2 Injured, 2 Arrested In Calif. Tribal Standoff

Published February 28, 2012 11:09PM (EST)

COARSEGOLD, Calif. (AP) — The dispute between two factions of a Central California tribe has recently expelled dozens of members from its rolls turned violent on Tuesday when one person was stabbed and another suffered a head injury during a clash.

The stabbing victim, a security guard, did not appear to be seriously wounded in the morning fight involving as many as 40 people in the parking lot of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians' tribal government center, the Fresno Bee reported (http://bit.ly/wFGI3d). Two people were arrested.

The fight was connected to the previous day's takeover of a tribal office by about 40 supporters of a group claiming it was denied its rightful place on the tribal council following an election in December, according to the Bee.

Members of the tribal council currently in power dispute that.

The tribe owns the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino in the Sierra foothills near Yosemite National Park and has expelled dozens of members since around November, cutting them off from stipends and other benefits.

Critics say the move is aimed at increasing the casino profits of those still in the tribe. Tribal officials also dispute that, saying they are enforcing their enrollment criteria and are now in a position to verify membership.

The debate has played into the division between the two groups claiming control of the tribal council. Supporters of the faction that occupied the tribal office say it would reverse the expulsions.

Madera County Sheriff's officials said power and water was cut off to the occupied tribal office and the building was hit with pepper spray on Monday night. A smoldering log was also thrown into the building and then thrown back out.

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Information from: The Fresno Bee, http://www.fresnobee.com


By Salon Staff

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