal heritage and all the associated benefits that come with it.

This is an experience that can cause immense pain and heartbreak for those affected. Losing tribal heritage through disenrollment can have significant social, cultural, and economic consequences, and the impact is often felt for generations.  This is an abuse of our ancestors.

For those who have been disenrolled, the pain of losing their tribal heritage is multifaceted. They may feel a profound sense of loss and grief as they are cut off from their ancestral roots and no longer have a connection to their tribe. They may also feel a sense of betrayal, as the tribe that they believed to be their family turns its back on them.

At Pechanga, the disenrollment of my ancestor Paulina Hunter, 107 years after she died, and the same after so many years of traveling by wagon from Los Angeles, to Temecula, to be included in the censuses was a direct attack, by people who were not with the tribe at that time.   The Butch Murphy family for one.

For many Native Americans, being part of a tribe is not just a matter of ancestry or heritage. It is a vital part of their identity, providing a sense of belonging and community that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. Losing that connection can be isolating and traumatic, leaving people feeling adrift and disconnected from their cultural and social roots.  Read NATIVE HEART  written by my cousin Della.

Disenrollment can also have significant economic consequences, as those who are removed from tribal rolls lose access to tribal resources, including healthcare, education, and financial assistance. This can be particularly devastating for those who rely on these resources to survive, such as the elderly or those with disabilities.

The loss of tribal heritage through disenrollment can also have a profound impact on future generations. Children and grandchildren may be cut off from their tribal heritage and culture, leading to a loss of traditional knowledge, language, and values.  IN FACT, PECHANGA sent jack-booted thugs to pull our youth from the tribal school, see that video description here.
This can have a lasting impact on their sense of identity and their ability to connect with their community and cultural roots.