The Pala Band of Mission Indians, which recently ousted eight of its members, is reportedly asking dozens of other individuals to prove they belong in the North County tribe, a move that some believe may be politically motivated.

People who are related to the eight ousted members have reported receiving letters from the tribe's election committee asking them to submit proof that they belong in the tribe, according to two copies of the letters provided to the North County Times.

The people who have received the letters declined to be interviewed for fear of retribution from the tribe's government.

The letters, dated Oct. 17, say the recipients are still enrolled in the tribe and "will continue to receive benefits" until further notice. The 900-member tribe owns the Pala Casino Spa & Resort on its reservation about 15 miles north of Escondido.

"This letter is being sent to notify you that your bloodline is in question and your enrollment is pending with the Pala Band of Mission Indians," according to the letter. "You have 30 days (from) the date of this letter to show proof of your bloodline and eligibility to be enrolled in the tribe."

Doug Elmets, a spokesman for the tribal government, declined to discuss the matter except to say that enrollment questions are an internal tribal matter.
Those who are receiving the letters are descendants of Margarita Brittain, who died in 1925. It was unclear exactly how many people may be receiving the letters, but according to sources, more than 120 people may be affected.

In June, Pala's executive committee issued a letter to eight individuals, including the children of former Pala Chairman King Freeman, who are also Brittain descendants, saying they were disenrolled from the tribe because they did not meet the tribe's 1/16 Pala blood requirement, according to documents provided to the North County Times by the family's attorney, Dennis Chappabitty.

Chappabitty said the new letters may be aimed at influencing next month's tribal elections on the reservation. He has been speaking to several of the people who have received the letters about possibly representing them, Chappabitty said.
Pala elections are normally held the second Tuesday of the month, but one source said the election was postponed until Nov. 22, possibly so that members of the Brittain family will not be able to vote. Pala Chairman Robert Smith is not up for re-election in the upcoming elections but the tribe's vice chairman, Leroy Miranda, will be on the ballot.

Freeman, the former chairman, said his children's ouster from the tribe was part of a personal grudge between him and Smith. The feud goes back years, Freeman told the North County Times in a recent interview, but most recently, Freeman was part of an effort to recall Miranda.

Smith recently issued a letter to tribal members alleging that Freeman "has distributed information in the past that depicts lies and attacks the character of our Executive Council here in our Reservation," according to a copy of the letter provided to the North County Times.

"King Freeman has lived on his own lies for over 20 years as a member in our Band and in our community," the letter states. "The Pala Band of Mission Indians voting membership needs to take a firm stand and stay strong as an entity and not allow this to continue."

The ousted members of Freeman's family are appealing their removal from the tribe with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Contact staff writer Edward Sifuentes at 760-740-3511