Just a month ago, political tensions in the Chukchansi Tribe appeared to be once again on the verge of turning violent and while the threat of violence has since reseeded, un-settled issues remain.
"We are working on settling those at this moment, every single day we are involved in meetings and trying to get these things worked out," said Tribal Chairwoman Nancy Ayala.
The on going power struggle centers around the disenrollment of numerous tribe members from the Chukchansi Tribe, thus stripping them of tribal benefits and their entitlement to gambling profits. Motivating some to try and take back what they feel is theirs.
Three suspended council members have moved to represent the tribe in place of the current council. Something Ayala says can't happen, but Fresno State Political Science Professor Kenneth Hansen says just who is entitled to what remains in question.
"So the people in charge can pretty much say whatever they want and they can say the constitution justifies it because outside of members of their tribe and a few people like me, nobody's read their constitution," said Hansen.
