Two rival factions of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, who have been battling for months, clashed again last week when one group accompanied by armed security guards took over the 11th floor of the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino.
Deputies of the Madera County Sheriff’s Department are keeping watch over the situation. The casino remains open.
Two rival groups initiated the takeover, that of Reggie Lewis and Nancy Ayala, who decided to combine their efforts. They represent a “council” that includes six council members from various councils of the past four years.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs earlier this year recognized some but not all of this group, which calls itself a “unification council.”
A few weeks ago Ayala led another group in a takeover attempt of several office buildings.
A third group, called the Tex McDonald group, is working to prevent the “unification council” from taking over buildings.
The Sheriff’s Department says it is in consultation with federal authorities over the matter.
According to Vice Chairman Monica Davis, who issued a statement last week, the new council didn’t follow the rules for becoming the ruling council. She said there are rules, which the group ignored. “It doesn’t include showing up with a raiding party because you don’t like the people who have been constitutionally elected or appointed as leaders,” she said.
Several months ago Ayala was kicked off the council on alleged ethics charges. A few months ago the BIA’s decision recognizing the council elected in 2010, which included Ayala and Lewis complicated the issue. A federal judge later overturned that decision, which punts the issue to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals.
