The action can also jeopardize a person’s access to resources from the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. It not only affects current members, but also affects the children and future descendants of disenrolled members. Suspension is one step in the tribe’s process toward possible disenrollment, which removes a person from the tribe’s official roll of recognized members. The latest developments follow a string of messages to tribal members in recent monthly newsletters by treasurer Marco Alcantar and at-large board members Joshua Herr and Thomas Pisano urging unity among the membership and discounting rumors of disenrollments. Gonzales did not return a phone message seeking comment. Multiple sources within the tribe told The Bee that Claudia Gonzales, an at-large member of the tribal council who was its chairperson until last fall, was suspended from her seat on the council. PICAYUNE RANCHERIA OF CHUKCHANSI INDIANS Screen capture from tribal website
The tribe operates the Chukchansi Gold Casino and Resort in Coarsegold, CA. Members of the tribal council for the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians at the start of 2022 are, back row, from left, at-large member Tom Pisano, council chairwoman Janet Bill, treasurer Marco Alcantar, vice chairwoman Pam Coronado front row, from left, secretary Laurie Arriaga, at-large member Joshua Herr, and at-large member Claudia Gonzales.
