Indianz.Com > Steve Russell: Disenrollments represent modern termination

12.8.15

Indianz.Com > Steve Russell: Disenrollments represent modern termination: Many if not most tribes traditionally imposed banishment for extremely serious criminal offenses, but it was a punishment seldom invoked because it amounted to a death penalty. A tribal person cut off from the tribe becomes a walking ghost.

The modern terminations, also known as “disenrollments,” reflect a convergence of interests between the settler governments and the tribal governments. Converging with the colonial interest in disappearing Indians, at first to acquire their property and later to cut off further compensation for it, tribal governments fell into the hands of individuals greedy for power or greedy for money. Disenrolled Indians were expelled from the body politic simply for being in the way.