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Native American Tribal Disenrollment And Heritage, Christopher Doval N. Doval, Elin L. Cortijo-Doval Phd., Don A. Anque J.D.

Christopher Doval

The exercise and power of disenrollment is a sensitive topic for Native Americans. On one hand, disenrollment is important for self-determination. Yet, on the other, the ability to strip one of their legal status as a tribal member can also be seen as racial erasure. Recently, many tribes have begun to exile tribal members for various reasons. Long-standing family feuds and greed due to gaming profits are some of the alleged reasons why disenrollment occurs. Regardless of the reasons, many disenrolled Native Americans are questioning the validity of their ousting, which also calls into question the governing powers of Native …