Suit challenges tribe's sovereignty

ALBUQUERQUE, July 2 (UPI) -- New Mexico's Hopi Indians are worried a lawsuit filed by their ousted chairman could affect the sovereign immunity of all American Indian tribes.

Ben Nuvamsa filed suit asking the tribal trial court to overturn his removal as chairman for failing to meet residency rules, The Albuquerque Journal reported Monday.

The Hopi Tribal Council nullified Nuvamsa's election in May on grounds anyone running for office must have resided on Hopi lands for two years before taking a post.

Tribal Vice Chairman Todd Honyaoma Sr. told the Journal Saturday only an act of Congress or of the Hopi Tribal Council can overturn the tribe's right to govern itself and make its own rules and decisions.

If the tribal court upholds Nuvamsa's suit, it would set a dangerous precedent and establish case law that would affect the right to self-government for all tribes, says Art Batala, Honyaoma's chief of staff.