Yaqui council names new tribal leader

In a crowded special session Friday, some members of the council determined that Frias should be replaced even though she is appealing their previous decision to suspend her for ethical violations.

Yucupicio said he has "no hate in my heart" and believes the actions shouldn't be made public outside the tribe. He added that he is looking to God for guidance.

Frias and tribal Secretary Catalina Alvarez stayed out of the meeting, calling it unconstitutional. Frias led a protest of more than a dozen of her supporters, holding signs calling the council unjust.

"At this point, the tribe is just making up the rules as they go along," Frias said. "It's ugly, ugly cutthroat politics."

Frias was accused of 22 ethics violations by Yucupicio and six other council members. Last week she was sanctioned for six of those allegations. She filed an appeal with the tribal court Wednesday. A recall petition also is circulating among tribal members.

Rogelio Valencia Tori was one of the tribal members who attended the council meeting Friday.

"I think this has really gotten out of control," he said, because tribal members have been airing their complaints to the rest of the community without engaging in a dialogue with each other.

Valencia Tori, who said he voted for Frias in the tribal elections, said the tribe should follow through with the appeal process and then get back to work on topics including economic development, housing and health care for tribal members.

"I strongly believe these seven council members have the tribe's best interest in mind," he said.

But he said the politics of the past few months will lead to a "very nasty election year" next year.

Under the Pascua Yaqui constitution, the tribal members elect 11 representatives, who select a chairperson from among themselves. Valencia Tori called that a flaw in the constitution that has led to fighting within the tribe. Four of the current council members are former chairmen.

Tribal member Aurora Valencia said she is offended by Frias' appeal because it was filed against the tribal body, which she said is the same as filing against each tribal member.

Valencia said she thinks the court case will come down to the role of the chairperson in the Pascua Yaqui government, which should be run as a government of the people.

"(Frias) wants to run it like the CEO of Sears, but it's a government, and she needs to listen to the people," Valencia said.