The Jamul Indian band from California is attempting to evict the last two occupants of the small reservation in order to build a planned casino, which they oppose.
Karen Toggery, 51 and Walter Rosales, 59, who have longtime ties to the tribe but are not officially enrolled, were issued eviction notices so that the tribe would be able to build a $200 million casino
According to Tribal Chairman Lee Acebedo, they have five days to appeal to the Intertribal Court of Southern California. In case their appeal is denied they will have 10 days to vacate their homes at the reservoir.
In the past 10 years, Toggery and Rosales have filed several unsuccessful lawsuits against the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs challenging the tribe's enrollment and elections. The two have allied themselves with a community group that has battled the tribe's casino proposals since the 1990's. They say they oppose building a casino in the area because that is where their parents' and grandparents' belongings were burned and buried in Kumeyaay ritual traditions after their deaths.
According to their attorney, Patrick Webb, the fight is not over and he plans to oppose the evictions in the Superior Court.
Acebedo said the tribe plans to build the casino on its 6-acre reservation after the homes are cleared. About 12 other families who had lived on the reservation moved last year.
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