Hoopa Valley Tribe Exclusion Ordinance

The Hoopa Tribal Council is taking action to exclude a tribal member from the reservation.
The defendant says it’s a violation of his rights, while the tribal council says they have every right to do so.
All federally recognized tribes have the authority to exclude anyone from the reservation regardless of race; A power they say they do not use very often.
Hoopa Vice Chairman Byron Nelson says these types of exclusions are for very serious offenses such as drug dealers and child molesters.
Arthur Jones says his crime deals with possession of a controlled substance, with intent to sell. He agrees that this banishment is completely political, but he claims it’s because of a political campaign he managed back when his brother was running for the council chair position.
The exclusion case has been referred to the tribal court. That court date is set for August 21st.